Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Donald Vivian Roach

Known as
Don Roach

Born
31 July 1940

Place of birth
Melbourne, VIC (3000)

Died
3 July 2011 (aged 70)

Place of death
Sydney, NSW (1002)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 23y 304d
Last game: 25y 28d

Height and weight
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 80 kg

Senior clubs
West Adelaide; Hawthorn; Norwood

Jumper numbers
Hawthorn: 16

Recruited from
West Adelaide (1964); Hawthorn (1966); West Adelaide (1970)

State of origin
VIC

Hall of fame
South Australian Football Hall Of Fame (2002)

Don Roach

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
West AdelaideSANFL1958-1963, 1966-1968168980.58—————
HawthornV/AFL1964-19652970.2441%15.001.393.833
NorwoodSANFL1970-197242120.29—————
SANFL1958-1963, 1966-1968, 1970-19722101100.52—————
V/AFL1964-19652970.2441%15.001.393.833
Total1958-1968, 1970-19722391170.49—————

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 7,606th player to appear, 5,638th most games played, 5,688th most goals kickedHawthorn: 540th player to appear, 376th most games played, 407th most goals kicked

Melbourne-born Don Roach moved to Adelaide with his family as a youngster, and commenced in league football with West Adelaide in 1958. A tall, angular left footer, he moved smoothly, and was a superb kick. He was selected as an All Australian after representing South Australia at the 1961 Brisbane carnival, arousing the interest of a number of VFL clubs. 

In 1964 he joined Hawthorn, and played a total of 29 VFL games over the ensuing two seasons, mainly as a half forward flanker or wingman. He returned to West Adelaide as captain-coach in 1966 but in two seasons in charge was unable to steer his team to finals participation. Roach spent the 1969 season out of football but resumed in 1970 with Norwood where he added 42 SANFL games to the 168 he had played with West. He also played nine interstate games for South Australia. 

Late in his playing career he was employed by the SANFL as its promotions officer, and he continued his career in football administration after he retired as a player in 1972, including an eventful stint as CEO of the Sydney Swans in 1985-86.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy's SA Football Companion

Related Articles

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.