Henry Playfair
Encyclopedia
Henry Playfair is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
. Playfair grew up and around the town of Holbrook
in the Riverina
region of New South Wales
.
at pick number 41, he debuted in Round 15 of the 2003 season at Telstra Dome
. He was one of Geelong's main players in the 2005 AFL season, however a series of injuries hampered his performance in 2006. He was a key forward who also playes the positions of back and ruck.
Playfair was an integral part of the Cats 2007 VFL premiership team, along with players such as Charlie Gardiner
, Brent Prismall
and Tom Lonergan
.
Due to a lack of opportunities, and moving into the prime of his career, Playfair asked to be traded to the Sydney Swans
in 2008 and was traded in exchange for a third round draft pick. He moved back to his home state in an attempt to get more AFL playing opportunities.
Sydney delisted Playfair on 13 November 2009 and then redrafted him as a mature age rookie with their first pick (pick 10) in the Rookie Draft on 15 December 2009.
Playfair said “When I found out I’d done some damage to my back it was a bit of a shock. At first I didn’t know what it meant for my season, and then I spoke further to the doctor and the physio and it looked like my season was over, I then had to make a decision about next year, and coming off the troubles I’ve had previously with hamstring injuries over the past couple of seasons, the back was another indication that my body is not up to it at this stage.’’
and Brent Prismall
. All three are accredited personal trainers.
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 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...
. Playfair grew up and around the town of Holbrook
Holbrook, New South Wales
Holbrook is a small town in Southern New South Wales, Australia. It is on the Hume Highway, 356 km North-East of Melbourne and 491 km south-west of Sydney between Tarcutta and Albury. The town is in the Greater Hume Shire Council area which was established in May 2004 from the merger of...
in the Riverina
Riverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
region of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Career
Drafted by the Geelong Cats in the 2001 AFL Draft2001 AFL Draft
The 2001 AFL Draft consisted of a national draft, a rookie draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League .In 2001 there were 83...
at pick number 41, he debuted in Round 15 of the 2003 season at Telstra Dome
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. He was one of Geelong's main players in the 2005 AFL season, however a series of injuries hampered his performance in 2006. He was a key forward who also playes the positions of back and ruck.
Playfair was an integral part of the Cats 2007 VFL premiership team, along with players such as Charlie Gardiner
Charlie Gardiner (footballer)
Charles "Charlie" Gardiner is a former Australian rules footballer for Geelong and St Kilda in the Australian Football League.-Career:...
, Brent Prismall
Brent Prismall
Brent "Prizza" Prismall is an Australian rules football player who is currently signed to the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League...
and Tom Lonergan
Tom Lonergan (AFL footballer)
Tom Lonergan is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
.
Due to a lack of opportunities, and moving into the prime of his career, Playfair asked to be traded 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...
in 2008 and was traded in exchange for a third round draft pick. He moved back to his home state in an attempt to get more AFL playing opportunities.
Sydney delisted Playfair on 13 November 2009 and then redrafted him as a mature age rookie with their first pick (pick 10) in the Rookie Draft on 15 December 2009.
Retirement
After suffering a serious back injury in the Round 14 match against Richmond at the SCG, and after medical advice Playfair decided to call an end to his career.Playfair said “When I found out I’d done some damage to my back it was a bit of a shock. At first I didn’t know what it meant for my season, and then I spoke further to the doctor and the physio and it looked like my season was over, I then had to make a decision about next year, and coming off the troubles I’ve had previously with hamstring injuries over the past couple of seasons, the back was another indication that my body is not up to it at this stage.’’
Personal life
Playfair previously had a fitness business, Fitness By Cats, with former teammates Corey EnrightCorey Enright
Corey Enright is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
and Brent Prismall
Brent Prismall
Brent "Prizza" Prismall is an Australian rules football player who is currently signed to the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League...
. All three are accredited personal trainers.