Chris Groom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chris Groom (born August 28, 1973) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League.

[edit] Career

• South Adelaide: 46 games, 75 goals.
• Adelaide: 1993-94, 12 games, 8 goals.
• Fremantle: 1995, 7 games, 18 goals.
• West Perth Football Club: 1995 14 games 70 goals.
• North Melbourne: 1997-98, 5 games, 1 goal.

After a very successful junior career that netted the 1990 under 17 S.A.N.F.L. Premiership and the 1991 Reserves Premiership(aged 17), Chris was selected by the Adelaide Crows during the moritorium where the club had the first 8 picks of South Australian players before other clubs could select (1992). That year Chris at 18 years of age made his debut for South Adelaide's Seniors in round 1, playing against Glenelg and kicked 5 goals. He finished the year with 42 goals from 25 games in a year where South Adelaide made the finals. In 1993 Chris made his A.F.L. debut in round 1 against Richmond, kicking 2 goals. After being plagued by illness and injury he was traded to Fremantle Dockers for the 1995 season and played in Fremantle's first ever game, kicking 3 goals. In exchange for Groom, Fremantle traded the rights to Andrew McLeod to the Adelaide Crows, a move for which Fremantle have been roundly criticised, as a result of McLeod's glittering career when compared to Groom's. Despite kicking 18 goals in 7 games for Fremantle, Groom was surprisingly dropped 4 times. When not selected he played for West Perth, kicking 70 goals in 14 games including 5 goals in their Premiership win over Subiaco. In 1996 he was drafted to North Melbourne Kangaroos. A week before the season started he sustained a knee injury requiring a total knee reconstruction. Unfortunately 5 months later the knee buckled again and a second reconstruction was required;this in a season which saw North Melbourne take out the Reserves and Senior Premiership.

After missing season 1997 he managed to play Senior football with North Melbourne and was a member of the 1998 Night Premiership team. He retired from A.F.L. football at the end of 1998 due to injuries but went on to play with great success firstly for West Preston in the Diamond Valley League, and then Melbourne University Blacks.

Premierships:

• South Adelaide Football Club U17 1990(SANFL)
• South Adelaide Football Club reserves 1991(SANFL)
• West Perth Football Club Seniors 1995(WAFL)
• North Melbourne Football Club 1998 AFL (Night Premiers)
• West Preston Footbal Club 2003(Div 1 Diamond Valley)
• Melbourne University Blacks(VFA) 2004, 2005
• Christies Beach FC U14 1986

Runners up:

• West Preston Football Club 2000 (Div 1 Diamond Valley)
• South Adelaide Football Club U17 1989(SANFL)
• Christies Beach FC U16 1987 (Southern Football League)
• Christies Beach FC U13 1883 (Southern Football League)