HARPER, Bert

Bert Harper was a clever half-forward, centreman and wingman who came from Castlemaine where he played from 1939 to 1941.

He was an aggressive, hard bumping player who could hold his own in almost any position. He was also a strong mark and kick.

Harper had enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force before he joined Essendon and his career was interrupted when he missed most of 1943 and 1944 and all of the 1945 season through his war service.

He had been badly injured with a ruptured kidney in the last game in 1943 to add to his football problems.

However, he came back to play on the wing in the 1946 premiership team and on the half-forward flank in the 1950 premiership victory. Harper missed the 1949 premiership team with a knee injury. He also missed the 1951 Grand Final with a broken rib.

His best goalkicking effort was six goals in a game in 1946 and he was third top Essendon Brownlow Medal vote scorer in 1947.

Bert Harper was voted the Most Improved Player in 1947.

He died on 29th December, 1992.