In his early years Spurling grew up in the suburb of Williamstown, Victoria not far from St. Mary's Catholic Church.

The family lived in a large house and his father, David, ran a successful tailoring company in Footscray, now known as Spurling Formalwear.

One year later he played with that schools junior football team, losing only two games for the entire season.

As his abilities strengthened Spurling became a key position player on the football field who was used mostly as a centre half-forward.

He won the league's best and fairest award, the Fred Wood Medal in his first season[6][7] and in 1939, he was reappointed as their coach.