BIO

Bill Burns was a strongly built footballer who transferred to Norwood from McLaren Vale at 26 years of age. Quick for his size, he made his debut at centre half forward in Norwood's win over North Adelaide.

Not long after his debut, a rumour was circulated suggesting he was playing under an assumed name and that he was in fact an ex-player from the Victorian Football League. Eric Tassie, the Norwood Secretary at the time, flatly denied the rumours, confirming that Burns had been playing in the McLaren Flat district in recent seasons.

While he only played a handful of games for the club, Bill Burns did play in the 1923 Grand Final win (also against North) on the Adelaide Oval in front of 37,000 spectators.
Named in the forward pocket, he scored two goals in what was to be his last game for Norwood, before returning to the country.

R Cialini April 2014