Barry Brooks
Encyclopedia
Barry Brooks is a former Australian rules football
er who played in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
from Grassy. He failed to make his debut for Port Adelaide
and was traded at the end of the 2002 season to St Kilda in exchange for picks 7 (Steven Salopek
) and 31 (Joel Perry
).
and played five games for the year. After problems with injury he did not play a game in 2004 and only two in 2005. After seven games and with a highest disposal tally of only six, many thought that Brooks would be delisted at the end of 2005. The Saints, however, hung on to him due to their lack of other options in the ruck
(despite the fact that Brooks played mostly in the forward line
for the Casey Scorpions
).
After another year with the Casey Scorpions and very little opportunities, Brooks was recalled to the St Kilda playing team in Round 22 against Brisbane at the Gabba after a 14 month absence from the senior team (in the last home and away
game of the season). Brooks had the best game of his career until that point, kicking three goals and beating a strong presence up forward, also taking seven marks and finishing with 15 disposals.
Brooks' nickname is "The Cactus" because of his height and body shape.
Brooks was delisted by St Kilda at the end of the 2007 season.
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 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...
(AFL).
Early career
Brooks was recruited as the number 15 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft2001 AFL Draft
The 2001 AFL Draft consisted of a national draft, a rookie draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League .In 2001 there were 83...
from Grassy. He failed to make his debut for Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
and was traded at the end of the 2002 season to St Kilda in exchange for picks 7 (Steven Salopek
Steven Salopek
Steven Salopek is an Australian rules footballer of Croatian descent. Originally from Narre Warren Football Club in Melbourne's south-east, he played for the Dandenong Stingrays in the 2002 TAC Cup before being drafted to AFL club Port Adelaide.-Port Adelaide career:Salopek wore number 31 for club...
) and 31 (Joel Perry
Joel Perry
Joel Perry is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Perry was drafted from the Eastern Ranges TAC Cup side in the 2002 AFL Draft to the Kangaroos. He did not get a look in into the senior lineup until 2005, when he played in the Wizard Cup pre-season competition...
).
St Kilda career
Brooks made his debut for the Saints in Round 1 of the 2003 season against North MelbourneNorth Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and played five games for the year. After problems with injury he did not play a game in 2004 and only two in 2005. After seven games and with a highest disposal tally of only six, many thought that Brooks would be delisted at the end of 2005. The Saints, however, hung on to him due to their lack of other options in the ruck
Ruckman (Australian rules football)
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...
(despite the fact that Brooks played mostly in the forward line
Forward line
In Australian rules football, the forward line refers to a set of attacking positions on the field.The forward line consists of three players, a left and right forward pocket, and a full-forward. Up until approximately 20 years ago, the forward pockets were often the resting rover or ruckman...
for the Casey Scorpions
Casey Scorpions
The Casey Scorpions Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the Victorian Football League . The club was founded in 1903 as the Springvale Football Club and played under the name Springvale. In its history it has won 21 premierships...
).
After another year with the Casey Scorpions and very little opportunities, Brooks was recalled to the St Kilda playing team in Round 22 against Brisbane at the Gabba after a 14 month absence from the senior team (in the last home and away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
game of the season). Brooks had the best game of his career until that point, kicking three goals and beating a strong presence up forward, also taking seven marks and finishing with 15 disposals.
Brooks' nickname is "The Cactus" because of his height and body shape.
Brooks was delisted by St Kilda at the end of the 2007 season.