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Full name
Rod Olsson
Known as
Rod Olsson
Born
23 April 1942 (age 81)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 5d
Last game: 27y 129d
Height and weight
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Senior clubs
Hawthorn
Jumper numbers
Hawthorn: 25
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hawthorn | V/AFL | 1962-1969 | 116 | 64 | 0.55 | 51% | 14.92 | 2.73 | 2.92 | 11 |
Total | 1962-1969 | 116 | 64 | 0.55 | 51% | 14.92 | 2.73 | 2.92 | 11 |
Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only
AFL: 7,355th player to appear, 2,010th most games played, 1,680th most goals kickedHawthorn: 522nd player to appear, 108th most games played, 98th most goals kicked
Hawthorn’s Old Scotch recruit Rod Olsson was tried in a variety of positions before hitting his straps when deployed as a ruck-rover. Hard working and resolute, he debuted with the Hawks in 1962 and the following year saw him playing a key role in their march to the grand final, in which they went down to Geelong. By the end of the 1969 season he had amassed career totals of 116 games and 64 goals.
Rod Olsson’s next port of call was Sandy Bay whom he steered to TANFL flags in 1971 and 1972 and a losing grand final in 1973. As a player he struck a rich vein which was rewarded with William Leitch Medals in 1971 and 1973. In 2001 he was named as coach of the Seagulls’ official ‘Team of the Century’.
Between 1976 and 1979 he returned to Geelong as coach, overseeing finals appearances in 1976 and 1978.
Author - John Devaney