Ben Hart
Hart first appeared for SANFL club North Adelaide at just 16 years old in 1990, and made his debut for Adelaide in 1992, playing every game to earn All Australian honours as a key defender. He soon established a reputation as a strong competitor, regularly dueling with dominant key forwards such as Gary Ablett, Jason Dunstall and Tony Lockett. Hart earned three more All Australian jumpers across his career, highlighted by playing a key role in Adelaide’s back-to-back premierships in 1997 and 1998; games where he was named among the Crows’ best. Hart played 311 games in all for the Club, and was inducted as an Adelaide Life Member. Following his decorated playing career, Hart spent four years as an assistant coach at Adelaide from 2008 – 2011 before taking on the role of assistant coach with Collingwood from 2012-2016. He returns to West Lakes as an assistant coach ahead of the 2018 season, where he will oversee the defensive group.
Fast facts
Nickname: Benny
DOB: 9/7/1974
Playing career: 311 games for Adelaide
Playing awards: Premiership player at Adelaide in 1997 & 1998, All Australian in 1992, 1993, 1999 & 2002, Malcom Blight Medal for Adelaide’s best and fairest in 1999 & 2002, Adelaide Team of the Decade 1991-2000, Adelaide Football Club Life Member, South Australian Representative (8 games), Internationals Rules Series for Australia 1998 & 1999, AFL Mark of the Year 1996, South Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee.
Coaching career: Assistant Coach at Adelaide 2008-2011, Assistant Coach (Defence) at Collingwood 2012 – 2016.
Did you know …? Hart is the youngest Crows debutant ever, having played his first AFL game aged 17 years and 257 days in 1992. He also was the first Adelaide player to reach 300 games.
