Andy Preston (footballer)

Summary

Andy Preston (born 16 August 1957) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong, Richmond and Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Andy Preston
Personal information
Full name Andy Preston
Date of birth (1957-08-16) 16 August 1957 (age 66)
Original team(s) Scotch College
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 77 kg (170 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1977–1981 Geelong 58 (13)
1982–1983 Richmond 18 0(6)
1986 Footscray 02 0(0)
Total 78 (19)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1986.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Preston, from Scotch College, was a utility who made his league debut as a 19-year-old in 1977.[1] He played for most of the second half of the 1977 season and added another 15 games in 1978 when he averaged 14 disposals.[2] In 1979 he missed just three games and polled well in the Brownlow Medal count with seven votes, the second best for Geelong.[2] He spent most of the 1980 and 1981 seasons in the reserves and in both of those years was on the wing when they won the reserves grand final.

He moved to Richmond in 1982 in search of greater opportunities but had to wait until round 12 to play his first game, although he then played every match for the rest of the year.[2] A utility, he played in Richmond's semi final win over Carlton that year but wasn't selected in the Grand Final, having pulled his hamstring.[3] After just six appearances in 1983, Preston left the VFL, but returned in 1986 to play two games with Footscray.

References edit

  1. ^ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
  2. ^ a b c AFL Tables: Andy Preston
  3. ^ The Age, "First poll 'blood' to old Magpies", 14 September 1982, p. 42