Bill Heaphy

William Loch Heaphy (18 December 1888 – 21 May 1914) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1] He was from Tatura originally and went to Geelong College, but came to Essendon via West Melbourne, during the 1908 VFL season.[2]

Bill Heaphy
Personal information
Full name William Loch Heaphy
Date of birth (1888-12-18)18 December 1888
Place of birth Brunswick, Victoria
Date of death 21 May 1914(1914-05-21) (aged 25)
Place of death Kyabram, Victoria
Original team(s) Tatura
Height 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1908–1909 Essendon 5 (3)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1909.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Essendon

Heaphy made his league debut in Essendon's round 18 win over Geelong at East Melbourne.[3]

His second appearance for Essendon was in the 1908 VFL Grand Final.[4] He was the youngest player on the field, at 19 years of age, but not the least experienced, as teammate Harry Prout was making his debut.[4][5] Essendon lost by nine points, with Heaphy playing in a forward pocket.[2][4]

He played three games with Essendon in the 1909 season, then transferred to Brunswick mid season and finished the year with another grand final appearance, this time finishing on the winning side.[2][6][7]

Poor health and death

Heaphy had serious issues with his heart and in 1914 spent some time in a Melbourne private hospital.[8] Back at Kyabram on 21 May 1914, Heaphy suffered a fatal seizure, having earlier taken what he thought was his heart medication.[9] It was ruled by a coroner that he had been poisoned and gave a verdict of accidental death.[10]

References
  1. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
  2. "Heaphy, Bill". Essendon Football Club official website. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012.
  3. "Essendon v Geelong". AFL Tables.
  4. "1908 Grand Final". AFL Tables.
  5. Lovett, Michael (2004). AFL 2004 - The Official Statistical History Of The AFL. AFL Publishing. ISBN 0-9580300-5-7.
  6. "1909 Stats". AFL Tables.
  7. The Coburg Leader, "Football: Brunswick v Prahran", 1 October 1909, p. 3
  8. Shepparton Advertiser, "Personal", 25 May 1914, p. 3
  9. Weekly Times (Victoria), "Country", 30 May 1914, p. 26
  10. Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, "Victoria", 29 May 1914, p. 35
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