Robert Shepherd (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Shepherd is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Fitzroy
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) during the 1970s.
Shepherd played his junior football with Sherwood and then joined Western Districts
in the Queensland Australian Football League
. He had been a gifted player in his youth, voted the best performer at the 1972 schoolboy carnival and named vice-captain of the All-Australian team.
His career at Fitzroy began in 1975 when as a 19 year old he became a regular fixture in the team with 16 appearances. He added 27 games over the next two seasons, averaging 19 disposals in the latter year.
A half forward, he returned to Western Districts when his Fitzroy stint ended and in 1980 was joint runner-up in the Grogan Medal
. It was the second time he had finished second in the Grogan Medal count, having lost out to Jeff Ebert in 1974.
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 Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
in the Victorian 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...
(VFL) during the 1970s.
Shepherd played his junior football with Sherwood and then joined Western Districts
Western Magpies Australian Football Club
The Western Magpies Australian Football Club is the senior Australian rules football club of the western suburbs of Brisbane which competes in Division One of the AFLQ State League. The club is based at 41 Chelmer st, Chelmer, at the same grounds as the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club and...
in the Queensland Australian Football League
Queensland Australian Football League
The Queensland Australian Football League was an Australian rules football competition for clubs from South East Queensland.Up until 2010, the QAFL was the premier semi-professional competition in Queensland, with salary cap rules and regulations in place.It was previously known as the Queensland...
. He had been a gifted player in his youth, voted the best performer at the 1972 schoolboy carnival and named vice-captain of the All-Australian team.
His career at Fitzroy began in 1975 when as a 19 year old he became a regular fixture in the team with 16 appearances. He added 27 games over the next two seasons, averaging 19 disposals in the latter year.
A half forward, he returned to Western Districts when his Fitzroy stint ended and in 1980 was joint runner-up in the Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
. It was the second time he had finished second in the Grogan Medal count, having lost out to Jeff Ebert in 1974.