Australian Football

Tony Delaney was just one of many footballers in the history of the game to have his undoubted ability stymied and undermined by persistent injury problems. Over the course of his 11 season career he played a total of 124 games, but missed at least as many either through injury or whilst battling his way back to fitness.

Delaney, who hailed from Perth, began his senior football career with Essendon in 1993. Chunkily built and boasting genuine pace, he played 15 games and booted nine goals for the Bombers over two seasons before being traded to Fremantle, which was about to take its bows in the big time. He enjoyed a promising debut season with the Dockers but was nevertheless restricted to just 11 appearances because of injury. However, his good general form earned him selection in the West Australian state of origin side which lost to the Allies at Subiaco Oval.

In 1996 Delaney began playing for Claremont when not selected by Fremantle. He would go on to play 32 games and register nine goals for the club in two stints. In 1999, while still tied to the Dockers, he transferred his local affiliation to South Fremantle, for whom he played 16 games and booted 16 goals. He also helped the West Australian state league side to a win over Tasmania in Kalgoorlie.

The 2000 season saw Delaney embark on a fresh phase of his football life when he crossed to St Kilda and promptly enjoyed the stand-out season of his entire career, playing all 22 matches contested by the club, albeit that it won just twice for the year and finished last. The 2001 season saw injuries again rearing their ugly head and after playing just 11 games he was de-listed.

The second of his two stints at Claremont, and the final football of Tony Delaney’s career, took place in 2004-5.

Author - John Devaney