George Bower (footballer)


George Buxton Bower was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.

Football

Bower made his debut in round one, 1909, against Geelong, at Corio Oval on 1 May 1909.
He became the second member of his family to play for South Melbourne, with his elder brother Harold having played for the club earlier in the decade.
He was a member of a premiership team in his very first season, playing as a centreman in the 1909 VFL Grand Final.
In 1912, South Melbourne made another grand final, but Bower didn't play as he had received a four-week suspension in the semi final, for striking Essendon's Fred Baring.
He played his last senior match, against Geelong, on 2 May 1914, in which he was one of the best on the ground.

Military service

Bower's career ended when he enlisted to serve his country in World War I.
While in England he played for the Australian Training Units team in the famous "Pioneer Exhibition Game" of Australian Rules football, held in London, in October 1916. A news film was taken at the match.
During the war he served with the 13th Light Horse Regiment

Footnotes