Full name Robert Copeland Name Robert Copeland Date joined 2001 Years Club Positions Halfback | Height/Weight 187 cm / 85 kg Weight 85 kg Nickname(s) Bushie Height 1.87 m Nominations AFL Rising Star | |
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Date of birth (1981-05-26) 26 May 1981 (age 34) Draft 66th selection, 2001 Rookie Draft Role Australian Rules Football Player Original team Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club | ||
Robert Copeland (born 26 May 1981) is a former Australian Football League footballer for the Brisbane Lions and current captain of Aspley Hornets in QAFL . He is a dual premiership winner (2001, 2003) and was delisted in 2008.
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Overview
Copeland was recruited through the 2001 Rookie Draft (QLD Zone) from the Northern Eagles and was elevated to the Senior list on 10 May that year after Michael Voss was placed on the long-term injury list. He made his debut for the Brisbane Lions in Round 9, 2001 against Adelaide. Copeland was regularly employed in a tagging role. Copeland's tagging job on Collingwood Captain, Nathan Buckley in the 2003 AFL Grand Final was considered a decisive influence in the Brisbane Lions win.
Copeland played 143 games for the Lions, usually as an automatic selection. However in September 2008 Copeland was delisted due to recurrent injuries and inconsistent performance. After being overlooked in the 2008 draft Copeland was chosen to be the inaugural captain for new first division QAFL club Aspley Hornets.