David Harris (Australian footballer) explained

David Harris
Fullname:David George Harris
Birth Date:12 July 1946
Originalteam:St Peters / Geelong West
Height:178 cm
Weight:77 kg
Position:Centreman
Years1:1969–1972
Club1:Geelong
Games Goals1:44 (20)
Coachclub1:Hobart
Coachyears1:1975–1976
Coachgames Wins1:38 (19–19–0)
Coachclub2:Geelong West
Coachyears2:1983–1986
Coachgames Wins2:77 (47–30–0)
Statsend:1972
Coachstatsend:1986

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

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geelong West Football Club Greats - David Harris. Roosters.org.au. 31 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031124404/http://www.roosters.org.au/about/club-greats/. 31 October 2014. dead.
  2. Book: Holmesby, Russell. Main. Jim. The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. 2007. 9781920910785.
  3. Book: Fiddian, Marc. The VFA – A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877 – 1995. 2013. Melbourne Sports Books. 269.
  4. Web site: AFL Tables - David Harris - Games Played. AFL Tables. 31 October 2014.
  5. News: McKenna - it's touch and go. Beames. Percy. 13 May 1970. The Age. 24. 31 October 2014.
  6. Web site: AFL Tables - 1971 Stats - Player Lists. AFL Tables. 31 October 2014.
  7. Book: Fiddian, Marc. The VFA – A History of the Victorian Football Association 1877 – 1995. 2013. Melbourne Sports Books. 276.
  8. News: Ex-Cat gets Hobart post. 6 December 1974. The Age. 31. 31 October 2014.
  9. Web site: Hobart Football Club Inc. > Our Club > Coaches. Hobart FC.com. 31 October 2014.
  10. Web site: Reserves. geelongcats.com.au. 31 October 2014. 15 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131215000835/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/club/history/premierships/reserves. dead.
  11. Web site: History & Honours Board. Roosters.org.au. 31 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031124042/http://www.roosters.org.au/football/football-honour-board-club-history/geelong-west/. 31 October 2014. dead.