Dale Kickett
Encyclopedia
Dale Mathew Kickett is a former Australian rules football
er. He is one of only three players, and the only living person to have played for five clubs in the Australian Football League
.
in the WAFL
, where he had significant success. He played with Claremont until 1989, was the club's leading goalkicker in 1989, and was part of the 1989 Premiership team.
Kickett was recruited to the Australian Football League
for the 1990 season, after Fitzroy
used its first pick in the 1989 National draft (No. 9 overall) to select him. Kickett played 15 senior games in his debut season, but having grown up in the small country town of Tammin
, living in the big city of Melbourne did not suit Kickett.
At the end of the season, he was traded to the West Coast Eagles
in return for pick No. 78 in the 1990 National Draft. Kickett also managed only one season on the West Coast list. He was unable to break into the strong West Coast senior team, playing only two games for the team before being delisted. When on reserve, Kickett played again for Claremont, where he had a very good year, playing in his second premiership for the club and winning the Simpson Medal
for the best player in the grand final.
St Kilda became the third AFL club to try Kickett, selecting him with pick No. 38 in the 1992 Pre-season Draft. He had a promising season in 1992, playing in 21 games, but again he lasted only one season, and returned to Western Australia after the season.
He played exclusively played WAFL football with Claremont in 1993, and played in his third Claremont premiership side and won his second Simpson Medal. The 1993 WAFL season proved to be a crucial season in Kickett's career, as he made a switch from the half-forward line, where he had played up until 1993, into the half back line in the 1993 premiership side.
Essendon
saw Kickett's new potential at half-back, and recruited him in the 1993 mid-season draft, but Kickett remained in Western Australia until the beginning of the 1994 season. He played eight games for the Bombers in 1994, but again lasted only one season on the club's list.
to the AFL, to be coached by his three-time Claremont premiership coach Gerard Neesham
, was a huge lure for Kickett, who had never managed to maintain a stable life in Victoria. Kickett, Tony Delaney
and Todd Ridley moved to the fledgling club, and Essendon in exchange received the two draft picks it used to select Matthew Lloyd
and Scott Lucas
.
Kickett would spend seven years with the Dockers, the longest period of stability in his career. Kickett became a mainstay of the Fremantle defence, and came runner up in the Best and Fairest
award in both 1995 and 1996 before winning it in 1997. In Round 20, 1999, Kickett became the first player to play 100 games for Fremantle.
Round 21, 2000 was a low point in Dale's career. In what would end up being known as the Demolition Derby, the scene was set before the first bounce when the Eagles ruckman
Michael Gardiner
began pushing and striking the Dockers first year player Matthew Pavlich
, resulting in a free kick to Fremantle. The remainder of the first half would be a tinderbox with numerous spot fights erupting all over the ground. Kickett, Gardiner, Brad Dodd
and Phil Read would be reported that day and Kickett took the brunt of the penalties, being suspended for 9 weeks for three separate striking charges.
In 2002, Kickett's back and leg injuries started to slow down his dashes from defence. He played only the first three rounds before being dropped due to illness. He then struggled to break back into the side, before announcing his retirement from the AFL in June. As a tribute to one of the club's favourite sons, he was given a farewell match against Port Adelaide in Round 14 at Subiaco. Despite the team being well beaten, the entire crowd and the Port Adelaide team stayed on the ground at the end of the match to acknowledge Kickett's career. This game also earned Dale membership of the AFL 200 club, with 181 league games, 17 pre-season games and 2 State of Origin games. He played one more game for Claremont in 2003, then retired altogether. With his AFL games combined with his 81 WAFL games for Claremont, he is also a member of the Western Australia Two Hundred Club.
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. He is one of only three players, and the only living person to have played for five clubs 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 career
Originally from Western Australia, Kickett began his senior football career in 1988 at the Claremont Football ClubClaremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
, where he had significant success. He played with Claremont until 1989, was the club's leading goalkicker in 1989, and was part of the 1989 Premiership team.
Kickett was recruited to 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...
for the 1990 season, after Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
used its first pick in the 1989 National draft (No. 9 overall) to select him. Kickett played 15 senior games in his debut season, but having grown up in the small country town of Tammin
Tammin, Western Australia
The town of Tammin is located in the central agricultural region, east of Perth, Western Australia and midway between the towns of Cunderdin and Kellerberrin on the Great Eastern Highway.-History:...
, living in the big city of Melbourne did not suit Kickett.
At the end of the season, he was traded to the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
in return for pick No. 78 in the 1990 National Draft. Kickett also managed only one season on the West Coast list. He was unable to break into the strong West Coast senior team, playing only two games for the team before being delisted. When on reserve, Kickett played again for Claremont, where he had a very good year, playing in his second premiership for the club and winning the Simpson Medal
Simpson Medal
The Simpson Medal, a prize for Australian rules football, has been donated by Dr. Fred Simpson and family since 1945. It is awarded to the best player in a WAFL Grand Final and the best player in an interstate game involving Western Australia....
for the best player in the grand final.
St Kilda became the third AFL club to try Kickett, selecting him with pick No. 38 in the 1992 Pre-season Draft. He had a promising season in 1992, playing in 21 games, but again he lasted only one season, and returned to Western Australia after the season.
He played exclusively played WAFL football with Claremont in 1993, and played in his third Claremont premiership side and won his second Simpson Medal. The 1993 WAFL season proved to be a crucial season in Kickett's career, as he made a switch from the half-forward line, where he had played up until 1993, into the half back line in the 1993 premiership side.
Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
saw Kickett's new potential at half-back, and recruited him in the 1993 mid-season draft, but Kickett remained in Western Australia until the beginning of the 1994 season. He played eight games for the Bombers in 1994, but again lasted only one season on the club's list.
Fremantle career
The introduction of the Fremantle Football ClubFremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
to the AFL, to be coached by his three-time Claremont premiership coach Gerard Neesham
Gerard Neesham
Gerard Neesham is a former Australian rules footballer in the WAFL and VFL as well as coach in the WAFL and AFL. Today he is chief executive of the Clontarf Foundation.-Playing career:...
, was a huge lure for Kickett, who had never managed to maintain a stable life in Victoria. Kickett, Tony Delaney
Tony Delaney
Tony Delaney is a former Australian rules footballer. He played as a midfielder.During his nine years in the Australian Football League he played for three clubs, Essendon, Fremantle and St Kilda. Injuries restricted him to only 76 games in this time...
and Todd Ridley moved to the fledgling club, and Essendon in exchange received the two draft picks it used to select Matthew Lloyd
Matthew Lloyd
Matthew James Lloyd is a former Australian rules footballer who played for and was the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League...
and Scott Lucas
Scott Lucas (footballer)
Scott Lucas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, and is noted as the other major forward for the Bombers, along with Matthew Lloyd...
.
Kickett would spend seven years with the Dockers, the longest period of stability in his career. Kickett became a mainstay of the Fremantle defence, and came runner up in the Best and Fairest
Doig Medal
The Doig Medal is the best and fairest award given out to the player considered best and fairest during a season for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL....
award in both 1995 and 1996 before winning it in 1997. In Round 20, 1999, Kickett became the first player to play 100 games for Fremantle.
Round 21, 2000 was a low point in Dale's career. In what would end up being known as the Demolition Derby, the scene was set before the first bounce when the Eagles 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...
Michael Gardiner
Michael S. Gardiner
Michael S. Gardiner is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League. He played for the West Coast Eagles from 1997–2006 and the St Kilda Football Club from 2007–2011.- Early life :...
began pushing and striking the Dockers first year player Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
, resulting in a free kick to Fremantle. The remainder of the first half would be a tinderbox with numerous spot fights erupting all over the ground. Kickett, Gardiner, Brad Dodd
Brad Dodd
Brad Dodd is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League .Dodd was originally rookie drafted by the Fremantle Football Club in 1997 from East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League and was elevated to the senior list in 1998, where he made his debut against...
and Phil Read would be reported that day and Kickett took the brunt of the penalties, being suspended for 9 weeks for three separate striking charges.
In 2002, Kickett's back and leg injuries started to slow down his dashes from defence. He played only the first three rounds before being dropped due to illness. He then struggled to break back into the side, before announcing his retirement from the AFL in June. As a tribute to one of the club's favourite sons, he was given a farewell match against Port Adelaide in Round 14 at Subiaco. Despite the team being well beaten, the entire crowd and the Port Adelaide team stayed on the ground at the end of the match to acknowledge Kickett's career. This game also earned Dale membership of the AFL 200 club, with 181 league games, 17 pre-season games and 2 State of Origin games. He played one more game for Claremont in 2003, then retired altogether. With his AFL games combined with his 81 WAFL games for Claremont, he is also a member of the Western Australia Two Hundred Club.