Gary Pert

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Gary Pert (born May 28, 1965) is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL and businessman.

[edit] Fitzroy career

Recruited from Bulleen, Pert made his debut for the Fitzroy Football Club in 1982 and from the start of his career always looked like being a star. He played State of Origin for Victoria in 1984 at the age of just 18, and was a champion full-back for the Lions (who could also be switched to the forward line).

In 1988 he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out but he returned in amazing fashion in 1989, winning Fitzroy's best and fairest. At this point he and Fitzroy teammate, Paul Roos were considered two of the finest players in the VFL.

At the end of the 1990 season, he suffered another knee injury that would rule him out for a whole year, and the financially struggling Lions had to let one of their favourite sons go, and the Collingwood Football Club picked him up in the 1990 AFL Draft. He had played 163 games and booted 42 goals for the Roys between 1982 and 1990.

[edit] Collingwood career

His career at Collingwood began in 1992 after having to sit out the 1991 season due to his knee injury, and there were many doubts that he could reach his heights again. At only 27, he was still young and provided some valuable service to the Magpies. Playing mostly at fullback, his knees were very sore after a game, but he played until 1995, having booted 4 goals in 70 games with the black and white. He is infamously remembered for acting as Gary Ablett's step ladder when Ablett took the 'Mark of the Century' on Mothers' Day, May 8th 1994 at the MCG.

Pert is currently the Melbourne general manager of the Austereo Radio Network, the parent company of radio stations Triple M and FOX FM Melbourne.