Norm Bussell
Norman 'Norm' Bussell (born 6 January 1945) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the VFL.
| Norm Bussell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 6 January 1945 | ||
| Original team(s) | Wangaratta Rovers (OMFL) | ||
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1968–1973 | Hawthorn | 113 (2) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1973. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early career
Bussell was a highly rated youngster from the town of Wangaratta. He developed with the help of VFL legend Bob Rose, who was coaching one of the two Wangaratta teams in the Ovens and Murray FL. When Rose was appointed to coach Collingwood he got Bussell to sign a Form Four registration tying him to Collingwood. Bussell refused to move to Melbourne as he was competing an Auto Electrical apprenticeship. A few years later after his form four had expired, Hawthorn managed to persuade Bussell to move to Hawthorn.
VFL career
Bussell was a centre half back and his no fuss tough approach to the game saw him play 113 games.
The highlight of his career was the 1971 Premiership. Bussell played an important role in one of the most brutal games in VFL history.
After VFL
After substaining a back injury Bussell decided to retire from VFL football. He returned to Wangaratta and played with his original team, the Wangaratta Rovers. He played in two premierships before retiring from the game.
His son Aidan was drafted by Hawthorn 1991 AFL draft but he never played a game.