Called “The Bear”, Neil Button was a big man who thrived on the big occasion. Finals, State games, ruck clashes with other top big blokes, Neil loved every moment of them. Down from Murray Bridge, in only his second year with Norwood, he proved at the 1972 Perth carnival that he could cut it against the best. His game in the 1975 grand final is still revered; as the dominant ruckman, Neil was instrumental in Norwood’s first premiership for 25 years.

In the incredible 1978 decider he did it again for his club. After missing the 1980 grand final with a knee reconstruction and with his ankles now starting to go, he directed scoring through centre half forward in the 1982 premiership. Much to Neil’s chagrin, those ankles kept him out of the Historymakers in 1984, but he retired next year with three flags from three attempts, and as Norwood’s then games record-holder.

Neil’s man-to-man encounters with the likes of Rick Davies and Peter Carey were, as they used to say, worth the admission price alone. At the club it was always claimed The Bear was so necessary to Norwood that you couldn’t start a game without him. Exactly the same rule applies at the Norwood Hall of Fame.

Games: 283
Goals: 163
Premierships: 1975, 1978, 1982
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, Norwood Team of the Century, NFL Champions of Australia Night Competition 1977, NFL All Stars 1972, SA games 9.

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