Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Roy Thomas Harper

Known as
Roy Harper

Born
14 July 1933

Senior clubs
Perth

Family links
Keith Harper (Brother)

Roy Harper


ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
PerthWANFL1954-1964213330.15
Total1954-1964213330.15

The younger brother of club legend Keith, Perth’s Roy Harper enjoyed an outstanding 11-season, 213-game league career of his own. Commencing in 1954, he played most of his football on a half back flank, but was on a half forward flank when the Redlegs broke through for their first flag in nearly half a century after a two-point Grand Final win over East Fremantle in 1955. 

Extremely courageous and determined, he boasted excellent anticipation skills, and was a sure ball handler and fine left foot kick. The sort of player who improved noticeably with age and experience, he won his club’s fairest and best award three times in succession between 1961 and 1963, and made the first of an eventual three interstate appearances for Western Australia in 1962. He won the Simpson Medal on his debut in a match against South Australia at Subiaco, although he could not prevent the visitors scoring a surprise 16-point victory.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy's WA Football Companion

Footnotes

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