Australian Football

José Romero remains the only Chilean ever to reach Australian football's highest level. In 89 games for North Melbourne between 1988 and 1994 he earned a reputation as an energetic, gutsy performer who perhaps fell just a little short of the top rank. A move to Footscray in 1995 obviously suited him, however, and over the next few seasons he played easily the best football of his career, tying for the Bulldogs' best and fairest award with Chris Grant in 1996.

When the re-christened Western Bulldogs repeatedly threatened to 'go all the way' during the second half of the 1990s, the admirably tenacious Romero was often at the forefront of their assaults. Injuries impeded him during the later stages of his 200-plus game career, but at his best he was a vital cog in the Bulldog machine.

Author - John Devaney