Damian Monkhorst
Encyclopedia
Damian Monkhorst is a former Australian rules football
er who played in the VFL/AFL.
'Monkey' came to Collingwood
from Woori Yallock and made his debut in 1988. The 202cm, 116kg big man was classed as a no.1 ruckman
as soon as he got to Victoria Park
, and his early career headed him to become a premiership ruckman in 1990. Monkhorst said that he was lucky to be playing in the Grand Final after fellow big man James Manson
had a brilliant finals campaign, but Monkhorst dominated experienced performer Simon Madden
after spending most of the first quarter on the bench.
Monkhorst developed well, and performed at his peak in years 1992–1994, where he finished third in the best and fairest
in each of the seasons. Monkhorst proved as a tough man, but in 1994 he was involved in a controversial incident which then introduced the melee rule, as he had started a melee after running through Essendon
's huddle at the start of a match.
In 1995 during the drawn Anzac Day
match at the MCG
in front of 95,000 spectators, Monkhorst was involved in an incident that would bring enduring social change to the AFL
when he was accused of racially vilifying Essendon's aboriginal wingman Michael Long. Monkhorst was required to attend a mediation session with Long and although Long was not happy with the outcome at the time, the handshake at the end of the session has since paved the way for very few racial taunts on the field, with less than half-a-dozen reported since.
1996 took a turn on Monkhorst's career where he was outed several times with hamstring and back injuries. In 1997 he came back but had put on weight after a foot injury plagued him. He played some decent matches and went past a 10 year mark with the Magpies before playing game 200.
At the end of 1999 he was traded to St Kilda where he played only one season with the club, which finished wooden spooner.
He maintained a strong friendship with Dermott Brereton
formed during the time at Collingwood which resulted in Brereton playing for the same club after retirement.
He has made several appearances in AFL Legends Matches. Monkhorst now has four sons. His eldest son, Brent was in an induced coma
in the Alfred Hospital in 2007, due to a virus that required a heart transplant http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,21985,21521601-661,00.html, He later made a full recovery.
At the start of the 2010 pre season, Damian Monkhorst was appointed head ruck coach of the Hawthorn Football Club, to help impart his ruck knowledge onto their ruckmen.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played in the VFL/AFL.
'Monkey' came to Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
from Woori Yallock and made his debut in 1988. The 202cm, 116kg big man was classed as a no.1 ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
as soon as he got to Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Melbourne
Victoria Park is a sports venue in Abbotsford a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Built for the purpose of both Australian rules football and cricket, the stadium is oval shaped....
, and his early career headed him to become a premiership ruckman in 1990. Monkhorst said that he was lucky to be playing in the Grand Final after fellow big man James Manson
James Manson
James Manson is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL.From North Hobart, Tasmania, Manson provided some great assets to a fighting Collingwood Magpies. Manson stood at 194 cm and was solidly built with a great overhead mark thanks to his great hands...
had a brilliant finals campaign, but Monkhorst dominated experienced performer Simon Madden
Simon Madden
Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989....
after spending most of the first quarter on the bench.
Monkhorst developed well, and performed at his peak in years 1992–1994, where he finished third in the best and fairest
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
in each of the seasons. Monkhorst proved as a tough man, but in 1994 he was involved in a controversial incident which then introduced the melee rule, as he had started a melee after running through Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
's huddle at the start of a match.
In 1995 during the drawn Anzac Day
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
match at the MCG
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
in front of 95,000 spectators, Monkhorst was involved in an incident that would bring enduring social change to the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
when he was accused of racially vilifying Essendon's aboriginal wingman Michael Long. Monkhorst was required to attend a mediation session with Long and although Long was not happy with the outcome at the time, the handshake at the end of the session has since paved the way for very few racial taunts on the field, with less than half-a-dozen reported since.
1996 took a turn on Monkhorst's career where he was outed several times with hamstring and back injuries. In 1997 he came back but had put on weight after a foot injury plagued him. He played some decent matches and went past a 10 year mark with the Magpies before playing game 200.
At the end of 1999 he was traded to St Kilda where he played only one season with the club, which finished wooden spooner.
Post VFL/AFL career
Following his retirement from the AFL, Monkhorst returned to the Woori Yallock club to play.He maintained a strong friendship with Dermott Brereton
Dermott Brereton
Dermott Hugh Brereton is a former Australian rules football player in the Australian Football League, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. Of Irish descent , he is known for his aggressive style of play. Brereton kicked 464 goals and played in five Premierships for during...
formed during the time at Collingwood which resulted in Brereton playing for the same club after retirement.
He has made several appearances in AFL Legends Matches. Monkhorst now has four sons. His eldest son, Brent was in an induced coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
in the Alfred Hospital in 2007, due to a virus that required a heart transplant http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,21985,21521601-661,00.html, He later made a full recovery.
At the start of the 2010 pre season, Damian Monkhorst was appointed head ruck coach of the Hawthorn Football Club, to help impart his ruck knowledge onto their ruckmen.