23 Facts About Dale Kickett

Dale Mathew Kickett was born on 4 May 1968 and is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy, West Coast, St Kilda, Essendon and Fremantle in the Australian Football League.

Originally from Western Australia, Kickett is related to a number of other high-profile AFL footballers, including Derek Kickett and Lance "Buddy" Franklin.

Dale Kickett began his football career in the Avon Football Association in 1984, whilst living in the small country town of Tammin.

Dale Kickett later moved to Perth and played three games at under 19s level with Swan Districts in 1987.

Dale Kickett was released by them, and was asked to switch to Claremont by his uncle Larry Kickett, who was coaching their under 19s team.

Dale Kickett made his senior football debut with Claremont in the WAFL in 1988, where he had significant success.

Dale Kickett played with Claremont until 1989, was the club's leading goalkicker in 1989, and was part of the 1989 Premiership team.

Dale Kickett was recruited to the Australian Football League for the 1990 season, after Fitzroy used its first pick in the 1989 national draft to select him.

Dale Kickett played 15 senior games in his debut season, but having grown up in a small town, living in the big city of Melbourne did not suit Dale Kickett.

Dale Kickett managed only one season on the West Coast list.

Dale Kickett was unable to break into the strong West Coast senior team, playing only two games for the team before being delisted.

When on reserve, Dale Kickett played again for Claremont, where he had a very good year, playing in his second premiership for the club and winning the Simpson Medal for the best player in the grand final.

St Kilda became the third AFL club to try Dale Kickett, selecting him with pick No 38 in the 1992 pre-season draft.

Dale Kickett had a promising season in 1992, playing in 21 games, but again he lasted only one season, and returned to Western Australia after the season.

Dale Kickett played exclusively WAFL football with Claremont in 1993, and played in his third Claremont premiership side and won his second Simpson Medal.

Dale Kickett played eight games for the Bombers in 1994, but again lasted only one season on the club's list.

The introduction of the Fremantle Football Club to the AFL, to be coached by his three-time Claremont premiership coach Gerard Neesham, was a huge lure for Dale Kickett, who had never managed to maintain a stable life in Victoria.

Dale Kickett would spend seven years with the Dockers, the longest period of stability in his career.

Dale Kickett became a mainstay of the Fremantle defence, and came runner up in the Best and Fairest award in both 1995 and 1996 before winning it in 1997.

In Round 20,1999, Dale Kickett became the first player to play 100 games for Fremantle.

Dale Kickett was heavily involved in what would end up being known as the Demolition Derby in Round 21,2000.

Dale Kickett played only the first three rounds before being dropped due to illness.

Dale Kickett played one more game for Claremont in 2003, then retired altogether.