HYDE, Robert

Robert Hyde was a strong, aggressive defender who came to Essendon from Collingwood after playing 60 games there. He had won Collingwood's Best and Fairest award in 1976.

He was dogged by a leg injury and his only game for Essendon was in the Elimination Final in 1979. This injury led to his retirement at the end of the year, when he was only 24 years old.

After a year off, Hyde became captain-coach of West Coburg in 1981 and 1982, before captaining Greensborough to two flags in 1983 and 1984. He coached the combined Diamond Valley League side in 1984.

Hyde became coach of Fitzroy Under 19s in 1985 and 1986 and then coached Bundoora in 1987. He later coached Under 18 club, Calder Cannons.