39. Robert Campbell

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like none other than our traning guru in RustyHawk will be the man responsible for looking after Big Bog for us this season.

Take it away, Rusty!

[RustyHawk]

Bob talking about the upcoming NAB Cup match against Carlton and just after our win against Melbourne in rd 1 NAB Cup.

"Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell said Franklin had an "aura" about him, and he was just glad the 20-year-old was on his side.

"He's a bit of a freak, as we all know," he said.

"At the game the other day I was sitting on the bench and after he kicked his fourth in the last quarter I said to one of the boys, 'He's just one of those players, you're just thankful he's on your side'.

"He can run all day, he's as tall as me but he can pick the footy up off the ground really easily and kick those goals.

"Over the next couple of years he's very exciting for the club and the supporters as well."

Carlton has never played at Aurora Stadium, which is the Hawks' second home.

However Campbell said his side was desperate to continue its good record in Tasmania.

"We've played 12 games and won three-quarters of them so it's a home away from home for us which is great," he said.

"With Carlton losing Optus Oval, in Melbourne home grounds aren't really that big an advantage as what interstate clubs have.

"Being able to play games in Tasmania is a real chance for us to build a interstate feel about having to travel there to play us."

With the departure of Peter Everitt to Sydney, Campbell has the opportunity to step up as the club's No. 1 ruckman. However it's a role he's happy to share.

"There's five of us at the moment and we're really just looking forward to taking on the challenge as a group rather than one guy taking the mantle," he said.

Hawthorn will again be without skipper Richie Vandenberg, as well as suspended Campbell Brown and injured Rick Ladson."

[RustyHawk]

Matt Burgan reviewing Hawthorn's 2006 season

"2006 Report Card: Hawthorn
12:00:00 AM Thu 14 September, 2006 | Back

Matt Burgan Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

News
2006 record and ladder position: 9 wins, 13 losses - 11th
2005 record and ladder position: 5 wins, 17 losses - 14th

U]Most improved players[/U]: Robert Campbell played just one match in 2005 - the opening round of the season - yet missed the rest of the year with a knee injury. But in 2006, Campbell bounced back to play every match, while he started the season as the club's first ruckman, due to the limited pre-season suffered by Peter Everitt. Campbell also spent time in key defensive posts as the season progressed and displayed some encouraging signs. The 24-year-old should continue to blossom over the next few seasons, given that he has rebounded strongly from his knee injury. He now has 54 matches under his belt.

[RustyHawk]

Herald Sun article on Robert Campbell. 30.01.07

Campbell's time to stand up
30 January 2007 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams

HAWK Robert Campbell has declared he is ready to step out of the Spida's web and become the club's frontline ruckman.



Responsibility: Robert Campbell trains with the Hawks last night. Picture: Michael Klein



Campbell says he is primed to assume the No. 1 ruck mantle at Hawthorn this season, following the departure of Peter "Spida" Everitt to Sydney.

"I think as a ruck group we have all taken it on board that we realise the loss of Spida is pretty massive because he is a quality player," Campbell said yesterday.

"But we're all willing to take up the challenge and we're going to take on as much responsibility as we can.

"I am definitely ready."

The 24-year-old has set himself the task of consolidating his role after making major gains last year.

Coming off a season ruined by a first-round knee injury in 2005, Campbell played every game for the Hawks last year.

"Last year was probably a stepping stone for me, I suppose. I had something to prove," he said.

"This year is more of a consolidation year.

"I suppose I can take out of it the fact that I can perform at a senior AFL level.

"Before that, I always had a question mark over whether I was consistent enough to be an AFL footballer. Now I am just full of confidence and ready to go."

Such is Campbell's new-found belief, he is confident he can match it against the AFL's leading ruckmen.

"In my first couple of years, I played against (West Coast's) Dean Cox a fair bit, and then one year -- I think it was the year I injured my knee -- he just exploded and all of a sudden he's the benchmark," Campbell said.

"I think I have got confidence against those guys because I have played against them for a few years now. I'd be happy with another 22 games and a bit more experience against those guys to hopefully push me to become one of the benchmarks."

Campbell praised the support of midfield coach Todd Viney, who lives just a drop kick from Hawthorn's training base at Waverley.

"He's given me a lot of good feedback and a lot of mentoring towards how to play my role and how to be a better leader," Campbell said.

Hawthorn's tall stocks were dealt a blow when young ruckman Max Bailey suffered a season-ending knee injury at training this month.

Bailey had successful surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament on Thursday.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said the 206cm Bailey was already focused on building up his body for season 2008.

"He has already turned his attention to how he can make himself stronger and better," Evans said.

Meanwhile, the Hawks are easing top draft pick Xavier Ellis back into full training after he strained his hamstring before Christmas.

Beau Dowler has also been on lighter duties after injuring his hand last week, but was cleared of any damage at the weekend.

[RustyHawk]

From Hawthorn FC web site start 2007 season.

Player Profile
Robert CampbellFast Facts
Jumper No: 39
Height: 199
Weight: 110
DOB: 1982-06-02 00:00:00
Recruited From: Rutherglen/Murray U18
Career Matches: 32 - 2005 and prior
Career Goals: 1 - 2005 and prior

2006 Home & Away Totals
Matches: 22
Goals: 10
Marks: 75
Disposals: 230
Kicks: 82

Total start 2007 season: 54 matches, 11 goals.

[RustyHawk]

Signed extension to contract on 17.08.06 for 2 more years. With the Hawks till at least end 2008 season.

Joined Hawthorn as a rookie in 2001 # (How he joined Hawthorn is interesting. Apparently sent each AFL team his resume and bio and photos etc.... just didnt wait around, made it happen!)

Elevated to senior list in season 2002 along with Michael Osborne.

Peter Everitt arrived start 2003 season limiting Robert's chances to develop as a senior ruckman.

Season 2004 under coach Peter Schwab - same old, same old. Limited chances and limited game time.

New coach Alistair Clarkson saw great potential in Campbell. Started game 1 of season 2005 against Sydney in Sydney. Did well until injurying his knee. The injury was supposed to keep him out for about 6-8 weeks but turned out to be a season ending injury.

Returned trimmer and stronger in 2006. Played all 22 games and took over the number 1 ruck mantle from Peter Everitt whose season had ended early due to injury.

Starts 2007 as the number 1 Hawthorn ruckman.

[RustyHawk]

Stats compared to Dean Cox of WCE.

2006 Player Head to Head Comparison

Robert Campbell Name Dean Cox
Hawthorn Hawks Team West Coast Eagles
54 Career Games 124
Murray Bushrangers Origin East Perth
June 2, 1982 Date of Birth August 1, 1981
24 Age 25
199 cm Height 204 cm
109 kg Weight 102 kg
22 2006 Games 21
3.7 Kicks Per Game 11.1
6.7 Handballs Per Game 7.0
10.4 Disposals Per Game 18.0
3.4 Marks Per Game 6.7
0.4 Goals Per Game 0.7
0.3 Behinds Per Game 0.4
2.6 Tackles Per Game 1.3
13.6 Hitouts Per Game 21.4
0.6 Frees For Per Game 1.6
0.9 Frees Against Per Game 0.7

Source: Footywire.com

[RustyHawk]

Stats from footywire.com for Robert Campbell


Career Season Totals
Year Team Games Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Goals Behinds Tackles Hitouts Frees For Frees Ag.
2006 Hawthorn 22 82 148 230 75 10 6 56 298 13 19
2005 Hawthorn 1 1 3 4 0 0 0 4 18 1 2
2004 Hawthorn 14 28 40 68 17 1 0 24 121 5 8
2003 Hawthorn 10 29 24 53 16 0 1 23 130 7 7
2002 Hawthorn 7 27 19 46 14 0 0 24 60 3 5
Career 54 167 234 401 122 11 7 131 627 29 41



Career Season Averages
Year Team Games Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Goals Behinds Tackles Hitouts Frees For Frees Ag.
2006 Hawthorn 22 3.7 6.7 10.4 3.4 0.4 0.3 2.6 13.6 0.6 0.9
2005 Hawthorn 1 1.0 3.0 4.0 0 0 0 4.0 18.0 1.0 2.0
2004 Hawthorn 14 2.0 2.9 4.9 1.2 0.1 0 1.7 8.6 0.4 0.6
2003 Hawthorn 10 2.9 2.4 5.3 1.6 0 0.1 2.3 13.0 0.7 0.7
2002 Hawthorn 7 3.9 2.7 6.6 2.0 0 0 3.4 8.6 0.4 0.7
Career 54 3.1 4.3 7.4 2.3 0.2 0.1 2.4 11.6 0.5 0.8



Rising Star Years Statistical Rankings
Ranked 1st among rising stars in Total Hitouts in 2003 Ranked 1st among rising stars in Hitouts Per Game in 2003
Ranked 2nd among rising stars in Tackles Per Game in 2002 Ranked 4th among rising stars in Hitouts Per Game in 2002

[RustyHawk]

From Hawthorn FC website 16.04.07
(after game 3, season 2007 - Hawthorn v Kangaroos played at Telstra Dome, Sunday 15.04.07 at 5.10pm. Hawks won after tight first half. Hawthorn now 2 wins 1 loss for season.)

Ruckwork: it all figures for Campbell

By Michael Tormey, for Hawthorn Football Club

News
IF YOU get the chance, keep a close eye on ruck duo Robert Campbell and Simon Taylor during the quarter- and three-quarter time breaks. It’s a fair bet that when the players congregate in the team huddles you’ll see these two giants making a beeline for the stats man.

For this emerging ruck combination, it’s not kicks, handballs and or even hitouts that’s the subject of their fascination. Rather, it’s how the team is faring in the all-important ruck clearances that has them making regular game-time appointments with the Hawks’ numbers men.

“Simon Taylor and I take a bit of ownership and pride in the clearance numbers so every break we have – quarter-time, half-time, three-quarter time – we always ask for the clearance stats because it’s a real honour thing for us,” Campbell told hawthornfc.com.au exclusively after Sunday's game against the Kangaroos.

“We like to get our hands on the footy first and it’s a stat that can demonstrate whether we have control or not so we want to know exactly where we’re at as the game is going on.”

To that end, Campbell and Taylor would have been rapt with the figures that greeted them after Hawthorn’s 21-point win at the weekend.

Trailing by 10 points after what was a scrappy first half, the Hawks asserted their dominance in the second half largely by regularly winning first use of the ball in the middle.

While Sam Mitchell’s 31 possessions and top shelf work around the stoppages were instrumental in turning the game around, Campbell said he and his ruck partner were satisfied with their own contribution in the come-from-behind win.

“Sam makes us look pretty good when he plays like he did in that second half, getting first hands on the footy. Having said that, we make him and those other midfielders look pretty good too,” Campbell laughed.

“But seriously, at the start of pre-season Simon and I got together as a ruck group and we said we wanted to take responsibility for how we go in the centre square. If we go well we’ll take the accolades, but if we stuff up we’ll take responsibility for that too.

“Games like today you feel like you’ve played your part in getting the win so we’ll take that and look to the next challenge.”

While Campbell is happy to highlight the ruck clearances as a particular focus, he is just as adamant that neither of the big men wants to be seen as lumbering dinosaurs who offer little once the ruck contests have been run and won.

“We want to be known as a couple of big blokes who can hunt the footy just as well as the midfielders. When the footy hits the ground it’s like having an extra midfielder.

“The way we approach that is to take the onus on ourselves to run as hard as we can for 10 or 12 minutes, come off and give the other bloke the same time to do a similar job.

“As the quarter goes on we’ll decide what we want to do after that. We might give ourselves a three- or four-minute burst after that.

“For both of us I think it’s not about being number one or number two ruckman; it’s about helping the team and that’s how we want to approach it.”

Next week looms as an even greater challenge for the young Hawthorn outfit, with an appointment with a red-hot Geelong at Aurora Stadium on the cards.

Campbell is relishing the prospect of coming up against Geelong ruck star Brad Ottens, and is even hopeful that former All Australian big man Steven King can force his way back into the side.

“With Ottens playing well and King possibly coming back, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We don’t want to have any excuses; we just want have a crack at the best and see how we go.

“We as a ruck group enjoy the challenge and can’t wait to play Geelong next week

[Cheeseman]

A great read, fantastic team attitudes shown by both Hawk's Ruckmen. :thumbsu:

[RustyHawk]

Robert Campbell
Fast Facts
Jumper No: 39
Height: 199
Weight: 110
DOB: 1982-06-02
Recruited From: Rutherglen/Murray U18
Career Matches: 54
Career Goals: 11
2007 Home & Away Totals
Matches: 22
Goals: 6
Marks: 65
Disposals: 219
Kicks: 61

[RustyHawk]

player ........................k.... h... p... m..... ho... t ff fa g b

Dean Cox,...........WCE 234 163. 397 155.. 484 23 38 14. 13 9
Brendon Lade,..... PA.. 193.. 96. 289 120.. 484 33 25 32. 15 5
Jeff White,......... MEL. 186. 170 356 127.. 461 41 28 20.. 7 7
Darren Jolly,....... SYD. 162.. 65. 227 95... 458 46 28 33..16 7
Hamish McIntosh, KAN. 247. 137 384 107.. 445 22 25 22. 12 10
Peter Everitt,...... SYD. 178.. 78 256 93.... 405 18 22 15 .15 9
Aaron Sandilands, FRE... 82. 108 190 55.... 404 13 17 7 ....6 4
Robert Campbell,. HAW.. 70. 173 243 71... 385 54 19 31 6 2

Hit outs will be down when you consider he shared the ruck duties with Simon Taylor.

Shows he is right up there with the leagues best big men and will only get better. Well done Bob.

[Big Ronnie]

Selection 20 is Fluro Boots (that should scare em!) but it wont scare your man Robbie man mountain Campbell.

When hearing of his selection Robbie was heard to say "Oh Fluro boots beats Binxy any day! Even I can't pull em when Binxys around!!"

BR:thumbsu:

[noosa hawk mad]

http://hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=56756
AT THE four-minute mark of Sunday’s Hawthorn-Melbourne clash at the MCG, things were looking bleak for the brown and gold’s defence.
With a suspended Campbell Brown out of the side and Trent Croad running towards the dressing rooms with a match-ending dislocated wrist, Demons forwards David Neitz and Russell Robertson must have been optimistic about their chances.
Enter Robert Campbell. The recently slimmed-down ruckman, who has moonlighted as a defender in his seven-year career and has played on the likes of Warren Tredrea and Barry Hall, was given the nod to go to Neitz after a pre-season spent alternating in a variety of roles.
“I enjoy playing down back, but as soon as ‘Croady’ started running off, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, please don’t call my name’,” Campbell admitted after the 104-point win.
“Standing next to a guy with the stature of David Neitz is pretty amazing.
“I was pretty lucky in a few regards - they didn’t kick it to him very much - but he’s still a very unpredictable player, so I was just lucky he didn’t get his hands to it very much.”
Campbell, 25, also drifted into the forward line during Sunday evening’s thrashing and managed to boot two goals.
He told hawthornfc.com.au that he enjoys being given the opportunity to move away from his traditional role as a ruckman, and has learned how to play different positions as a result.
“I’ve pretty much been playing in the ruck since I was a kid, so you get to know the traits of a lot of different ruckman. Going down back, you’re playing on some pretty amazing players,” he said.
“David Neitz has been around been around for a long time, and he’s learned a lot of tricks. He’s one of those guys where you think you’ve got him out of position but he still gets his hands to it.
“One thing I did notice with him was I felt I got my hand to the ball a few times in marking contests and he just claimed it. He’s just one of those guys who has strong hands above his head.”
If Campbell had to pick a favourite position from the three he trialled on Sunday, he’d prefer to stay in the centre and take control of the rucking duties for his side.
“I really enjoy playing in the ruck because I feel like I can influence the game a fair bit in there, just being a bigger-bodied player,” he said.
“But I also enjoy playing down back and up forward. As long as I get to play, it doesn’t really worry me.”
Campbell said the playing group was pleased with the way Sunday’s match turned out, especially after Hawthorn continued to dominate in the second half.
“To get such a good start and be up by four or five goals at the end of the first quarter was great,” he said.
“We were just really proud we were able to go on with it. At three-quarter time, we talked about it and said in the last couple of years, we tended to get to good positions at three-quarter time and then take our foot off the pedal or be a bit undisciplined.
“It’s just really good that we were able to stick to the game plan and get over them by as much as we did.”

[noosa hawk mad]

http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/hawks-maturing-nicely-campbell-48587
http://sportal.com.au/site/_content/leadimage/00020388-image.jpg

Hawks maturing nicely: Campbell

17/05/2008 6:55:18 PM
Brandon Cohen

Sportal

Hawthorn's stunning come-from-behind win against Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium on Saturday is a sign of the team's growing maturity, according to ruckman Robert Campbell.
The Hawks trailed by 38 points early in the second term before piling on nine goals to four after half-time to run out 15-point winners.
Campbell, who helped lead the revival with a dominating display in the centre, said the Hawks of previous years would have capitulated when down by more than six goals and lost by an even greater margin.

http://view.atdmt.com/OAT/view/lssssts80180000030oat/direct/01/1175407 (http://sportal.com.au/)http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/ad/sportalau/afl/home;tile=8;sz=300x250;ord=123456789? (http://ad.au.doubleclick.net/jump/sportalau/afl/home;tile=8;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?)

"We could have probably turned our toes up and gone the other way but it's a great sign that we're maturing and coming along nicely," said Campbell, who turns 26 next month.
Campbell and the under-rated Simon Taylor were instrumental in giving their midfielders first use of the ball, especially in the second half as the Hawks overcame their sluggish start.
Campbell said he and Taylor had set themselves for this game, and in particular what he rates as the No.1 ruck pair in the competition - Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade.
"We rate them very highly," Campbell said. "We set ourselves for this game, we've been coming up against some good pairs but these guys are obviously the top. We started a bit slowly, but we worked into it well."

[noosa hawk mad]

http://hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=59969




Comeback Campbell finds his niche

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20F-J/R_Campbell_R608_b.jpgRobbie Campbell has completely overcome knee problems that kept him out of footy in 2005



FOR MOST AFL players long term injury is a devastating blow to their football career. Many struggle to recover, not only physically, but from the psychological hangover induced by long periods of time away from the game and the tedious and isolated nature of rehab.

But for Hawthorn ruckman Robbie Campbell, the serious knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2005 season gave him a whole new outlook on his football. In fact, he cites it as a major turning point in his AFL career.

“I know it’s a cliché but as soon as you don’t have something, you want it I suppose,” he says.

“I couldn’t play football and suddenly it was all I wanted to do. I wanted to get out on the track and train and get out on the footy field and play. Any time I get a little bit flat now I always look back at that time.”

Following in the footsteps of his older brother Stuart, Campbell developed a passion for basketball and when he was growing up, the game was his first love. He had a kick of the footy just to be with his mates.

“My brother had a huge influence on me when I was a kid and he mainly played basketball. So when I was younger, everywhere I went I had a basketball in my hands and was bouncing it.

"But in a country town it’s hard not to get involved in a footy club because everyone loves footy. So I began playing at the club with my mates, just socially though, I didn’t really have a passion for it. I just had a knack for it but my passion was always basketball.”

Campbell’s “knack” for the sport led to an opportunity with the Murray Bushrangers. But playing serious footy was a difficult transition for the then 17-year-old.

“I didn’t really enjoy that year because I went from playing social footy and basketball with friends, to all of a sudden really structured and disciplined football. I struggled with that at first. But I was still playing basketball and that was a good release.”

Despite struggling to adapt, the teenager was drafted to the Hawks.

“When I got drafted, I know it’s really bad to say but in some ways it was an accident … I put my name in the draft because I suppose I realised that I could play football. Then it happened and all of a sudden I was at Hawthorn.

"In the first couple of years I wasn’t really enjoying it. I loved being a footballer and I loved training and all that but just didn’t like the pressures of being a structured athlete.”

For Campbell, serious injury turned out to be the jolt he needed.

“I remember even at the start of that year (2005) thinking, I love all the elements of footy but my mind wasn’t really with it. I think a lot of footballers go through that and then they find that thing that makes it really click with them and then they feel they can do anything …

"It’s funny the way things happen because now the thing I probably love about football most is its structure and professionalism. Now I’m really excited about playing each week which is something I think I was missing before [the knee injury].”

The 25-year-old has never looked back since his return. He’s played every game for the Hawks since and cemented what is a crucial ruck partnership with teammate Simon Taylor.

However, his disciplined approach to all facets of the game and particularly nutrition is a far cry from his younger days. Growing up, Campbell’s parents Annette and Ian ran pubs in Port Fairy (Star of the West) and then Rutherglen (The Star), with pub grub being his favourite indulgence.

“I wasn’t so educated on the whole nutrition side of things back then. I would come home from school and do some homework while eating chips and drinking a coke. Then dinner was a chicken parma with chips,” he laughs.

The chicken parma wasn’t the only by-product of growing up in a pub environment. Campbell was mixing with a much older clientele than your average teenager.

“My dad reckons it affected me a bit because I’d come in from school and I’d be so social with all the older people and I wouldn’t really spend time with a lot of my younger mates. I was really good mates with dad’s mates.”

But then advice from more senior members of the community can be beneficial.

“They’d always ask how you’re going with the girls and always tell you that you’re a good looking lad and you should be trying to get a girlfriend. They were always encouraging and full of good banter,” he smiles.

No doubt the same pub patrons are watching Campbell’s footy career with just as much interest.
for hawthornfc.com.au

[RustyHawk]

]Roos our 'bogey side': Campbell

By Catherine Murphy

3:37 PM Mon 23 June, 2008


HAWKS ruckman Robbie Campbell has admitted that North Melbourne is Hawthorn's “bogey side” after they suffered a 27-point defeat, just their second of the year, to the Kangaroos on Saturday.

While the club had a victory over their fierce rivals in round three this year, it was North who put an end to Hawthorn's finals aspirations last year, and Saturday's defeat at the MCG dropped the Hawks to third on the ladder.

“It was in the newspaper a few weeks ago, the bogey sides for certain teams, and they’re definitely one of ours,” Campbell said.

“They’ve just got a wide spread of consistent players; they don’t have any superstars like 'Buddy' (Franklin) and those sorts of guys, guys that are over the top. They just have a consistent line right across the side. They come out and play hard-at-it footy and take teams by surprise, I reckon.”

Campbell said he is confident that star forward Franklin will come through what has been a relatively quiet few weeks. The 21-year-old West Australian, who is leading the race for the Coleman Medal with 61 goals in 13 rounds, has registered just 2.9 in the last fortnight.

“He’s showing that he’s human. He’s been a bit of a freak for the first half of the season, so he’s obviously going to get a fair bit of attention from other sides. He’s a pretty easy-going kid. He’ll bounce back, I’m sure.”



While Campbell praised North’s tactics in securing victory, he said the young Hawks will learn from the defeat.

“North Melbourne’s tactic of getting numbers behind the footy was pretty evident early," he said.

"I think they took five or six marks in the first quarter from our entries inside 50, so it was going to be tough from the start of the game, but we still tried.

"Our use of the footy wasn’t up to standard - we know that and hopefully we’ll do it better for the rest of the year.

"We’re a maturing side, and it’s great to come up against sides who will try different things against us. It’s only going to make us better. If these losses happen mid-season, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll go and review the game and see what they did against us so if a team tries it against us again, we’ll be better prepared.”

The Hawks were without many of their big names for the MCG clash, with Chance Bateman, Trent Croad and Shane Crawford all watching from the sidelines. While Bateman and Croad are in with a chance of returning for this weekend’s Friday night meeting with West Coast, Campbell said Crawford is almost certain to play.

“He’s very keen to get back playing. I’m almost sure he’s available to play this week, so we’re very excited about that.”

[RustyHawk]

Career Season Totals
Year.. Team... G ..K. H.. Disp M Gls Bhds Tac Hit Frees For Frees Ag.
2008 Hawthorn 14 51 94 145 50. 6... 1.... 33. 210.. 14..........12
2007 Hawthorn 24 70 173 243 71 6 ...2....54.. 385.. 19......... 31
2006 Hawthorn 22 82 148 230 75 10 6 56 300 13 19
2005 Hawthorn 1 1 3 4 0 0 0 4 18 1 2
2004 Hawthorn 14 28 40 68 17 1 0 24 121 5 8
2003 Hawthorn 10 29 24 53 16 0 1 23 130 7 7
2002 Hawthorn 7 27 19 46 14 0 0 24 60 3 5
Career 92 288 501 789 243 23 10 218 1224 62 84

Career Season Averages
Year Team Games Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Goals Behinds Tackles Hitouts Frees For Frees Ag.
2008 Hawthorn 14 3.6 6.7 10.4 3.6 0.4 0.1 2.4 15.0 1.0 0.9
2007 Hawthorn 24 2.9 7.2 10.1 3.0 0.2 0.1 2.2 16.0 0.8 1.3
2006 Hawthorn 22 3.7 6.7 10.4 3.4 0.4 0.3 2.6 13.6 0.6 0.9
2005 Hawthorn 1 1.0 3.0 4.0 0 0 0 4.0 18.0 1.0 2.0
2004 Hawthorn 14 2.0 2.9 4.9 1.2 0.1 0 1.7 8.6 0.4 0.6
2003 Hawthorn 10 2.9 2.4 5.3 1.6 0 0.1 2.3 13.0 0.7 0.7
2002 Hawthorn 7 3.9 2.7 6.6 2.0 0 0 3.4 8.6 0.4 0.7
Career 92 3.1 5.4 8.6 2.6 0.2 0.1 2.4 13.3 0.7 0.9

Career Statistical Rankings
Ranked 9th in Total Hitouts in 2007

Rising Star Years Statistical Rankings
Ranked 2nd among rising stars in Total Hitouts in 2003 Ranked 2nd among rising stars in Hitouts Per Game in 2003
Ranked 2nd among rising stars in Tackles Per Game in 2002 Ranked 4th among rising stars in Hitouts Per Game in 2002

At end Rd 14 2008 Robert Campbell is getting more kicks per game, less frees against and has equalled his 2007 scoring with 6 goals and still 8 + games to go!

Well done Bob :thumbsu:




Footywire.com © 2008 about terms privacy links contact us

[RustyHawk]

Hawks' big men firing
14/07/2008 12:46:52 PM
Paul Gough
Sportal

One of the most overlooked factors behind Hawthorn's rapid improvement over the past two seasons has been the development of the club's ruck combination of Simon Taylor and Robert Campbell.

While they might lack the profile of some of the game's best ruckmen such as Geelong's Brad Ottens and West Coast's Dean Cox, the pair have developed one of the best big man partnerships in the AFL.

It was no coincidence that one of Hawthorn's two losses for the season came against the Kangaroos in Round 13 when Taylor was sidelined with a cut knee.

That injury, which was far more serious than it sounds, sidelined Taylor for three matches.

His return on Sunday against Sydney at the MCG also coincided with one of the Hawks' best performances of the season as they recorded their first win over the Swans for five years as Taylor and Campbell renewed their partnership and more than held their own against the Swans' more experienced ruck pair of Peter Everitt and Darren Jolly.

Taylor said he believes he and Campbell have now developed the sort of ruck pairing that is crucial to the success of all leading contenders.

"We are very close Robbie and I and we understand each other like we are each other and that makes a big difference," Taylor told Sportal.

"We have played a lot of games together now and we had played about 30 odd consecutively until I hurt my knee and hopefully we can continue to do that."

With 26-year-old Campbell now having 93 games under his belt since debuting in 2002 and 25-year-old Taylor some 60 games since debuting in 2005, the pair are beginning to repay the faith shown in them by the Hawks.

And Taylor has no doubt the pair are coming into their best years given the late maturing of big men in the AFL.

"They say mid to late 20s are your prime and you look at the top ruckmen in the AFL and what sort of age they are when they are playing their best footy and Brad Ottens and Dean Cox are mid to late 20s and that is the ideal time for a ruckman."

Taylor had enjoyed a run of 35 consecutive games for the Hawks before what normally is considered a minor injury turned out to be a lot more serious against Essendon in Round 11.

"I cut my knee on the outside of someone's boot," he said.

"It (the cut) went right down to the bone so it was quite deep and unfortunately it got a bit infected because a little bit of grass and dirt were in the wound and it took a bit longer to heal because it was on a vulnerable spot."

"So I missed five weeks with it (but only three matches because of the mid-season break) but it pulled up good (following his return match against the Swans) and I got through really well."

[RustyHawk]

Eight Hawks re-sign for two more

August 14, 2008 HAWTHORN have signed new deals with eight players, which will keep them at the AFL club for the next two years.

The eight players are Jarryd Roughead, Chance Bateman, Jordan Lewis, Robert Campbell, Mark Williams, Mitch Thorp, Brent Renouf and Jarryd Morton.

Hawks football manager Mark Evans said this week's re-signings were a great boost for the club's future.

"It's a strong message to have eight players who are such a big part of our future quest for premiership success all coming out in the one week and agreeing to terms, it's a great message of solidarity," Evans told the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show.

The Hawks are currently second on the ladder.





AAP

[noosa hawk mad]

Campbell feels sorry for Taylor

21/09/2008 3:32 PM
Paul Gough

Sportal

Related Links



Campbell ready for ruck battle (http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/mediaplayer/audio/AFL/campbell-ready-for-ruck-battle-3516)



Hawthorn's number one ruckman Robert Campbell admits he feels sorry for his long-time deputy Simon Taylor, who looks set to the unlucky story of this year's AFL Grand Final.


Taylor, who has played 66 games over the past four seasons for the Hawks including 18 this season, is set to be overlooked for Saturday's premiership decider against Geelong in favour of the younger Brent Renouf for the role as Campbell's ruck partner.


The 26-year-old finds himself in the same position as Geelong's Mark Blake found himself in last year - a regular member of the team who finds himself out of the side at the wrong time of the season.

While Blake - who will definitely partner Brad Ottens in the ruck for the Cats on Saturday - was only left out for the grand final last year, in favour of Steven King, Taylor has found himself on the outer since Round 22.


And Renouf - a 20-year-old who only made his debut in Round 12 this season when Taylor was sidelined for three matches with a badly cut knee - has certainly made the most of his opportunity since being recalled.


In the Hawks' two finals, the agile 200cm giant has provided not only valuable support in the ruck for Campbell but given the Hawks some extra run around the ground as he wracked up 10 possessions, nine hit-outs, four marks and four tackles in the qualifying final win over the Bulldogs and then backed it up with a handy nine possessions, eight hit-outs, three marks and two tackles in Saturday night's 54-point win over St Kilda in the preliminary final.


Campbell, the 26-year-old who has played 101 games since debuting in 2002, says the Hawks are in the fortunate position of having to decide between three good ruckmen for the big job of taking on Ottens and Blake on Saturday.


"We (the ruckmen) are all pretty close and we sympathise and emphasise with each other pretty heavily but that is football," he said of the likelihood of Taylor missing out on a place in Saturday's grand final 22.
"Whoever gets the role on Saturday will have the backing of each other and it's probably a position any team wants to be in at this time of year to have such a good selection of players - not just in the ruck but all over the field - to choose from."


Campbell admitted he was surprised when Taylor was first axed in favour of Renouf but not surprised by the way Renouf has seized his chance in the finals given the way he performed when filling in for the injured Taylor mid-season.
"We didn't think by having Brent in we would drop a level and we knew he would come in and play his part," Campbell said.
Campbell said Renouf's pace and aggression had added much to the Hawks' line-up during the finals.


"He is just a kid, he adds a bit of vibrancy and he hunts the ball and he has got a bit of aggro in him," he said of Renouf, who was drafted at pick 24 in the 2006 national draft.


"He just loves a contest and he loves a bit of the crash and bash."
"And he is great for me because he goes out and runs the opposition ruckmen around a bit."
But Campbell knows that regardless of who partners him on Saturday, the ruck contest against Ottens and Blake will be crucial to the outcome of the game.

"It's very well documented over the past how many years you want to go back that the ruck duels are always pretty critical in grand finals," he said.
"But we love a challenge so let's go."

[noosa hawk mad]

One Hawks ruck faces grand final dumping

September 21, 2008 - 4:52PM

Hawthorn are bracing to provide one of their ruckmen with the hard-luck selection tale of this year's AFL grand final, just as Geelong big man Mark Blake was unlucky to miss last year's decider.
While Blake and Brad Ottens form a settled ruck pair for the Cats in



Saturday's grand final, the Hawks must decide between playing their proven pair of Robert Campbell and Simon Taylor, or sticking with bolter Brent Renouf.


Taylor missed rounds 12-14 with a gashed leg, but returned to partner Campbell in the closing rounds of the season, until the Hawks sat him out of the round 22 win over Carlton to rest.
That omission allowed Renouf, 20, to grab his chance and he has held his spot ever since, although he had little impact in Saturday night's win over St Kilda in the preliminary final.

Campbell, the one ruckman assured of playing, said the big men formed a tight bond, and that whoever missed out would be unlucky.
"We're very close and very supportive of each other, so whoever gets the role to go out on Saturday has the backing," he said.
"
We're pretty close so we sympathise and empathise pretty heavily, but that's football and that's (the grand final) where the team aims to be start of the year.


"At this time of the year we're obviously pretty happy with the number of players we've got to choose from."
If selected, Renouf would play a grand final in just his eighth game, similar to former Hawk Greg Madigan, who earned a premiership medallion in the epic 1989 grand final - against the Cats - in just his sixth senior match.
Indicative of Hawthorn's style, the Queenslander is admired for his no-nonsense attack on contests, which will be pivotal against the reigning premier.


"He adds a bit of vibrancy and he hunts the ball and he's got a bit of aggro in him and he loves a contest," Campbell said.
"He's got a skinhead and he loves a bit of crash and bash."
Regardless of which pairing Hawthorn select, their clash against Ottens and Blake will determine which midfield gets first use of the ball in the stoppages.


That was the case last year when Ottens and Steven King - who replaced Blake for the 2007 grand final only to be traded to St Kilda a few days later - gave the perfect illustration of the physical presence needed in grand finals.


"It's very well-documented over the past however many years you want to go back that the ruck duels have always been pretty critical," Campbell said.
"We love a challenge, so let's go."
Provided stars Luke Hodge (ribs) and Lance Franklin (thumb) play, Hawthorn's other selection poser lays in defence, where Thomas Murphy will be out to prove he has overcome the back problem which cost him his place in the game.


Murphy has played 18 games this season, and took part in every match between round 12 and the qualifying final win over the Western Bulldogs.
But his injury made way for Stephen Gilham's return, after the key defender missed the win over the Bulldogs with a virus.


"Football is a funny game sometimes," Gilham said.
"It was just through misfortune that I missed a couple of weeks ago, and we've got a great side now that has a lot of depth."