Val Perovic
Encyclopedia
Val Perovic (born 25 September 1953) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda and Carlton
in the VFL
.
Despite starting his career as a wingman, Perovic played mostly as a defender and was a centre half back when he first represented Victoria in 1978. After 77 games with St Kilda during the 1970s he moved to Carlton in a trade involving Alex Jesaulenko
. He was a member of Carlton premiership teams in 1981 and 1982, playing in the back pocket
.
Perovic was noted for his long left-foot kicks. During his time at Carlton, fans would shout "woof!" every time he kicked the ball. Perovic was the first Carlton player whose kicks were acknowledged in this way. This chant, originally based on the crowd mimicking a grunt that Perovic would make when kicking the ball, has since become a traditional chant bestowed upon later long-kicking left-footed Carlton players, specifically: Ang Christou
in the 1990s, Chris Bryan
in the 2000s, and Matthew Watson in the 2010s.
Perovic often polled well in the Brownlow Medal, finishing as St Kilda's top vote getter in the 1978 award and twice for Carlton which included an eight placing in 1983.
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in the VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Despite starting his career as a wingman, Perovic played mostly as a defender and was a centre half back when he first represented Victoria in 1978. After 77 games with St Kilda during the 1970s he moved to Carlton in a trade involving Alex Jesaulenko
Alex Jesaulenko
Alex 'Jezza' Jesaulenko MBE is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. He is regarded as one of the game's greatest-ever players and is an official Legend of the Australian Football Hall of Fame...
. He was a member of Carlton premiership teams in 1981 and 1982, playing in the back pocket
Back pocket
In Australian rules football, the back pocket refers to a position on the field deep in defence.Back pocket players, situated in the backline, need to have good spoiling skills and usually, quality back-pockets are noted for their hardness....
.
Perovic was noted for his long left-foot kicks. During his time at Carlton, fans would shout "woof!" every time he kicked the ball. Perovic was the first Carlton player whose kicks were acknowledged in this way. This chant, originally based on the crowd mimicking a grunt that Perovic would make when kicking the ball, has since become a traditional chant bestowed upon later long-kicking left-footed Carlton players, specifically: Ang Christou
Ang Christou
Ang Christou is a former Australian rules footballer for Carlton in the Australian Football League.-Football career:Christou played for the Carlton Football Club and along with Anthony Koutoufides was a popular figure as a Greek Australian.In 2001, Christou had a solid pre-season, but missed the...
in the 1990s, Chris Bryan
Chris Bryan
-Carlton Blues:As a mature-aged recruit, Bryan was drafted in the sixth round by Carlton in the 2004 AFL Draft. Drafted as a 22 years old, Bryan was given a chance after showing enough at VFL level for both Sandringham and Frankston...
in the 2000s, and Matthew Watson in the 2010s.
Perovic often polled well in the Brownlow Medal, finishing as St Kilda's top vote getter in the 1978 award and twice for Carlton which included an eight placing in 1983.