BIO

Victor Bernard Stephens  was born at Mt. Torrens on 9 Feb 1889. A finely built athlete, Victor started his league career with West Adelaide in 1908. He was named in a back pocket and was one of West Adelaide's best players in their 1908 Grand Final win against Norwood. He played as a half back flanker in the 1908 Champions of Australia victory against Carlton and starred in that position in the 1909 Premiership win over Port Adelaide.

In 1910, after an eventful 23 games at West, he changed residence, moving into the Norwood district and was subsequently cleared to the Norwood Football Club. Playing at half-back, he made his league debut for his new club against West on the Adelaide Oval on 14 May 1910.
 
Touring Tasmania with the Norwood team of 1910, he played games in Hobart and Launceston.  Named Vice-Captain in 1911, he was promoted to club captain in 1913, and his awards included Best Backman 1911 and Most Unselfish in 1914.
 
Vic played at Norwood with his brother Guy from 1911 to 1915, after which the competition was suspended because of World War 1.  The pair toured Western Australia with the Norwood team that played against East Fremantle, South Fremantle and a combined West Australian team in August 1914.

Vic enlisted in the 2nd Depot Batallion in February 1916 and served overseas until he was discharged in 1920.  

Both players made their Norwood debut against West Adelaide, and finished their careers against the same club. The brothers were made Norwood Football Club Life Members, and Guy was also Life Member of the SANFL.
 
An A Grade all-rounder with the East Torrens Cricket Club,  Vic was Norwood's  Honorary Treasurer in 1913-1914, and again 1923-1927, as well as Committeeman in 1920.

R Cialini Mar 2014