Bernard Richard O'Brien (14 May 1909 – 9 January 1955) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

Bernie O'Brien
Personal information
Full name Bernard Richard A. O'Brien
Date of birth (1909-05-14)14 May 1909
Place of birth Footscray, Victoria
Date of death 9 January 1955(1955-01-09) (aged 45)
Place of death Footscray, Victoria
Original team(s) Railways
Height 169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Position(s) Rover
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1929–1930 Footscray 018 0(17)
1931 Carlton 012 00(7)
1933–1938 Footscray 070 (112)
Total 100 (136)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1938.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Family

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His brother, Walter Joseph O'Brien (1907-1983), also played for Footscray.[2]

Football

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A Railways recruit, O'Brien played 18 games for Footscray in 1929 and 1930, his first stint at the club.[3]

In 1931 he played for Carlton.

In 1932 he was captain-coach of Yinnar.[3][4]

He returned to Footscray in 1933 and brought up his 100th league game in his only league appearance in 1938.[3]

O'Brien, who represented Victoria twice in 1937, left Footscray in 1939 to coach Horsham.[5]

Death

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He died at his residence in Footscray, Victoria on 9 January 1955.[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Bernie O'Brien". Blueseum.
  2. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
  3. ^ a b c AFL Tables: Bernie OBrien
  4. ^ Morwell Advertiser, "Football – South Gippsland Assn – Yinnar v. Boolarra", 20 May 1932, p.10.
  5. ^ The Horsham Times, "New Coach Takes Charge", 28 April 1939, p.3.
  6. ^ Deaths: O'Brien, The Argus, (Monday, 10 January 1955), p.13.