Russell Robertson | Demonwiki (original) (raw)
DOB: 24 November <1978>
Debut: Round 20, 1997 against West Coast at
Last Game: Round 22, 2009 against St. Kilda at
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>
Leading Goalkicker - <1997>, <1999>
Life Member - <2006>
Games: 228
Goals: 428
Career Statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | 1 | 122 | 46.05 |
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.
Robertson is a member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1997> | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| <1998> | 16 | 15 | 0 |
| <1999> | 13 | 11 | 0 |
| <2000> | 25 | 44 | 1 |
| <2001> | 22 | 42 | 3 |
| <2002> | 21 | 32 | 0 |
| <2003> | 22 | 41 | 2 |
| <2004> | 22 | 30 | 2 |
| <2005> | 23 | 73 | 3 |
| <2006> | 23 | 44 | 3 |
| <2007> | 15 | 42 | 3 |
| <2008> | 10 | 20 | 0 |
| <2009> | 13 | 29 | 0 |
Tribunal Record
| Match | Charge | Sanction |
|---|---|---|
| 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
melbfc.com.au - 2001
Age - 15/12/2003, 13/10/2004, 20/09/2009
Geelong Advertiser - 27/10/2010
Links
Australian Rules Football profile
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Demonwiki image gallery
Draftguru profile
Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame
Website
Wikipedia profile