Career
Head made his league debut in 1906 as a teenager and in 1909 became just the second ever West Adelaide player to win a Magarey Medal following on from team mate James Tierney's win in 1908.
The Register described him as a deserving winner of the award. "The one man who shone above all others was Head, West Adelaide’s centre pivot," the paper reported. "In nearly every match in which the red-and-blacks took part he was the best of the 36. On the ground he was too clever for all opponents, and in the air about the only player who eclipsed him was Hutton, of Norwood. Much of the success which West Adelaide achieved was due to his wonderful skill, resourcefulness and judgment, with which he associated considerable speed, absolute unselfishness and a gentlemanly demeanor. If anybody deserves the Magarey medal, Head does."
He was appointed club captain in 1913 and also captained the South Australia interstate side that year. Head was chosen to represent South Australia more often than not during his career, playing 37 games in total for his state.
In 1921 he crossed to Sturt but managed just four games before announcing his retirement. He returned to the league however the following season as non-playing coach at Glenelg and with the side struggling he took the field for seven games that year to finish with a total of 154 SAFL games. Head continued as Glenelg coach in 1923, his last season of coaching in the SANFL.
Several years after quitting active involvement with football he returned as a member of the first Umpires Appointment Board in 1931 along with other well known figures as Vic Richardson and later became chairman. Head was still serving football in that capacity when he died on 23 December 1940 at the age on 53.
In 2002 Head was one of the 113 inaugural inductees into the SANFL Hall of Fame and he is also a member of the West Adelaide Hall of Fame.
Read more about this topic: Richard Head (footballer)
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