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
[edit]Button was born in South Australia. Details about his early life and junior football career are not widely documented in public sources.
SANFL career
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Between 1972 and 1979, Button represented South Australia in nine interstate matches.[1]
Playing style
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ 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
[edit]- [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/)