Anthony Morabito

Anthony Morabito
Personal information
Full name Anthony Morabito
Date of birth 29 October 1991 (1991-10-29) (age 20)
Original team Peel Thunder, WAFL
Draft 4th overall pick, 2009
Fremantle
Height/Weight 191cm / 97kg
Position(s) Wing, Centre
Club information
Current club Fremantle
Number 2
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2010 – Fremantle 23 (13)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .

Anthony Morabito (born 29 October 1991) is an Australian rules footballer with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League.

Morabito is a tall, quick, powerful midfielder,[1][2] who was selected by Fremantle with their first round selection (fourth overall) in the 2009 AFL Draft.[3] Originally from Harvey,[4] he played for Peel Thunder in the WAFL and represented Western Australia in the 2007 Under 16s, 2008 Under 18s[5] and 2009 AFL National Under 18 Championships. He performed very well at the 2009 Championships, being named in the Under-18 All-Australian Team and awarded the most valuable player in Western Australia's championship-winning side.[1][6] He was the first of thirteen WAFL-based players to be selected in the 2009 Draft.[7]

Often compared to Adam Goodes due to his appearance, size and versatile playing style,[1][4][8][9][10] After being suggested as a possible top-10 selection in the draft following the National Under 18 Championships, he was correctly predicted to be the fourth overall selection in the lead-up to the draft.[2][11][12]

He made his WAFL senior debut for Peel in the opening round of the 2009 WAFL season, and played in Peel's first eight games before joining the state Under 18s squad ahead of the national championships. However, he only played a further two games for Peel, with a thigh injury hampering his second half of the season. He attended the AFL draft camp, but was unable to participate in the testing due to the injury.[4][9] His outstanding first half of the season was enough to win him the 2009 WAFL Rising Star award.[13]

Outside of football he is studying commerce at the University of Western Australia.[11]

In round 21 of the 2010 AFL season Morabito missed his first game since his debut when he was one of seven players rested by Fremantle from their game against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania. He returned to the team the following week and was nominated for the 2010 AFL Rising Star award. [14]

In the 2010 Elimination Final against Hawthorn he kicked one of the best goals of the year receiving a handpass from Michael Johnson on the wing and then running into the forward line, bouncing 3 times and kicking on the run from about 40m out. Fremantle went on to beat Hawthorn by 30 points to secure a semi final berth against Geelong.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Burgan, Matt (23 November 2009) Phantom Draft; AFL.com.au
  2. ^ a b Qualye, Emma (26 November 2009) First round predictions
  3. ^ "Sheppard an Eagle, Morabito a Docker after 2009 AFL Draft". PerthNow (News Corp). 26 November 2009. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,1,26405579-5005401,00.html. Retrieved 6 December 2009. 
  4. ^ a b c Hagdorn, Kim (3 October 2009). "Morabito concedes AFL career could start outside Western Australia". PerthNow (News Corp). http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26160056-5005401,00.html. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  5. ^ Pike, Chris (2 May 2008). "Swans duo lead State 18s charge". Perth Now (News Corp). http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23635290-5005401,00.html. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  6. ^ Phelan, Jason (4 July 2009). "WA dominates U18 All-Australian team". AFL.com.au. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/79966/default.aspx. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  7. ^ AFL Draft highlights strength of WA football
  8. ^ Fremantle urged to pick Peel youngster Anthony Morabito
  9. ^ a b Morabito showing the Goodes
  10. ^ Morabito's Goodes goal
  11. ^ a b Hagdorn, Kim (21 November 2009). "Anthony Morabito, WA's next big thing in AFL Draft". PerthNow (News Corp). http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26381550-2761,00.html. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  12. ^ Duffield, Mark (November 21, 2009). "Fremantle to make Morabito their prime pick". The West Australian. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/dockers/6500054/fremantle-to-make-morabito-their-prime-pick/. Retrieved 1 December 2009. 
  13. ^ Clarke, Tim (9 September 2009) Hot prospect Morabito catches Dockers eye
  14. ^ Broad, Ben (2010-08-30). "NAB AFL Rising Star round 22: Anthony Morabito". AFL.com.au. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101470/default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-08-31. 
  15. ^ Freo brush aside wasteful Hawks

External links

Fremantle Football Club – current squad

* denote Rookie Listed players