Bert Rankin Explained

Bert Rankin
Fullname:Albert Vivian Rankin
Birth Date:17 February 1893
Birth Place:Geelong, Victoria
Death Place:Dimboola, Victoria
Originalteam:Chilwell (GDFA)
Height:178 cm
Weight:77 kg
Statsend:1936
Years1:1912–1923
Club1:Geelong
Games Goals1:132 (21)
Years2:1924-25, 1928-36[1]
Club2:Dimboola
Games Goals2:? (?)
Years3:1926
Club3:Wycheproof
Games Goals3:? (?)
Years4:1927
Club4:Beechworth
Games Goals4:? (?)

Albert Vivian Rankin (17 February 1893 – 20 June 1971) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL). His brothers Cliff and Doug as well as his father Teddy and other members of the family played league football for Geelong.

Rankin started his career as a forward, but played most of his football as a centreman. A player with exceptional pace, he was also a regular user of the drop kick. In 1917 he won Geelong's best and fairest award. He captained Victoria at interstate football in 1922 and then Geelong in 1923. His brother Cliff was vice captain. This was the first time in VFL history that a pair of brothers filled both positions at the same time. It turned out to be Bert Rankin's last season in the league as, controversially, he lost his spot in the side during the finals and walked out on the club. His brother, Cliff, refused to take the field in support of his brother.[2]

He is credited with suggesting that Geelong adopt the nickname of the Cats.[3] Rankin made his senior VFL debut one year and 320 days after the retirement of his father; a VFL/AFL record.[4]

After the disappointment of the 1923 season, Rankin left Geelong to coach the Dimboola Football Club[5] and led them to a Wimmera Football League premiership in 1929.[6] [7] Rankin also played in Dimboola's 1928 premiership side, which was coached by Leo Wescott and was still playing for Dimboola in 1936.[8]

In 1915, Rankin married Winifred Hornsey. He died in Dimboola in 1971.[9]

Rankin was the secretary of the Dimboola Agricultural and Pastoral Society for at least 15 years from 1928 onwards.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1936 - Playing Coach at Thirty-nine . The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) . 14 February 2026 . 2 . 17 April 1936.
  2. Sporting Globe, 22 September 1923, p. 1; The Argus, 25 Sep 1923, pp. 21–22; Geelong Advertiser, 6 November 1923, p. 9; Sporting Globe, 10 March 1928, p. 6; J. Ross (ed.), 100 Years of Australian Football, Ringwood, 1996, p. 113.
  3. http://www.theage.com.au/news/geoff-mcclure/cats-purrfect-cup-final-omen/2006/03/15/1142098529256.html Cats purrfect cup final omen
  4. Lovett, M. "New Blues cult hero helping close the generation gap", AFL Record, 11–14 May 2012, p. 10.
  5. Geelong Advertiser, 17 April 1924, p. 3.
  6. Web site: 1929 - Dimboola win premiership . The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) . 8 February 2026 . 3 . 3 September 1929.
  7. Web site: 1929 - Dimboola Premiers . Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) . 8 February 2026 . 83 . 7 September 1929.
  8. Web site: 1936 - CAPTAIN COACH INJURED . The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954) . 14 February 2026 . 5 . 12 June 1936.
  9. J. and J. McDonald, Three William McDonalds, Canberra, 2010, pp. 91–93.
  10. Web site: 1943 - LESS WHEAT GROWN NOW AT DIMBOOLA . Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) . 15 February 2026 . 8 . 7 July 1943.

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