Dennis Armfield

Dennis Brett Armfield (born 22 December 1986) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Dennis Armfield
Armfield with Carlton in 2017
Personal information
Full name Dennis Armfield
Date of birth (1986-12-22) 22 December 1986
Place of birth Canberra, Australia
Original team(s) Swan Districts (WAFL)
Draft No. 46, 2007 national draft
Height 181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb)
Position(s) Half-forward flank
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2008–2017 Carlton 145 (75)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017.
Career highlights
  • Jim Stynes Medallist (2015)
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

After moving from Canberra to Perth as a child, Armfield spent all his junior years playing rugby union,[1] where, among his duties, he was his team's designated place-kicker.[2] After converting to Australian Rules Football at the age of 17, where he played for the local Kalamunda Football Club, before being recruited that year by Swan Districts Football Club in Western Australia in 2002, playing as a utility/midfielder. He worked his way through the Swan Districts junior ranks, and in 2006 was awarded the club's rookie of the year award, as well as being best on ground in the 2006 reserves grand final. He played all twenty games for the Swans' seniors in 2007.

Armfield nominated for the 2007 national draft. He was noted for his fast pace and quick acceleration, and a strong tackling style remnant from his rugby union background. He was selected by the Carlton Football Club with a third round selection (No. 46 overall). At the age of almost twenty-one years when, he rather old for a National Draft selection at the time. Armfield made his debut in round 10, 2008 against Geelong.[3]

Armfield was primarily back pocketer in his first four seasons with the club, playing 60 of a possible 92 games throughout that time, as either a midfielder/small forward, or in defensive roles against small forwards. He became a regular player in 2012, playing 21 out of 22 games, and added a strong counter-attacking game to his defensive abilities, kicking 16 goals for the season; he won the Best Clubman and Spirit of Carlton awards at the 2012 Best and Fairest awards night.[4]

Armfield became a cult figure at the club, popular among fans, and was elevated to the club's leadership group in the 2017 season.[5] Despite the position, a drop-off in form saw him play only five games for the season, and he retired from the AFL at the end of the year.[6]

During his time at Carlton, Armfield studied podiatry, after previously studying physiotherapy.[7]

References
  1. "Armfield's classy conversion". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  2. de Bolfo, Tony (10 May 2012). "Placekick or drop punt? Den states his case". Carlton Football Club. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  3. Blues want to put the brakes on
  4. Edmund, Sam (2 October 2012). "Heath Scotland claims John Nicholls Medal as Blues' best and fairest". Herald Sun.
  5. "Blues finalise 2017 leadership group". Carlton Football Club. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. "Carlton fan favourite Dennis Armfield retires from AFL". The Age. Fairfax Media. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  7. Windley, Matt. "AFL players often get labelled meatheads who can only kick a footy, but who is the smartest player at your club?". The Advertiser. News Corporation. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
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