Austin Robertson Sr.

Austin Patrick Robertson (21 November 1908[2] – 6 May 1988) was an Australian rules footballer who played for the South Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and West Perth and Perth in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL).

For his son of the same name, see Austin Robertson junior.

Austin Robertson Sr.
Personal information
Full name Austin Patrick Robertson
Date of birth (1908-11-21)21 November 1908
Place of birth South Melbourne, Victoria
Date of death 6 May 1988(1988-05-06) (aged 79)[1]
Place of death Cottesloe, Western Australia
Original team(s) Xavier College
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 82 kg (181 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1927–1937 South Melbourne 154 (250)
1937 West Perth 3 (2)
1938–1939 Perth 39 (49)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1937.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Football career

Robertson debuted with South Melbourne at the age of 18 and played for the club between 1927 and 1937. He was well regarded as a key position player at both ends of the ground. He was one of the few players still adept at place kicking during the 1930s,[3] noted for the length and accuracy of his kicks; he made several attempts over his career to break Dave McNamara's record for longest kick, often topping 70 yards but never breaking McNamara's mark of 86yds.[4][5]

While at South Melbourne, he was also a world champion professional sprinter, winning the world title in 1930.[6] He missed out on South Melbourne's 1933 premiership win because he was in America organising a head-to-head race with Eddie Tolan at the Chicago World's Fair. However, when he arrived in the United States, Tolan was not in training and was unable to race.[7]

During the 1937 season, Robertson was transferred to Perth by his employer, General Motors-Holden. He was cleared to West Perth and played there for the rest of 1937.[8] In 1938, he switched to Perth, and served as its playing coach for the next two years.[9] General Motors returned Robertson to Victoria in 1940 and, despite expectations that he would return to South Melbourne, he signed with Victorian Football Association club Port Melbourne for a reported £6 per week,[10] and crossed without a clearance from South Melbourne.[11] He played for Port Melbourne under the VFA's throw-pass rules until 1941.

He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Robertson, was educated at Xavier College Kew and married Dorothy McDonald in Elwood on 22 June 1940.[12] His brother, Harold Robertson, and son, Austin Robertson Jr. were also champion footballers.

Robertson served in the Australian Army with the rank of Corporal during World War II.[2]

See also

References
  1. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Western Australia
  2. "World War II Roll: ROBERTSON, Austin Patrick". Department of Veterans Affairs.
  3. "Robertson place-kicks". The Daily News. Perth, WA. 8 July 1939. p. 3.
  4. "Place-kick record". The Herald. Melbourne. 24 October 1936. p. 16.
  5. "Place-kick record". The Argus. Melbourne. 4 June 1935. p. 12.
  6. "WORLD'S SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP". The Mail. Adelaide. 12 April 1930. p. 10. Retrieved 24 January 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Sport Sayings & Doings". The Advocate. Burnie, Tasmania. 26 October 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 24 January 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Robertson joins West Perth". The Argus. Melbourne. 23 July 1937. p. 17.
  9. "Football – Robertson's appointment". The West Australian. Perth, WA. 18 January 1938. p. 9.
  10. "Robertson turns South down". Record. Emerald Hill, VIC. 4 May 1940. p. 1.
  11. "Robertson leaves South without clearance". Record. Emerald Hill, VIC. 18 May 1940. p. 1.
  12. "Saxe Blue Ensemble for Bride". The Argus. Melbourne. 24 June 1940. p. 6. Retrieved 24 January 2012 – via National Library of Australia.


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