Ian Perrie

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Ian Perrie
Personal Info
Birth April 9, 1979, Zimbabwe
Recruited from East Perth
Height/Weight 191cm / 95kg
Playing Career¹
Debut Round 13, June 20, 1998, Adelaide vs. Collingwood, at MCG
Team(s) Adelaide (1998-)

98 games, 109 goals

¹ Statistics to end of Round 14, 2006 season
Career Highlights

  • 11 Career Brownlow Medal Votes

Ian Perrie (born 9 April 1979) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

After being drafted at pick number 49 in the 1997 AFL Draft, Ian Perrie debuted for Adelaide in Round 13, 1998. While no one questioned his endeavor, Perrie was initially thought to not have the skills required to be a consistent AFL Footballer. In his early years, inaccurate kicking was his most troubled area- he kicked just 24.27 in his first two years. While he struggled to get the scores on the board, he was oft-admired for his relentless effort that coupled with his unorthodox kicking style, and this caused him to reach cult status. This is when banners began being carried with pride in AAMI Stadium with the words "Go Sarge!", and supporters started yelling the catch-cry "Perrieeeee!".

In 2003, under the tutelage of an ageing recruit in Wayne Carey, Perrie lifted his game to a new level. He was no longer forced to attract the opposition's best backman and as a result scored an improved 26 goals, 16 behinds. When Carey missed games through injury, Perrie excelled with his new-found confidence, kicking a career-high 6 goals in Round 12, 2003, against Melbourne. It is thought that Darren Jarman's assistance has been partially responsible for his increase in goal-kicking percentage.

Since 2003, Perrie has improved each season, increasing his disposals per game, providing contests at the Centre half-forward position and has become a guaranteed starter in the line-up under coach Neil Craig. He was an important member of Adelaide's McClelland Trophy-winning team in 2005, kicking a career-best 39 goals with just 31 behinds. In the 2006 season he produced 4 good performances to start the season, including 13 marks, 16 disposals and 3 goals in Round 1. This great start was put to a halt late in Round 4 when, in a clash with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin he damaged his Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

With the Adelaide Crows on top of the 2006 AFL Season ladder after the mid-season break, Ian Perrie will be an important component of any tilt they have at the Premiership in September.

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