Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Martin Joseph Bolger

Known as
Martin Bolger

Born
19 August 1906

Died
28 July 1991 (aged 84)

Occupation
Railway foreman

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 23y 271d
Last game: 33y 21d

Height and weight
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 76 kg

Senior clubs
Richmond

Jumper numbers
Richmond: 9

Martin Bolger

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
RichmondV/AFL1930-193918520.0169%13.64—3.1225
Total1930-193918520.0169%13.64—3.1225

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 3,675th player to appear, 819th most games played, 7,862nd most goals kickedRichmond: 320th player to appear, 43rd most games played, 688th most goals kicked

One of the most ferocious Tigers is Martin Bolger - on the field - whose one object is the ball, and heaven help the one who tries to bar his way. On the other side of the fence he is one of the quietest-mannered and most gentlemanly chaps imaginable. He revels in a hard, slogging game, and with his co-musketeers he is doing a great job for Richmond.¹

A member, along with Kevin O'Neill and Maurie Sheehan, of Richmond's famous 'Three Musketeers' backline of the early 1930s, Martin Bolger specialised in minding the opposing team's resting rover, almost invariably to the detriment of that player's impact. As nimble and quick as a rover himself, Bolger was also tough, resilient and extremely consistent. His ball-handling skills were excellent, and he was a reliable kick to position. He played 185 games for the Tigers between 1930 and 1939, and was among the best players afield in the Grand Final-winning teams of 1932 and 1934. He won the Richmond best and fairest award in 1936.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “Sporting Globe”, 20/6/34, page 8.

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications, Crème de la Crème

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.