Bill Heaphy
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Bill Heaphy
| image =
| fullname = William Loch Heaphy
| birth_date = {{birth date|1888|12|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Brunswick, Victoria
| death_date = {{death date and age|1914|5|21|1888|12|18|df=yes}}
| death_place = Kyabram, Victoria
| originalteam = Tatura
| height = 177 cm
| weight = 75 kg
| position =
| statsend = 1909
| years1 = 1908–1909
| club1 = Essendon
| games_goals1 = 5 (3)
| careerhighlights =
}}
William Loch Heaphy (18 December 1888 – 21 May 1914) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).{{cite book|last=Holmesby|first=Russell|last2=Main|first2=Jim|title=The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers| publisher=BAS Publishing|year=2007|isbn=9781920910785}} He was from Tatura originally and went to Geelong College, but came to Essendon via West Melbourne, during the 1908 VFL season.{{cite web|url=http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/player-past.asp?id=432 |title=Heaphy, Bill |publisher=Essendon Football Club official website |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424070458/http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/player-past.asp?id=432 |archivedate=24 April 2012 }}
Essendon
Heaphy made his league debut in Essendon's round 18 win over Geelong at East Melbourne.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1908/050919080905.html| title=Essendon v Geelong| publisher=AFL Tables}}
His second appearance for Essendon was in the 1908 VFL Grand Final.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1908/030519080926.html| title=1908 Grand Final| publisher=AFL Tables}} He was the youngest player on the field, at 19 years of age, but not the least experienced, as teammate Harry Prout was making his debut.{{cite book|last=Lovett, Michael|title=AFL 2004 - The Official Statistical History Of The AFL| publisher=AFL Publishing|year=2004|isbn=0-9580300-5-7}} Essendon lost by nine points, with Heaphy playing in a forward pocket.
He played three games with Essendon in the 1909 season, then transferred to Brunswick mid season and finished the year with another grand final appearance, this time finishing on the winning side.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/1909.html#5| title=1909 Stats| publisher=AFL Tables}}The Coburg Leader, [http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66825235 "Football: Brunswick v Prahran"], 1 October 1909, p. 3
Poor health and death
Heaphy had serious issues with his heart and in 1914 spent some time in a Melbourne private hospital.Shepparton Advertiser, [http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/91359589 "Personal"], 25 May 1914, p. 3 Back at Kyabram on 21 May 1914, Heaphy suffered a fatal seizure, having earlier taken what he thought was his heart medication.Weekly Times (Victoria), [http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/121130575 "Country"], 30 May 1914, p. 26 It was ruled by a coroner that he had been poisoned and gave a verdict of accidental death.Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, [http://www.trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/101420899/10900282 "Victoria"], 29 May 1914, p. 35
References
{{reflist|1}}
External links
- {{AFL Tables|ref=B/Bill_Heaphy.html}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heaphy, Bill}}
Category:Australian rules footballers from Melbourne
Category:Essendon Football Club players
Category:Tatura Football Club players
Category:West Melbourne Football Club players
Category:Brunswick Football Club players
Category:Accidental deaths in Victoria (state)
Category:People educated at Geelong College