David Harris (Australian footballer)

David George Harris (born 12 July 1946) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

David Harris
Personal information
Full name David George Harris
Date of birth (1946-07-12) 12 July 1946
Original team(s) St Peters / Geelong West
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Position(s) Centreman
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1969–1972 Geelong 44 (20)
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1975–1976 Hobart 38 (19–19–0)
1983–1986 Geelong West 77 (47–30–0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1972.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 1986.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Playing career

Harris, originally from St Peters, spent his early career with Geelong West in the Victorian Football Association (VFA).[1][2] A centreman, Harris was "best on ground" in Geelong West's 1968 premiership team and polled the third most votes in the Field Trophy (Second Division).[1][3]

He was recruited to Geelong in 1969 and after debuting in round nine remained in the side for the remainder of the season, including the club's semi final loss to Richmond.[4]

In 1970 he appeared in the opening four rounds of the season, then broke his collarbone and didn't play seniors again that year.[4][5]

He had an injury free 1971 season and played in all 22 rounds, amassing 369 disposals.[6]

During the 1972 season, Harris returned to Geelong West, where he finished the year playing in another premiership team.[1] He was appointed captain in 1974 and had a good enough year to win the best and fairest, finish equal sixth in the J. J. Liston Trophy count and earn selection in the "VFA Team of the Year".[1][7]

Coaching years

His senior coaching career began in 1975 when he was appointed captain-coach of Hobart.[8] He coached Hobart for two seasons.[9]

Harris coached the Geelong reserves to three successive premierships, in 1980, 1981 and 1982.[10]

From 1983 to 1986, Harris was coach of Geelong West and led the club to the finals in 1983 and 1984.[1][11]

References
  1. "Geelong West Football Club Greats - David Harris". Roosters.org.au. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  2. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
  3. Fiddian, Marc (2013). The VFA – A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877 – 1995. Melbourne Sports Books. p. 269.
  4. "AFL Tables - David Harris - Games Played". AFL Tables. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  5. Beames, Percy (13 May 1970). "McKenna - it's touch and go". The Age. p. 24. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  6. "AFL Tables - 1971 Stats - Player Lists". AFL Tables. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  7. Fiddian, Marc (2013). The VFA – A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877 – 1995. Melbourne Sports Books. p. 276.
  8. "Ex-Cat gets Hobart post". The Age. 6 December 1974. p. 31. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  9. "Hobart Football Club Inc. > Our Club > Coaches". Hobart FC.com. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  10. "Reserves". geelongcats.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  11. "History & Honours Board". Roosters.org.au. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
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