Ian Perrie

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**Ian Perrie**
Personal information

Birth	April 9, 1979 (1979-04-09) (age 29), Zimbabwe
Recruited from	East Perth
Height and weight	193cm / 100kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 13, June 20, 1998, Adelaide vs. Collingwood, at MCG
Team(s)	Adelaide (1998-2007) 115 games, 133 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2007 season
Career highlights
13 Career Brownlow Medal Votes

Ian Perrie (born 9 April 1979 in Zimbabwe) was 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 injured and hyperextended the knee upon landing and tore his PCL requiring a Knee Reconstruction, at least it wasn't as bad as an ACL injury. He missed 4 months and returned to the side later in the season and in the Qualifying Final vs Fremantle at AAMI Stadium, Perrie kicked a crucial goal late in the final quarter to help seal an amazing come from behind win for a heavily undermanned Adelaide. The undermanned Crows fell to the heavily favoured West Coast Eagles 14 days later. Perrie had a nightmare performance in front of goal in Round 1 2007 vs Essendon missing several easy shots from close range in perfect weather conditions but picked up on that with some outstanding performances, particularly when taking chest marks. The Crows struggled when he was sidelined with a shouler injury for 6 weeks. Perrie was delisted at the end of the 2007 season.

Most recently, Perrie has taken up Bulletball, with a view to participating in the high calibre game's debut as a demonstration sport at the 2012 London Olympics. Perrie is seen as one of the sport's outstanding prospects, given his size and upper body strength. He is undecided as to whether he will represent Australia or his native Zimbabwe.^[1]

Perrie is currently playing for Sturt in the SANFL.^[2]

[edit] References

Notes

^ T. Brandes, 'Sarge's Bullseye for Bulletball', 26 February 2008, Southern Times Messenger, 32
^ '2008 Players', Official Website of the Sturt Football Club.