Royce Hart
| Royce Hart | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Noimage | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Original team(s) | Clarence (Tasmania) | ||
| Debut | 15 April 1967, Richmond vs. Essendon, at M.C.G. | ||
| Height / weight | 188cm | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
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Richmond (1965-1977) 187 games, 369 goals | |||
| Coaching career | |||
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Footscray (1980-82) | |||
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2005. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Royce Hart (born February 10, 1948) was an Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1967 and 1977. Hart played primarily in the centre half forward position.
Hart was born in Tasmania, the son of a farmer.
He excelled in the Clarence Football Club under 19s and for the state schoolboys’ team. He was identified by a Richmond Football Club scout in 1965. Richmond enticed Hart to Victoria from Tasmania in exchange for - a new suit, six shirts, a pair of shoes and £20 of spending money!
Arrival at Richmond
During his junior career Hart played as a rover. He retained those skills. He was a player who exhibited persistence, intense concentration and superb recovery. He always applied the pressure to opponents either by tackling or chasing and would even crawl on hands and knees in an effort to win a loose ball.
A slim, left-foot kick, Hart (who first played for Richmond Under 19s on the forward flank) reminded many at Richmond of legendary Jack Titus; and, upon his arrival in Melbourne he was immediately placed on an extensive two-year weights programme through the under 19s and Reserves teams. He made his senior debut at full-forward in the opening round of 1967, in front of 80,000 fans at the MCG against Essendon Football Club. He had 14 kicks, took 10 marks and kicked 3.7 (3 goals, 7 behinds) in a match Richmond won.
Richmond lost only three games that year. Hart dominated the games and was the unanimous choice as the League’s recruit of the year. Later that season, playing for Victoria he kicked 7 goals in their big (20.15.135 to 11.16.82) win over Western Australia and represented Australia against Ireland.
In 1969, he again won a premiership with the Tigers, and also became only the second player in history to play in two senior Grand Finals in two states in consecutive weeks. He had trained with Glenelg whilst on national service in Adelaide. Glenelg paid him $2,000 to play in the SANFL Grand Final a week after his VFL win - but he was knocked out in the first five minutes and Glenelg were defeated.
When he was 22 Hart wrote a book in which he named himself at centre half forward in a "best-ever" team, which drew some barbed comments from the media. By the time his career ended few would have taken exception to the assessment.
Playing career
Hart was appointed captain in 1972, leading Richmond into three consecutive Grand Finals. The team won two. He remained captain until the end of the 1975 season.
His marking was uncanny. He would float in from the side of a pack, twist his solid 6’ 2” (188 cm) frame, and clasp the ball. It was common for him to run backwards into a pack to mark and his style made it difficult for opponents to punch the ball away. Royce Hart often inspired his team and was always ready to risk injury for it. He suffered concussion at least six times each season. He was also an accurate, strong kick with his left foot.
He won the club Best and Fairest award in 1969 and 1972, and was the club’s leading goal kicker in 1967 with 55 and in 1971 with 59 goals.
Hart has poor eyesight. He played without contact lenses or spectacles. "It didn't affect my marking, I just couldn't read the scoreboard", he said.
Hart played in four premierships - 1967, 1969 and as captain of the 1973 and 1974 teams. He played for Victoria in his first year and on 10 other occasions, once as captain. After 187 games for the Tigers, in which he kicked 369 goals, Hart retired from the VFL in 1977.
Hart is a Life Member of the Richmond Football Club.
After Richmond
In 1980 Hart went to Footscray as senior coach. He stayed there until 1982.
Hart now lives in Tasmania where he is a farmer and football commentator for the ABC.
References
Hart, Royce: The Royce Hart Story
See also
External links
- Royce Hart's profile on the official website of the Richmond Football Club
- Hall of Fame - Players on Richmond FC.com.au
- Richmond Card Collection Royce Hart
- Tasmanian Football Legends