Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Robert Shaw

Known as
Robert Shaw

Born
6 January 1955 (age 70)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 125d
Last game: 26y 193d

Height and weight
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 81 kg

Senior clubs
Essendon

Jumper numbers
Essendon: 26

Robert Shaw

Advanced stats
Club
League
Career span
Games
Goals
Avg
Win %
AKI
AHB
AMK
BV
EssendonV/AFL1974-19815180.1647%5.882.351.980
Total1974-19815180.1647%5.882.351.980

AFL: 8,662nd player to appear, 4,317th most games played, 5,495th most goals kickedEssendon: 815th player to appear, 356th most games played, 488th most goals kicked

Over the course of his playing career defender Robert Shaw sustained injuries to just about every part of his body. This, needless to say, hampered him considerably, and in eight seasons with Essendon he only played 51 VFL games. When fit, he was a first choice senior player, exhibiting great tenacity, and blessed with a fair amount of pace. The highlight of his time with the Bombers was arguably playing in their 1981 night premiership-winning team. He also represented Tasmania at the 1979 and 1980 state of origin carnivals.

Before and after his VFL stint Shaw played in the TFL, initially with Sandy Bay, and latterly with Clarence, whom he captain-coached to a premiership in 1984. After retiring as a player he embarked on a noteworthy coaching career which included taking the helm at AFL clubs Fitzroy and Adelaide and steering Tasmania to a memorable state of origin victory over Victoria in 1990.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

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