David Ackerly
Sydney and North Melbourne
AFL career
191 games17 goals
- Debut
- R10 1979 v ESS9 June 1979
- Most recent
- R20 1989 v ESS19 Aug 1989
Stats
Bio
David Ackerly rose through the South Melbourne under-19s to become a stabilising force during one of the most volatile periods in the club's history. A tenacious back pocket known for his discipline and ability to read the play, he debuted as an 18-year-old in 1979 and quickly became a mainstay of the defence. His reliability was rewarded individually even as the team faced significant off-field hurdles; he claimed the Bob Skilton Medal as club champion in 1980 at just 19 years of age—making him the youngest winner in Swans history at the time—and won a second best and fairest in 1982. Ackerly was a pivotal figure in the club's relocation, playing in the Swans' first match at the SCG and earning All-Australian selection twice during the early Sydney years.
After 138 games in red and white, Ackerly returned to Victoria in 1986, joining North Melbourne. He spent four seasons at Arden Street, adding depth and experience to the Kangaroos' backline, although he battled injuries during the latter stages of his stint. While he was a serviceable defender for North, his legacy remains firmly attached to the Swans, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his role in carrying the club through its difficult transition from Lake Oval to the Harbour City.
Profile
- Born
- 27 Nov 1960 (age 65y 314d)
- Height
- 178 cm
- Weight
- 81 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionDavid Ackerly rose through the South Melbourne under-19s to become a stabilising force during one of the most volatile periods in the club's history. A tenacious back pocket known for his discipline and ability to read the play, he debuted as an 18-year-old in 1979 and quickly became a mainstay of the defence. His reliability was rewarded individually even as the team faced significant off-field hurdles; he claimed the Bob Skilton Medal as club champion in 1980 at just 19 years of age—making him the youngest winner in Swans history at the time—and won a second best and fairest in 1982. Ackerly was a pivotal figure in the club's relocation, playing in the Swans' first match at the SCG and earning All-Australian selection twice during the early Sydney years.
After 138 games in red and white, Ackerly returned to Victoria in 1986, joining North Melbourne. He spent four seasons at Arden Street, adding depth and experience to the Kangaroos' backline, although he battled injuries during the latter stages of his stint. While he was a serviceable defender for North, his legacy remains firmly attached to the Swans, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his role in carrying the club through its difficult transition from Lake Oval to the Harbour City.