Robbie Fox

Robbie Fox
Fox playing for Tasmania in 2026
Personal information
Born (1993-04-16) 16 April 1993 (age 33)
Penguin, Tasmania
Original teams Burnie Dockers (TSL)
Aberfeldie (EDFL)
Coburg (VFL)
Draft No. 34, 2017 rookie draft
Debut Round 2, 2017, Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs, at Etihad Stadium
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 84 kg (185 lb)
Position Defender
Playing career
Years Club Games (Goals)
2017–2025 Sydney 105 (15)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
2012 TSL 1 (0)
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Robbie Fox (born 16 April 1993) is an Australian rules footballer who most recently served as the captain of the Tasmania Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He previously played professionally for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early career

Originally from the Tasmanian north coast town of Penguin, Fox concentrated on playing basketball as a junior, making Tasmania's under-16 and under-16 state representative teams. He still played football his school, Marist Regional College, alongside close friend and future AFL player Brody Mihocek. Fox played for the Tassie Mariners in the 2011 AFL Under 18 Championships.

Fox made his senior debut for the Burnie Dockers in Tasmanian State League (TSL) at the age of 17 and played 46 matches for the club, including the 2012 premiership victory over Launceston. He also represented the TSL in an interstate representative match against the Victorian Football League (VFL) in May 2012, which the TSL lost by 108 points.

In early 2013, Fox moved from Penguin to Melbourne to study at La Trobe University. Although he had hoped to sign with the Northern Blues in the VFL, he instead joined the Aberfeldie Football Club in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL). He played for Aberfeldie in back-to-back Premier Division grand final losses in 2013 and 2014 and was named the club's most improved player for the 2014 season, in addition to being named in the best players on ten occasions throughout the season.

Coburg (2015–2016)

On 29 September 2014, Fox signed with the Coburg Football Club in VFL. After an injury-interrupted preseason, he made his senior VFL debut in round 2 of the 2015 season against Box Hill. Fox missed several matches due to injury, but returned in round 8 against the Northern Blues, kicking a goal in the late stages of the match to secure a two-point win. He finished fourth in Coburg's best-and-fairest count in 2015.

Following the departure of Coburg star Daniel Venditti, Fox primarily played for the club in the midfield during the 2016 season. Although he missed the end of the season due to injury, he was named on the wing in the 2016 VFL Team of the Year. He finished fifth in the club's best-and-fairest count and was named by The Terrace, Coburg's supporter group, as its player of the year.

AFL career

Sydney (2017–2025)

Fox was selected by the Sydney Swans with the 34th overall pick of the 2017 rookie draft held on 27 November 2016. He made his Australian Football League (AFL) debut in round 2 of the 2017 season against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

After playing 14 games in 2020, Fox was delisted by Sydney, but was pre-listed as a rookie and remained at the club for the 2021 season. He played in Sydney's losing grand finals in 2022 and 2024. Fox was delisted by Sydney at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Post-AFL career

Tasmania (2026)

On 3 October 2025, the Tasmania Football Club announced Fox had joined the club for its inaugural VFL season, making him the second player to sign for Tasmania (after Jye Menzie). He was named Tasmania's inaugural men's captain on 18 February 2026. Fox sufferred a calf strain during the preseason, which meant he missed the club's inaugural match against Coburg at North Hobart Oval, before he eventually made his club debut in round 3 against Frankston. In round 19, Fox starred against Sydney with 32 disposals and ten marks in a 30-point victory. He was managed thorughout the season and played fourteen matches out of a possible twenty, with Menzie serving as acting captain when Fox was absence.

In October 2026, Tasmania announced that Fox would not be offerred a playing contract for the 2027 VFL season because of a "range of factors", including the club's "expectations regarding player behaviour and adherence to our standards". It was reported by ABC News that Fox had become "drunk and disorderly" at a pub in Hobart earlier in the month, including being "abusive toward some staff", with a bottle thrown and smashed during the incident. The club stated the decision for Fox to leave was not based on a single incident and he would remain employed as Tasmania's Strategic Projects and Impact Lead, having previously worked as the club's Commercial Partnership Coordinator.

Statistics

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks

AFL

Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2017Sydney42 3101425391150.30.04.78.313.00.35.00
2018Sydney42 1042545210625270.40.25.45.210.62.52.70
2019Sydney42 1131656312825470.30.15.95.711.62.34.30
2020Sydney42 1400865814430370.00.06.14.110.32.12.60
2021Sydney42 1500958718240280.00.06.35.812.12.71.90
2022Sydney42 14011558624175290.00.111.16.117.25.42.10
2023Sydney42 202315215130361390.10.27.67.615.23.12.00
2024Sydney42 18521168720365400.30.16.44.811.33.62.20
2025Sydney42 0——————————————0
Career 10515973760913463222620.10.17.05.812.83.12.50

VFL

Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2015Coburg35 130
2016Coburg4 13
2021Sydney42 100141630750.00.014.016.030.07.05.0—
2022Sydney42 4014042821390.00.310.010.520.53.32.30
2023Sydney42 0——————————————0
2024Sydney42 222201232581.01.010.06.016.02.54.00
2025Sydney42 40136306616110.00.39.07.516.54.02.80
2026Tasmania5 143113814127962390.20.19.910.119.94.42.85
Career 51

Notes

  1. ↑ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ↑ The J. J. Liston Trophy was not awarded in 2021 because the season was curtailed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ↑ Bastiani, Gemma (12 March 2026). "'This is actually beautiful': How this ex-Swan quickly found an upside to being delisted". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 April 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Beeck, Marcus (27 October 2026). "Tasmania parts ways with inaugural captain and former Sydney Swan". Zero Hanger. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Gabelich, Josh (15 September 2022). "The boy from Burnie: Fox trots unconventional path to a prelim". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  4. ↑ Fair, Alex (9 November 2018). "Collingwood's Brody Mihocek and Sydney's Robbie Fox reflect on their 2018 campaigns". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Robbie Fox off to the State Combine!". Coburg Football Club. 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2026. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Robbie Fox off to the Sydney Swans!". Coburg Football Club. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Tasmanian Squad for game vs VFL on May 26". VFL Footy. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Cavanagh, Chris (24 August 2016). "Coburg midfielder Robbie Fox attracts AFL interest with impressive VFL season". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  9. ↑ "Aberfeldie star signs for 2015". Coburg Football Club. 29 September 2014. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "2016 VFL Team of the Year". VFL / VFLW. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Rookie Pick 34: Robbie Fox". Sydney Swans. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  12. ↑ Slessor, Camron (30 March 2017). "Burnie's Robbie Fox to make AFL debut against reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  13. ↑ "Fox chopped: Sydney makes 'tough' cut call, delists four". AFL.com.au. 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 7 March 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Fox and Gray set to return". Sydney Swans. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  15. ↑ "Sydney Swans make four list changes". Sydney Swans. 28 August 2025. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "Versatile Swan among four delisted after injury-hit season". AFL.com.au. 28 August 2025. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  17. ↑ "Fox to Return to Tasmania for VFL". Tasmania Football Club. 3 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "Robbie Fox returns home to join the Tasmania Devils journey". Pulse Tasmania. 3 October 2025. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  19. ↑ "Fox Named Inaugural Devils VFL Captain". Tasmania Football Club. 18 February 2026. Archived from the original on 16 March 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  20. ↑ "Tasmania Devils VFL captain Robbie Fox out with calf injury for team debut". Pulse Tasmania. 17 March 2026. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  21. ↑ "TEAMS: Smithy's VFL Round 3". AFL.com.au. 3 April 2026. Archived from the original on 16 April 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  22. ↑ "Tasmania Devils erupt for 52 fourth-quarter points to overrun Sydney Swans by 30". Pulse Tasmania. 1 August 2026. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  23. ↑ Wilson, Alex (3 August 2026). "Fox Returns To Haunt Swans". Tasmania Football Club. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  24. ↑ "Wright Recalled For Sandringham Clash". Tasmania Football Club. 19 June 2026. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  25. ↑ Rowbottom, Chris (24 June 2026). "Tasmania Devils VFL captain Jye Menzie on growing up in Bridgewater". ABC News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Kalinic, Dejan (27 October 2026). "Devils axe ex-Swan over 'player behaviour', delisted Cat signs on for 2027". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  27. ↑ "Devils axe inaugural captain over "player behaviour" issues". SEN. 27 October 2026. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  28. ↑ Rowbottom, Chris (27 October 2026). "Tasmania Devils' inaugural VFL captain Robbie Fox axed after pub incident". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  29. ↑ Faulkner, Will (27 October 2026). "Tassie shock as AFL's 19th club cites 'player behaviour, standards' while axing inaugural captain". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  30. ↑ "Robbie Fox cut from the Tasmania Devils as club parts ways with VFL captain". Pulse Tasmania. 27 October 2026. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  31. ↑ Rowbottom, Chris (28 October 2026). "Robbie Fox axing from Devils VFL team not due to single incident, club says". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  32. ↑ "Robbie Fox". AFL Tables. Archived from the original on 25 September 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  33. ↑ "Box Hill 14.7-91 def. 10.11-71 Coburg". VFL / VFLW. 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 29 October 2026. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  34. ↑ "2015 J.J. Liston Trophy votes". VFL / VFLW. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2026.
  35. ↑ "Collingwood 19.18-132 def. 10.4-64 Coburg". VFL / VFLW. 6 August 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2026. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  36. ↑ "CFC Complete Mens Player List 1925–present". Coburg Football Club. 20 September 2026. Archived from the original on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  37. ↑ "2022 J.J. Liston Trophy votes" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  38. ↑ "2023 J.J. Liston Trophy votes" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  39. ↑ "2024 J.J. Liston Trophy votes" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  40. ↑ "2025 J.J. Liston Trophy votes" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2026. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  41. ↑ "2026 J.J. Liston Trophy votes" (PDF). AFL.com.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 October 2026. Retrieved 27 October 2026.