Norman 'Norm' Bussell (born 6 January 1945) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the VFL.
| Norm Bussell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 6 January 1945 | ||
| Original team(s) | King Valley, Wangaratta Rovers (OMFL) | ||
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1960–1961 | King Valley | ||
| 1962–1967 & 1974-1976 | Wangaratta Rovers | 146 (28) | |
| 1968–1973 | Hawthorn | 113 (2) | |
| 1977–1980 | Whorouly | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1973. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early career edit
Bussell was a highly rated youngster who initially played with King Valley in the Ovens & King Football League from 1960 to 1961, then moved onto play with Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray Football League in 1962. He developed with the help of VFL legend Bob Rose, who was coaching Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens and Murray FL.
When Rose was appointed to coach Collingwood he got Bussell to sign a Form Four registration tying him to Collingwood. Bussell refused to move to Melbourne as he was competing an Auto Electrical apprenticeship. A few years later after his form four had expired, Hawthorn managed to persuade Bussell to move to Hawthorn.
VFL career edit
Bussell was a centre half back and his no-fuss tough approach to the game saw him play 113 games.
The highlight of his career was the 1971 VFL Grand Final / Premiership. Bussell played an important role in one of the most brutal games in VFL history.
After VFL edit
After sustaining a back injury Bussell decided to retire from VFL football. He returned to Wangaratta Rovers, playing in their 1974 and 1975 Ovens & Murray Football League premierships. Bussell then went onto captain-coach Whorouly in the Ovens & King Football League to premierships in 1977 and 1978, then runners up in 1979 and 1980, before retiring as a player. Bussell then coached Myrtleford in the Ovens & Murray Football League in 1985.[1]
His son Aidan was drafted by Hawthorn 1991 AFL draft but he never played a senior AFL game.
References edit
- ^ Kevin B. Hill. "Wang Rovers FNC - Hall of Fame". Wangaratta Rovers FNC. Wangaratta Rovers FNC. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
External links edit
- Norm Bussell's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- 1964 - O&MFL Premiers: Wangaratta Rovers FC team photo
- 1967 - O&MFL Runners Up: Wangaratta Rovers FC team photo
- 1971 VFL Premiers: Hawthorn FC team photo
- 1975 - O&MFL Premiers: Wangaratta Rovers FC team photo
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