Dean Warren

An outstanding Queensland servant of Australian football on and off the field, he enjoys the rare distinction of climbing to the top of the tree as a local player before become a senior member of the AFL management team. Born in Melbourne but raised in Gympie, he joined Wilston-Grange Football Club in 1986, was a member of the inaugural Brisbane Bears training squad and was on the Bears Supplementary List in ’89.

Won the 1987 QAFL Colt of the Year award and in the same year was equal runner-up with the great Gary Dempsey to Grogan Medalist Terry Simmonds. Went one better in ’93 when he shared the Grogan Medal with Daryl Bourke and Jason Cotter. Played 170 senior games with Wilston-Grange and Kedron-Grange in a career highlighted by Kedron-Grange B&F wins in 1992-93 and the club captaincy from 1992-95. He represented Queensland six times, including the Bi-Centennial Carnival in Adelaide in 1988, and was deputy vice-captain of the Maroons in 1994 before retiring in ’96.

Has also worked in football for 21 years – 14 in various game development roles in Queensland before moving to AFL headquarters in Melbourne in 2002 as National Youth Co-Ordinator. Was promoted in ’04 to the role of National Participation Manager, responsible for the strategic growth and development of the game at all levels below the AFL competition.