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Players who have played AFL/VFL football and
have played or coached the Cooee Bulldogs, Burnie Tigers, Burnie
Hawks or Burnie Dockers either before their AFL/VFL games or
after a time playing in AFL/VFL.
Atkins Paul,
Beaumont Stephen,
Davis Brad.
Gale Brenden, German Peter,
Greening John,
Hislop Tom,
Hodgetts Athol, Jesse Jimmy,
Knight Scott,
Lee Andrew, Lee Mark,
Linger William,
Lowe Brian,
McGuane Michael, Mihocek Jack,
Pilcher Brian,
Plapp Justin,
Poole Eric,
Rainsford Don,
Redenbach Michael,
Renolds Keenan,
Riggs Jon,
Robertson Colin, Robinson
Russell, Russell Luke,
Shackleton Luke,
Shephard Graeme, Shephard
Heath, Stokes Jervis,
Stokes Ray,
Trebilco Stan, Wardley Gilbert,
Wardley Tom, Weller Mavic,
Williams Grant
Wright Graham,
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DATE OF BIRTH
24/01/1992
DEBUT:
RD 3 2011
CLUB:
Gold Coast Suns
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Like team-mate Maverick Weller, half
forward-cum-midfielder Luke Russell hails from
Burnie.
A robust, combative, courageous and versatile footballer who leads by example,
Russell was a standout junior basketball player before focusing his sporting attention on AFL.
He was just 16 years old when he first joined the
Burnie Dockers’ senior squad. He later captained
Tasmania in the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
13/02/1992
DEBUT:
Rd 2 2011
CLUB:
Gold Coast Suns
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Maverick Weller hails from Burnie in Tasmania’s
industrial north.
He’s a supremely fit, tough, fiercely competitive
and hard working midfielder.
An accurate right foot kick and an aggressive and
uncompromising tackler who sports a tattoo of his
‘Top Gun’ namesake he’s equally adept playing inside
or outside midfield roles.
Weller was only 15 years old when he made his senior
football debut for TAFL side Burnie Dockers.
An AIS/AFL squad member, he arrived at the GC SUNS
after several standout performances as a 16-year old
with Tasmania at the National Championships in 2009. |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
07/06/1988
DEBUT:
Rd. 14, 2007
CLUB:
Essendon
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Tom Hislop was drafted to
Essendon as a robust and powerful player, who was
strong overhead and a prolific ball winner. He was
tough and aggressive with excellent speed and
endurance. He managed 33 possessions from his three
games in 2007 playing across half-back and displayed
enormous courage and willingness to provide run out
of defence. Tom played a total of 7 games with
Essendon
Hislop was delisted by Essendon
at the end of 2008 for disciplinary reasons and was
picked up by Richmond in the pre-season draft
Tom had his debut with Richmond
in Round 14 against Geelong in 2008 and played a
total of 24 games with the Tigers up to 2012.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
01/07/1986
DEBUT:
Rd. 13, 2006
CLUB:
Essendon |
Andrew Lee was a tall forward
from Burnie, Tasmania, whose career at Windy Hill
was dogged with injuries.
He represented Tasmania in the
U18 competition in 2004. He had good mobility, a
strong mark and a long kicking style but in his
first year at Essendon was put onto the long-term
injury list with osteitis pubis and became the only
player on Essendon's list not to play a senior game.
He finally made his debut in 2006
and played five games for the season.
Troubled with injury, Lee again
failed to play senior football in both 2007 and 2008
and was delisted by Essendon at the end of the 2008
season.
Draft History: 2005 NAB AFL Draft
2nd round selection (Essendon) No. 30 overall
In 2011 Andrew signed with Tasmanian Statewide League club Burnie Dockers and is a current player in 2012
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DATE OF BIRTH:
DEBUT:
Rd. 18, 2004
CLUB:
Collingwood
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Luke was drafted to the Collingwood Football Club at the end of the 2002 season. That year "Shacky" had made his debut with the Tassie Devils (VFL) and also was selected in the All-Australian side from the under 18 National Championships held in Melbourne.
Luke made his Senior debut with the Burnie Dockers in 1999 under then coach Darren Winter, where he was noticed by the Tassie Mariners and quickly snapped up. Unfortunately season 2001 was the last time we were to see Luke in Dockers colours being a part of Owen Johnstone's Reserves team that won the 2001 NTFL Reserves Premiership.
Luke made his debut in Rd 18, 2004 against Richmond, although he only played about a half, Luke impressed all with his fierce tackling and attack at the ball. Unfortunately at the end of the season Luke was de-listed by Collingwood and came back to Tasmania and played with the Tassie Devils and Again (when available) with the Dockers.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
22nd June 1977
DEBUT:
1998
CLUBS:
Richmond, St. Kilda
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Justin first played with the Burnie Football Club back in 1995. After being over looked for the draft when playing with the Tassie Mariners, Justin had one full season with Burnie in the State-wide League 1996 kicking 98 goals and was given an opportunity via the back door to trial out on the rookie list of the Richmond Football Club. Justin's first year was exciting winning the Richmond's Reserves Best and Fairest award and becoming a favourite with the club's big supporter group.
In the season of 1998 Justin made his Senior debut and went onto play 18 Senior games over a 2 year period. In pre-season of 2000 "Plappy" crossed over to the St. Kilda Football Club with Malcolm Blight at the helm and had two more seasons there until a serious injury cut his time short, being delisted at the end of 2002 and heading to South Australia to play with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.
Justin has since returned home to Tasmania this year to play with the Devils in the VFL and has has been a great acquisition.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
24th November 1978
DEBUT:
1997
CLUB:
Melbourne
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"Robbo" was drafted to Melbourne at the end of the 1996 season after playing reserves football with the Burnie Dockers and also spending time with the Tassie Mariners. Renown for his high marking, Russell made his senior debut with the Demons in 1997 and has gone onto play over 100 senior games.
Season 2003 would go down as his greatest year in football to date personally winning the Melbourne Football Club's Best and Fairest award. This is a great feat because not too many Tasmanians in the last 100+ years of AFL/VFL football have won a Best and Fairest award.
Russell has been
Melbourne's Leading Goal Kicker in 2001, 2005 and 2007, has played 203 games and kicked 379 goals (as of the end of 2007).
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DATE OF BIRTH:
DEBUT:
1992
CLUBS:
Footscray, Sydney
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Paul was first drafted to the Footscray Football Club back in 1987 (Playing football at Wynyard at the time) after spending a two years in the Reserves playing alongside brother Simon, "Axe" returned to Tasmania and took up the opportunity by playing football with North Hobart under Garry Davidson (Current football manager - Geelong FC).
After one successful season with the Demons, Paul decided to return to the coast and pull on the Burnie Hawks Guernsey where he won the best and fairest award in seasons 1990, 1991 and 1993. Midway through season 1992 Paul was drafted to the Sydney Swans where he played 2 games.
Through the turmoil and uncertainties the Swans were going through, Paul opted to leave and return home to Burnie for the start of the 1993 season.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
18th July 1972
DEBUT:
1991
CLUB:
Fitzroy
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Brad Davis made his senior debut with the Burnie Hawks in 1990 and boy did he come onto the scene in a big way with a best on ground performance straight up. It wasn't hard to see that the AFL talent scouts would snap up the big ruckman who stood at 195 cm very quickly.
Brad was drafted to the Fitzroy Football Club at the end of the 1990 season where he spent 3 seasons and played 5 senior games.
Brad is currently back playing with the Burnie Dockers after spending 3 seasons away with the Tassie Devils (VFL) in 2001 and North Ringwood seasons 2002 and 2003.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
18th July 1968
DEBUT:
1990
CLUBS:
Richmond
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Brendon was recruited by the Richmond Football Club at the end of season 1987 after playing the 1st year of the Burnie Hawks in State-wide football. "Big Benny" was a late developer who went onto a stellar career with the Tigers playing 243 games.
In recent times Brendon was the President of the AFL players Association.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
7 September 1969
DEBUT:
1989
CLUBS:
Collingwood, Brisbane
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Heath Shephard or "The Freak" as he was known was drafted to Collingwood and had an immediate impact when making his Senior debut against St. Kilda at Victoria Park when kicking 5 goals and taking an absolute screamer.
Sadly at this level we never seen the best of "Shep", he went onto play 11 games in two seasons with Collingwood, returning to Tasmania in 1991 to play with the Burnie Hawks before getting one last opportunity at AFL/VFL level with the Brisbane Bears where he played 4 games.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
17th September 1937
DEBUT:
1959
CLUB:
Carlton |
Dons debut
for the Carlton Football Club was round 11 versus St
Kilda in 1959.
He played only three games for Carlton wearing the
number 40, before going
to training with Mordiallic and Williamstown in
1960.
After football, Don Rainsford had a successful
career as a DJ on air announcer for radio station
3UZ (now sport 927). He later worked as a television
voice over announcer for channel 7 Melbourne.
Footnote.
The Argus March 31 1954 reported
"Hawthorn will lose one of its twin recruits from
Tasmania. Don Rainsford 6ft 11,1/2 inch 13 stone
follower told the club last night he had to return
to his home town, Burnie, and would not be able to
play league football this year. His twin brother.
Malcom who is a 6ft wing half forward is still
training at Hawthorn"
Note Burnie Football Club won the 1954 Premiership
with Don Rainsford in the side.
Information courtesy of www.blueseum.org
(Carlton FC)
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DATE OF BIRTH:
20 Jan 1951
DEBUT:
1971
CLUB:
North Melbourne |
Athol played from 1971 to 72 for North wearing the
Number 14, playing 9 games for 15 goals. An ex Cooee
and Wynyard player who later had a successful career
at Coburg and eventually became the VFA's top
administrator.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
20 Dec 1950
DEBUT:
1968
CLUB:
Collingwood |
John played for Collingwood from 1968 to 72 playing
107 games wearing number 22 booting 22 goals. A
flamboyant, classy ruck-rover and half forward from
Tasmanian club Burnie. He ran close to the ground,
had great ball skills and possessed the rare balance
that enabled him to take a spectacular mark and race
away as soon as he hit the ground. By mid 1972 he
had played 94 games in a row and was in
scintillating form when he was knocked out behind
play against St Kilda. He was unconscious for 24
hours and St Kilda's Jim O'Dea was subsequently
disqualified for ten weeks. Greening made a come
back two years later but never regained his old
form. In 1972 he polled 14 Brownlow votes in 13
completed games and his team mate Len Thompson won
the trophy with 25 votes. Whether he would have won
the medal or he and Thompson would have robbed each
other of votes has always been a matter of
conjecture.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
21 Aug 1957
DEBUT:
1976
CLUB:
Essendon |
A total of 13 games and 8 goals with Essendon from
1976 to 78 wearing the number 56 in 1976 and number
8 from 1977-78. A burly ruck-rover from Essendon
Districts and former Cooee player.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
11 May 1931
DEBUT:
1953
CLUB:
St Kilda |
Robust and courageous rover from Launceston City who
came second in St Kilda's best and fairest in his
first year. he played a total of 31 games for 22
goals wearing number 18. 1954 was his last season
with St Kilda, another ex Cooee player.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
25 June 1939
DEBUT:
1961
CLUB:
Geelong |
Playing for Geelong from 1961-63 Brian totalled 36
games for 1 goal wearing the number 25.
Ex North Launceston, Cooee player. |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
3 Aug 1949
DEBUT:
1970
CLUB:
Collingwood |
A talented rover from Burnie club Cooee Graham went on
to play 46 games with Collingwood wearing number 11
in 1970 and number 7 for the years 1974-75.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
1 April 1951
DEBUT:
1974
CLUB:
Essendon |
Played 37 games for 46 goals from 1074-76. Number 3,
an Ex Cooee midfielder
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DATE OF BIRTH:
DEBUT:
1922
CLUB:
Essendon |
One Game Number 4 Captained Burnie in 1922 |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
DEBUT:
1921
CLUB:
Essendon |
Brother to Gilbert Wardley played 15 games in the
number 4 and came from the Essendon Diggers. |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
DEBUT:
1929
CLUB:
South Melbourne |
Eric played 4 in the number 7 and he was an Ex
Burnie Tiger
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DATE OF BIRTH:
3 June 1059
DEBUT:
1978
CLUB:
Essendon |
Number 3 for Essendon in 1978 for 3 games. Ex Burnie
Tiger
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DATE OF BIRTH:
22 Nov 1935
DEBUT:
1957
CLUB:
Richmond |
Played 9 games in two years 1957-58 in the number 12
and was an Ex Burnie Tiger.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
14 Nov 1962
DEBUT:
1984
CLUB:
St Kilda |
Jon an Ex Burnie
Tiger winger played 6 games for the Saints in
1984-85. playing in number 16
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DATE OF BIRTH:
24 Feb 1897
DEBUT:
1924
CLUB:
Carlton |
Played 21
games with Carlton in 1924-25 in the number
7, was recruited from Ulverstone but on his
return to Tasmania he played for the Burnie
Tigers as captain in 1926, winning the
Senior Best and Fairest that year. He went
on to coach the Tigers in 1927-28 and 1929.
His heart seemed to be at the Tigers as he
continued with the club becoming President
in 1939 and 1940.
The Tigers winning premierships in 1927,
1928 under his coaching. |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
28 April 1959
DEBUT:
1984
CLUB:
Collingwood |
In the number 26
he played 2 games for 5 goals. An ex North
Launceston player he later played with the
Burnie Hawks.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
21 Sept 1927
DEBUT:
1948
CLUB:
Richmond |
Came from
the Burnie Tigers to play 33 games between
1948-50 in the number 28.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
21 May 1924
DEBUT:
1946
CLUB:
Richmond |
93 games from
1946 to 1951 in the number 27. He started a a
winger and developed into a fine centre man.
Like his brother Jervis he came from Tasmanian
club Burnie Tigers. He was also a fine cricketer
and played for Tasmania against a number of
touring sides.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
25 Jan 1955
DEBUT:
1976
CLUB:
Richmond |
223 games,
175 goals the number 20 or "The Ghost",
Jimmy was tied to St Kilda in his young days
when he was playing for Avoca. Despite his
good form at St Arnuad, St Kilda showed
little interest in him and cleared him
without a murmur. After his first game in
the seconds with the Tigers, he suffered
appendicitis, but he fought back and showed
that he could excel in key positions in
defence or attack. He had his best season in
1980, playing in the state side three times
and taking a leading part in the surge to a
flag. He played on the back line all year
then was used in attack during the finals. A
fine mark and booming kick downfield, he
also had a mean streak that gave plenty of
curry to the opposition. Within the Richmond
club hw was one of the most popular team
members, with a liking for practical jokes
and a happy-go lucky nature that endeared
him to team mates. Jess had the look of a
viking on a rampage as he charged downfield,
and despite occasional loosness was afine
footballer. When Richmond threatened to drop
him to reduce payments because of his
sizable contract there was uproar. He
accepted lower payments to stay at the club
he loved and remained a character to the end
of his career. A 1992 premiership player
with the Burnie Tigers.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
29 March 1959
DEBUT:
1977
CLUB:
Richmond |
233 games 94
goals No 41 1977-78, No 1 1979-91
A long serving ruckman from Mildura whose career
never really took off in a way that many people
expected. He was 199cms tall, had mobility and
good team skills. At the start of the 1980s he
was touted as a possible super star of the next
decade and played a leading role in the 1980
flag win.
Although he was taken out of the 1982 grand
final by Carlton's "Wow" Jones, he won the
Tigers best and fairest in 1984 and was captain
for the next three years. But injuries affected
both form and apart from occasional bursts he
never produced the football that many at Punt Rd
had hoped for. Mark was playing coach for the
Burnie Tigers in 1992,93 and Non playing Senior
Coach in 1994 with the Burnie Hawks |
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DATE OF BIRTH:
19 June 1957
DEBUT:
1980
CLUB:
Hawthorn |
116 Games 62
goals No 32, Recruited from Wynyard,
Robertson developed into a dashing player
for the Hawks, either in defence or on the
ball. He won the 1983 Norm Smith Medal as
best on the ground in Hawthorn's grand final
win over Essendon. A former Burnie Hawks
player
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DATE OF BIRTH:
15 Nov 1969
DEBUT:
1992
CLUB:
Melbourne |
A playing coach
for the Burnie Hawks 1993-94 and Burnie Dockers
1997-2000. Grant played 4 games with Melbourne
and was recruited from Sandy Bay.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
2 Feb 1965
DEBUT:
1984
CLUB:
North Melbourne |
185 games from 1984-1994, 201 goals wearing the no53
in 84 and the no29 the rest of his time with North.
A powerfully built centreman from Oak Park with
stocky thighs and the ability to plough through
packs and create the play. A graduate of North's
successful under-19's team. Represented Victorian B
team against Tasmania in 1991, but in 1992 almost
quit the game because of a niggling groin injury. He
came back to his peak in 1993. A fine kick on the
run who relished a goal. Peter was the first playing
coach for the revamped Burnie Dockers in 1995 and
went on to coach the Dockers for three years to
1997.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
7 Jan 1969
DEBUT:
1990
CLUB:
Footscray 1995 North Melbourne |
74 games 35 goals in the No 14 in 1990-91 and the No 2
in 1992-94. Played 12 games for North with 2 goals
in the No 20 1995-96. Originally a junior from
Werribee he was with Essendon under 19's before he
was drafted by Footscray at the start of 1990 and
after taking time to find his feet he became a solid
contributor despite his unfashionable style. After
suffering a bad eye injury in 1991 he earned a place
as a half back and in 1993 gave several useful
displays in attack. When Footscray would not meet
his pay requirements he crossed to North but his
appearances were limited. Keenan played senior
football with the Burnie Dockers from 1997 to 1999.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
6 June 1968
DEBUT:
1988
CLUB:
Collingwood |
201 games from 1988-98, 107 goals in the No 19. An
ex-Devonport player whose non stop running on the
wing made him a menace to opposing teams. He took a
while to settle down in his first year, but by 1990
he went within 1 vote of winning the Brownlow. In
the same season he was part of the Tasmanian state
of origin team that beat Victoria then capped of by
playing in the Magpie's premiership team. Ankle
problems hampered him the following season and at
the end of 1991 he shocked the club by announcing he
was turning his back on the game and heading home to
Tasmania. Collingwood coach Leigh Matthews talked
the gifted Wright into coming back. After the 1993
season Wright contracted a debilitating disease that
looked like ending his career, but he recovered over
summer. His career continued to be dogged by injury
when he badly injured a knee in mid 1996 and had to
under go a knee reconstruction. As he lost the edge
to his speed in later years he became a handy player
in defence where his trademark courage showed
through. he played one game of state football for
Victoria and also for his native Tasmania.
Graham was a senior player for the Burnie Dockers
from1999 to 2000.
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DATE OF BIRTH:
29 Dec 1967
DEBUT:
1987
CLUB:
Collingwood |
152 game, 128 goals for Collingwood from 1987 to 96 in
No 34, 3 games , 1 goal with Carlton in 1997 in No
31. A prolific ball winner whose talents were used
across the centre and half back lines. Genuinely a
member of the top echelon of League players, he was
a Collingwood barracker from his youngest days as a
kid outside Ballarat. He was recruited from
Sebastapol which was in St Kilda territory.
Ironically the Saints, who were on the bottom of the
ladder at the time, left him off the junior
development list at 15 enabling Collingwood to snap
him up. His bouncing run was a familiar sight in
Collingwood's advance to the 1990 flag and an
excellent season came after he had suffered a lapse
in the early stages of his career.
He was one of the stars in the 1990 grand final and
constantly pumped Collingwood forward. He injured a
knee in 1991 and had a lacklustre season. After his
friend Darren Millane died, McGuane took stock and
approached Millane's trainer to get him in peak
fitness. He came back with a magnificent 1992
season, winning all Australian selection and the
Collingwood best and fairest. He also won the best
and fairest in 1993. McGuane's great vision and
finishing ability were two outstanding traits. His
gambling and drinking habits made headlines, but he
was a paradox in many ways. He was a generous
individual and good judges like Leigh Matthews and
David Parkin regarded him as having a superb
football brain that was suited to coaching. McGuane
admitted in 1997 that his track record could be
against him. He finished second in the Copeland
Trophy to Diacos at the age of just 19 and later won
the trophy twice. In 1995 his season was curtailed
by a torn calf. In 1996 he was close to death due to
a bladder infection that resulted in a ruptured
urethra. It originated after a kick in the groin in
the Anzac day clash against Essendon. He reluctantly
left Collingwood after failing to come to terms on a
two year contract. It was said that his discipline
problems had been a factor but coach Tony Shaw said
that the rules were applicable to all of
Collingwood's 42 players. McGuane just said that he
needed a change of scenery as a spur. He admitted
that he had trouble in the October to December
period when he had a mental let down and did not
look after himself as well as possible. In the five
successive Octobers up to 1997 he had surgery. He
crossed to Carlton in 1997 and after a controversial
dust-up with Matthew Hogg on the training track he
had a rocky start. He admitted that he had been
under the weather due to alcohol, but to his credit
he did not have a drink until the following June.
Calf problems plagued him in his only year with the
Blues. He said he did not leave Collingwood because
of money but because he wanted a change even though
he had been offered a two year contract. He played
for Victoria four times. McGuane was non
playing coach for the Burnie Dockers from 2000 to
2001 and was instrumental in putting in place
systems that enabled the Dockers to win their first
of five Northern Tasmanian Football League
premierships. The first being in 2001 under McGuane. |
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