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| PLAYER
PROFILE
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| Position: |
Ruck |
| Number: |
12 |
| Games: |
196 |
| Goals: |
60 |
| Born: |
Feb 16 1910 |
| Height: |
183 |
| Weight: |
76 |
| From: |
Wangaratta |
| First Played: |
1930 |
| Nickname: |
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Recruited in 1930 from Wangaratta with his brother Arthur, Bert Mills is one of the early champions of the Hawthorn football club.
Mills began senior football at the age of 15 with Bethanga near Albury. The matches were tough and rough, and he soon moved onto the Ovens and Murray League against the likes of Hayden Bunton. After a creditable performance in the semi-final for Wangaratta against Bunton’s Albury in 1929 Hawthorn secretary Sam Ramsay signed him.
In just his 2nd season Mills was selected for Victoria against South Australia, and he would go on to represent the Big V 8 times over 6 years, a record that was only surpassed by Graham Arthur in 1964. New coach Jim Jackson caused a major surprise when he appointed Mills captain just after he had turned 22. However, the selection proved correct with Mills showing coolness under pressure far beyond his years.
Despite only standing 6 foot, Mills would usually play as a key defender with occasional spells in the ruck. In 1933 he won his first best and fairest, and backed it up with further wins in 1935 and 1939.
He was well ahead of his time in that his fitness routine and athleticism would see him at the peak of his game and in the gym almost every day. He was a good mark and his disposal was excellent.
Despite been a genuine star, football was not the professional standard it is today and Mills was forced to work as a parking attendant to pay the bills.
Mills stood down as captain in 1935 but took up the leadership once again in 1938 following the retirement of coach Ivan McAlpine. The following year saw him at his best, not only winning the club champion award but The Argus popular football quest.
In 1940 Mills was finally rewarded and appointed captain-coach. He immediately led the side to 7 wins, it’s best performance since joining the VFL. Unfortunately the side slumped back to its usual position at the foot of the ladder in 1941 with just 3 wins. Mind you, Mills had it pretty tough, having to tell his players there was no money available until the VFL dividend came through at the end of the season!
The strain was too much, and Mills resigned from the coaching position at the end of the year, but agreed to play one more season. He was on 195 games and wanted to reach 200. Unfortunately a serious injury meant he played just 1 more game and his illustrious career ended after 12 seasons and 196 games with the club.
Mills was picked in the back pocket of the Hawthorn team of the century, a huge honour that was only bestowed on 3 non-premiership players.
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| Captain - 1932-34, 1938, 1940-41 | | Coach - 1940-41 | | Selected as Back Pocket in the Hawthorn Team of the Century | | Life Member - 1939 | | Club Champion - 1933, 1935, 1939 | | Inducted into the Hawthorn Hall of Fame - 2003 |
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