Bourke played as a ruckman and captained Geelong from 1987 until 1989. His last game as captain was the 1989 VFL Grand Final where Geelong lost to Hawthorn by a goal. Bourke finished equal eighth in the 1991Brownlow Medal and in 1993 moved to Queensland to play for Brisbane. Bourke retired at the end of the 1995 AFL season.
Bourke's son Jordon Bourke was a Brisbane Lions listed player between 2013 and 2015.
Victoria 12.14 (86) defeated South Australia 11.4 (70), at Football Park, 28 May 1991
Western Australia 19.13 (127) defeated Victoria 7.9 (51), at the WACA Ground, 16 July 1991