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27
Craig
STARCEVICH
Craig
STARCEVICH
1987-1993
CENTRE HALF-FORWARD
193cm
96kg
Recruited From
East Perth
Collingwood Debut
Round 1, 1987
Date of Birth
16 May 1967
thumbnail
124
CFC GAMES
162
CFC GOALS
7
Finals
894
CFC Debut Number
CAREER AVERAGES
Disposals
15.5
Kicks
9.9
Handballs
5.6
Goals
1.3

A tall and lean key position player, Starcevich is famous for his role in Collingwood's 1990 premiership triumph.

He was an outside chance to claim the Norm Smith Medal as best afield until a heavy blow from Essendon defender Terry Daniher put an early end to his day.

Starcevich was recruited from East Perth, for whom he played 37 games for after he won the 1986 F. D. Book Medal as the club's best and fairest player.

His performances caught the eye of the VFL recruiters and he was recruited to Collingwood ahead of the 1987 season.

Starcevich made his VFL debut in 1987 with Collingwood, debuting alongside six other young Magpies against Sydney in round one before kicking six goals from 26 disposals in just his second game against Carlton in round two.

He played 13 games for the season, netting 23 goals and the Harry Collier Trophy as his team's Best First Year Player at the tender age of 19.

He kicked on in 1988, kicking 27 goals from 21 games, including four against Carlton in the Qualifying Final loss.

He stamped himself as a finals performer when he kicked three goals from eight scoring shots in the loss to Melbourne twelve months later, but couldn't quite nail down a regular place in the senior side the following year until September rolled around.

He kicked four goals against North Melbourne in the final home and away game and, despite missing the Qualifying Final Replay, shone on Grand Final day, taking seven marks and winning 13 disposals in just over a half of footy before Daniher ended his day.

He cemented himself as a regular in the three years that followed, only to be traded to Brisbane along with youngster Troy Lehmann at the end of 1993 season in exchange for Bears prodigy Nathan Buckley. After 124 games and 162 goals, Starcevich made a further 20 appearances for the Bears in his final two years to close his career with 144 games to his name.

Following his retirement, Starcevich became Brisbane's fitness guru, overseeing its players as they won three premierships in a row, two of which were against Collingwood in 2002 and 2003.

He later spent time as a conditioning coach with St Kilda and soccer club Queensland Roar.

CFC Career Stats

Season played Games Goals Finals Win %
1987-1993 124 162 7 60.5%

CFC Season by Season Stats

Season GP GL B K H T D Guernsey No.
Full Name
Craig Starcevich
CFC Last Game
Round 22 1993
Total AFL Games
144
Total AFL Goals
178

Other CFC Games

Team League Years Played Games Goals
Collingwood Night/Pre-season 1987 - 1993 6 4
Collingwood Reserves 1987 - 1993 11 7

Also Played For

Team League Years Played Games Goals
Brisbane Bears AFL 1994 - 1995 20 16

Awards

Best First Year Player (Harry Collier Trophy)
1987
CFC Life Member
2010
Premiership
1990