Bert Franks

Who is Bert Franks?

Albert William "Bert" Franks was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.

Although born and bred in Victoria, Franks played initially in the Goldfields Football Association with Kalgoorlie Railways and then at North Fremantle in the Western Australian Football Association. Usually playing as a ruckman, he was a vital member of South Melbourne's 1909 premiership team and kicked a goal in the low scoring Grand Final. He made another Grand Final in 1912, but on that occasion finished on the losing side and finished his career in the Victorian Football Association at North Melbourne.

Franks had a poor disciplinary record, and missed the 1907 Grand Final due to a seven match suspension he received for striking. Most notably, he was sidelined for life in 1910 after being found guilty of abusing and threatening an umpire, the longest suspension for such a charge in the league's history.