Australian Football

Anthony Banik was a supremely talented half back flanker whose AFL career was interrupted, and in effect derailed, by chronic fatigue syndrome. At the outset of his career in 1990 it appeared that the Tigers had unearthed a champion in the making as he boasted both defensive and attacking skills aplenty, and was equally capable of shutting down an opponent as he was of racking up significant possession stats.

When illness struck in 1992 it had the inevitable effect of limiting his availability, a state of affairs which continued or two full seasons. In 1994 there were signs of recovery but Banik spent most of the year in the reserves, winning a club best and fairest award at that level. However, at season’s end he was de-listed.

The 1995 season saw Anthony Banik embarking on a new phase of his career with SANFL club West Adelaide where he immediately emphasised his pedigree by procuring the club’s best and fairest award, a feat he duplicated two years later. He retired after the 1999 season having played precisely 100 games for the Bloods to add to his 49 appearances for the Tigers.

Author - John Devaney