Andrew Embley
Encyclopedia
Andrew Embley is an Australian rules football
er currently playing for the West Coast Eagles
in the Australian Football League
.
. His father is of Anglo-Burmese
and Spanish
descent and was born in Rangoon, emigrating to Australia in 1964 with his family after the 1962 Burmese coup
and settling in Victoria Park
. His mother, originally from Ballarat, is of Italian- and Irish Australian
descent. His father played reserves football for Perth
and also represented Western Australia in the 1973 national junior athletic championships in Melbourne
.
Andrew's brothers James (16 games) and Michael (8 games) both played football for Swan Districts in the WAFL
. Michael Embley was rookie-listed by West Coast for three seasons from 2004–06, but did not play a game for the club.
Embley attended Trinity College
in East Perth
, and played junior football for Bassendean Junior Football Club. Embley made his WAFL debut for Swan Districts in 1998. Embley was recruited by the West Coast Eagles with pick #57 in the 1998 National Draft.
against , gathering nine disposals and taking three marks. He played nine games in total for the season, as well as 13 WAFL games.
Embley played 28 games over the next two seasons, mainly as a half-forward flanker
, scoring 29 goals including three four-goal hauls. He was nominated for the 2000 AFL Rising Star
for his efforts against in round 14.
Embley established himself as a regular part of the Eagles' line-up over the 2003
and 2004 seasons
, playing in both losing elimination finals. He kicked 31 goals in 2003 to finish second in the Eagles' goalkicking behind Phil Matera (62 goals). A 25-disposal, four-goal game against in round 8, 2003
, earned him three Brownlow Medal
votes, the first of his career. He was named vice-captain for the 2004 season and also represented Australia in the 2004 International Rules Series
Embley played 18 games for the Eagles in 2005
, including all of the Eagles' finals and the Grand Final loss
to .
, playing across the half-forward line
and wings
. He kicked 31 goals for the season to be the club's second leading-goalkicker behind Quinten Lynch
(65 goals). He also gained five Brownlow votes for the season.
Embley played a key role in the team's successful final series
, averaging 26 possessions and kicking five goals across the Eagles' three finals matches, despite playing the semi-final against the with a paralysed vocal chord. He took a game-saving mark in the preliminary final against in a game the Eagles won by 10 points. He was awarded the 2006 Norm Smith Medal
for best-on-ground in the Eagles' Grand Final win
over for his 26-disposal, two-goal effort.
, missing seven games between rounds 6 and 12 and four games at the end of the season due to a hamstring injury. Embley was dropped as Eagles vice-captain for the 2007 season.
Embley played 42 out of a possible 44 games during the 2008
and 2009 seasons
in a shift to a more midfield role. He played his 150th game for the Eagles against the in Round 6, 2008 in a 60-point loss, earning life membership of the club. He received three Brownlow votes for a best-on-ground performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 19, 2009, getting 32 possessions and scoring four goals.
, including his 200th game in the AFL against in Round 10.
Embley started the 2011 season
with two best-on-ground efforts against and , receiving widespread credit as part of the Eagles' start to the season after a wooden spoon the previous year.
, Subiaco
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er currently playing for the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
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...
.
Early life
Andrew Embley was born to Maurice and Anne Embley on 27 June, 1981, in Perth, Western AustraliaPerth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. His father is of Anglo-Burmese
Anglo-Burmese
The Anglo-Burmese, also known as the Anglo-Burmans, are a community of Eurasians of Burmese and European descent, and emerged as a distinct community through mixed relations between the British and other European settlers and the indigenous peoples of Burma from 1826 until 1948 when Burma gained...
and Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
descent and was born in Rangoon, emigrating to Australia in 1964 with his family after the 1962 Burmese coup
1962 Burmese coup d'état
The 1962 Burmese coup d'état on 2 March 1962 marked the beginnings of socialist rule and the political dominance of the army in Burma which spanned the course of 26 years...
and settling in Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Western Australia
The Town of Victoria Park is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. It covers an area of 17.62 km² in metropolitan Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The Town of Victoria Park maintains 154.55 km of roads, a little over 1 km² of parks and gardens and has a...
. His mother, originally from Ballarat, is of Italian- and Irish Australian
Irish Australian
Irish Australians have played a long and enduring part in Australia's history. Many came to Australia in the eighteenth century as settlers or as convicts, and contributed to Australia's development in many different areas....
descent. His father played reserves football for Perth
Perth Football Club
The Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club plays its matches at Lathlain Park.-History:...
and also represented Western Australia in the 1973 national junior athletic championships in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
Andrew's brothers James (16 games) and Michael (8 games) both played football for Swan Districts in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
. Michael Embley was rookie-listed by West Coast for three seasons from 2004–06, but did not play a game for the club.
Embley attended Trinity College
Trinity College, Perth
Trinity College, is an independent day school for boys, located in East Perth, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The school was established in 1962, Trinity is a school in the Edmund Rice Tradition. and is located on reclaimed land adjacent to the Swan River foreshore...
in East Perth
East Perth, Western Australia
East Perth is an inner suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located next to the Perth CBD.Primarily an industrial area in the early twentieth century, it was the location of the East Perth gas works, East Perth Power Station , the East Perth railway yard, and East Perth engine sheds.A considerable...
, and played junior football for Bassendean Junior Football Club. Embley made his WAFL debut for Swan Districts in 1998. Embley was recruited by the West Coast Eagles with pick #57 in the 1998 National Draft.
AFL career
Embley made his debut for West Coast in the Round 1, 1999 Western DerbyWestern Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
against , gathering nine disposals and taking three marks. He played nine games in total for the season, as well as 13 WAFL games.
Embley played 28 games over the next two seasons, mainly as a half-forward flanker
Half-forward line
In the sport of Australian rules football, the half-forward line refers to a position on the field of play.3 players are positioned in the half-forward line, a left and right half-forward flank player, as well as a centre half-forward....
, scoring 29 goals including three four-goal hauls. He was nominated for the 2000 AFL Rising Star
2000 AFL Rising Star
The AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a stand out young player in the Australian Football League. The award is also known as the Norwich Rising Star due to sponsorship reasons. The 2000 medal was won by Fremantle player Paul Hasleby....
for his efforts against in round 14.
Embley established himself as a regular part of the Eagles' line-up over the 2003
2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
and 2004 seasons
2004 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2004.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Wizard Home Loans Cup:The Wizard Home Loans Cup Final saw St...
, playing in both losing elimination finals. He kicked 31 goals in 2003 to finish second in the Eagles' goalkicking behind Phil Matera (62 goals). A 25-disposal, four-goal game against in round 8, 2003
2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
, earned him three Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
votes, the first of his career. He was named vice-captain for the 2004 season and also represented Australia in the 2004 International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
Embley played 18 games for the Eagles in 2005
2005 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2005.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
, including all of the Eagles' finals and the Grand Final loss
2005 AFL Grand Final
The 2005 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 24 September 2005. It was the 109th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League, staged to...
to .
Premiership
Embley played 23 out of a possible 24 games in the Eagles' 2006 season2006 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2006.-National Cup: 3.10.5 defeated 1.10.15 in the 2006 NAB Cup Final...
, playing across the half-forward line
Half-forward line
In the sport of Australian rules football, the half-forward line refers to a position on the field of play.3 players are positioned in the half-forward line, a left and right half-forward flank player, as well as a centre half-forward....
and wings
Centre line
The Centre line refers to a set of positions on an Australian rules football field.It consists of 3 players, two on the wings , and one in the centre....
. He kicked 31 goals for the season to be the club's second leading-goalkicker behind Quinten Lynch
Quinten Lynch
Quinten Peter Lynch is a West Coast Eagles Australian rules footballer. He mainly plays at full forward and centre half forward, and is a regular goal-kicker.-Career:...
(65 goals). He also gained five Brownlow votes for the season.
Embley played a key role in the team's successful final series
2006 AFL finals series
- The finals system :The system is a final eight system. This system is different to the McIntyre Final Eight System, which was previously used by the AFL, and is currently used by the National Rugby League....
, averaging 26 possessions and kicking five goals across the Eagles' three finals matches, despite playing the semi-final against the with a paralysed vocal chord. He took a game-saving mark in the preliminary final against in a game the Eagles won by 10 points. He was awarded the 2006 Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
for best-on-ground in the Eagles' Grand Final win
2006 AFL Grand Final
The 2006 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 30 September 2006. It was the 110th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football League, staged to...
over for his 26-disposal, two-goal effort.
2007–09
Embley played only 13 out of a possible 24 games during the 2007 season2007 AFL season
The 2007 AFL Season was the 111th season of the Australian Football League, the highest-level professional Australian rules football league in Australia...
, missing seven games between rounds 6 and 12 and four games at the end of the season due to a hamstring injury. Embley was dropped as Eagles vice-captain for the 2007 season.
Embley played 42 out of a possible 44 games during the 2008
2008 AFL season
-Round 1 :-Round 2:-Round 3 :-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6 :-Round 7:-AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match:-Round 8:...
and 2009 seasons
2009 AFL season
-Round 1 :-Round 2:-Round 3 :-Round 4:-Round 5 :-Round 6:-Round 7:-Round 8:-Round 9 :-Round 10:...
in a shift to a more midfield role. He played his 150th game for the Eagles against the in Round 6, 2008 in a 60-point loss, earning life membership of the club. He received three Brownlow votes for a best-on-ground performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 19, 2009, getting 32 possessions and scoring four goals.
Resurgence
Embley played 20 games in 20102010 AFL season
-Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22...
, including his 200th game in the AFL against in Round 10.
Embley started the 2011 season
2011 West Coast Eagles season
The 2011 season is the West Coast Eagles' 25th season in the AFL. The team played their first match against the new Gold Coast team in Round 11, winning by 18 points.-Leadership group:...
with two best-on-ground efforts against and , receiving widespread credit as part of the Eagles' start to the season after a wooden spoon the previous year.
Personal life
Andrew married his partner Rayne Ella Bryant (daughter of North Melbourne player Kevin Bryant) on 28 December, 2006. The couple have a daughter, Autumn Claire (born 11 September 2009), and a son, Lux Edward (born 2 June 2011), together, both born at St John of God HospitalSt John of God Hospital, Subiaco
St John of God Hospital Subiaco is a division of St John of God Health Care, one of the largest providers of health care services in Australia....
, Subiaco
Subiaco, Western Australia
Subiaco is an inner western suburb of Perth, Western Australia, situated to the north west of Kings Park. Its Local Government Area is the City of Subiaco.-History:Prior to European settlement the area was home to the Noongar Indigenous people....
.