Bob Simunsen
Encyclopedia
Robert 'Bob' Simunsen (born 7 June 1941 in Adelaide
) is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Woodville
in the South Australian National Football League
(SANFL). A talented cricketer, he also played some first-class cricket
matches in the Sheffield Shield for South Australia
.
Simunsen, a centreman, was with Woodville from their inaugural SANFL season in 1964. For the previous five years he had played for the club in the SANFL 'B' competition as Woodville, along with Central District, where required to serve an apprenticeship before being admitted. He won two reserves Magarey Medals, in 1961 and 1962, and was also runner up in the award twice.
When they joined the top flight in 1964, Simunsen was made captain and he won their 'Best and fairest' that year. He went on to win further 'Best and fairest' awards in 1965 and 1966, also finishing second in the 1966 Magarey Medal to Ron Kneebone
. Simunsen represented South Australia at interstate football for the first time in 1965, against Victoria, and also appeared at the 1966 Hobart Carnival
. Although he didn't continue on as Woodville captain after the initial season, Simunsen had another stint in 1971.
His four cricket matches came during the 1972/73 Sheffield Shield season where he played as a left-handed batsman, making 103 runs at 20.60. This included a half century on debut, against John Benaud
's New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval
. Simunsen, batting in the same side as the Chappell brothers and Pakistani Test cricketer Younis Ahmed
, made 58 in his second innings before being bowled by Kerry O'Keeffe
.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
) is a former Australian rules football
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 who played with Woodville
Woodville Football Club
Woodville Football Club was an Australian rules football club that competed in the South Australian National Football League from 1964 to 1990, when it merged with the West Torrens Football Club to form the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles....
in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
(SANFL). A talented cricketer, he also played some first-class cricket
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
matches in the Sheffield Shield for South Australia
Southern Redbacks
The South Australia cricket team, nicknamed the Southern Redbacks and known as the West End Redbacks due to their sponsorship agreement with local brewers West End, are an Australian first class cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, and represent the state of South Australia...
.
Simunsen, a centreman, was with Woodville from their inaugural SANFL season in 1964. For the previous five years he had played for the club in the SANFL 'B' competition as Woodville, along with Central District, where required to serve an apprenticeship before being admitted. He won two reserves Magarey Medals, in 1961 and 1962, and was also runner up in the award twice.
When they joined the top flight in 1964, Simunsen was made captain and he won their 'Best and fairest' that year. He went on to win further 'Best and fairest' awards in 1965 and 1966, also finishing second in the 1966 Magarey Medal to Ron Kneebone
Ron Kneebone
Ron Kneebone is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Norwood in the SANFL. He was named as a half back flanker in the official Norwood 'Team of the Century'....
. Simunsen represented South Australia at interstate football for the first time in 1965, against Victoria, and also appeared at the 1966 Hobart Carnival
1966 Hobart Carnival
The 1966 Hobart Carnival was the 16th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition. It was the final time that Tasmania hosted a carnival....
. Although he didn't continue on as Woodville captain after the initial season, Simunsen had another stint in 1971.
His four cricket matches came during the 1972/73 Sheffield Shield season where he played as a left-handed batsman, making 103 runs at 20.60. This included a half century on debut, against John Benaud
John Benaud
John Benaud is a former Australian cricketer.John Benaud is the son of Louis and Irene Benaud . His only sibling is fellow cricketer Richie Benaud, who is older by 13 years. John is married to Lindsay Benaud with two children...
's New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the Central Business District and North Adelaide...
. Simunsen, batting in the same side as the Chappell brothers and Pakistani Test cricketer Younis Ahmed
Younis Ahmed
Mohammad Younis Ahmed is a Pakistani former cricketer who played in 4 Tests and 2 ODIs from 1969 to 1987...
, made 58 in his second innings before being bowled by Kerry O'Keeffe
Kerry O'Keeffe
Kerry James "Skull" O'Keeffe is a former Australian cricketer and now a commentator for ABC Radio. O'Keeffe played 24 Tests and 2 ODIs between 1971 and 1977.He was a spin bowler, bowling leg breaks...
.