Robbie Muir (footballer) facts for kids

Robert "Robbie" Muir, born on October 8, 1953, is an Indigenous former Australian rules football player. He played for the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He also played for the West Torrens Football Club and Woodville Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

Robbie was known as a very talented player. He played 68 VFL games over seven seasons between 1974 and 1984. He was also known for getting angry on the field. He was reported 13 times and suspended for 22 weeks during his career. Because of this, some people called him "Mad Dog," a nickname Robbie himself did not like.

Robbie Muir: Early Life and Football Beginnings

Growing Up and Family

Robbie Muir's family were Yorta Yorta people from the Cummeragunja mission. This mission is located on the Murray River near Moama. However, Robbie grew up in Ballarat. His mother, Myrtle, was amazing. She raised and fostered over 43 children. Robbie remembers that there were always at least 11 people living in their family home. His father, Cyril, worked as a painter.

Robbie went to Ballarat Technical School until he was 15 years old. After leaving school, he worked as a slaughterman.

Junior Football Talent

Robbie played his junior football for the Ballarat Football Club. He even captained their under-18 team. He was a brilliant football talent from a young age. However, he faced constant unfair comments about his race as a junior player.

Len Templar, who was the senior coach at Ballarat and a former North Melbourne player, spoke highly of Robbie. He said Robbie was "as brilliant a player off nothing as I've ever seen."

Facing Challenges Early On

When Robbie was about 16 or 17, he became a father. Sadly, his daughter was adopted out against his wishes. Robbie believes she was part of the Stolen Generations. He did not meet his daughter until she was 18 years old.

In 1971, while playing for Ballarat, Robbie was reported for kicking an opponent. Robbie said it was an accidental trip, and his opponent even agreed. But the umpires said it was a "deliberate, vicious kick." The Ballarat Football League suspended Robbie for two and a half years. The Ballarat Football Club tried to fight this decision in the Supreme Court of Victoria. They believed the suspension was unfair and due to racial bias, but they were not successful.

During this time away from organized football, Robbie played for Aboriginal representative teams. He even toured Papua New Guinea in 1973. This tour was guided by Sir Doug Nicholls, who was also from the Cummeragunja Mission.

After his suspension ended in 1974, Robbie returned to play for Ballarat. He played seven amazing games for the club. Because of his great performance, the St Kilda Football Club recruited him in the middle of that season.

Robbie Muir: VFL and SANFL Career

Joining St Kilda

Robbie Muir joined St Kilda Football Club in the middle of the 1974 season. He played 50 senior VFL games by early 1977. Most of these games were under the coaching of Allan Jeans. In 1975, he won St Kilda's most improved player award. However, he would only play 18 more games in the next four seasons.

Many people recognized Robbie's football skills. Ron Barassi, a famous football figure, called him one of the VFL's most talented players. Len Templar said, "There was no better player than Muir. ... He could have done anything." Neil Roberts, whom Robbie respects greatly, said, "He's not a fellow, he's a happening." St Kilda's official history describes Robbie as playing "football with a cyclonic power that was allied to one-touch skills."

The "Mad Dog" Nickname

Robbie was given the nickname "Mad Dog" by his teammate Kevin Neale. Kevin thought Robbie ran around the field "like a sheep dog ... mad." The name stuck and later became linked to his angry moments on the field. However, Robbie later said he disliked the name. He felt it was connected to unfair comments about his race. He said, "I don't want people to say, 'There goes Mad Dog.'" Former AFL coach John Northey, who guided Robbie in Ballarat, strongly disagreed with the nickname. He said, "I think Robert is more maligned than any player who's ever played the game. I think it put him in positions he shouldn't have been in."

Playing in South Australia

In 1979, Robbie moved to the West Torrens Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). While playing for West Torrens, he was suspended for four matches. He was also cleared of a charge of hitting an umpire.

Robbie returned to St Kilda in 1980. At the end of that year, he left St Kilda again. He went back to Ballarat for a while, then settled in Adelaide.

Return to St Kilda and Final Games

Robbie returned to St Kilda in 1984. This was at the request of coach Tony Jewell. The coach allowed Robbie to train in Adelaide and fly to Melbourne for games. In a reserves match in Geelong that April, Robbie faced ongoing unfair comments from Geelong senior players from the sidelines. He responded by making a gesture and ripping off his jumper to show his black skin. Robbie kicked seven goals in that game.

Later that season, Robbie played against Carlton at their home ground, Princes Park, Carlton. In a tough game, Robbie said he was repeatedly treated unfairly by his Carlton opponents. He was reported seven times for his actions during the match.

Robbie signed with SANFL club Woodville Football Club for the 1985 season. The team was coached by Malcolm Blight. In Woodville's away game against his old team, West Torrens, Robbie again reacted strongly to repeated unfair comments. At the end of the game, after being hit by something thrown from the crowd, Robbie took action. He jumped the fence and punched the person. Police then got involved. Robbie was let go by Woodville because of this. This event brought an end to his professional football career.

Robbie Muir: After Football

Helping the Community

After his football career, Robbie Muir worked with various Aboriginal community groups. He helped Aboriginal prisoners and mentored young Aboriginal footballers and cricketers. He also coached RecLink football teams.

Becoming an Umpire

In 2006, Robbie became involved in umpiring in an amateur league. This league was known for players who did not respect officials. With Robbie, a player known for his strong presence, as an umpire, people hoped his presence would help stop this behavior. He also umpired the EJ Whitten Legends Game in 2006. He also umpired a charity game at Glenferrie Oval on June 25, 2006.

Recognition and Apologies

Despite his important role as one of the few Indigenous players at the highest level in the 1970s, Robbie Muir was not included in some Indigenous events organized by the St Kilda Football Club or the Australian Football League.

In August 2020, Robbie spoke publicly about the unfair treatment he received during his playing days. This included comments from spectators, opponents, and even his own teammates. Both the AFL and the St Kilda Football Club issued full apologies for the terrible way Robbie was treated.

The AFL's apology was similar to St Kilda's. Robbie Muir was widely praised for his bravery in sharing his experiences. This helped to show the level of unfair treatment that was common at the time.

As of 2020, Robbie Muir is retired. He lives on the outskirts of Adelaide.