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Daniel Patrick Chick (born 10 February 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Hawthorn and the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. Chick is also well known for having a finger amputated in 2002 so he could continue playing football.

Key Information

Hawthorn career

[edit]

Daniel Chick was drafted by Hawthorn from East Fremantle with pick #25 in 1995. Hawthorn received the pick from Adelaide in exchange for Darren Jarman. Chick made his debut for the Hawks in Round 1 1996, in a win over Fitzroy. Chick missed only one game in the 1996 season, quickly establishing himself as a tough and versatile half forward, renowned for his strong tackling.

He won the Peter Crimmins Trophy in 2000.

He played in the 2001 Semi Final against Port Adelaide after learning that a relative had been killed in the attack on the World Trade Center.

After Chick's brother Justin died from an allergic reaction Chick felt unsatisfied at Hawthorn and expressed his intentions to return to his home state.[1] Hawthorn traded him to the West Coast Eagles for first round draft pick Luke Brennan (no. 8).[1]

West Coast career

[edit]

Chick returned to Perth as part of a trade deal to play with West Coast for 2003.

He eventually became a versatile tagger, shutting down many opponents.

However his 2003 season was impaired by anterior cruciate ligament injuries and eventual surgery.[1]

2004 and 2005 were better years where Chick became a key contributor.

Season 2006 included many highlights for Chick, including 5 goals against Essendon in round 8. Chick played a vital role in the 2006 AFL Grand Final win. During the last quarter, Chick smothered an attempted kick by Sydney's Ryan O'Keefe and—via the collection, handball, and shepherd—set up a pivotal Adam Hunter goal.

In September 2007, West Coast released a statement of their intent to delist Chick at the end of October 2007.

Finger amputation

[edit]

In January 2002, Chick made headlines when he had his left-ring finger surgically amputated following chronic dislocation.[1][2]

Chick was unaffected by the missing finger throughout the rest of his career.

Other

[edit]

After it became apparent that no other club would pick Chick up for the upcoming season, effectively terminating his AFL career, he signed with WAFL premiers, Subiaco.

Chick was named in Warwick Cappers "Party" team of the century alongside Ben Cousins, Michael Gardiner, Lance Franklin, Shane Crawford, Jayden Nguyen, Jack Ough, Jason Akermanis and Fraser Gehrig.

In February 2010 Chick was fined $7000 with $1000 costs in the Perth Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to importing performance and image enhancing steroids from Thailand. He was charged after being caught with nine vials and a number of pills of anabolic steroids concealed in his luggage after landing at Perth Airport on 9 October 2009.

In January 2013 Chick launched a Defamation case against AFL and Kim Hagdorn, and Sports News First.[3]

In 2014 Chick represented the Malaysian Warriors Australian Rules Football Club within the AFL Asia competition, with his debut against Vietnam resulting in one goal.

Statistics

[edit]
[4]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1996 Hawthorn 27 22 14 5 153 102 255 59 43 0.6 0.2 7.0 4.6 11.6 2.7 2.0
1997 Hawthorn 17 21 28 20 150 69 219 57 58 1.3 1.0 7.1 3.3 10.4 2.7 2.8
1998 Hawthorn 17 20 26 9 173 90 263 50 64 1.3 0.5 8.7 4.5 13.2 2.5 3.2
1999 Hawthorn 17 20 25 13 149 80 229 44 36 1.3 0.7 7.5 4.0 11.5 2.2 1.8
2000 Hawthorn 17 24 11 3 265 121 386 84 87 0.5 0.1 11.0 5.0 16.1 3.5 3.6
2001 Hawthorn 17 20 24 10 220 91 311 57 79 1.2 0.5 11.0 4.6 15.6 2.9 4.0
2002 Hawthorn 17 22 31 17 178 83 261 47 104 1.4 0.8 8.1 3.8 11.9 2.1 4.7
2003 West Coast 17 18 12 10 155 72 227 45 86 0.7 0.6 8.6 4.0 12.6 2.5 4.8
2004 West Coast 17 18 6 2 107 94 201 30 52 0.3 0.1 5.9 5.2 11.2 1.7 2.9
2005 West Coast 17 25 14 5 189 107 296 66 84 0.6 0.2 7.6 4.3 11.8 2.6 3.4
2006 West Coast 17 23 14 5 132 108 240 47 71 0.6 0.2 5.7 4.7 10.4 2.0 3.1
2007 West Coast 17 19 5 3 96 128 224 41 61 0.3 0.2 5.1 6.7 11.8 2.2 3.2
Career 252 210 102 1967 1145 3112 627 825 0.8 0.4 7.8 4.5 12.3 2.5 3.3

References

[edit]
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Daniel Chick

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Daniel Chick (born 10 February 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer who played a total of 252 Australian Football League (AFL) games for the Hawthorn Football Club and West Coast Eagles between 1996 and 2007.[1][2] Originally from Northampton in Western Australia's Mid West region, Chick was recruited by Hawthorn from East Fremantle in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) with the 25th pick in the 1995 AFL National Draft.[3][4] He debuted in 1996 and developed into a tenacious midfielder and defender known for his pressure acts, tackling, and selfless play, appearing in 149 games for the Hawks and kicking 159 goals.[2][3] In 2000, Chick shared Hawthorn's best and fairest award, the Peter Crimmins Medal, with Nick Holland, recognizing his standout performance that season.[5][6] After playing his final season with the Hawks in 2002, where he led their goalkicking with 31 goals, Chick traded to his home-state club West Coast at the end of that year seeking a premiership opportunity.[7][2] With the Eagles, Chick played 103 games and 51 goals over five seasons, contributing significantly to their 2006 AFL premiership win, including a memorable sequence of defensive efforts in the Grand Final that set up a crucial goal.[2][8] A notable personal event in his career occurred in early 2002 when he elected to have his dislocating ring finger on his left hand amputated to reduce injury risks and extend his playing time.[9] Following his AFL retirement in 2007, Chick returned to the WAFL, signing with premiers Subiaco for the 2008 season.[10]

Early life

Birth and family

Daniel Chick was born on 10 February 1976 in Northampton, Western Australia.[11][12] He grew up in the rural town of Northampton, fostering an early connection to the local community and its sports culture.[12] Chick's childhood was immersed in Australian rules football through participation in local junior football.[12] Chick shared a close sibling bond with his older brother Justin, who was also passionate about football and known as a popular player for the Northampton Football Club; the brothers' mutual aspirations in the game strengthened their relationship during their formative years.[12] This family emphasis on football later influenced Chick's progression into more competitive levels.[12]

Junior career

Chick's early involvement in Australian rules football began in the junior ranks in Western Australia's Mid West region, drawing from a family heritage steeped in the local game.[13] He transitioned to the East Fremantle Football Club, making his senior debut in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) on 2 July 1994 at age 18.[14] In 1994 and 1995, he featured for East Fremantle's senior side, contributing in multiple matches and demonstrating goal-scoring form, including 9 goals across 22 appearances in the 1995 season.[14] His performances at East Fremantle earned him selection in the 1995 AFL National Draft, where Chick was taken by the Hawthorn Football Club with the 25th overall pick, sourced from East Fremantle.[4] This pick marked the culmination of his standout junior career and paved the way for his entry into professional Australian rules football.[1]

AFL playing career

Hawthorn Football Club

Daniel Chick made his Australian Football League (AFL) debut for Hawthorn in Round 1 of the 1996 season against Fitzroy, where he lined up as a half-forward flanker in a 21-point victory.[15] Drafted at pick 25 in the 1995 national draft from East Fremantle, Chick quickly established himself, playing 22 of 24 games in his debut year and contributing 14 goals while averaging 11.6 disposals per match.[2] His early role focused on forward pressure and opportunistic scoring, aligning with Hawthorn's rebuilding phase under coach Ken Judge.[15] Over seven seasons from 1996 to 2002, Chick played 149 games for Hawthorn, booting 159 goals and evolving from a wiry, 185 cm frame into a more robust midfielder-forward capable of contested possessions and endurance running.[2][15] His development included a positional shift toward the midfield by 2000, where he averaged 16.1 disposals in a standout campaign of 24 games and 11 goals.[2] Peak years saw him consistently posting 12-17 disposals and 10-24 goals annually, with a career-high 31 goals in 2002 as Hawthorn's leading goalkicker.[2] This physical and tactical maturation underscored his versatility, though injuries, including a recurring finger dislocation that led to amputation in early 2002, tested his resilience.[15] Chick's most significant individual honor at Hawthorn came in 2000, when he jointly won the club's best and fairest award, the Peter Crimmins Medal, alongside Nick Holland, after a season of relentless midfield work and 8 Brownlow Medal votes.[2][15] A poignant highlight was his performance in the 2001 Second Semi Final against Port Adelaide, where he recorded 12 disposals, 1 goal, and 3 tackles shortly after learning of an extended family member's death in the September 11 attacks.[16][17] These contributions highlighted his mental fortitude amid personal challenges.
SeasonGamesGoalsAvg. Disposals
1996221411.6
1997212810.4
1998202613.2
1999202511.5
2000241116.1
2001202415.6
2002223111.9
By late 2002, seeking opportunities closer to home in Western Australia, Chick requested a trade from Hawthorn.[15]

Trade and transition to West Coast Eagles

At the end of the 2002 AFL season, following a strong year at Hawthorn where he featured in all 22 games, Daniel Chick was traded to the West Coast Eagles in exchange for the club's eighth pick in the national draft, later used to select Luke Brennan.[18][19] Chick, a Western Australian native from Geraldton, had formally requested the trade to return home after seven seasons with the Hawks, motivated primarily by a desire to be closer to his family, including his wife and young son.[20] This move echoed an earlier homesickness request in 2000, when Hawthorn retained him through a two-year contract extension despite his wish to leave.[20] Media coverage framed Chick's transfer as a poignant homecoming for the 26-year-old forward, emphasizing his roots as a "country boy" who preferred Perth's lifestyle over Melbourne's.[20] West Coast officials, including CEO Trevor Nisbett, expressed strong interest in securing Chick early in negotiations, outpacing interest from Fremantle, as the Eagles sought to bolster their lineup with an experienced WA product.[20] Hawthorn, sympathetic to his family circumstances, ultimately agreed to the deal without prolonged resistance.[20] During the 2003 pre-season, Chick encountered challenges in adapting to the Eagles' team environment under coach John Worsfold, who experimented with his positioning to maximize his versatility.[21] Worsfold had yet to lock in a primary role for the recruit, considering options across forward, midfield, and back lines, as evidenced in an intraclub practice match in Albany where Chick played as a forward pocket-midfielder.[21] This period of adjustment focused on building cohesion ahead of the Wizard Cup, with over 3,000 locals attending the session despite inclement weather, signaling early community enthusiasm for his arrival.[21]

West Coast Eagles tenure

Chick made his debut for the West Coast Eagles in round 3 of the 2003 season against St Kilda at Subiaco Oval, establishing himself as a tough and versatile utility player capable of contributing across multiple positions on the ground.[22] Over the course of five seasons with the club from 2003 to 2007, he appeared in 103 games and booted 51 goals, providing grit and pressure in both forward and midfield roles.[2] Chick's impact reached its zenith during the 2006 premiership-winning campaign, where he played 23 games that season, including all four finals matches, helping the Eagles secure their third flag with a one-point victory over Sydney in the Grand Final. In that match, he recorded 10 disposals, four tackles, and a pivotal smother on Swans forward Ryan O'Keefe's clearing kick in the final quarter, which sparked a turnover leading to Adam Hunter's sealing goal and preserving West Coast's lead.[23] His contributions exemplified the team's relentless pressure game, earning him recognition as a key defensive asset in the premiership triumph.[24] Throughout his Eagles career, Chick averaged 11.5 disposals per game, with his role evolving in later years toward a more specialized defensive midfield position focused on tackling and rebounding from the back half.[2] In 2007, despite playing 19 games, his form dipped amid increased competition for spots, leading to his release by the club in October following the expiry of his contract as part of broader list management decisions.[10]

Post-AFL career

Return to WAFL

Following his delisting from the West Coast Eagles at the end of the 2007 AFL season, Daniel Chick returned to Western Australian football by signing with the Subiaco Lions in the WAFL ahead of the 2008 season.[25] Over two seasons with the club, he appeared in 22 games and kicked 13 goals, adapting to a reduced schedule as a veteran player.[26] In 2008, Chick played 11 games as Subiaco secured the WAFL premiership with a 57-point grand final victory over Swan Districts.[27] The following year, he featured in another 11 matches, including the grand final loss to South Fremantle, before departing the club at season's end.[26][28] Chick's time at Subiaco marked a transition to lower-level competition, where he provided leadership and mentorship to younger teammates amid his part-time involvement. His playing career ended after the 2009 WAFL Grand Final loss with Subiaco.

Media involvement

Following his retirement from playing in 2009, Daniel Chick transitioned to occasional media commentary on Australian football, drawing on his experience in the WAFL and AFL. He has appeared as a pundit on WAFL broadcasts, providing analysis based on his time with Subiaco, where he contributed to their 2008 premiership success.[29] In the 2010s and 2020s, Chick participated in interviews reflecting on AFL history, including reflections on the 2006 West Coast Eagles premiership. For instance, in 2015, he discussed the team's dynamics and challenges during that premiership-winning season in interviews with major outlets.[30] In 2016, he responded to media coverage of the team's legacy, offering perspectives on the premiership era.[31] These appearances extended to podcasts in the 2020s, where his role in key moments like the 2006 grand final was highlighted.[32] As of 2025, his public involvement remains limited, with a focus on private life rather than regular media roles.[33]

Personal life

Health incidents

In January 2002, while playing for Hawthorn, Daniel Chick underwent partial amputation of the top joint of his left ring finger due to chronic dislocation that repeatedly occurred during matches.[34] The issue had persisted despite a prior surgical attempt to stabilize the joint, leading to ongoing pain and performance limitations that threatened his ability to continue in the AFL.[35] After consultations with medical specialists, Chick opted for the procedure to eliminate the risk of further dislocations and enable a swift return to training and play.[36] The amputation, performed just below the knuckle, did not hinder Chick's career trajectory; he resumed playing soon after recovery and featured in 22 games for Hawthorn that season.[9] This incident preceded his trade to the West Coast Eagles at the end of 2002, where he continued without long-term effects from the injury, ultimately playing 103 more AFL matches.[37] Later in his career, Chick managed recurring minor lower-leg injuries, including a calf strain in mid-2006 that placed his availability in doubt for upcoming games but was addressed through targeted rehabilitation.[38] These setbacks were relatively short-lived and did not significantly disrupt his contributions during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.[2]

Family tragedies

In September 2001, the fiancé of Chick's sister-in-law was killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, a loss that affected the family deeply.[12] On September 22, 2002, Chick's older brother Justin, a 30-year-old father of three and local footballer for the Northampton club in Western Australia, died suddenly from an allergic reaction after collapsing at 6 p.m. and being rushed to hospital by their father, where he passed away en route.[39] Chick was in the United States with his wife and son to mark the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks when he learned of his brother's death. The tragedy compounded the family's grief from the prior year and left the Northampton community in mourning, with local coach Alan Fairley noting the pervasive quietness in response.[39] Chick drew on his family for emotional support amid the loss, later crediting his football commitments and relocation to Western Australia as key factors in coping with the grief.[12] In a 2003 interview, he reflected on the resilience required, stating that the move home allowed him to channel his energy into his career while staying close to loved ones.[12] The deaths ultimately served as a motivational factor in Chick's decision to return to Western Australia, influencing his career transition later that year.[40]

Legal and public controversies

In 2010, former West Coast Eagles player Daniel Chick was fined $7,000 after pleading guilty to two charges of importing anabolic steroids into Australia from Thailand, with no conviction recorded against him.[41] The penalties consisted of $5,000 for the primary offense and $2,000 for a related charge, and he was placed on an 18-month good behavior bond.[42] During the 2007 off-season, Chick engaged in a physical altercation with teammate Andrew Embley at the West Coast Eagles' training facility, stemming from a personal dispute amid the club's broader issues involving Ben Cousins' drug problems.[43] The incident, which involved punches thrown during Embley's massage session, was resolved internally by the club without formal disciplinary action at the time.[44] Further details emerged in 2022 when Embley publicly described the brawl as a bare-knuckled fight lasting several minutes, prompted by Chick's perception that Embley had betrayed him by sharing information about Chick's own struggles.[45] In September 2015, Chick publicly alleged a pervasive culture of illicit drug use, including cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine, within the West Coast Eagles during their 2006 premiership-winning season, as well as widespread abuse of prescription medications like prednisone.[30] These claims, made in interviews ahead of that year's AFL Grand Final, prompted strong rebuttals from the club, which described them as "unsubstantiated" and "deeply offensive," while former teammates like Daniel Kerr labeled Chick "delusional."[46][47] The following year, in June 2016, Chick escalated his criticisms in media interviews following a Nine Network's Footy Show segment on the Eagles' past drug issues, accusing coach John Worsfold of failing to contact him during his health struggles and claiming the club and teammates had "left him to rot" by not addressing the drug culture adequately.[48] He also reiterated disputes over the 2007 fight with Embley, alleging Embley had lied about the incident.[49] Worsfold responded by expressing disappointment in the unsubstantiated nature of Chick's ongoing allegations.[50] In January 2013, Chick filed a defamation lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Western Australia against the AFL, sportsnewsfirst.com.au, its editor Kim Hagdorn, and radio station SEN, seeking damages over 2012 articles that allegedly falsely linked him to Ben Cousins' drug-related hospitalization and implied his involvement in performance-enhancing drug use.[51] The suit claimed the reporting caused him hatred, contempt, and ridicule, and sought aggravated damages, interest, costs, and an injunction; the defendants indicated they would defend the action vigorously. In January 2025, Chick was convicted in Perth Magistrates Court of possessing methamphetamine after police found him asleep in his car with the drug in his pocket, marking his second drug-related offense following a 2019 conviction for similar possession.[52] He was fined $500 plus court costs for the misdemeanor charge.[52]

References

  1. Daniel Chick (born 1976) - Draftguru
  2. Daniel Chick - Stats - Statistics - AFL Tables
  3. The little things make Chick big performer - West Coast Eagles
  4. Hawthorn Hawks AFL Draft History - Footywire
  5. #FridayFlashback: Hawks sign Salmon - Hawthorn Football Club
  6. Peter Crimmins Medal - Hawthorn Football Club
  7. Happy birthday Daniel Chick. (Career highlights) * West Coast ...
  8. Chick's smother - AFL
  9. From AFL star Daniel Chick to armless golfer Jack Newton, Fox ...
  10. Daniel Chick to line up with Subiaco - AFL
  11. Daniel Chick Career Stats - Footywire
  12. Chick looks to family for his milestone game - The Age
  13. Daniel Chick | BigFooty Forum
  14. Daniel Chick | West Coast Eagles Wiki | Fandom
  15. Our brightest stars: Great Northern Football League
  16. Player Stats - CHICK, Daniel Patrick - WAFL Footy Facts
  17. National AFL Under-18 Championships preview
  18. Draft Central All-Star Teams: East Fremantle
  19. Daniel Chick :: Default - Hawk Headquarters
  20. Port Adelaide v Hawthorn - Sat, 15-Sep-2001 7:15 PM ... - AFL Tables
  21. 2001 Second Semi Final - Port Adelaide v Hawthorn
  22. 2002 Trade for Daniel Chick - Draftguru
  23. 2002 - West Coast Eagles - AFL
  24. Chick set to head home to the West - The Age
  25. Eagles take Chick under their wing - The Age
  26. Round 15 reflections: Part three - West Coast Eagles
  27. West Coast v Sydney - Sat, 30-Sep-2006 2:30 PM - Match Stats
  28. Favourite finals moments countdown: No.12 - AFL
  29. Chick joins WAFL club - ABC News
  30. https://waflfootyfacts.net/player/stats.php?PlayerID=1073
  31. WAFL Premiers
  32. Subiaco provide blueprint on building premiership team - WA Football
  33. West Coast refute former player's claims of drug culture at club in 2006
  34. Daniel Chick unloads on West Coast, Woosha and teammates after ...
  35. https://www.listennotes.com/top-podcasts/daniel-chick/
  36. Back to school - West Coast Eagles
  37. How Adam Selwood's shattering death stamps AFL premiership ...
  38. BBC SPORT | OTHER SPORTS | Aussie Rules star sacrifices finger
  39. Aussie has finger amputated to help career - The Irish Times
  40. Australian Rules: Finger goes to save career - NZ Herald
  41. Doctor puts the finger on Chick's confidence - The Age
  42. Worsfold unfazed about forced changes - ABC News
  43. Tragedy strikes Chick as brother dies suddenly
  44. Shaken Begley may go home - The Age
  45. Chick fined for importing steroids - The Sydney Morning Herald
  46. Chick pleads guilty to drug charge | The West Australian
  47. The Eagles' dark days: More revelations and an explosive fight - AFL
  48. Eagles players and officials open up about drug drama
  49. AFL 2022: Andrew Embley fight with Daniel Chick, brawl, story ...
  50. Eagles disappointed by Chick's 'unsubstantiated' drug claims
  51. Former Eagles player reveals club's drug culture - The Age
  52. Daniel Chick unloads on West Coast, Woosha and teammates after ...
  53. Eagles left me to rot: Daniel Chick | SBS News
  54. Former West Coast coach John Worsfold dismisses Daniel Chick's ...
  55. Former Eagles player suing AFL, website | The West Australian
  56. Former West Coast Eagle star Daniel Chick fined after being found ...
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