Australian Football

Son of former Port Adelaide and Woodville footballer Peter Obst, and grandson of Port’s Ken Obst, Andrew Obst was a slimly built, long-limbed on-baller who boasted great stamina and no small amount of skill. Equally adept at breaking through the lines, or functioning as a tagger, he commenced his senior career with amateur club West Croydon before joining Port Adelaide. His initial stint with the Magpies spanned the years 1987 to 1989 and saw him play in the club’s 1998 and 1999 premiership teams. At the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial carnival he represented Australian Amateurs. Later, during his time with Melbourne, he played state of origin football for South Australia.

Melbourne drafted Obst in 1987 but he did not join the club until 1990. He soon slotted into the side and became a highly valued team member regularly racking up sizeable possession totals. He ran third in the club best and fairest count in 1996 but the following year his form was adversely affected by nagging injury concerns and he opted to return to Port Magpies at the end of the season. Not afraid of mixing it, he was reported on five occasions during his AFL career and suspended three times. During his time with the Demons he played 149 games and booted 60 goals.

The last phase of Obst’s career saw him taking his final career tally of SANFL games with Port to 90 and the number of goals kicked to 50. He was a member of Magpies grand final-winning teams in 1998 and 1999, finally retiring after the latter match.

Author - John Devaney