Michael Robertson (rugby league)

Last updated

Michael Robertson
Michael Robertson.jpg
Personal information
Full nameMichael Robertson
Born (1983-04-14) 14 April 1983 (age 41)
Wellington, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight88 kg (13 st 12 lb)
Position Wing, Fullback
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2001–05 Canberra Raiders 59150060
2006–11 Manly-Warringah 1506820276
2012–13 London Broncos 41180072
Total25010120408
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2008 Scotland 31004
2010 Country Origin 11004
Source: [1] [2] [3]

Michael Robertson (born 14 April 1983) is a former Scotland international rugby league footballer. His usual position was on the wing but he could also play as a fullback with equal ability. He played for the London Broncos in the Super League, and the Canberra Raiders and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL. He was considered a player with natural pace and try scoring ability.

Contents

Background

Robertson was born in Wellington, New South Wales, Australia.

Playing career

Robertson played junior football with Valley Dragons in the ACT, and was graded to the Canberra Raiders, making his first-grade début in 2001 against the North Queensland Cowboys. [4]

Robertson in action for the Sea Eagles Michael Robertson.JPG
Robertson in action for the Sea Eagles

After signing to play for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles from the start of the 2006 NRL season, Robertson cemented his spot on the left win for Manly and played in the 2007 NRL grand final defeat by the Melbourne Storm. [5]

He scored three tries in the Manly club's record breaking 40-0 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over Melbourne, becoming the first player to score three tries in an Australian Grand Final since Steve Renouf did so for the Brisbane Broncos in the 1997 Super League Grand Final. [6] He would then go on to play in Manly's 28–20 win over English Super League champions the Leeds Rhinos in the 2009 World Club Challenge played at Elland Road in Leeds.

Normally a left side winger, suspension and injuries to Brett Stewart saw Robertson play most of the 2009 NRL season at fullback for the Sea Eagles. When Stewart suffered a season ending knee injury in Round 1 of the 2010 season against the Wests Tigers, it was expected that coach Des Hasler would move Robertson to fullback for the season. However, the pre-season signing of former North Queensland Cowboys utility back Ben Farrar allowed Hasler to keep Robbo in his referred wing position and play Farrar at fullback.

After débuting for the Manly club in round 2, 2006 Robertson played in 139 consecutive club games until suffering a knee injury in a two try performance against the Gold Coast Titans in round 10 of the 2011 season. The injury was expected to keep Robertson out only for a single game, but he ended up missing three games. He returned to the club in Manly's 22–18 win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval [7]

Towards the end of the 2011 NRL home and away season, Robertson announced that he would be leaving Manly after six years with the club. Robertson would fulfill a long-held ambition to play in England when he would join the Super League club the London Broncos in 2012. Until then Robertson had vowed he would take his place on the wing with Manly in a bid to win his second NRL premiership with Manly-Warringah, [8] which they achieved by taking out the 2011 NRL Grand Final over the New Zealand Warriors 24–10.

Robertson's last play for Manly-Warringah was a goal kick after the final siren of the 2011 Grand Final converting captain Jamie Lyon's try giving the departing winger a perfect 2/2 goal kicking record in the NRL (having also kicked a goal in Manly's 42–8 win over North Queensland 3 weeks earlier in the Qualifying Final) to go along with his 83 tries from 209 first grade appearances for Canberra and Manly.

Super League

Robertson made his first appearance on the wing for the London Broncos on 14 February 2012. He scored a try on début in a 24–34 loss to St. Helens at the Stoop Stadium in London. Robertson signed a 2-year deal midway through the 2012 season. In total, Robertson made 41 appearances for London scoring 18 tries. [9]

Representative career

Due to his Scottish heritage, Robertson made himself available for Scotland's 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign. [10] [11] [12] Robertson was named in the Scotland squad for the World Cup and played all three of their games at fullback, scoring a try in the team's 18–16 win over Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford. [13]

Robertson's good form to start the 2010 NRL season scoring 7 tries in 8 games in his preferred position of wing was rewarded with selection for Country Origin in the annual City vs Country Origin match in Port Macquarie. Robertson, who is normally a left winger for the Sea Eagles, played on the right wing and scored a try in Country's 36–18 win over City.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manly Warringah Sea Eagles</span> Australian rugby league football club

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based in Sydney's Northern Beaches. They compete in Australia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League (NRL). The club debuted in the 1947 New South Wales Rugby Football League season and currently hosts the majority of their home games at Brookvale Oval in Brookvale. They train at the New South Wales Academy of Sport in Narrabeen and their Centre of Excellence in Brookvale. The team colours are maroon and white, and they are commonly known as Manly.

Brett Stewart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played fullback for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL). An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback, he played his entire NRL career for the Sea Eagles, with whom he won the 2008 and 2011 Premierships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Matai</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Stephen Matai is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League from 2005 to 2016. A New Zealand national representative centre, he played for Australian club the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Matai helped the Sea Eagles win the 2008 and 2011 Premierships. He was also part of the New Zealand national squad that won the nation's maiden title at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Known particularly for his uncompromising defence, in 2020, Matai was voted the National Rugby League's hardest hitter over the past 30 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Ballin</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Matthew Ballin is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL) and also the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Ballin is the current head coach for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles which is the feeder team playing in the NSW Cup Competition, prior to that he was the Under 20s Head Coach. Ballin is also the assistant coach for the Queensland Maroons He has played one game for Queensland in State of Origin. He played at hooker and previously played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won the 2008 and 2011 Premierships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denan Kemp</span> Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer

Denan Kemp is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s in the National Rugby League (NRL) and a current online sports content creator. Kemp played in the NRL for the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors, usually on the wing. He also had a brief stint in rugby union in 2011, playing for Southern Districts in the Shute Shield competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Farrar</span> Australian rugby player (born 1986)

Ben Farrar is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He is the player/head coach of New York Rugby League. He previously played for the North Queensland Cowboys and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. He primarily played fullback, centre, wing but had filled in at five-eighth in the past.

The 2008 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2008 NRL season. It was played between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm on Sunday, 5 October at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reece Robinson</span> Lebanon international rugby league footballer

Reece Robinson is a Lebanon international rugby league footballer who most recently played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Williamson</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Luke Williamson is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He is now coach of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles' NSW Cup team after previously coaching the team in 2011 and being the coach of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Toyota Cup (Under-20s) team in the 2012 competition. His playing career was spent with the Adelaide Rams, the Canberra Raiders, the Northern Eagles and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League and for the Harlequins RL in the Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Williams (rugby league, born 1986)</span> Australia international rugby league footballer

David Williams is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played on the wing in the 2000s and 2010s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative, he played his entire professional career with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL, winning the 2008 NRL Premiership with them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Hoffman</span> New Zealand international rugby league footballer

Josh Hoffman is a New Zealand international rugby league footballer who plays as wing, centre and fullback for the Wests Panthers in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 World Club Challenge</span>

The 2009 World Club Challenge was contested by Super League XIII champions, Leeds Rhinos, competing in their second consecutive World Club Challenge, and 2008 NRL Premiers, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. For the first time since 2003, the Australian champions defeated their English counterparts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Whare</span> NZ international rugby league footballer

Dean Whare pronounced (FAR-dEH) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Glebe Dirty Reds in the NSWRL Ron Massey Cup, and New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jorge Taufua</span> Samoa & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Jorge Taufua is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for Bradford Bulls in the Championship. He has played for both Tonga and Samoa at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Tupou</span> Australia & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Daniel Tupou is a professional rugby league footballer who plays on the wing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for Tonga and Australia at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peta Hiku</span> NZ international rugby league footballer

Peta Hiku is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a centre, winger and fullback for Hull KR in the Super League, and New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori at international level.

The 2008 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles season was the 62nd in the club's history. Coached by Des Hasler and captained by Matt Orford, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Johnston (rugby league)</span> Australia & PNG international rugby league footballer

Alex Johnston is a professional rugby league footballer who primarily plays on the wing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League. He has played for both Australia and Papua New Guinea at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Trbojevic</span> Australia international rugby league footballer

Thomas Peter Trbojevic, also nicknamed "Tommy Turbo", is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tevita Funa</span> Australian rugby league footballer

Tevita Funa is a professional rugby union footballer for the New South Wales Waratahs and a former rugby league wing, fullback and centre for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL.

References

  1. ↑ "Players". Love Rugby League.
  2. ↑ "Michael Robertson - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  3. ↑ "Michael Robertson". Herald Sun . Archived from the original on 8 August 2011.
  4. ↑ Barry Hildebrandt (28 September 2008). "Big day for Robertson". Wellington Times. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2008.
  5. ↑ "Factfile on 2007 grand final". The Daily Telegraph. 29 September 2008.
  6. ↑ "Grand final: As it happened". Fox Sports. 5 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  7. ↑ "Injury ends Robbo's streak, Stewart back - NRL.com". www.nrl.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Michael Robertson to join Harlequins in 2012 Archived 2 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "Michael Robertson". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Robertson ready for Scotland". Sportinglife. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  11. ↑ "Robertson set for kilt call-up". Fox Sports. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  12. ↑ "Aussie stars join Scotland". Sky Sports. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  13. ↑ "Logan back in Scotland cup squad". BBC. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.