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Richard Vandeberg

Games: Nil
Goals: Nil
Guernsey No.: 48 (1997)
Height: 178cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 14th January, 1977


Richard Vandenberg played Reserve grade football for the Blues in 1997, he didn't make the grade with the Blues and headed back to the VAFA. He was later recruited by the Hawthorn Football Club in the 1997 AFL Draft with pick 78. He was the captain of the Hawks for the final three years of his career 2005 -2007.

Vandenberg is of Dutch descent. Growing up near Wentworth, New South Wales, a small town near Mildura just on the northern side of the Murray river in far western new south wales he played junior football for the local club. He moved to Melbourne to study at the University of Melbourne in 1995, playing with the University Blues where he attracted the attention of Hawthorn recruiters.

Vandenberg had his best seasons in 2000 and 2001. He was made captain when Shane Crawford stepped down for the 2005 season. He struggled to recapture his best form, but in 2006 fitted into his new role more solidy. On September 4, 2007 Vandenberg officially announced his retirement in a press conference.

Vandenberg was a solidly built player with a reputation for aggressive play, fronting the AFL Tribunal on many occasions (his most recent being a 4-week suspension in 2006). In 2004 he was involved in the 'Line in the Sand' incident, when former AFL star Dermott Brereton allegedly told the players to make a physical stand. As a result of he was suspended for 6 games.

Vandenberg retired at the end of the 2007 season after leading the Hawks to their most successful campaign since 2001.

He is distantly related to Ex Blue Dick Vandenberg.

He did not manage a senior game for Carlton.
Contributors to this page: Bombasheldon .
Page last modified on Monday 01 of November, 2010 09:49:48 AEDT by Bombasheldon.

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