Robert Day (footballer)
Robert John Day (born 13 April 1944) is a former Australian rules footballer who played most of his career in the SANFL with West Adelaide before moving to Victoria to play with Hawthorn in the VFL.
| Robert Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1944 | ||
| Debut | 25 April 1962, West Adelaide vs. Norwood, at Adelaide Oval | ||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1962–70, 1973 | West Adelaide (SANFL) | 137 (50) | |
| 1971–72 | Hawthorn (VFL) | 38 (12) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1973. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Day was a centreman who started his career with West Adelaide in the SANFL in 1962, making his debut for the club in the Anzac Day "Grand Final Replay" against Norwood at the Adelaide Oval.[1] In 1966 he was named in the All Australian team and was a three time Best & Fairest winner with West Adelaide (1965, 1966 and 1970) and captained the club in his final season (1970). He also represented South Australia 12 times at interstate football.
In 1971 he moved to Victoria and signed with Hawthorn in the VFL. He was a member of that season's premiership team, playing as a half back flanker in Hawthorn's Grand Final win over St Kilda. He was replaced at half time because he was suffering from concussion.
The final years of Day's career was interrupted by injury and he retired having played just 175 games in South Australia and Victoria in 12 seasons.
As of 2013, Day is a board member of the West Adelaide Football Club.
Family
Robert's elder brother Ian Day is a former West Adelaide and South Adelaide player and long time SANFL television commentator and member of the West Adelaide Hall of Fame.[2]
Robert's grandson Will Day was drafted by Hawthorn with the 13th pick in the 2019 AFL Draft. He won the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2023 as Hawthorn best player.