Danny Dickfos
Encyclopedia
Danny Dickfos is a former professional Australian rules football
er who played for the Brisbane Bears
and Brisbane Lions
in the Australian Football League
.
An outstanding talent in the QAFL, Dickfos played for Queensland
in the 1987 Teal Cup, then played over 100 games semi-professionally for Windsor Zillmere
. During this time he was made several offers by AFL clubs, which he consistently rejected.
AFL fans first knew of Dickfos when he made appearances in State of Origin matches, impressing for Queensland.
After winning the best first year player award (sharing it with Clark Keating
), Dickfos played 65 games for the Brisbane Bears/Brisbane Lions
.
Standing an imposing 194 cm and 97 kg, he became one of the most reliable defenders in the league. He quickly built a cult following amongst supporters of the club with his tough and uncompromising defensive style.
In 1995, he was part of the Brisbane Bears final side.
In 1997 he was given the Lions One percenter
of the Year award and 5th in the Merrett-Murray Medal
, behind Matthew Clarke, Nigel Lappin
, Marcus Ashcroft
and Justin Leppitsch
. In the same year he played a key part of the clubs first finals side.
The following year, he finished 8th in the club best and fairest count, equal with Brad Scott and Daryl White.
In 1999, after just a few seasons in the AFL and at age 29, Dickfos decided to return to the QAFL and the Eagles, to the disappointment of many Brisbane Lions fans.
and continued to be an impressive player, playing over 250 games for the Eagles club, becoming the new record holder.
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 for the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
and Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early life
Dickfos, of Maori descent, grew up in Brisbane Queensland.An outstanding talent in the QAFL, Dickfos played for Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
in the 1987 Teal Cup, then played over 100 games semi-professionally for Windsor Zillmere
Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club
Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football clubs which once competed in the AFL Queensland State League competition. The club is based in the suburb of Zillmere in the northern suburbs of Brisbane...
. During this time he was made several offers by AFL clubs, which he consistently rejected.
AFL fans first knew of Dickfos when he made appearances in State of Origin matches, impressing for Queensland.
AFL career
After Brisbane Bears moderately successful few years at the The Gabba, Dickfos was lured to the club as a rookie at age 26 in 1996.After winning the best first year player award (sharing it with Clark Keating
Clark Keating
Clark Anthony Keating was an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Known as "Crackers" , Keating was picked up by the Brisbane Bears as a local...
), Dickfos played 65 games for the Brisbane Bears/Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
.
Standing an imposing 194 cm and 97 kg, he became one of the most reliable defenders in the league. He quickly built a cult following amongst supporters of the club with his tough and uncompromising defensive style.
In 1995, he was part of the Brisbane Bears final side.
In 1997 he was given the Lions One percenter
One percenter (Australian football)
A one percenter is a statistic kept in Australian football, and relates to a variety of actions which benefit the team, but are infrequent or defensive.-History:...
of the Year award and 5th in the Merrett-Murray Medal
Merrett-Murray Medal
The Merrett–Murray Medal has been awarded annually since 1997, to the player adjudged the Brisbane Lions Club Champion over the immediately preceding AFL season...
, behind Matthew Clarke, Nigel Lappin
Nigel Lappin
Nigel Lappin is a former professional Australian rules footballer.Lappin was born in Corowa, New South Wales, but grew up in Chiltern, Victoria and was drafted to play for the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League in 1993, playing his first AFL game the following year...
, Marcus Ashcroft
Marcus Ashcroft
Marcus Ashcroft is a former professional Australian rules footballer, who holds the records for the most games for the Brisbane Bears/Brisbane Lions. He is currently on the coaching panel of the Gold Coast Football Club.-Early life:Ashcroft was born on the Gold Coast to a family from Melbourne...
and Justin Leppitsch
Justin Leppitsch
Justin "Leppa" Leppitsch is a former Australian rules footballer who was a key defender for the Brisbane Lions.Leppitsch played with the Hawthorn Under 19s as a 16-year old in 1991, however did not make the Hawks' senior list...
. In the same year he played a key part of the clubs first finals side.
The following year, he finished 8th in the club best and fairest count, equal with Brad Scott and Daryl White.
In 1999, after just a few seasons in the AFL and at age 29, Dickfos decided to return to the QAFL and the Eagles, to the disappointment of many Brisbane Lions fans.
Post AFL
He went on to win the 2000 Grogan MedalGrogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
and continued to be an impressive player, playing over 250 games for the Eagles club, becoming the new record holder.