Craig Starcevich

Craig Starcevich (born 16 May 1967) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL. He currently works as the Brisbane Lions women's team coach and AFL Queensland Female Football High Performance Manager.

Craig Starcevich
Personal information
Date of birth (1967-05-16) 16 May 1967
Original team(s) East Perth (WAFL)
Debut Round 1, 1987, Collingwood
vs. Sydney Swans, at Victoria Park
Club information
Current club Brisbane Lions (women's coach)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1987–1993 Collingwood 124 (162)
1994–1995 Brisbane Bears 020 0(16)
Total 144 (178)
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
2017– Brisbane Lions (women's) 23 (12–10–1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1995.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 2018.
Career highlights
  • Harry Collier Trophy 1987
  • 1990 premiership player
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

He was recruited from East Perth whom he played 37 games for after he won the 1986 F. D. Book Medal for being judged their best and fairest player. On the back of this, he was recruited to Collingwood in the VFL.

Starcevich made his VFL debut in 1987 with the Collingwood Football Club. The key position player came off the bench in Collingwood's 1990 premiership side and was a solid contributor during the 1990 AFL Grand Final. He played 124 games, kicking 162 goals for Collingwood before moving to the Brisbane Bears in 1994. He went on to play 20 games for 16 goals for the Bears before retiring at the end of 1995.

Following his retirement from AFL football, Starcevich has become one of the most prominent fitness trainers in the AFL, providing his services to the Brisbane Lions and being part of premiership success with his conditioning work. In 2006 he was recruited as part of the St Kilda Football Club's head of training services in an attempt to turn around the club's large injury list in the 2005 season. During the 2006 pre-season Starcevich adopted a controversial policy whereby players were banned from wearing thongs, citing the fact that they could increase the risk of injuries to feet. He left the Saints before the 2007 season citing "family reasons".[1]

In March 2007, Starcevich joined A-league team Queensland Roar as strength and conditioning coach.[2]

In June 2016, Starcevich was appointed head coach of the Brisbane Lions women's team.[3] Starcevich guided the Lions to the minor premiership in the inaugural season of AFL Women's in 2017. By finishing first, the Lions qualified for the 2017 AFL Women's Grand Final. The team lost to the Adelaide Crows in the decider. In the league's second season, the Lions once again lost the Grand Final by six points under Starcevich, in a game which ended 27–21 in favour of the Western Bulldogs.

His nephew Brandon Starcevich plays for Brisbane in the AFL.[4]

Coaching statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2019 season
Legend
 W  Wins  L  Losses  D  Draws  W%  Winning percentage  LP  Ladder position  LT  League teams
Season Team Games W L D W % LP LT
2017 Brisbane 861175%18
2018 Brisbane 844050%28
2019 Brisbane 725028.57%910
Career totals 23 12 10 1 54.35%

References
  1. "Starcevich quits Saints for family". Fox Sports. 2 February 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2007.
  2. Monteverde, Marco (14 March 2007). "Footy Code Switch". Courier Mail, Brisbane. Retrieved 4 September 2007.
  3. Michael Whiting, "Coup for Lions as inaugural women's coach named" Archived 2 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, AFL.com.au, 22 June 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  4. Lacy, Bridget (25 November 2017). "Starry-eyed Starcevich ready for Lions lift-off". PerthNow. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
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