Richard Abikhair (7 July 1914 – 20 August 1962)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn and North Melbourne. Of Lebanese descent, Abikhair usually played as a rover or in the back pocket. His career was partially shortened by the declaration of World War II.

Dick Abikhair
Personal information
Full name Richard Abikhair
Date of birth 7 July 1914
Place of birth Rushworth, Victoria
Date of death 20 August 1962(1962-08-20) (aged 48)
Place of death Arden St Oval, North Melbourne
Original team(s) Rushworth
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1934–1938 Hawthorn 060 (10)
1939-1940 Camberwell
1941–1945 North Melbourne 060 0(2)
Total 120 (12)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1945.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Abikhair was captain-coach of Casterton Football Club[2] when they defeated Hamilton to win the 1939 Western District Football League grand final.[3]

Following his playing career, Abikhair began coaching at the amateur level. While coaching the Carlton Rovers in the Sunday Amateur Football League he received a bomb threat to his Clifton Hill home.[4] League secretary W. H. Linnington also received similar threats to his Brunswick home. Police patrolled the area and nothing materialised of the threats.

References

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  1. ^ "Dick Abikhair - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  2. ^ "1939 - Casterton Celebrates". Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic). 21 October 1939. p. 58. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  3. ^ "1939 - Casterton's first premiership". Portland Guardian (Vic). 5 October 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Police patrols watch homes". The Argus. 31 July 1953.

Sources

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  • Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
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