Sydney Swans defender Robbie Fox looks back at the 2021 season as a positive year, not just for the team but for himself.
Entering his fifth year in the AFL, Fox had an injury interrupted start to the year, but was a consistent contributor in the Swans defence in the second half of the season.
He went on to play 15 games this season to bring his career tally to 53 games.
He finished the year with 12.1 disposals, 1.9 tackles, 4 contested possessions, 8.5 uncontested possessions and 3.4 spoils on average this season.
“It was disappointing to fall just short against the GWS Giants in the Elimination Final, but to win five games last year to winning fifteen and nearly finishing in the Top Four, it was definitely a positive year,” Fox said.
“Personally for myself, I think it was one of my better years.
“Early on in the season I had a finger injury which was quite annoying but I felt like I had a pretty consistent year after that.”
Capable of playing as a defender, shifting forward or pinch-hitting in the ruck, Robbie Fox again showed his versatility.
It is something that he hopes he can continue to develop moving forward at the club.
Originally selected in the 2017 rookie draft as a mature age recruit from VFL club Coburg, the 28-year-old defender signed a new one-year deal earlier this month.
“It will be about getting my body right, keep learning and remaining being able to being versatile, playing tall or small in attack or defence, and building on from this year,” Fox said.
“I think I always used to try and model my game on certain players, but the coaches tell us we all have unique games so we try and bring our own strengths.”
The defender also benefited from learning from experienced teammate and fellow defender Jake Lloyd.
“But Jake Lloyd was really big for me this year. He gives me a lot of confidence, a lot of pointers and even when we are playing out there in an AFL game in high pressure, he is a calm head in the backline.”
Fox once again felt the impacts of Covid this season, unable to play in front of our members and fans for parts of the season due to restrictions.
The strong support from our supports in Tasmania for the Elimination Final was “pretty special” and Fox can’t wait for the action to resume next year in front of our loyal members and fans in 2022.
"It just wasn’t the same not playing in front of our members and fans,” Fox said.
“We played multiple games with no crowds and it wasn’t the same without them. When we had the final down in Tasmania, we had 10,000 fans (9,000 of them Sydney supporters), so having them at the game was pretty special.”
