Harry Armstrong (Australian footballer)

Harry Armstrong
Armstrong in April 2025
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-06-14) 14 June 2006
Original team(s) Sandringham Dragons (Talent League)/Ormond
Draft No. 23, 2024 AFL draft
Debut Round 1, 2025, Richmond vs. Carlton, at MCG
Height 195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Key forward
Club information
Current club Richmond
Number 34
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2025– Richmond 4 (4)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 6, 2025.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Harry Armstrong (born 14 June 2006) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A mobile tall-forward, Armstrong was drafted in the first round of the 2024 AFL draft and made his debut early in the 2025 season.

Early life and junior football

Armstrong grew up in the south-eastern suburbs, playing junior football with Ormond, representative football for Sandringham Dragons and attending school at McKinnon Secondary and later Haileybury.[1][2] While at Haileybury, he worked closely with three time Coleman Medal winner Matthew Lloyd to improve his goal kicking.[3]

He developed a staph infection in his hip in his second-last year of schooling, missing Haileybury's Associated Public Schools of Victoria grand final win over Caulfield Grammar in 2023.[2] Despite missing that game, Armstorng finished the year as the competition's leading goalkicker.[1]

Early in his final junior season, Armstrong kicked 10 goals in a school match against Melbourne Grammar.[2] In total, he kicked 33 goals for his school that year and was named in the Herald Sun's APS team of the year.[4]

Armstrong represented the Victorian Metropolitan region at the 2024 AFL Under 18 Championships. Despite missing the first match of the tournament with an ankle injury, Armstrong finished as the equal-highest goalkicker for all teams with nine, earning selection in the tournament's All-Australian side.[1][5] He kicked a match-high five goals along with five marks and nine disposals in Metro's grand final victory over Victoria Country.[6][7][8]

Armstrong kicked 27 goals across eight matches in Sandringham's 2024 Talent League season.[1] Despite being affected during the season by a shoulder injury, Armstrong was ultimately selected in the league's Team of the Year.[1][9]

AFL career

Armstrong was drafted by Richmond with the club's sixth pick and the 23rd selection overall in the 2024 AFL draft.[9] Armstrong made his debut in round 1 of the 2025 season, in a victory over Carlton at the MCG. [10] He made his debut in the club's first match of the regular season; a round 1 victory over Carlton which also featured fellow first-round draftees Sam Lalor and Luke Trainor.[11][12] The following week he kicked each of his first two AFL goals, along with 12 disposals and five marks in an away loss to Port Adelaide.[13]

Player profile

Armstrong plays as a tall-forward, notable for his mobility and endurance.[2] He is a left foot kicker.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Jovanovski, Jack (11 November 2024). "'Be ruthless': Inside AFL legend's tutelage of draft bolter as rapid rise turns heads". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d McGowan, Marc (21 October 2024). "The top draft chance who left hospital to watch his mates win a grand final without him". The Age. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  3. ^ "The 'ruthless' top-10 prospect with goalkicking great in his corner". www.afl.com.au. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  4. ^ Batten, Dan (8 August 2024). "Our Associated Public Schools of Victoria footy Team of the Year". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b "2024 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys All Australian Team announced". AFL Media. Telstra Media. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  6. ^ Jovanovski, Jack (14 July 2024). "'Couldn't write a script like this': Vic Metro claim U18 title in wild finish decided by shock 50m penalty". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  7. ^ Twomey, Callum (14 July 2024). "Dramatic late 50m penalty hands Metro championship win over Country". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  8. ^ Alvaro, Michael (14 July 2024). "Vic Metro snatches Under 18 title after siren". Rookie Me Central. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Richmond selects Harry Armstrong". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  10. ^ Smith, Martin (12 March 2025). "TEAMS: Recruit named, six new faces for Tigers-Blues blockbuster". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Lalor, Armstrong and Trainor to debut in Round 1". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  12. ^ Smith, Martin (12 March 2025). "TEAMS: Recruit named, six new faces for Tigers-Blues blockbuster". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  13. ^ Kimber, Howard (24 March 2025). "One small step for Richmond". Richmond FC. Telstra Media. AFL Media. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
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