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Tom Rockliff

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Tom Rockliff
A man in a maroon, blue and gold football jersey and maroon shorts jogs on grass
Rockliff with the Brisbane Lions in August 2017
Personal information
Full name Thomas Rockliff
Nickname(s) Rocky, Tom, Pig
Date of birth (1990-02-22) 22 February 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Original team(s) Benalla, Murray Bushrangers (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 5, 2009 pre-season draft
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
2009–2017 Brisbane Lions 154 (87)
2018–2021 Port Adelaide 54 (13)
Total 208 (100)
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Thomas Rockliff (born 22 February 1990) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Port Adelaide Football Club and previously played for the Brisbane Lions Football Club for 154 games between 2009 and 2017. In 2008 Rockliff, a medium-sized, smart and creative forward, was the leading goalkicker in the TAC Cup with 59 goals and won the Murray Bushrangers' best and fairest award, but was overlooked in the main draft.[1] He was, however, drafted by the Brisbane Lions with the fifth selection in the 2009 pre-season draft. He served as the captain of the Brisbane Lions in 2015 and 2016.

AFL career

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Brisbane Lions (2009–2017)

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Rockliff made his AFL debut in round 18, 2009 against Collingwood, which was the only match he played that season.[2] He recorded five possessions as Brisbane lost by 40 points.

In 2010, Rockliff forced his way back into the senior Brisbane Lions side in round 3, 2010 where he has since featured predominantly in the midfield rotation. He received an AFL Rising Star nomination in round 13, 2010[3] and despite being heavily favoured to win the award,[4] he finished third behind winner Dan Hannebery and Tom Scully in the end of year voting.[5]

For the 2011 season with the Lions, who finished 15th on the ladder after only managing four wins, Rockliff averaged 27.7 disposals, 5.6 marks and 5.4 tackles per game. Rockliff was rewarded by winning the club's best and fairest award over favourite Simon Black, who also had a strong season.

For the 2013 season, Rockliff averaged 27.3 disposals and recording 30 more disposals 9 times. Rockliff also finished equal fifth in the Brownlow Medal count, polling 21 votes. [6]

In 2014, Rockliff established himself as one of the elite midfielders of the competition, averaging a league-high 32.7 disposals and 9.1 tackles a game and recording 40 or more disposals five times. In round 18 in the Q-Clash against Gold Coast, Rockliff gathered a career-high 47 disposals (31 kicks and 16 handballs) as well as 10 tackles. Rockliff was awarded his second Merrett–Murray Medal as Brisbane's best and fairest player.[7] Rockliff was also selected in the 2014 All-Australian Team on the Interchange after his remarkable season that was recognised.[8]

In January 2015, it was announced that Rockliff would become the next captain of the Brisbane Lions, succeeding Jed Adcock.[9] He lasted two years in the role and was succeeded by Dayne Beams in 2017.[10] Following the end of the 2017 season, Rockliff began seeking a contract away from Brisbane.[11]

Port Adelaide (2018–2021)

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Rockliff joined Port Adelaide as a restricted free agent during the 2017 trade period after Brisbane elected not to match Port Adelaide's contract offer.[12] He announced his immediate retirement on August 8, 2021, citing injuries.

Statistics

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Statistics are correct to the end of the 2017 season[13]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Led the league after season and finals
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2009 Brisbane Lions 38 1 0 0 3 2 5 3 1 0.0 0.0 3.0 2.0 5.0 3.0 1.0
2010 Brisbane Lions 38 19 4 5 220 214 434 103 64 0.2 0.3 11.6 11.3 22.8 5.4 3.4
2011 Brisbane Lions 38 20 12 10 310 244 554 111 108 0.6 0.5 15.5 12.2 27.7 5.6 5.4
2012 Brisbane Lions 38 22 18 17 280 256 536 87 95 0.8 0.8 12.7 11.6 24.4 4.0 4.3
2013 Brisbane Lions 38 21 7 8 291 284 575 95 108 0.3 0.4 13.9 13.5 27.4 4.5 5.1
2014 Brisbane Lions 38 18 10 3 309 280 589 96 163 0.6 0.2 17.2 15.5 32.7 5.3 9.1
2015 Brisbane Lions 38 16 5 3 174 220 394 71 129 0.3 0.2 10.9 13.8 24.6 4.4 8.1
2016 Brisbane Lions 38 17 15 3 243 265 508 67 117 0.9 0.2 14.3 15.6 29.9 3.9 6.9
2017 Brisbane Lions 38 20 16 5 268 212 480 106 117 0.8 0.3 13.4 10.6 24.0 5.3 5.9
Career 154 87 54 2098 1977 4075 739 902 0.6 0.4 13.6 12.8 26.5 4.8 5.9

Honours and achievements

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Brownlow Medal votes
Season Votes
2009 —
2010 —
2011 9
2012 8
2013 21
2014 15
2015 4
2016 9
2017 2
2018 3
Total 68

Team

Individual

Notes

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  1. ^ Murray star Tom Rockliff left out in cold
  2. ^ Tom Rockliff set for Brisbane Lions debut against Collingwood
  3. ^ Rockliff earns Rising Star nod
  4. ^ Shining light in rocky season for Brisbane Lions, The Daily Telegraph, 28 August 2010
  5. ^ Hannebery crowned rising star
  6. ^ "Tom Rockliff - LIONS.com.au/". www.lions.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013.
  7. ^ Whiting, Michael (5 September 2014). "Rocky's road leads to second best and fairest".
  8. ^ "Thirteen fresh faces in 2014's new-look All Australian side".
  9. ^ Hamilton, Andrew (29 January 2015). "Tom Rockliff named new Brisbane Lions captain for 2015". Fox Footy. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  10. ^ Wilson, Caroline (28 February 2017). "Dayne Beams appointed Brisbane Lions captain". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Lion Rockliff nominates Alberton as his preferred home in 2018".
  12. ^ Fielding, Josie (11 October 2017). "Tom Rockliff departs the Lions". lions.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Tom Rockliff Stats". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
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