Hugh Purse
Melbourne
AFL career
84 games26 goals
- Debut
- R1 1904 v STK7 May 1904
- Most recent
- R17 1915 v ESS14 Aug 1915
Stats
1915 | MEL | 1 | 0.0 |
1912 | MEL | 13 | 0.0 |
1909 | MEL | 10 | 0.0 |
1908 | MEL | 12 | 0.0 |
1907 | MEL | 13 | 0.0 |
1906 | MEL | 13 | 0.6 |
1905 | MEL | 15 | 0.7 |
1904 | MEL | 7 | 1.0 |
Bio
A Boer War veteran who arrived at Melbourne via VFA club Brighton, Hugh Purse was a commanding half-forward whose career was defined as much by his aerial prowess as his complex relationship with club administrators. Joining his premiership-winning brother Jack at the Redlegs in 1904, Purse quickly developed into the side's most important player, eventually earning Victorian selection and the club captaincy in 1908. Despite his on-field dominance, he walked away from the league midway through 1909 due to internal disputes, spending time working his farm and captaining Brighton before being lured back to the VFL for the 1912 season. His football journey took a final fascinating turn when he was appointed coach of University in 1914, before making a solitary farewell appearance for Melbourne in 1915 following the Students' withdrawal from the competition.
Profile
- Born
- 02 Oct 1881
- Died
- 06 Sept 1952 (aged 70y 340d)
- Birthplace
- Hawthorn, VIC
- Deathplace
- Brighton, VIC
Teams
Honours
- Melbourne captain1908
Family
- Brother:Jack Purse
Bio
1 revisionA Boer War veteran who arrived at Melbourne via VFA club Brighton, Hugh Purse was a commanding half-forward whose career was defined as much by his aerial prowess as his complex relationship with club administrators. Joining his premiership-winning brother Jack at the Redlegs in 1904, Purse quickly developed into the side's most important player, eventually earning Victorian selection and the club captaincy in 1908. Despite his on-field dominance, he walked away from the league midway through 1909 due to internal disputes, spending time working his farm and captaining Brighton before being lured back to the VFL for the 1912 season. His football journey took a final fascinating turn when he was appointed coach of University in 1914, before making a solitary farewell appearance for Melbourne in 1915 following the Students' withdrawal from the competition.