Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Richard Champion

Known as
Richard Champion

Born
14 April 1968 (age 55)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 22y 350d
Last game: 32y 72d

Height and weight
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 94 kg

Senior clubs
Woodville; Brisbane

Jumper numbers
Brisbane: 1

Richard Champion

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
WoodvilleSANFL1987-199079300.38
BrisbaneAFL1991-2000183800.4440%10.163.964.0921
Total1987-20002621100.42

AFL: 10,196th player to appear, 826th most games played, 1,366th most goals kickedBrisbane: 73rd player to appear, 24th most games played, 36th most goals kicked

Richard Champion was an energetic, strong marking defender who loved to go on a run. Some of his skills were a trifle suspect but he could always be relied upon to show enormous spirit. Between 1987 and 1990 he played 79 SANFL games for Woodville and his consistently good form attracted the attention of Brisbane, who drafted him in 1988. Champion headed north to join the Bears three years later and quickly developed into a key player, although he was also subject to some criticism owing to a perceived tendency to produce clangers. At his best though there could be no doubt that he was an accomplished footballer, if not quite a 'champion'. When he retired in 2000 he had played a total of 183 AFL games for the Bears/Lions. He also played state of origin football for South Australia.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

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