The first Queenslander to post 300 AFL games and the games record-holder of the Brisbane Bears/Lions after a magnificent career that spanned 15 years and 318 games, and culminated in the historic premiership hat-trick of 2001-02-03. Born in Melbourne but a Gold Coast product from age three, he came through the ranks at Surfers Paradise and Southport, and was a standout Queensland junior who made his AFL debut in 1989.
Was a model of consistency and reliability, with 10 top 10 B&F finishes, plus awards for Most Professional Player (1997) and 1%er of the Year (1993). A State of Origin representative for Queensland, Queeensland/NT and the Allies, he was Bears/Lions vice-captain 1994-97.
Posted a remarkable 170 consecutive games from 1992-2000 and ranks fifth among AFL players for most games without being reported. Originally a prolific ball-winning midfielder or goal-kicking half forward, he re-invented himself towards the latter part of his career as a close-checking defender, until he was forced into retirement after the 2003 grand final by a chronic hip problem that subsequently required a hip replacement.
Chosen in the back pocket in the Queensland Team of the Century, he spent 12 months as Club Development Manager with AFLQ club Broadbeach in 2004 before four years as Football Administration Manager at the Lions 2005-08. Was also an assistant-coach of the ‘Dream Team’ under coach Mark Williams in the 2008 AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match, and has taken on a role as assistant-coach with the new Gold Coast club.
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