DOB: 14 August 1953
Debut: Round 1, 1972 against Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval
Last MFC Game: Round 15, 1978 against Carlton at Waverley
From: Bentleigh-McKinnon Youth Club
Number: 27 (1972-1973), 6 (1974-1978)
Honours:
Best First Year Player - 1972
Leading Goalkicker - 1973, 1974, 1977
Under 19s premiership player - 1971
Games: 121 (174 total)
Goals: 196 (289 total)
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
39 | 0 | 82 | 32.23 |
The brother of former Collingwood full-forward Ian Brewer, Ross graduated through the Fourths to the Under 19s, Reserves and seniors. He played just seven Reserves games before making his senior debut a decade after his brother. In his first season Brewer won the Best First Year Player award and earned three Brownlow votes.
Despite his slight frame, Brewer was often as close as the Demons got to a champion full-forward in an era where they were crying out for key position attacking players. He led the club goalkicking three times (despite missing the last three weeks of 1973 with glandular fever) and was renowned as a strong mark and a good kick.
Brewer moved to Collingwood in 1979 in exchange for John Dellamarta, Wayne Gordon, Phil Carman and cash. He 47 games for them, including their losing Grand Final sides of 1979 and 1981. Put up for sale by the Pies after their failure to win the flag, he joined Richmond for $35,000 and played six more games before joining VFA club Sandringham. Brewer kicked 151 goals in 34 matches with the Zebras including a 94 goal season in 1984. That year included a 15 goal haul against Dandenong, 12 against Coburg and 10 against Springvale. He captained their 1985 Premiership side before joining Waverley in 1986, where he remained until the end of 1987.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1972 | 17 | 15 | 3 |
1973 | 18 | 32 | 1 |
1974 | 22 | 40 | 0 |
1975 | 14 | 28 | 2 |
1976 | 18 | 34 | 0 |
1977 | 19 | 26 | 0 |
1978 | 13 | 21 | 0 |
Lists
Collingwood
Richmond
VFA
Notes
Some sources suggest he was part of the trade for Phil Carman.
Media
Age - 16/08/1973
Canberra Times - 10/01/1979
Links
Australian Rules Football profile
Collingwood Forever profile
Demonwiki image gallery
VFA Project profile
Wikipedia profile