Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
William McSpeerin

Known as
Bill McSpeerin

Born
25 September 1874

Place of birth
Carlton, VIC (3053)

Died
3 June 1943 (aged 68)

Place of death
Brunswick East, VIC (3057)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 22y 225d
Last game: 29y 358d

Senior clubs
Fitzroy

Jumper numbers
Fitzroy: 13

State of origin
VIC

Family links
Artie McSpeerin (Cousin)Shane McSpeerin (Great nephew)

Bill McSpeerin

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
FitzroyV/AFL1897-1904126930.7467%———0
Total1897-1904126930.7467%———0

AFL: 95th player to appear, 1,797th most games played, 1,179th most goals kickedFitzroy: 14th player to appear, 73rd most games played, 49th most goals kicked

The consummate all round footballer, William McSpeerin was equally effective as a rover or in a variety of set positions. He began with Fitzroy while the club was still in the VFA, and he was a key contributor to its 1895 premiership. In 1898 he helped the Maroons to their first VFL premiership, the last to be won when teams consisted of 20 players, and he also played in the winning Grand Final of 1899, when he was Fitzroy's top goal kicker for the year with 18 goals.

McSpeerin captained the 'Roys in 1901 and 1902, and rounded off his VFL career with two magnificent seasons in 1903 and 1904. The last of his 126 VFL games came in the 1904 Grand Final against Carlton which Fitzroy won comfortably by four goals.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

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Footnotes

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