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Robert Campbell (Australian rules footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Robbie" Campbell (born 2 June 1982) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Melbourne Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL). At 200 cm tall, he made his AFL debut with the Hawthorn Hawks
in 2002. After appearing sporadically in his first few seasons, Campbell starred in 2006 with 230 disposals and 300 hit outs, playing in each of the club's 22 games.
In 2007, he became the Hawks' number one ruckman after Peter Everitt
's departure to the Sydney Swans
. He played in every game for the season, including two finals appearances.
Campbell has a reputation for providing value around the ground with his strength and tenacious attitude. Campbell was rewarded for his efforts with a Premiership medallion after the Hawks
upset Geelong in the 2008 Grand Final.
In percentage terms, no other AFL ruckman hits the ball to the advantage of his on-ballers more often than Campbell.[1] In 2007 & 2008, Campbell and Hawks
teammate Sam Mitchell
were rated the highest ruck to rover combination in the AFL.
He has evolved into one of the competition’s most durable and reliable ruckmen, missing only one of the Hawks’ past 71 matches. He was first for Hawthorn's hit-outs last season, averaging about 15 a match. Tough competitor who handles the ball well for his size, tackles ferociously and can fill key-position roles when needed. He finished 13th in the Best & Fairest Award (Peter Crimmins Medal
) in 2007 & 2008.
Highly underrated in the AFL, Campbell got the job done for the Hawks and was a crucial part of the Premiership side, as the number one ruckman at the Hawks.
Draft History: 2001 Rookie Elevation (Hawthorn).
Count on 3 October due to a knee injury. A tearful Campbell thanked fans, players, family, friends and coaching staff in a heartfelt speech.
(VFL
) after finding out his knee wasn't as bad as they first thought. Robert then stated he would like to make a comeback to AFL football and would enter the draft at the end of 2010.
Campbell was selected by the Melbourne Demons
during round 5 at pick number 63 in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Due to Melbourne's strong ruck depth in 2011, notably Mark Jamar
, Stefan Martin
and Max Gawn
, Campbell was unable to break into Melbourne's senior team. As a result, he retired at the end of the season.
With a passion for helping young people, Robbie is studying Education and has started his youth training camp academy DraftStar, (with ex-teammate Ben Dixon) a school holiday program for young footballers wanting develop football skills as well as build leadership skills. Originally school holiday camps held at Assumption College, Kilmore
DraftStar has grown into a nationwide program in 2011.
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL). At 200 cm tall, he made his AFL debut with the Hawthorn Hawks
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
in 2002. After appearing sporadically in his first few seasons, Campbell starred in 2006 with 230 disposals and 300 hit outs, playing in each of the club's 22 games.
In 2007, he became the Hawks' number one ruckman after Peter Everitt
Peter Everitt
Peter "Spida" Everitt is a former Australian rules footballer who played for St Kilda, Hawthorn Hawks and the Sydney Swans in the AFL. He made his debut for St Kilda in 1993 and in 2003 began playing for Hawthorn. Everitt was traded to the Sydney Swans at the end of 2006. Following the club's 2008...
's departure to the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
. He played in every game for the season, including two finals appearances.
Campbell has a reputation for providing value around the ground with his strength and tenacious attitude. Campbell was rewarded for his efforts with a Premiership medallion after the Hawks
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
upset Geelong in the 2008 Grand Final.
In percentage terms, no other AFL ruckman hits the ball to the advantage of his on-ballers more often than Campbell.[1] In 2007 & 2008, Campbell and Hawks
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
teammate Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell (footballer)
Samuel Mitchell is an Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Debut season :...
were rated the highest ruck to rover combination in the AFL.
He has evolved into one of the competition’s most durable and reliable ruckmen, missing only one of the Hawks’ past 71 matches. He was first for Hawthorn's hit-outs last season, averaging about 15 a match. Tough competitor who handles the ball well for his size, tackles ferociously and can fill key-position roles when needed. He finished 13th in the Best & Fairest Award (Peter Crimmins Medal
Peter Crimmins Medal
The Peter Crimmins Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the player from the Hawthorn Football Club deemed best and fairest for the season.Peter Crimmins was a rover for Hawthorn, playing 1966-1975...
) in 2007 & 2008.
Highly underrated in the AFL, Campbell got the job done for the Hawks and was a crucial part of the Premiership side, as the number one ruckman at the Hawks.
Draft History: 2001 Rookie Elevation (Hawthorn).
Retirement
Robbie announced his early retirement at the 2009 Hawthorn Peter Crimmins MedalPeter Crimmins Medal
The Peter Crimmins Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the player from the Hawthorn Football Club deemed best and fairest for the season.Peter Crimmins was a rover for Hawthorn, playing 1966-1975...
Count on 3 October due to a knee injury. A tearful Campbell thanked fans, players, family, friends and coaching staff in a heartfelt speech.
Comeback
He returned to football in 2010 playing in finals and including 8 games for the Box Hill HawksBox Hill Hawks
Box Hill Hawks Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the Victorian Football League. It has an alliance with the Hawthorn Football Club which plays in the Australian Football League....
(VFL
VFL
VFL can refer to:Sport* Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996....
) after finding out his knee wasn't as bad as they first thought. Robert then stated he would like to make a comeback to AFL football and would enter the draft at the end of 2010.
Campbell was selected by the Melbourne Demons
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
during round 5 at pick number 63 in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Due to Melbourne's strong ruck depth in 2011, notably Mark Jamar
Mark Jamar
Mark "Russian" Jamar is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early life:...
, Stefan Martin
Stefan Martin
Stefan Martin is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Football Club.Martin was drafted by Melbourne with their 3rd pick in the 2008 Pre-season Draft from the Sandringham Zebras...
and Max Gawn
Max Gawn
Max Gawn is an Australian rules footballer for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League .Gawn was selected with the 34th overall pick in the 2009 AFL Draft by the Melbourne Demons. He was recruited from the Sandringham Dragons...
, Campbell was unable to break into Melbourne's senior team. As a result, he retired at the end of the season.
Outside football
Campbell has been known for his dedication for doing good work in the community with not for profit foundations and community groups while playing in the AFL.With a passion for helping young people, Robbie is studying Education and has started his youth training camp academy DraftStar, (with ex-teammate Ben Dixon) a school holiday program for young footballers wanting develop football skills as well as build leadership skills. Originally school holiday camps held at Assumption College, Kilmore
Assumption College, Kilmore
Assumption College is a Roman Catholic, secondary, co-educational, day and Boarding school, located in Kilmore, Victoria, Australia.Founded in 1893, the college first took boarders in 1901, and was a boys' school until 1982, when it became coeducational. The current principal is Mr...
DraftStar has grown into a nationwide program in 2011.