Alan Rowarth
Melbourne
AFL career
70 games90 goals
- Debut
- R3 1958 v NTH26 Apr 1958
- Most recent
- PF 1963 v HAW28 Sept 1963
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Birregurra, Alan "Darkie" Rowarth arrived at Melbourne following a contentious clearance stoush with Geelong, who unsuccessfully claimed they held a prior signature from the Polwarth League medalist. Though capable of playing on a wing or flank, his defining campaign came in 1959 when coach Norm Smith reinvented him as a mobile, "decoy" full-forward to cover for the injured Athol Webb. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends, with Rowarth booting four goals in the Grand Final victory over Essendon to secure the first of his two consecutive premierships. His VFL tenure was ultimately curtailed by injuries, leading him to leave the Demons after just 70 games to continue his career with Mildura.
Profile
- Born
- 24 Aug 1936 (age 90y 58d)
- Height
- 177 cm
- Weight
- 77 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership(2×) 1959, 1960
Family
- Cousin:Ern Rowarth
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Birregurra, Alan "Darkie" Rowarth arrived at Melbourne following a contentious clearance stoush with Geelong, who unsuccessfully claimed they held a prior signature from the Polwarth League medalist. Though capable of playing on a wing or flank, his defining campaign came in 1959 when coach Norm Smith reinvented him as a mobile, "decoy" full-forward to cover for the injured Athol Webb. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends, with Rowarth booting four goals in the Grand Final victory over Essendon to secure the first of his two consecutive premierships. His VFL tenure was ultimately curtailed by injuries, leading him to leave the Demons after just 70 games to continue his career with Mildura.