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Full name
Richard Harris
Known as
Dick Harris
Born
14 October 1885
Died
31 October 1945 (aged 60)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 204d
Last game: 27y 348d
Height and weight
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Senior clubs
Essendon; Carlton; St. Kilda
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Essendon | V/AFL | 1905 | 3 | 5 | 1.67 | 67% | — | — | — | 0 |
Carlton | V/AFL | 1906-1907, 1909-1911 | 58 | 14 | 0.24 | 71% | — | — | — | 0 |
St. Kilda | V/AFL | 1912-1913 | 28 | 3 | 0.11 | 46% | — | — | — | 0 |
V/AFL | 1905-1907, 1909-1913 | 89 | 22 | 0.25 | 63% | — | — | — | 0 | |
Total | 1905-1907, 1909-1913 | 89 | 22 | 0.25 | 63% | — | — | — | 0 |
AFL: 1,017th player to appear, 2,758th most games played, 3,525th most goals kickedEssendon: 115th player to appear, 944th most games played, 549th most goals kickedCarlton: 198th player to appear, 304th most games played, 365th most goals kickedSt. Kilda: 399th player to appear, 492nd most games played, 701st most goals kicked
Dick Harris was an exceptional defender whose career highlights came when he was temporarily switched to the goal front in the 1907 VFL final series by Carlton coach Jack Worrall. The surprise move caught semi final opponents St Kilda off guard, with Harris contributing three goals to the Blues’ eventual runaway win. He was somewhat quieter in the flag decider against South Melbourne but still played a part in securing the win. It was the only premiership triumph enjoyed by Harris during his career.
That career commenced with Caulfield followed by a stint in the VFA with North Melbourne. In 1905 he played three VFL games and kicked five goals for Essendon but it was after moving to Carlton in 1906 that he really came into his own. In half a dozen seasons with the Blues Harris played 58 games and scored 14 goals, with his involvement in the winning grand final of 1907 being supplemented by an appearance in the losing game of 1910 against Collingwood.
Harris finished his playing career at St Kilda, where he played 28 games and booted three goals in 1912-13. His last appearance for the Saints came in their 1913 challenge final loss to Fitzroy.
Author - John Devaney