Trent Croad

Trent Eric Croad (born 9 March 1980) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League (AFL).

During his 222-game AFL career, he achieved some of the Australian Football League's highest honours including an AFL premiership medallion, All-Australian selection, representing Australia and Victoria on multiple occasions.

Early life

Born in New Zealand, the grandson of Eric Boggs, an All Blacks rugby union player between 1946–1949 including the tour of South Africa, Trent migrated with his family to Australia and grew up in Narre Warren in Victoria. He began playing at a young age with the Narre Warren Junior Football Club and attended De La Salle College, Malvern.

He was scouted by recruiters and as an 18-year-old and nominated for the 1997 AFL Draft. Croad was invited to the AFL Draft camp where he set the draft camp record for a standing vertical jump at 83 cm, which remains a decade later.

AFL career

Draft to Hawthorn

Hawthorn picked up Croad with the third overall selection in the draft. He started out as a defender, playing at either centre half-back or fullback. But he showed his versatility as his career went on, being able to play in any number of key positions.