Bourke played in back-to-back premierships for Preston in 1983 and 1984 while kicking regular bags of goals as a young forward.
However, he is best known for shoving an umpire during a match for the Collingwood reserves team in 1985, resulting in a lengthy suspension.
When umpire Phil Waight attempted to report Bourke for the incident, Bourke shoved him to the ground and kicked him, and he also made contact with a Collingwood runner who was attempting to take him off the ground before running into the stands to attack a Swans fan.
[6] The match was being broadcast on the Seven Network, with commentator Ray Jordon crying: "You've gotta take the boy off!"
[7] As a result, Bourke was handed a suspension of ten years, equivalent to 240 matches.