John Byrne (Australian footballer)

John Byrne (born 24 February 1956) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the VFL.

John Byrne
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-02-24) 24 February 1956
Original team(s) Wangaratta Rovers (OMFL)
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 82 kg (181 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1975–1982 North Melbourne 98 (71)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1982.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Byrne first came under notice when he starred in Wangaratta Rovers 1972 Ovens & Murray Football League premiership as a 16 year old and headed to North Melbourne in 1974, then made his senior VFL debut in 1975. He also won North Melbourne's 1975 reserves best and fairest.

Byrne played mostly as a ruck-rover and in defence for North Melbourne. He started his career with them in 1975 and went on to star in their 1977 premiership[1] as well as playing in their 1976 and 1978 losing grand finals.

Byrne represented Victoria in 1977 against Western Australia at Subiaco.[2]

His VFL career ended prematurely, when he first broke his leg in round 8 against Fitzroy, in May 1979[3] at the age of 23. Byrne later broken the same leg in 1980 and eventually retired at 26 years of age, in 1982. Byrne returned home to the family farm and was also North Melbourne's Development & Recruiting officer for the Ovens & Murray region.[4]

Byrne later coached the Ovens & Murray Football League to 1985 and 1987 VCFL Country Championship wins. Byrne also coached the VCFL side in 1989.

References
  1. Mike Sheahan (3 October 1977). "1977 - It's over, the war is won". The Age. p. 32. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  2. Stephen Phillips (10 October 1977). "1977 - Vics get a 94 point hiding". The Age. p. 32. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  3. "All the scores". The Age Newspaper. 27 May 1979. p. 90. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  4. Tim Jackson (28 June 1985). "Big break ends career". Wangaratta Chronicle newspaper. p. 36. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
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