Damien Peverill
Encyclopedia
Damien Peverill is an Australian rules football
er who played 144 senior games with Essendon Football Club
in the Australian Football League
between 2001 and 2008. Peverill is known as a strong and hard-working player whose no-nonsense approach to football, along with his consistency and ability to win plenty of the ball, were the hallmarks of his game.
suburb of East Keilor and played his junior football at Keilor Park Football Club
. He was passed over in four successive AFL National Drafts
and three AFL Pre-season Drafts
before being selected for Melbourne Football Club's
Rookie list
. However, he was not able to break into the senior side there, and was delisted.
supporter, Peverill was placed on Essendon's rookie list in 2001 and was quickly elevated to the senior list due the long-term injury list of the prominent midfielder Joe Misiti
prior to Round 4. On debut, against Sydney
at the SCG
, he successfully tagged Swans playmaker Wayne Schwass
and scored a late goal. As a rookie, he wore the number 45 jumper. After suffering an arm injury on ANZAC Day
, Peverill returned the following week against West Coast Eagles
. Over the following six weeks he became an important member of Essendon's midfield. Peverill was returned to the rookie list after Round 12 clash due to the return of Misiti from injury. The team honoured Peveril's contribution as a rookie by allowing him to lead the players off the ground. The following week Peverill played in the Essendon reserve team and suffered another injury which kept him out for the remainder of the 2001 season.
. He enjoyed what would be the best season of his career, playing 21 games and winning 8 Brownlow
votes despite wearing a cast on his arm for a good portion of the season.
Over his career, Peverill became a key player for Essendon, mainly as a tagger but also as a key midfielder. He was also known as one of the hardest-working players at training and considered a part of the club's leadership group. He played his 100th game in 2006.
Later form, however, was not up to the same standard of early senior years and his critics claimed a lack of pace and questionable disposal, particularly in relation to his kicking. Peverill did, however, lead Essendon in number of "disposals" and "hard ball gets" during 2007, despite limited action. He finished with 30 or more disposals in six games.
It was widely reported in May 2008 Essendon's then new senior coach, Matthew Knights
had indicated to Peverill he would be given fewer playing opportunities for the remainder of the 2008 season, in order to develop the club's younger players for the future. Peverill did, however, make a successful return to the senior team midway through 2008 and enjoyed a prolific fortnight against Brisbane and Richmond
, winning 24 disposals in the four-point loss to the Tigers
in round 16.
Peverill was delisted by Essendon at the end of 2008 and played his last game for Essendon in Round 22 alongside retirees Mal Michael
, Jason Johnson
and Adam Ramanauskas
against St. Kilda. He indicated that he was keen to play on with another club in 2009, but was not successful in his attempt to be drafted.
in 2009 season. Peverill stated that he had not actively sought a coaching position, but had been approached by Collingwood who offered him the role. He left the club before the 2010 season.
in the Essendon District Football League
. Peverill's ex-Essendon team mate Hayden Skipworth
is also playing at the 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 who played 144 senior games with Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
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...
between 2001 and 2008. Peverill is known as a strong and hard-working player whose no-nonsense approach to football, along with his consistency and ability to win plenty of the ball, were the hallmarks of his game.
Early career
Peverill grew up in the MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
suburb of East Keilor and played his junior football at Keilor Park Football Club
Keilor Park Football Club
Keilor Park Football Club is an Australian rules football club located 20 km north west of Melbourne in the suburb of Keilor Park and was founded as a junior club in October 1974 when residents met to establish a local football, basketball, and netball sporting club.Club colours were chosen...
. He was passed over in four successive AFL National Drafts
AFL Draft
The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.-History:...
and three AFL Pre-season Drafts
AFL Draft
The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.-History:...
before being selected for Melbourne Football Club's
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
Rookie list
Rookie list
The Rookie List is a means for Australian Football League clubs to maintain additional players outside of the 38-man primary or senior list. Rookie listed players are not eligibile to play in AFL home and away or finals matches unless they are elevated to the senior list, either to replace a...
. However, he was not able to break into the senior side there, and was delisted.
Essendon rookie (2001)
A lifelong EssendonEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
supporter, Peverill was placed on Essendon's rookie list in 2001 and was quickly elevated to the senior list due the long-term injury list of the prominent midfielder Joe Misiti
Joe Misiti
"Smokin" Joe Misiti is a former Australian rules football player of Italian descent who played for the Essendon Football Club. Originally from Keilor Park, he made his Australian Football League debut in 1992 and retired at the end of the 2004 premiership season with 236 games to his credit...
prior to Round 4. On debut, against Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
at the SCG
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
, he successfully tagged Swans playmaker Wayne Schwass
Wayne Schwass
Wayne Schwass was an Australian rules football player in the VFL/AFL who debuted in 1988.He is notable as one of only a few New Zealand-born players of Māori heritage in the history of the VFL/AFL....
and scored a late goal. As a rookie, he wore the number 45 jumper. After suffering an arm injury on 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...
, Peverill returned the following week against 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...
. Over the following six weeks he became an important member of Essendon's midfield. Peverill was returned to the rookie list after Round 12 clash due to the return of Misiti from injury. The team honoured Peveril's contribution as a rookie by allowing him to lead the players off the ground. The following week Peverill played in the Essendon reserve team and suffered another injury which kept him out for the remainder of the 2001 season.
Essendon senior team (2002-2008)
Peverill was promoted to Essendon's senior list for the 2002 season and was given jumper number 11 following the departure of Damien HardwickDamien Hardwick
Damien Patrick Hardwick is a former Australian rules footballer and the coach of the Richmond Football Club.-Early life:He attended St Joseph's College in Ferntree Gully.-AFL playing career:...
. He enjoyed what would be the best season of his career, playing 21 games and winning 8 Brownlow
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
votes despite wearing a cast on his arm for a good portion of the season.
Over his career, Peverill became a key player for Essendon, mainly as a tagger but also as a key midfielder. He was also known as one of the hardest-working players at training and considered a part of the club's leadership group. He played his 100th game in 2006.
Later form, however, was not up to the same standard of early senior years and his critics claimed a lack of pace and questionable disposal, particularly in relation to his kicking. Peverill did, however, lead Essendon in number of "disposals" and "hard ball gets" during 2007, despite limited action. He finished with 30 or more disposals in six games.
It was widely reported in May 2008 Essendon's then new senior coach, Matthew Knights
Matthew Knights
Matthew Knights is a former Australian rules football player, having played in the midfield for the Richmond Football Club from 1988 to 2002. He went on to a coaching career, most notably as head coach of the Essendon Football Club from 2008 to 2010...
had indicated to Peverill he would be given fewer playing opportunities for the remainder of the 2008 season, in order to develop the club's younger players for the future. Peverill did, however, make a successful return to the senior team midway through 2008 and enjoyed a prolific fortnight against Brisbane and Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
, winning 24 disposals in the four-point loss to the Tigers
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
in round 16.
Peverill was delisted by Essendon at the end of 2008 and played his last game for Essendon in Round 22 alongside retirees Mal Michael
Mal Michael
Malcolm Roberto "Mal" Michael is a former Australian rules footballer. He is notable for his successful professional Australian Football League career. Following a career spanned 238 games and three clubs in two Australian states he is best known as a triple premiership full-back with the...
, Jason Johnson
Jason Johnson (Australian rules footballer)
Jason Johnson is retired Australian rules footballer who spent his entire professional career with Essendon of the Australian Football League ....
and Adam Ramanauskas
Adam Ramanauskas
Adam Ramanauskas is a former Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club.Of Lithuanian descent, Ramanauskas was selected at no. 12 in the 1998 AFL Draft and was mainly a defender or midfielder...
against St. Kilda. He indicated that he was keen to play on with another club in 2009, but was not successful in his attempt to be drafted.
Collingwood VFL team
Peverill was the captain and playing assistant coach for the Collingwood VFL Football ClubCollingwood VFL Football Club
Collingwood Football Club VFL team, nicknamed The Magpies and often referred to as the Collingwood Reseves, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Victorian Football League...
in 2009 season. Peverill stated that he had not actively sought a coaching position, but had been approached by Collingwood who offered him the role. He left the club before the 2010 season.
Post AFL Career
On February 2, 2011 Damien Peverill confirmed his intention to play with Aberfeldie Football ClubAberfeldie Football Club
Aberfeldie Football Club is an Australian rules football club located 9 km north-west of Melbourne in the suburb of Aberfeldie which entered the Essendon District Football League in 1948....
in the Essendon District Football League
Essendon District Football League
The Essendon District Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the north-west suburbs of Melbourne, which was established in 1930.The EDFL consists of 24 senior clubs, 10 clubs in A Grade and 14 clubs in B Grade...
. Peverill's ex-Essendon team mate Hayden Skipworth
Hayden Skipworth
Hayden Skipworth was an Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club of the Australian Football League. After playing 44 games over six years for the Adelaide Crows he was delisted in 2006...
is also playing at the club.