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Russell Robertson

Image DOB: 24 November 1978

Debut: Round 20, 1997 against West Coast at WACA
Last Game: Round 22, 2009 against St. Kilda at MCG

From: Burnie Dockers/Tasmania U18, Selection #68, 1996 National Draft, Selection #35, 1997 Rookie Draft

Number: 42 (1997), 24 (1998-2009)

Honours:
Best and Fairest - 2003
Leading Goalkicker - 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009
Rising Star nominee - Round 14, 1998
Grand Final team - 2000
Mark of the Year nominee - Round 18, 2001, Round 21, 2001, Round 13, 2002, Round 20, 2002, Round 4, 2003, Round 5, 2005, Round 22, 2007, Round 5, 2008
Goal of the Year nominee - Round 6, 2001, Round 1, 2007
Australian International Rules player - 2005
Reserves Leading Goalkicker - 1997, 1999
Life Member - 2006

Games: 228
Goals: 428
Career Statistics

WinsDrawsLossesWinning %
105112246.05

Statistical categories led
Most games and most goals in jumper 24

First spotted by Melbourne after a video of one of his marks was shown on The Footy Show, Robertson was a speculative late draft pick at the end of 1996. He was soon delisted, and redrafted to the new rookie list. Promoted to the senior list to replace the retired Dean Irving, Robertson debuted towards the end of the disappointing 1997 season. The next year he found a spot in an emerging forward line, earning a Rising Star nomination with four goals in a shock win over West Coast.

After being in out of the side during 1999, kicking less than a goal a game, Robertson's breakout season came in 2000. He kicked 44 goals in a potent forward line, and played in the losing Grand Final. He added another 42 goals the next season.

Early in 2002, Robertson was dropped to the VFL for three weeks, but recovered to play 21 games, including three finals, and was rewarded with a two year contract extension. In an often disappointing side, he played every game of 2003 and won the Best and Fairest. On receiving the award he revealed that the team psychologist had helped with his turbulent form. Robertson's form fell away in 2004 and he missed the top 10 of the Best and Fairest, but still earned a new three year contract. The club was rewarded with his best season in 2005, kicking 73.30, highlighted by a match-winning seven in the one point Round 21 win that saved Melbourne's season. He finished third in the Coleman Medal, and was unlucky not to be selected as an All Australian.

Robertson's 2006 campaign was interrupted by soft tissue injuries, and he missed several weeks after a knee injury in Round 2, 2007. Despite this, he still won the club goalkicking for the third time, and signed a new contract to the end of 2009. His 2008 season was destroyed by a snapped achilles tendon in Round 10. The resulting rehabilitation meant he didn't play again until Round 6. His return of 29 goals in 13 games was respectable, considering the Demons finished last and Robertson had two stints in the VFL with Casey.

In August 2009, it was announced that Robertson and Melbourne would part company at the end of the season. He hoped to continue his career elsewhere, and fittingly Robertson's last act in a Melbourne jumper, with three seconds left on the clock in Round 22, was an attempt to pull down a trademark hanger. He ended his career as Melbourne's third highest goalkicker, behind only David Neitz and Norm Smith.

Overlooked by other clubs, Robertson kicked 106 goals for Shepparton Swans in 2010. He was appointed playing coach for Geelong Football League side St. Joseph's in 2011, but resigned early in the season after abuse from supporters. He returned to the job and stayed there through 2012, a year where he also returned to Burnie. Robertson played for Maribyrnong Park in 2013 and 2014, Broadford in 2015 and Doveton Eagles in 2018. He later returned to Melbourne in an administrative capacity, as a matchday host and website reporter.

YearGamesGoalsBrownlow
1997 350
1998 16150
1999 13110
2000 25441
2001 22423
2002 21320
2003 22412
2004 22302
2005 23733
2006 23443
2007 15423
2008 10200
2009 13290

Tribunal Record

MatchChargeSanction
Round 21, 2000 Melee $3000 fine
Round 4, 2004 Striking 1 match

Video

Lists
9 Point goals
Grand Final Sprint
Interstate recruits

Media
Herald Sun - 14/01/2001
Age - 15/12/2003, 13/10/2004, 20/09/2009
Geelong Advertiser - 27/10/10

Links
Australian Rules Football profile
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Demonwiki image gallery
Draftguru profile
melbfc.com.au profile - 2001
Website
Wikipedia profile

Created by Supermercado. Last Modification: Thursday 07 March 2024 13:13:55 AEDT by Supermercado. (Version 49)

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