Leo Bird
Collingwood and Fitzroy
AFL career
24 games12 goals
- Debut
- R11 1929 v ESS13 July 1929
- Most recent
- R14 1931 v NTH8 Aug 1931
Stats
Bio
Born into a family deeply entrenched in the suburb’s history—his father was a local councillor and well-known merchant—Leo Bird was a nippy rover and forward with a natural eye for goal. Despite possessing the speed and skill to play at the top level, Bird faced the unenviable task of breaking into Collingwood’s legendary "Machine" lineup, effectively stuck behind champion smalls like Harry Collier and Bill Libbis. He managed just a single senior appearance during the Magpies' undefeated 1929 season and struggled to hold a spot the following year, often dominating in the seconds but finding his path to the seniors blocked. Seeking greater opportunity, Bird crossed to Fitzroy midway through the 1931 season, where he added eight games to his tally before eventually moving to the VFA with Preston and later captain-coaching Abbotsford.
Profile
- Born
- 17 Sept 1908
- Died
- 06 Aug 1990 (aged 81y 323d)
- Birthplace
- Collingwood, VIC
- Height
- 170 cm
- Weight
- 66 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionBorn into a family deeply entrenched in the suburb’s history—his father was a local councillor and well-known merchant—Leo Bird was a nippy rover and forward with a natural eye for goal. Despite possessing the speed and skill to play at the top level, Bird faced the unenviable task of breaking into Collingwood’s legendary "Machine" lineup, effectively stuck behind champion smalls like Harry Collier and Bill Libbis. He managed just a single senior appearance during the Magpies' undefeated 1929 season and struggled to hold a spot the following year, often dominating in the seconds but finding his path to the seniors blocked. Seeking greater opportunity, Bird crossed to Fitzroy midway through the 1931 season, where he added eight games to his tally before eventually moving to the VFA with Preston and later captain-coaching Abbotsford.