Roo Legends Webber Challenge Bound

News Release / 23.11.2012

North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer is known by many as one of the toughest players in the AFL’s history, remembered as a fearless and ruthless competitor, but even the veteran of 311 games admits to being slightly daunted by the prospect of once again competing in an annual Tasmanian adventure charity event.

Archer and his former teammate Leigh Colbert have entered the enthusiast pairs event in this year’s Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, a 350-kilometre run, cycle and paddle adventure race on Australia’s Apple Isle from November 28 to December 2.

The highly successful charity event is the brainchild of Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, whose philanthropic foundation has raised more than $1 million for charities.

Throughout Archer’s glittering 16 years with the Kangaroos, he endured many games with injuries that would have kept lesser athletes on the sidelines. Continually putting his body on the line with displays of unbridled courage and team spirit, Archer was named a “Shinboner of the Century” after he retired, an accolade that means he is one of North’s all-time greats.

He has withstood punishing pre-seasons and other enormous physical demands placed on him throughout his playing career, but Archer, who is fronting up for his third Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, openly admits that the event “kills it” when it is compared with AFL training.

“Last year’s Challenge in particular was grueling,” Archer recalled.

“AFL training was more explosive whereas adventure racing is long and gruelling and probably hurts more mentally than AFL training.

“It is considerably harder than AFL. It’s probably the hardest thing I have ever done.”

Being a five day event, which includes mountain biking, running, kayaking and a range of other activities each day, it’s not hard to see why Archer, who still maintains a strong level of fitness, is apprehensive about making his way to the start line once again.

There are two reasons why he is again competing in the Apple Isle event.

“One, when you get a bit older you’ve got to have a bit of a goal to keep your fitness up and, two, I’m a massive fan of Mark Webber,” Archer said.

“He is just a quality person and if I can help out in any way, I will.”

And while he does not freely talk about it, Archer is highly generous with his time when it comes to supporting charities that make a difference in the community.

Although the competitive juices still flow, Archer is not expecting to finish among the top place getters, instead being more focused on “first I just want to finish.”

“We will be basically competing against ourselves. We are not at Mark Webber’s level. He’s a freak, unbelievable. He is the fittest guy I have ever met.”