Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
David Calthorpe

Known as
David Calthorpe

Born
17 August 1973 (age 50)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 350d
Last game: 26y 326d

Height and weight
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 92 kg

Senior clubs
Essendon; Brisbane; North Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Essendon: 48, 14
Brisbane: 48
North Melbourne: 17

Recruited from
Essendon (1999); Brisbane (2000)

David Calthorpe

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
EssendonAFL1992-199892580.6357%9.865.112.7815
BrisbaneAFL1999920.2267%7.002.332.000
North MelbourneAFL200013100.7769%4.083.311.080
AFL1992-2000114700.6159%8.974.682.5315
Total1992-2000114700.6159%8.974.682.5315

AFL: 10,363rd player to appear, 2,053rd most games played, 1,555th most goals kickedEssendon: 973rd player to appear, 194th most games played, 152nd most goals kickedBrisbane: 163rd player to appear, 256th most games played, 254th most goals kickedNorth Melbourne: 877th player to appear, 562nd most games played, 363rd most goals kicked

Solidly built and tough, David Calthorpe may have struggled with some of the game's key skills, notably kicking, but when on form there were fewer more effective taggers in the game. A prime case in point was the 1993 grand final when he played a major part in Essendon's victory by nullifying the impact of Carlton superstar Craig Bradley. This was one of 92 AFL appearances Calthorpe made for the Bombers between 1992 and 1998, during which he booted 58 goals. He also represented Victoria during this phase of his career, winning the Whitten Medal as the Big V's best performer against South Australia in 1994.

In 1999 Calthorpe switched to Brisbane but endured a horror year during which he managed just nine games and two goals. Crossing to the Kangaroos in 2000 he seemed to be rediscovering his best form only to lose his way during the second half of the season. He remained on the Kangas' list in 2001 but did not add to the 13 games and 10 goals registered the previous year.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby & Jim Main; Wikipedia article

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.