An adopted Queenslander who has forged a wonderful 200-game AFL career with St.Kilda after playing in the 1996 West Brisbane AFLQ premiership side as a 20-year-old. It remains one of his career highlights, and in 2006 he travelled north for the 10-year reunion of that Bulldogs side, coached by Danny Craven. Born in Melbourne, he played with Diamond Creek and the Northern Knights U18 side before moving north with his family.
He was drafted by St.Kilda at No.15 in the 1996 AFL draft, and in his first season played 17 senior games including the grand final, when the Saints were beaten by the Adelaide Crows. Denied a probable Victorian jumper by injury in ’98, he has been a permanent fixture in the Saints defence over 12 years and 227 games, representing Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland in 2004 and boasting seven top 10 finishes in the club B&F, including 4
A resolute and ever-competitive defender, he became the eighth Queenslander behind Jason Dunstall, Gavin Crosisca, Scott McIvor, Marcus Ashcroft, Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Mal Michael to post his AFL double century in 2007. And in ’08, in one of his best seasons, won a spot in the 40-man squad from which the All-Australian side was chosen.
AFLQ QLD
Partners
