Des Campbell
Melbourne
AFL career
50 games13 goals
- Debut
- R5 1970 v COL2 May 1970
- Most recent
- R22 1977 v COL27 Aug 1977
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley, Des Campbell was a highly talented country footballer whose VFL career was largely defined by his reluctance to embrace city life. Nicknamed "The Panther" for his agility, the 188cm utility showed immediate potential in his 1970 debut season—featuring in a Reserves premiership—but quit the club after just one year to return home. After four seasons dominating the GVL, where he served as a youthful captain-coach, Campbell was lured back to Melbourne in 1975. He played out three more seasons as a serviceable senior player and mentor, captaining the Reserves in his final year before retiring to the country for good. His legacy at the top level continued through his sons, Brad (Melbourne) and Blake (Carlton).
Profile
- Born
- 19 Jan 1951 (age 75y 275d)
- Height
- 188 cm
- Weight
- 95 kg
Teams
Family
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley, Des Campbell was a highly talented country footballer whose VFL career was largely defined by his reluctance to embrace city life. Nicknamed "The Panther" for his agility, the 188cm utility showed immediate potential in his 1970 debut season—featuring in a Reserves premiership—but quit the club after just one year to return home. After four seasons dominating the GVL, where he served as a youthful captain-coach, Campbell was lured back to Melbourne in 1975. He played out three more seasons as a serviceable senior player and mentor, captaining the Reserves in his final year before retiring to the country for good. His legacy at the top level continued through his sons, Brad (Melbourne) and Blake (Carlton).