Page 6 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

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IN 2013 WE SAID GOODBYE TO A DEAR MEMBER OF THE AFL QUEENSLAND FAMILY, HALL OF FAME MEMBER TROY CLARKE
The football community mourned the tragic passing in November of AFL Queensland State Development Manager Troy Clarke.
Troy passed away prematurely in November, aged just 44 years.
He leaves an incredible legacy on the game in Queensland and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him.
Originally from South Cairns, Troy had an outstanding junior football career, but ultimately missed selection in the Bears’ foundation squad in 1987.
He decided to join West Torrens in the strong South Australian National Football League (SANFL) and went on to play 64 games in four seasons with the Eagles – winning selection in the South Australian Team of the Year in 1989.
Troy’s terrific form eventually saw him win a contract with the Bears, with whom he would play 68 senior matches.
He was part of the Bear’s Reserves premiership in his first year at the club, and went on to become a regular senior player. However, he suffered a second knee reconstruction in 1995 and would play just two further matches after the injury.
Troy announced his retirement in 1996 to pursue a coaching career in Tasmania, but would
later return to Queensland to work in junior development and become a key figure for the code in the fast-developing Gold Coast region.
His impact on the region was formally recognised in 2006, with Clarke the recipient of a National High Achievers Award at the AFL National Development Conference.
Since 2011, Troy has led the growth of Australian football across Queensland as State Development Manager, having played a key role in grassroots and community activities.
Such was his impact on the code in the region, that he was inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame.
Troy is survived by his wife Natalie, daughter Taylor and son Lachie.
DAVID DALGARNO
AFL Queensland Hall of Fame member David Dalgarno passed away in 2013 at the age of 69.
A Sherwood junior who emerged from the strong football nurseries at Corinda State School and Indooroopilly High, Dave displayed excellent leadership qualities and determination that saw him develop quickly into a top ruckman and on field general.
He commenced his career in 1961 as a 17-year- old and became the youngest QAFL captain- coach of the post-war era at 21 and won the Leach Motors Media Award in 1967.
Dave led Wests from 1965 to 1967 and after a decade in the wilderness the Bulldogs lost back- to back grand finals in 1966-67.
A transfer with his employment to Western Australia saw him named on
the 1968 Swan Districts
list, but he didn’t
play due to interstate clearance restrictions.
Dave returned to coach his beloved Wests in 1968 and will forever be remembered as one of Queensland’s great footballers.
OBITUARIES