Neil Button
Neil "The Bear" Button (born 28 July 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) between 1971 and 1985. He played primarily as a ruckman.
Early life
Button was born in South Australia. Details about his early life and junior football career are not widely documented in public sources.
SANFL career
Button made his senior debut for Norwood in 1971. He played a total of 283 league games and kicked 163 goals. In addition, he played 11 reserves matches and 19 under-19 matches for the club.[1]
Premierships
Button was part of Norwood’s premiership-winning teams in 1975, 1978, and 1982. In the 1975 SANFL Grand Final, he contributed to the club's win against Glenelg, which ended a long premiership drought for Norwood.[2]
State representation
Between 1972 and 1979, Button represented South Australia in nine interstate matches.[1]
Playing style
Button played primarily as a ruckman and was noted for his strong marking and physical presence. His performances in finals matches received attention in contemporary media reports.[2]
Honours
Button served as Norwood’s vice-captain in 1978 and 1979. He was selected in the Advertiser Team of the Year in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1981.
He was named at centre half-forward in Norwood’s Team of the Century and was inducted into the Norwood Football Club Hall of Fame in 2006.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Neil Button". Redlegs Museum. Norwood Football Club. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ a b Harms, John (7 November 2019). "Neil "The Bear" Button – Champion footballer, quality human being". Footy Almanac. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
External links
- [Neil Button profile at Redlegs Museum](https://www.redlegsmuseum.com.au/ON_FIELD/PLAYERS/BUTTONNeil.aspx)
- [Tribute article at Footy Almanac](https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/neil-the-bear-button-champion-footballer-quality-human-being/)