Ross Funcke

Infobox afl player


firstname = Ross
lastname = Funcke


| birthdate = Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|11|16
birthplace =
originalteam = Ballarat Under 18s/Minyip
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 6, 4 May 1996
debutteam = Richmond
debutopponent = Fitzroy
debutstadium = Western Oval
playingteams = Richmond (1996–1999)

27 games, 1 goal

Melbourne (2001–2002)

13 games, 4 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2005
careerhighlights =

Ross Funcke (born 16 November 1977) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

Richmond career

Funcke was recruited to the Richmond Tigers in the 1995 AFL Draft. Touted as a half-back line player, he fulfilled that role for the Tigers, albeit not too impressively. At the end of the 1999 season Richmond delisted the then 21-year old Funcke. It seemed that would be the end of his AFL career, but it wasn't.

Melbourne career

In 2000 Funcke played in the VFL with the North Ballarat Roosters and surprisingly was picked up by the Melbourne Football Club and given a lifeline at AFL level. By now, Funcke was a tagger/run-with player and he was utilised accordingly in his debut season with Melbourne in 2001. After playing the first game in Round 1, 2001, he didn't return to the side until Round 19, but performed solidly when he returned, and was impressive in Melbourne's Round 20 win over Sydney. He was retained in the side for the rest of the season, but in 2002 he had a poor year and was finally delisted.

Post-AFL career

Funcke carved out a career with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL once his AFL career ended, and he became a valuable player for the club. Personal issues forced him home during the 2005 season.

In 2006, Funcke has signed on as a player-coach with Donald Football Club in the North Central Football League. He is set to marry his long term partner Kellie in October 2006.

External links

*Melbplayer|ref=13378
*AflRleague|ref=R/Ross_Funcke.html