Clint Bizzell | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Clinton Bizzell | ||
Date of birth | 28 June 1976 | ||
Place of birth | Brisbane, Queensland | ||
Original team(s) | Kedron Grange (QAFL) | ||
Draft | 75th, 1995 National Draft | ||
Debut | Round 6, 1996, Geelong vs. Melbourne, at the MCG |
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Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Weight | 88 kg (194 lb) | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1996–2001 | Geelong | 75 (72) | |
2002–2007 | Melbourne | 88 (7) | |
Total | 163 (79) | ||
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2007.
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Career highlights | |||
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Clinton "Clint" Bizzell (born 28 June 1976) is a former professional Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.
The son of Robin Bizzell a QAFL player who played over 200 games, Clint was born in and grew up in Brisbane, Queensland and attended Payne Road Primary School, then attended Brisbane Boys' College. He was soon identified by talent scouts.
Bizzell began his professional football career at the Geelong Football Club after being taken at #74 overall in the 1995 AFL Draft. During his stint at Geelong, Bizzell usually played in the forward line and by many accounts, was regarded as a "reasonable" player with some signs of potential, especially in the weeks following his 5 goals against Collingwood in 2001. However, that potential would not be realised at Geelong. At the end of the 2001 season, he was traded to the Melbourne Football Club.
At the Demons, Bizzell quickly rose to become a first class and reliable defender, who was capable of playing forward if the need arose. Throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons, commentators began to recognise Bizzell as a strong playmaker off the back-half and a genuine talent in the AFL. In 2005, he played 20 games for the season, including his 150th. However, a back injury resulted from a knock he sustained in a preseason match in 2006 and shortly after, he sustained a leg fracture which ultimately impeded his ability regain the senior-level match fitness before the end of the season. While he played a number of solid games for the Demon's VFL affiliate Sandringham when he recovered from injury, he was unable to break into the senior side due to a number of factors, including the fact that Bizzell was competing for a spot against some young emerging talent, most of whom began earning regular senior selection in 2006.
Unfortunately, he did not play a senior AFL game in 2006.
Breaking back into the side in round 8 in 2007, Bizzell produced a string of performances which guaranteed his re-selection, including a near best-on-ground performance against the Kangaroos, despite Melbourne losing by a solitary point.