Gavin Wanganeen
The famous #4

Gavin Adrian Wanganeen was born in Mount Gambier on 18th June 1973.

The Wanganeen family moved to Port Lincoln and stayed there for about three years before moving to Salisbury, a northern outer suburb of Adelaide.  Gavin was 5 at the time.

A young Gavin

Wanganeen under pressure from the bulldogs

Heart-throb and calendar boy

Another milestone

Wanganeen feels the pain of defeat

Wanganeen was named Port Adelaide's inaugural captain in 1997 when Port joined the AFL.

Wedding bells in 2000

Gavin in 2000
Sydney torch relay

In 2005, Wanganeen is named on a half back flank in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

Poetry in motion

Wanganeen celebrates another goal

Back where it all began

Focus and intensity

Essendon
Another famous #4

In full flight

It is always sad when players of the calibre of Wanganeen announce their retirement from the game. His exceptional qualities will be sadly missed by footy fans all over Australia. Sports Card World acknowledges the contribution made by Gavin Wanganeen to this great game, and proudly presents this simple tribute to a great South Australian, and one of the true superstars of the AFL .......... Gavin Adrian Wanganeen.

Gavin Wanganeen playing for Port Adelaide in 1990.	A young Gavin Wanganeen at Essendon.

On Wednesday 7th June 2006, Gavin Wanganeen announced his retirement from football at a media conference held at Alberton Oval. After almost sixteen seasons in the AFL, Wanganeen finally drew the curtain on his illustrious and spectacular career.

In front of a large and at times emotional audience that included the media, his family and Port Adelaide team-mates, Wanganeen said "Footy has been my life - or half of it. It means so much to me, and you don't realize until you have to hang the boots up how much it does mean. I haven't thought too much about what I'm going to do after football. I'll just sit back and have a bit of a break - spend time with the family and go from there. It would have been nice to have played my last farewell game with the boys and just shared that emotion with them, but it wasn't to be."

Earlier in the day, Wanganeen had made his intentions known to his team-mates prior to a training run. "I couldn't even look them in the eye, it was that sad," he said. "Being a part of football for the last 16 years in AFL footy ....... you train with these guys, you eat and sleep basically with these guys, you see them every day, and it's just so sad to not be a part of it any more. But life must go on. I was rapt to actually talk to the guys this morning and share my emotions with them. That was just as special. I tell you this much, I should have brought a bucket in for all the tears I was shedding. I just let them know how much I'm going to miss them ........ It was hard to say goodbye."

For Gavin, 2006 had started on a high. The first game of the season against the Kangaroos at Football Park, was his 300th AFL game. That total included 173 matches with Port Adelaide (1997-2006) and 127 with Essendon (1991-1996). In playing his 300th game, Wanganeen became the first indigenous player to achieve that mile-stone in the history of the AFL. But his 300th game would prove to be his final AFL appearance. Wanganeen suffered a rib injury during game 300. That was followed by a back problem and then a serious knee injury suffered whilst playing for Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.

"Having three different injuries in the past eight weeks has probably taken its toll I guess," Wanganeen said. "The last one, having cartilage out of my knee, was a bit more serious and that was probably the last straw. At this age, I felt that it was time (to retire)."

Wanganeen attended Salisbury East High School and he began his junior football career with the  Salisbury North Football Club. At the age of fourteen, Wanganeen joined the Port Adelaide League Under 17 team in the SANFL. He was selected in the State Under 17 team in 1989 and 1990, and won All-Australian honours in 1990. Wanganeen began senior football in Port Adelaide's league team in 1990 at the age of sixteen. During that season, Wanganeen played in 24 matches and was an important member of the 1990 Grand Final team that defeated Glenelg to win the SANFL premiership.

Wanganeen was selected at pick number 12 by Essendon in the 1989 AFL Draft. Following his premiership win with Port Adelaide in 1990, Gavin moved to Melbourne and began training with Essendon. He made his AFL debut against Richmond in Round 2 of the 1991 season. What an experience it must have been for the shy young rookie to run onto the MCG on April 1st 1991 in front of a crowd of 35 579. And what a bigger thrill it must have been when Essendon ran out winners by just 4 points. Final scores were Essendon 16-17 (113 pts) d Richmond 17-7 (109 pts).

Gavin with family members shortly after joining Essendon

There were so many honours bestowed on Gavin Wanganeen during his playing career. Sports Card World rates the following as his most important.

1990 SANFL Rookie of the Year
1990 SANFL Premiership
1991 AFLPA Rookie of the Year
1993 Michael Tuck Medal
1993 Brownlow Medal
1993 AFL Premiership
1993 Young Aboriginal Sports Star of the Year
1997-2000 Port Adelaide Club Captain
2003 John Cahill Medal
2003 Brownlow Medal Runner-up
2004 AFL Premiership
Member of Champions of Essendon
Member of Indigenous team of the Century
All Australian Team: 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2003
AFL Life Membership

Two Great Moments in Wanganeen's Career
1993 Brownlow Medal	2004 AFL Premiership

"It's a sad day for footy. He's such a brilliant player and, of course, we look at the positive of it and say we're glad that we saw him play in our lifetime" Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy

	"He's been a wonderful player, he's a wonderful person and he'll certainly be missed ...... a wonderful ambassador for the club. He'll continue to be that wherever he walks around Australia. He'll be a Port Adelaide person and we're very lucky to have him." Port Adelaide Power Coach, Mark Williams

"Gavin's all-round ability has been outstanding, and a delight to coach. He has lasted the test of time, and he has a great sense of humour. He is a humble player and a humble person. He treats people properly and with respect. He shows great care and understanding for people." Port Adelaide Power Coach, Mark Williams

	"Gavin has never feared anything in football. The first time I saw him at training, he was 16 years old. I knew he would be special. He was so balanced and gifted even then. One grab, and he would accelerate like nothing we had seen before." Port Adelaide legend, John Cahill

"Gavin is just one of those freaks that rarely come around. You might see two of them if you play long enough. He is such a naturally talented guy, he plays on instinct. He's a ball player with freakish talents and personally, he's a top guy." Port Power team-mate, Darryl Wakelin

	"I am in awe of him," Tredrea said. "He is a freak, he is a champion who doesn't get the respect he deserves. He has been around so long and other people in the competition haven't done half the things he's done but they have got the accolades. Gavin Wanganeen will go down as one of the biggest champions of all time." Current Port Power skipper, Warren Tredrea

"He had a remarkable talent to not only read the flow of play but what's on the mind of the player with the ball." Former Essendon champion, Tim Watson

	"I suppose Gav has been a stalwart and a role model for a lot of the Aboriginal boys.  He has achieved so much in his career. He's a great role model and a great player." Adelaide Crows' superstar, Andrew McLeod

"He's very humble, but what he's done in his career is create a pathway for indigenous people around Australia, he's one of the leaders and we're very thankful for him." Port Power team-mate, Shaun Burgoyne

	"Some players play with their brain and they're quite good players. Some with their heart and they're good too. But when you get one who plays with his brain and his heart, that's a champion, and that's Gavin Wanganeen." Football legend, Neil "Knuckles" Kerley

"He's a Brownlow medallist, he's the first Indigenous Australian to play 300 games. Who could forget his contribution in Port Adelaide's grand final win, when at his age he played the game that he played. I wish him all the best, because I think we've all derived great pleasure after seeing Gavin Wanganeen on the football field." AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Demetriou

Please note: The following tables only include statistical information on the 1993-2006 AFL seasons. The 39 matches Wanganeen played for Essendon in 1991 and 1992 are not included.

Gavin Wanganeen
AFL Total Career Games: 300               AFL Goals scored: 202

There have been many highlights and memorable moments in the career of Gavin Wanganeen.  Sports Card World has come up with what we think are his Top Twenty career moments. They are arranged below in chronological order.

 Great Moment   #1
Gavin is chosen in the South Australia Under 17 team in 1989 and 1990. He gained All-Australian honors in 1990.

 Great Moment   #2
Gavin is drafted by Essendon as the number 12 pick in the 1989 national draft.

 Great Moment   #3
Wanganeen, at the age of 16, commences his senior league career with Port Adelaide in 1990. He wins the SANFL Rookie of the Year award.

 Great Moment   #4
In 1990, Wanganeen plays with Mark Williams, now Power coach, in Port Adelaide's 1990 SANFL grand final win over Glenelg at Football Park.

 Great Moment   #5
Gavin plays his first AFL match for Essendon in Round 2 against Richmond at the MCG on April 1st 1991. Essendon won the game by 4 points, in front of a crowd of 35 579 fans.

 Great Moment   #6
At the end of his first AFL season, Gavin is named Essendon's best first year player.  He also won the 1991 AFLPA Rookie of the Year award.

 Great Moment   #7
In 1992, Gavin gains the first of his five All-Australian jumpers. He is also chosen  in 1993, 1995, 2001 and 2003.

 Great Moment   #8
Wanganeen was a member of Essendon's 1993 & 1994 Foster's Cup Premiership teams.

 Great Moment   #9
In 1993, he is named winner of the Michael Tuck medal for best on the ground in the Foster's Cup Grand Final.

 Great Moment #10
Wanganeen is an important member of South Australia's 1993 State of Origin victory over Victoria at the MCG.

Great Moments
Wanganeen (centre) celebrates Essendon's premiership in 1993.	Wanganeen (centre) celebrates Power's Ansett Cup win in 2001.

 Great Moment #11
In 1993, Wanganeen wins AFL's highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal. Gavin's win was quite unexpected with most experts  expecting Wayne Carey, Greg Williams or Jason Dunstall to win the award. Gavin finished with 18 votes, one ahead of Greg Williams on 17 votes. It was Essendon's first Brownlow since Graham Moss won the award in 1976.

 Great Moment #12
Wanganeen's main AFL dream was fulfilled in 1993. He stars in Essendon's 1993 premiership win over Carlton at the MCG. Before a crowd of 96 862, Essendon won by 44 points. Final scores were Essendon 20-13 (133) d Carlton 13-11 (89).

 Great Moment #13
 Gavin was named young Aboriginal Sports Star of the Year in 1993.

 Great Moment #14
In 1997, Wanganeen is lured home to Adelaide. He is named Port Adelaide's inaugural captain as it enters the AFL for the first time. He remains club captain until the end of the 2000 season.

 Great Moment #15
Wanganeen  is part of two more pre-season premiership teams. In 2001, Port Adelaide wins the Ansett Cup and  follows it up with a Wizard Cup Premiership in 2002.

 Great Moment #16
In 2002, Wanganeen is voted the 19th best Essendon player of all time in the "Champions of Essendon" list.

 Great Moment #17
After starting the season at odds of 150-1 to win the Brownlow Medal, Wanganeen misses out by just won vote from winning his second medal. Wanganeen did win the John Cahill Medal as Port Adelaide's Best and Fairest.

 Great Moment #18
In 2004, Wanganeen plays a vital role in Port Adelaide's first premiership. In the Grand Final, his four goals prove crucial and help lift the Power to victory over Brisbane by 40 points.

 Great Moment #19
In 2005, Gavin is named in the Indigenous Team of the Century.

 Great Moment #20
In Round 1 of the 2006 season, Wanganeen becomes the first indigenous player to reach the 300-game milestone in AFL football. The game against the Kangaroos at Football Park was to be Gavin's last AFL match.

Gavin Wanganeen Fact Box
	Full Name: Gavin Adrian Wanganeen
	Nicknames: Frizza, LG, Wangas
	Date of Birth: 18th June 1973
	Place of Birth: Mount Gambier
	Height: 181 cm	Weight: 82 kg
	Position: Half back, back pocket, utility
	Number Worn: 4   ( also #1 1997-2000)
	AFL Games: 300
	Recruited: Selected #12 in 1989 AFL Draft by Essendon from Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
Other Games: 8 Origin clashes and 27 pre-season cup matches.
AFL Debut: 1st April 1991 (Essendon vs Richmond at M.C.G.)
AFL Clubs: Essendon (1991-1996); Port Adelaide (1997-2006)
AFL Goals scored: 202 goals
SANFL Games: 27 with Port Adelaide in 1990 (24) and 2006 (3)
Premierships: 1990 Port Adelaide Magpies (SANFL), 1993 (Essendon), 2004 (Port Power)
Pre-Season Premierships: 1993 Fosters Cup, 1994 Fosters Cup, 2001 Ansett Cup, 2002 Wizard Cup.
All Australian Selection: 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2003
Brownlow Medal: 1993    Runner up: 2003
1991 AFLPA Rookie of the Year
Club Best & Fairest: 2003 Port Adelaide
Club Captain: Port Adelaide 1997-2000
Michael Tuck Medal: 1993 (Best player in Pre-season Grand Final)
Champions of Essendon: In 2002, he was voted the 19th best Essendon player of all time in the "Champions of Essendon" list.
Indigenous team of the century: Named in 2005
In round 1 of the 2006 AFL season, Wanganeen became the first indigenous player to reach the 300 game milestone.
His final game of senior football came on 20 May 2006 for Port Adelaide Magpies against Glenelg in the SANFL.

 

There is little doubt about Gavin Wanganeen's standing in the AFL. During his distinguished career he achieved it all. Two AFL premierships, four pre-season premierships, a Brownlow Medal, club Best and Fairest, five All-Australian selections, AFL Life Membership, member of Essendon's Team of the Century, member of the Indigenous Team of the Century......the list goes on and on.

But there's something more to Wanganeen than simply an impressive career honours list. To the average footy fan who sits in the outer on a wet and freezing July day, there is something far more important. Wanganeen was blessed with a unique gift. An ability to perform the unexpected.  Sure, other great players have performed similar feats, but few have performed them with the same nonchalant ease that became the Wanganeen trademark. He had that special ability to lift his team-mates and turn a match on its ear. He was a player of rare and exceptional talents.

It is not difficult to identify these special qualities. Wanganeen certainly displayed an exceptional level of speed, balance and elusiveness. He also possessed an uncanny ability to read the play and intercept the ball. In addition, he was blessed with a rare ability to capture the ball and to deliver it accurately with either hand or foot. When you add in his unquestioned courage and determination you have all that is required in today's AFL player.

But there is another reason Wanganeen should be remembered. When he made his debut in 1991, there was only a small handful of indigenous players on AFL lists around the country. Players like Wanganeen and Michael Long, not only helped open the door for other indigenous players, but they also provided hope and inspiration to a whole generation of young aboriginal kids to follow in their footsteps.

The number of aboriginal players in the AFL has grown significantly in the past two decades. Their influence on the game is profound. They have made a significant contribution to changing people's perceptions of what can be achieved in the modern game of Aussie Rules.

Sports Card World congratulates Gavin Wanganeen on an outstanding career in the AFL. He has been an inspirational role model for thousands of young people to dream about a career at the elite level. We acknowledge his significant contribution to football not only here in South Australia, but also across the entire nation. Although his presence on the field will be sadly missed, he has left behind countless memories of one of the true greats of this wonderful game.

Thanks Wangas.

Farewell at Football Park: Friday 18th August
Gavin with son Tex	Gavin with Mark Williams

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