The CoodabeenChampions Quality Street
27 April 2002
A question. Who comes from Powelltown, had a spasmodical AFL career and appeared in a movie? Give up? The player is Daniel Hargraves.
The pony-tailed Daniel grew up in the same saw milling town as Sean Charles. Hargraves excelled with the Eastern Ranges as a centre half forward. League recruiting officials noted his talent for contested marks and his ability to boot goals from outside 50. Also he could play a supporting role through handball and his game at ground level. The D man gave 38 five star performances in the Under 18 competition. The Bulldogs were delighted to get the youthful gladiator with 1994 pre season draft pick 27. People at the kennel thought so much of their recruit they gave him the number 37 jumper distinguished by Neil Peart and Troy West, brother of Scott.
Hargraves had a powerful physique. 191 centimetres and 94 kilograms. At the age of 19 he made his debut in round 10 1994. Joined an elite band because his first senior kick was a goal. Yet that year Dano had bit parts. But gave an outstanding virtuoso performance in a reserves preliminary final where he scored 13 majestic majors. Rave reviews.
During 1995 DH established himself on the stage of senior
footy. Round 15 versus West Coast at Subiaco. Early in the
second stanza Hargraves was in the middle of a personal
insurance policy pack. Got the voice from Richard Osborne.
With strength the youngster hit the ball over the back into
space. Ozzy waltzed in for a simple goal. Late in the
quarter Daniel took a decisive mark at the 55. Unloaded a
monster for a six pointer post high. The Dogs won in fine
style. 12.15 to 8.13. A lot of Doggies fans thought the big
kid was like the line from the Elton John song
Daniel
you're a star.
Round 17. A tough encounter with Hawthorn at then Western. Classic half forward work Footscraywise. Minutes before half time three and seven took a contested mark. Rattled the Hawk defence by playing on and kicking a curling goal from 40. Early in the third Hargraves short passed to Grgic who made zero mistake. The D guy got involved in a few scuffles. Emergency umpires on the ground for all but a few minutes of the match. Bullies won everything. 8.9 to 7.10.
The third qualifying final versus Geelong. In the midst of the Cats' 10 goal first quarter Hargraves set himself for a mark knowing he was going to get crunched. He was. However he goaled 10 minutes later.
1996. The film 'Year of the Dogs'. Daniel was often in the action. On the MCG before the round 17 game against Collingwood he spoke those immortal words: 'Nervous. Good weather for football. Make a name for yourself'. After the narrow loss there was that haunting scene of Hargraves with ice packs on his hip, knee and calf limping towards the showers.
The Westerners somehow lost patience with their strong man. Too erratic was the suggestion. Easily sucked into biffo. At the end of 1997 the Bullies traded him to the Dockers in exchange for national draft pick 18. Mark Alvey. Daniel wore the Dockers number 21 jumper. Played well in the round 16 game against Footscray at Subiaco. Opening minutes of the third he marked and kicked a glorious long goal. Freo won 15.7 to 13.13.
The man copped a severe shoulder injury at Fremantle. Slow healing is why the Docks dropped him off at the end of '99. 45 games all up. Hargraves is now with North Adelaide in the SANFL.
Perhaps he seeks another leading part on the AFL stage.