Glenn Freeborn
Encyclopedia
Glenn Freeborn was an Australian rules football
player for both North Melbourne (1995-1998) and Collingwood (1999-2003) in the Australian Football League
. Originally drafted by Melbourne, Freeborn was delisted without playing a game. A durable utility, Freeborn is best known for his three goals in the Kangaroos 1996 Premiership triumph
over Sydney. Many onlookers believe that Freeborn's three second term goals swung the game North Melbourne's way.
Upon reaching the Magpies at the end of 1998, Freeborn slotted in perfectly, playing the role of the sweeper
across halfback, and was quite successful despite the team's lack of success. After a patchy 2000, Freeborn hit back over the following two seasons, missing only two matches as his side rose up the ladder and into the finals in 2002, whereupon the club then found their way into their first Grand Final since their famed victory in 1990.
In the match in the wet against Brisbane, Freeborn was outstanding off halfback and through the midfield, and again reaffirmed himself as one of the players the club would rely on for a cool head under pressure.
Surprisingly, Freeborn found it difficult to crack it for a regular place in the Magpies 2003 line up, tipped out despite some reasonable early season form by the youth of Richard Cole
, Rhyce Shaw
and Matthew Lokan
. Many believed that despite playing only three matches for the season, the club would have been well served had they opted to select the experience of Freeborn during the finals series, which ended with a crushing defeat by the Lions in the grand final.
Following his role in Williamstown's VFL premiership over Box Hill in 2003, Freeborn retired from football.
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...
player for both North Melbourne (1995-1998) and Collingwood (1999-2003) in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Originally drafted by Melbourne, Freeborn was delisted without playing a game. A durable utility, Freeborn is best known for his three goals in the Kangaroos 1996 Premiership triumph
1996 AFL Grand Final
The 1996 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the North Melbourne Football Club and Sydney Swans, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on 28 September 1996. It was the 100th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League/Australian Football...
over Sydney. Many onlookers believe that Freeborn's three second term goals swung the game North Melbourne's way.
Upon reaching the Magpies at the end of 1998, Freeborn slotted in perfectly, playing the role of the sweeper
Sweeper
Sweepers are small, tropical marine perciform fish of the family Pempheridae. Found in the western Atlantic Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, the family contains approximately 26 species in two genera. One species is the target of subsistence fisheries in Japan, where the fish is much enjoyed for...
across halfback, and was quite successful despite the team's lack of success. After a patchy 2000, Freeborn hit back over the following two seasons, missing only two matches as his side rose up the ladder and into the finals in 2002, whereupon the club then found their way into their first Grand Final since their famed victory in 1990.
In the match in the wet against Brisbane, Freeborn was outstanding off halfback and through the midfield, and again reaffirmed himself as one of the players the club would rely on for a cool head under pressure.
Surprisingly, Freeborn found it difficult to crack it for a regular place in the Magpies 2003 line up, tipped out despite some reasonable early season form by the youth of Richard Cole
Richard Cole
Richard Cole was heavily involved in the rock music business from the mid-1960s to 2003, and is most famous for being the tour manager of English rock band Led Zeppelin from 1968 to 1980.-Early career:...
, Rhyce Shaw
Rhyce Shaw
Rhyce Shaw is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Career:Shaw, son of former Collingwood captain Ray was drafted to Collingwood in the 1999 AFL Draft under the father-son rule at pick no.18...
and Matthew Lokan
Matthew Lokan
Matthew Lokan is an Australian rules footballer who has played for Collingwood Football Club.Matthew was drafted at an age of 20 in the 2002 AFL Draft at No.70 overall in a 5th round selection. His age seemed a worry to supporters, but also his talent, which in the year drafted, he had played for...
. Many believed that despite playing only three matches for the season, the club would have been well served had they opted to select the experience of Freeborn during the finals series, which ended with a crushing defeat by the Lions in the grand final.
Following his role in Williamstown's VFL premiership over Box Hill in 2003, Freeborn retired from football.