Born in Williamstown, Barnes was used mostly as a forward and kicked 34 goals in 1928, including a bag of six against Geelong at Lake Oval.

Playing against Tasmania at the MCG, Barnes batted in the middle order and made 51.

Fellow VFL footballers Stuart King and Heinrich Schrader also played in that match for Victoria.

[1] After leaving South Melbourne, Barnes played for Williamstown in the VFA from 1930 to 1934, notching up 67 games and kicking 76 goals.

He then transferred to Williamstown District as captain-coach and won the VFA Sub-Districts competition best and fairest award despite playing just six games.