Australian Football

Darryl Borlase - nicknamed ‘Daisy’ - was a firm favourite among Port Adelaide fans, particularly during the second half of his 14-season, 246-game league career. He joined the Magpies from Ceduna, and after playing three games in his debut season of 1985 became a regular, first choice senior player the following year. Struggles with injury and form during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s would have derailed a lesser player, and it cannot have been easy for Borlase to watch from the sidelines as the Magpies procured a hat trick of flags between 1988 and 1990. When they next went top in 1992, however, ‘Daisy’ Borlase was not only back in harness, but a key contributor, as he would be when further premiership triumphs were attained in 1994 and 1996.

A knee injury, suffered during the 1995 finals series, put paid to his chances of playing in three successive winning Grand Finals. Borlase, who skippered the Magpies in his final league season, was the club’s leading goalkicker in 1991 with 25 goals. Equally at home on a half forward flank, across centre or on the ball, he was the sort of player who could turn a match with a moment or two of brilliance. He represented South Australia once.

Author - John Devaney