Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Robert McKenzie

Known as
Bob McKenzie

Born
19 December 1928

Died
4 January 2012 (aged 83)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 120d
Last game: 26y 272d

Height and weight
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 72 kg

Senior clubs
Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 2

Family links
Robert McKenzie Jnr (Son)

Bob McKenzie

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
MelbourneV/AFL1948-19551252542.0352%10.002.0017
Total1948-19551252542.0352%10.002.0017

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 5,766th player to appear, 1,788th most games played, 269th most goals kickedMelbourne: 678th player to appear, 115th most games played, 16th most goals kicked

An audaciously talented half forward specialist, Bob McKenzie had a big impact on the game during his comparatively brief, 125-game VFL career. Quick off the mark, beautifully balanced, and a superb kick for goal, whether on the run or from a set shot, McKenzie was a virtual ever present in VFL interstate combinations during the early 1950s, donning the famous navy and white jumper a total of nine times.

McKenzie had the quintessential match-winner's ability to be more or less unsighted for long periods before suddenly bursting to life with three or four goals over a short space of time. His career average of more than two goals a game (he kicked 254 in all) was quite exceptional for a half forward, and he topped Melbourne's goal kicking list on three occasions.

Having been forced to sit out the 1954 Grand Final, which Melbourne lost Footscray, through suspension, McKenzie more than made amends the following year, his last in league football, when he contributed a couple of goals from his customary half forward flank to the Demons' 28-point Grand Final defeat of Collingwood.

McKenzie's son, Robert McKenzie junior, played 42 VFL games for Melbourne between 1969 and 1972.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

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