Glenn Archer
Encyclopedia
Glenn Archer is a former professional Australian rules football
er who played his entire career with the North Melbourne Football Club
.
Archer had a reputation as one of the most courageous players ever to play the game. The AFLPA awarded him the Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player
six times in nine years between 1998 and 2006, the most of any player in the award's history. In recognition as one of the best players in the AFL, Archer achieved All-Australian selection three times and also represented Victoria in State of Origin
.
Archer is one of the North Melbourne Football Club's greatest players, a dual-premiership and Norm Smith Medallist, he holds the second most games record for North Melbourne, is a member of the North Melbourne Team of the Century and is recognised with the title the "Shinboner of the Century" as the North Melbourne player who most embodies the Shinboner spirit.
. He played senior football with the Noble Park Football Club. Then lightly framed but hard at the ball Archer trialled with North Melbourne's under 19s; however, he was not a standout performer. Although the Carlton Football Club
had some interest in recruiting him, North Melbourne rookie listed him as a long term prospect.
Debuting in 1992, Archer was an inconsistent and undersized player.
In 1996 Archer was offered a lucrative 3-year contract worth $450,000 over three years from the Sydney Swans
, which he turned down. The man behind the deal, Ron Joseph, is now "Arch's" manager.
In 1996 he won All-Australian selection, and was named best on ground in the Kangaroos 1996 premiership team, winning the Norm Smith Medal
. Although Glenn was part of the losing Grand Final squad to Adelaide in 1998, Archer tasted premiership success once more in 1999. Amongst winning other awards from his club and the AFL
, Archer was voted "Shinboner of the Century" by North Melbourne
in 2005, Shinboners being a nickname the North Melbourne Football Club
.
2007 was a great year for Glenn Archer, with a resurgence of his beloved North Melbourne Football Club
on the field, mainly due to an influx of youth and the maturation of a number of second tier players. Personally, Archer had somewhat of a renaissance of his own performance as a player, with impressive outings on a number of occasions.
During Round 13, against the Western Bulldogs, Archer celebrated his AFL milestone 300th game with another excellent performance. At this game, 300 kids lined up to create a 'Guard of Honour' for the champion in respect for his career so far and 300th game.
On Saturday 25 August 2007 in a game against Carlton at Telstra Dome, Archer passed Wayne Schimmelbusch
as the Kangaroos' games record-holder, playing his 307th in a career that began during Schimmelbusch's final year as coach in 1992. When asked about the record, Archer commented: "Schimma's a legend of our club and of the AFL, and when I walked into the club 17 years ago and saw Wayne Schimmelbusch's name up on the wall with 306 games, I never thought I'd come anywhere near that. It's certainly a bit surreal for me". Archer's eventual tally of 311 games was surpassed by Brent Harvey
in Round 12, 2011.
He and former Kangaroos teammate Anthony Stevens
played a match for the Caulfield Grammarians Football Club
.
Before season 2008, the Archer-Hird Medal was created honouring Archer and former Essendon Football Club
star James Hird
. Since 2008, the medal has been awarded to the player showing the most determination, courage and skill in matched between the Kangaroos and the Bombers.
Archer played for the Warrandyte Football Club in the 3rd division of the Victorian Eastern Football League in the 2010 season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played his entire career with the North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
.
Archer had a reputation as one of the most courageous players ever to play the game. The AFLPA awarded him the Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player
AFLPA Awards
The AFL Players' Association Awards are a group of awards given annually to players in the Australian Football League, voted for by all AFL players.-Leigh Matthews Trophy:...
six times in nine years between 1998 and 2006, the most of any player in the award's history. In recognition as one of the best players in the AFL, Archer achieved All-Australian selection three times and also represented Victoria in State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
.
Archer is one of the North Melbourne Football Club's greatest players, a dual-premiership and Norm Smith Medallist, he holds the second most games record for North Melbourne, is a member of the North Melbourne Team of the Century and is recognised with the title the "Shinboner of the Century" as the North Melbourne player who most embodies the Shinboner spirit.
Early life
He supported the Collingwood Football ClubCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. He played senior football with the Noble Park Football Club. Then lightly framed but hard at the ball Archer trialled with North Melbourne's under 19s; however, he was not a standout performer. Although the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
had some interest in recruiting him, North Melbourne rookie listed him as a long term prospect.
Football Playing Career
Break out season - 1996
Continuous work on his 182 cm frame resulted in a weight increase to 94 kilograms in 1996, and led to his becoming a more notable on-field presence and a more consistent performer.In 1996 Archer was offered a lucrative 3-year contract worth $450,000 over three years from the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
, which he turned down. The man behind the deal, Ron Joseph, is now "Arch's" manager.
In 1996 he won All-Australian selection, and was named best on ground in the Kangaroos 1996 premiership team, winning the Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
. Although Glenn was part of the losing Grand Final squad to Adelaide in 1998, Archer tasted premiership success once more in 1999. Amongst winning other awards from his club and the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, Archer was voted "Shinboner of the Century" by North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
in 2005, Shinboners being a nickname the North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
.
2007 season and retirement
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
on the field, mainly due to an influx of youth and the maturation of a number of second tier players. Personally, Archer had somewhat of a renaissance of his own performance as a player, with impressive outings on a number of occasions.
During Round 13, against the Western Bulldogs, Archer celebrated his AFL milestone 300th game with another excellent performance. At this game, 300 kids lined up to create a 'Guard of Honour' for the champion in respect for his career so far and 300th game.
Wayne Schimmelbusch
Wayne Schimmelbusch is a former Australian Rules Footballer in the Victorian Football League .A courageous wingman and inspirational speedster who seemingly never knew when to give up, Schimmelbusch played in 306 games, including 29 finals games, for the North Melbourne Football Club...
as the Kangaroos' games record-holder, playing his 307th in a career that began during Schimmelbusch's final year as coach in 1992. When asked about the record, Archer commented: "Schimma's a legend of our club and of the AFL, and when I walked into the club 17 years ago and saw Wayne Schimmelbusch's name up on the wall with 306 games, I never thought I'd come anywhere near that. It's certainly a bit surreal for me". Archer's eventual tally of 311 games was surpassed by Brent Harvey
Brent Harvey
Brent "Boomer" Harvey is an Australian rules footballer and the current captain of the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
in Round 12, 2011.
Post-AFL career
Archer is currently a director of Stride Sports Management.He and former Kangaroos teammate Anthony Stevens
Anthony Stevens
Anthony Stevens is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos. He was named as ruck rover in the club's official 'Team of the Century'....
played a match for the Caulfield Grammarians Football Club
Caulfield Grammar School
Caulfield Grammar School is an independent, co-educational, Anglican, day and boarding school, located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1881 as a boys' school, Caulfield began admitting girls exactly one hundred years later...
.
Before season 2008, the Archer-Hird Medal was created honouring Archer and former Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
star James Hird
James Hird
James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
. Since 2008, the medal has been awarded to the player showing the most determination, courage and skill in matched between the Kangaroos and the Bombers.
Archer played for the Warrandyte Football Club in the 3rd division of the Victorian Eastern Football League in the 2010 season.
Personal life
- Archer is currently a Director of the player management business Stride Sports alongside other sports stars as Ricky PontingRicky PontingRicky Thomas Ponting , nicknamed Punter, is an Australian cricketer, a former captain of the Australian cricket team between 2004 and 2011 in Test cricket and 2002 and 2011 in One Day International cricket. He is a specialist right-handed batsman, slips and close catching fielder, as well as a very...
and former teammate Anthony StevensAnthony StevensAnthony Stevens is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos. He was named as ruck rover in the club's official 'Team of the Century'....
. - Glenn Archer bought a van for the club and not too long later, it was vandalized. There was outcry and many people were disgusted. Not long after that the clubrooms at Arden St Oval burnt down in a mysterious fire.