Nick Duigan

Nick Duigan
Personal information
Full name Nick Duigan
Date of birth 7 September 1984 (1984-09-07) (age 27)
Original team Norwood (SANFL)
Draft #70, 2010 National Draft, Carlton
Height/Weight 186cm / 88kg
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current club Carlton
Number 34
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2011– Carlton 22 (1)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .

Nick Duigan /ˈdaɪɡən/[1] (born 7 September 1984)[2] is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Background

Originally from South Australia, Duigan grew up supporting the Adelaide Crows and playing junior football for Pembroke School, Adelaide.[2] Throughout his junior career, he was troubled by injuries and had a hard time stringing a series of games together until after the age of twenty.[1]

Throughout his early 20s, Duigan studied psychology at university; by the end of 2010, then aged 26, Duigan had completed his Masters degree in psychology.[3] During the same period, Duigan played football semi-professionally for the Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League, primarily as a defender. He appeared in a total of 87 senior games for the Redlegs during that time,[4] and was the club's vice-captain in 2010.[5] He finished tenth in the 2010 Magarey Medal,[6] and kicked the game-winning goal in Norwood's come-from-behind preliminary final victory against the Eagles.[5]

Professional career

Duigan left Norwood at the end of 2010, intending to travel to Sudan for a year to do volunteer work.[3] However, he also nominated for the AFL draft, and was drafted by the Carlton Football Club with its fifth selection (#70 overall).[2] The selection surprised many, as it was very rare at the time for a player as old as Duigan (26), and without previous AFL experience, to be drafted.[4] Duigan was given guernsey number 34.

Playing in defence, Duigan impressed for the Blues during the pre-season, and he made his senior AFL debut in the club's first round match against Richmond.[7] He immediately became a regular in the Carlton backline in the 2011, and was noted for both his ability and his courage.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b de Bolfo, T., Blues shore up the spine, says Hughes, Retrieved 23 March 2011
  2. ^ a b c Carlton Football Club Selection 70 - Nick Duigan, retrieved 23 March 2011.
  3. ^ a b Gleeson, M., The Age, "Out of Africa and into Carlton", 19 November 2010, Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b Morgan, K, The Messenger, "Legs pair's dream AFL call-up," 18 November 2010, Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  5. ^ a b Davis, E. SANFL News, "Norwood defeat Eagles", 26 September 2010, Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  6. ^ Norwood Football Club 2010 Magarey Medal Count, Retrieved 23 March 2011
  7. ^ Windley, M., Herald Sun, "Carlton to play three debutants against Richmond in season opener", 23 March 2011, Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  8. ^ Pierik, Jon (5 Jun 2011). "Duigan talent drawing attention". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/duigan-talent-drawing-attention-20110604-1fmat.html. Retrieved 3 Aug 2011. 
Carlton Football Club – current squad
* denotes Rookie Listed players