Richmond premiership player, Rob Wiley has tonight been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

A superbly-skilled rover, with great goal sense, Wiley was recruited by Richmond from WAFL club Perth, following an incredible five consecutive best and fairests. The West Australian made his senior debut with the Tigers in the opening round of the 1979 season, against South Melbourne at the Lake Oval.

Wiley went on to play 95 games all-up for Richmond, including the 1980 premiership. He kicked 127 goals in a fine five-season career at Tigerland from 1979-83, before returning to Perth in the WAFL.

Wiley won a further three best and fairests upon his return to Perth. In total, he played 179 games, and booted 415 goals for the WAFL club, also winning two premierships.

At age 32, the Perth Team of the Century member played a season for West Coast in the VFL (1987), kicking 24 goals from 18 games.

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Hall of Fame: Robert Wiley

Former Richmond Premiership player and highly decorated midfielder Robert Wiley becomes a Hall of Famer.

Post playing, Wiley has had further longevity in the game, starting with a lengthy stint at West Coast that included three premierships from 1990-2006 as a runner, selector and assistant coach.

Wiley was also a senior assistant coach and director of football at Carlton in the AFL from 2013-15.

Wiley coached East Fremantle from 2016-2018.

Dual Brownlow medalist and Premiership Player Chris Judd’s made the following comment in a media interview about Robert:

 “He's probably been my strongest influence over my footy career. He had a huge impact on me as a young player over in West Coast.”

 “Rob threw himself into the role with great passion and a thoroughness with distinction.   He is and was the greatest assistant a senior coach could have,” three-time AFL premiership coach, Michael Malthouse also once said.

“His loyalty was everything and he was never scared to give advice. Such a wonderful person.” 

Rob Wiley

  • 179 games for Perth 1974-78, 1984-88, 415 goals
  • 95 games for Richmond 1979-83, 127 goals
  • 18 games for West Coast 1987, 24 goals
  • 14 games for WA, two games for Victoria
  • Three Premierships 1976 (WAFL), 1977 (WAFL), 1980 (VFL)
  • Eight Best and Fairest awards 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1985, 1986
  • Two-time All Australian 1984, 1986
  • Two-time Leading Goalkicker 1976 1977
  • Captain 1985-86
  • Perth Team of the Century
  • Perth Captain Coach 1988
  • Perth Coach 1989
  • East Fremantle Coach 2016-18
  • WAFL Hall of Fame
  • Perth FC Hall of Fame, Legend