Bob Withers

Bob Withers
Personal information
Full name Lawrence Robert Withers
Date of birth 1933
Place of birth Victoria
Original team(s) St. Peter Paul's
Position(s) Centreman
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1950–59 Port Melbourne 137
1960–67 North Launceston 165
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1967.
Career highlights

1961 All-Australian team

Source: AustralianFootball.com

Robert Withers (born 1933) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in Tasmania and for Port Melbourne, noted for his selection in the 1961 All-Australian team.[1]

Withers was a regular member of the Port Melbourne side during the 1950s and represented the VFA in 1957, 1958,[2] and 1959.

He moved to Tasmania in 1960 and joined NTFA club North Launceston as captain-coach, steering the club to premierships in 1961 and 1963.

In his first year at North Launceston he played in the Tasmanian interstate team that scored its first-ever win against a VFL team on 13 June 1960.[3]

He represented Tasmania on 15 occasions in total and was an All-Australian at the 1961 Brisbane Carnival. Twice, in games against the VFA, Withers captained Tasmania and he won a Lefroy Medal in 1963.

His coaching career continued after he has retired as a player; and he was in charge of Launceston when they won the 1969 premiership. Withers also served as assistant coach of Essendon in 1970, and later was coach of both Devonport and East Devonport.

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Bob Withers - Hall of Fame". AFL Tasmania.
  2. ^ League's 49-point Win Over V.F.A., The Age, (Tuesday, 8 July 1958), p.20.
  3. ^ Devaney, J., "Big V humbled in the Apple Isle", australianfoootball.com.