David Harris (Australian footballer)

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David George Harris (born 12 July 1946) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He came from St Peters and Geelong West in the Victorian Football Association (VFA), where he was a standout centreman and helped Geelong West win the 1968 premiership. He polled the third most votes in the Field Trophy (Second Division) that year.

Harris was recruited to Geelong in 1969. He debuted in round nine and stayed in the team for the rest of the season, including the semi-final loss to Richmond. In 1970 he played only the first four rounds before breaking his collarbone and missing the rest of the year. He had a healthy 1971, playing all 22 games and gathering 369 disposals. In 1972 he returned to Geelong West, finishing the year with another premiership. He captained Geelong West in 1974, won the club’s best and fairest, finished equal sixth in the J. J. Liston Trophy, and was named in the VFA Team of the Year.

Harris began his senior coaching career in 1975 as captain-coach of Hobart, coaching the team for two seasons (38 games: 19–19–0). He later guided Geelong’s reserves to three consecutive premierships (1980–1982). From 1983 to 1986, he coached Geelong West and led the club to finals in 1983 and 1984.

Physical stats: height 178 cm, weight 77 kg. Original teams: St Peters / Geelong West.