Norman starred for North Ballarat in the 1960 BFL season and won the league's "Best and Fairest" award, known as the Henderson Medal.[1] The following season he joined Collingwood where he would spend six seasons as a rover and small forward.
Known for his strength and courage,[2] Norman appeared as a half forward flanker in the 1964 VFL Grand Final but ended up on the losing team. He kicked a career high 40 goals that year, bettering his 36-goal effort in 1962. Neither were enough to top Collingwood's goal-kicking but he earned that accolade in 1965 when he booted 32 goals. Norman also twice kicked six goals in a game during his career, both times against North Melbourne.[3]