Football Background

Full Name: David West

Nickname: Westy

Playing Position/s: Ruck, Wing, Centre Half Back, Centre Half Forward

Playing Status: Retired

Phelan Medal Receipt Year/s: 1991

Years playing in Sydney: 10

Sydney Senior Club/s: St George AFC

 Sydney Junior Club/s: St George AFC

1993 Grand Final Winners

 

Pocket Profile Questions

Toughest Opponent in Sydney?

Jim Richardson

 

What did winning a Phelan Medal/s mean to you?

It was a great honour to be selected by the umpires to be accessed best in the competition. I had made it into the top 5 for three years, so to break through was both exciting and a great honour.

 

What impact did winning a Phelan Medal have on your playing career? 

Being awarded a Phelan medal made all the extra work pre-season, training above the line, all worth while. It certainly elevated my confidence in work ethics.

 

What is your most memorable moment from your career in Sydney? 

Winning 1993 Grand Final and playing to NSW against, Tasmania, QLD and ACT.

 

NSW 1992 State Team

 

Did you have any pre-game superstitions or routines?

I would always do a 2-3 Km run on game day.

 

What is the best advice you received as a player and from who? 

Greg Harris, who coached the 1992 State side put at Fullback against Warwick Capper. (I had never played Fullback before) Greg “Said Run and Run and Run…” make the Wiz chase. So I did and actually kicked a goal from FB.

 

What would be one piece of advice for young players coming into AFL Sydney?

Work hard, train above the line, and expect it to be tough.

 

If retired, what do you miss most about footy?

Playing footy! Running around kicking a footy on an oval is such an amazing feeling. I miss the pre-season running, 400M and 2Km time trials, and of course comradery. Doing tough training sessions and working hard together brings you very close to your mates. Because of this I miss the mateship.

 

St George A.F.C First Grade Premier