Roger Alan Kerr (born 18 December 1960) is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He played senior football for East Fremantle and Perth in the West Australian Football League (WAFL), including the 1985 premiership with East Fremantle, and 24 games with Port Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), including the 1988 premiership. He later coached WAFL side Claremont.
| Roger Kerr | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Roger Alan Kerr | ||
| Date of birth | 18 December 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Calcutta, West Bengal, India | ||
| Original team(s) | East Fremantle JFC | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1981–87, 1989 | East Fremantle | 85 (114) | |
| 1988 | Port Adelaide | 24 (23) | |
| 1990–91 | Perth | 16 (19) | |
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (W–L–D) | |
| 2008–09 | Claremont | 25 (6–19–0) | |
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Source: AustralianFootball.com | |||
Early life
editKerr was born in Calcutta in 1960 to Coral Beryl and Denzil Mowbray Kerr. His Anglo-Indian parents were also born in Calcutta. His father was a metallurgist and represented Bengal as a featherweight boxer, while his mother played women's basketball. The family emigrated to Australia in 1969, settling in Fremantle, Western Australia.[1][2]
Playing career
editKerr made his senior debut for East Fremantle during the 1981 WAFL season. He was a "quick, lively rover with good skills and keen goal sense", although he suffered from injuries and was occasionally inconsistent.[3] Kerr had a breakout season in 1984, kicking 31 goals from 23 games and playing in the grand final loss to Swan Districts. He played only five games the following year, but this included the grand final victory against Subiaco,[4] a game he started on the interchange bench.[3]
In 1987, Kerr kicked 36 goals from 23 games and placed fourth in the Sandover Medal, only two votes behind the winner Mark Watson.[4][5] He recorded the fifth-highest disposal count during the season.[6] In 1988, Kerr moved to the SANFL to play for Port Adelaide, kicking 23 goals from 24 games and playing in the grand final victory over Glenelg, his second premiership. He again began the game on the interchange bench.[3]
Kerr returned to the WAFL in 1989, playing four further games with East Fremantle to bring his total to 85 senior WAFL games with the club. He also played one game against Richmond in the 1985 AFC Night Series. He finished his career with Perth, kicking 19 goals from 16 games across 1990 and 1991.[4]
Coaching career
editKerr coached the South Fremantle colts (under-19) team for three years from 2002 to 2004, which included two premierships, before being appointed senior coach of Claremont for the 2008 WAFL season. He was sacked after round six of the 2009 season after Claremont lost their first five games.[7]
Personal life
editHis daughter, Sam Kerr, has represented the Matildas (the Australian women's soccer team),[8] was named MVP of the National Women's Soccer League in the USA in 2017[9] and was the Young Australian of the Year in 2018. His son, Daniel Kerr, played football for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL).
In January 2007, Kerr and his son Daniel were charged with assault following a party in Perth. Reports suggested that Kerr's daughter complained about being touched inappropriately by another partygoer and a fight erupted soon after on the street.[10] He was found guilty of assault and fined, while Daniel pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and was fined $2000 over the attack.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Samantha Kerr's Calcutta Connection". The Away End. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "What Makes Him Run". The Age. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ a b c Devaney, John (10 December 2021). "Roger Kerr". AustralianFootball.com.
- ^ a b c "Player Stats: Kerr, Roger Alan". WAFL Footy Facts. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Sandover Medal Votes". WAFL Footy Facts. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Overall Season Records for 1987". WAFL Footy Facts. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ Winless Tigers sack Kerr – perthnow.com.au. Published 26 April 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ Samantha Kerr proves sporting talent runs in the family – perthnow.com.au. Published 12 November 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (20 October 2017). "NWSL MVP: Sam Kerr, Sky Blue FC". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "AFL star Kerr on assault charge". 18 January 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012.
- ^ Father of star Eagle guilty of assault – Perth Now – Accessed 01-Oct-09