Robert Shirley

Biography

AFC Debut Number: 112              AFC Debut Game:  Round 3 v Geelong, 2000

AFC Career Guernsey Number: 12

Robert Shirley overcame some major career roadblocks to build a reputation as one of the AFL’s best taggers during his 151-game career. Whyalla’s Shirley was first drafted by the Crows from Woodville-West Torrens at pick No. 67 in the 1999 National Draft but was delisted after playing 21 AFL games in his first three seasons.

Despite that, he stayed with the Club as a rookie and made the most of a mid-season promotion in 2004. It was not until 2005, however, that Shirley became the Club’s main tagger and he missed just one game as the Crows returned to finals. His game continued to develop offensively alongside his tagging roles. Shirley, who won the Coaches Award in 2005 and 2007, had to fight for his spot in 2009 and after playing 11 games, including the semi-final loss to Collingwood, was delisted.

Read more: Where are they now?