Australian Football

A typically hardy, courageous and resilient Tasmanian, Daryn Cresswell played initially with Glenorchy and North Hobart before being drafted by Sydney, for whom he made his AFL debut in 1992. Tough, combative and hard working, but also highly skilled, he was one of the Swans most consistent performers over the ensuing decade. Moreover, he knew how to get the ball and use it effectively, regularly topping the Swans' stats tables in both kicks and handballs (and, needless to say, in overall possessions, too). 

Named in the 1997 AFL All Australian side, Cresswell was Sydney's club champion in 1994, and finished in the top three in five of the next six seasons. He played a total of 244 AFL games in twelve seasons, with his last game coming in the losing Preliminary Final of 2003 against Brisbane. The significance of his impact with the Swans was recognised in 2003 with his inclusion in the club's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'. He remained involved in top level football after his retirement with assistant coaching roles at first, Geelong, and later Brisbane.

Author - John Devaney