Robert Shepherd (footballer)

Robert Shepherd (born 10 February 1956) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1970s.

Robert Shepherd
Personal information
Full name Robert Shepherd
Date of birth (1956-02-10) 10 February 1956 (age 68)
Original team(s) Western Districts[1]
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 73 kg (161 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1975–1977 Fitzroy 43 (31)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1977.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

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.[2] He added 27 games over the next two seasons, averaging 19 disposals in the latter year.[2]

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.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
  2. ^ a b AFL Tables: Robert Shepherd
  3. ^ "No. 116 Robert Shepherd". SportingPulse.