CALTHORPE, David

David Calthorpe debuted in 1992 after spending three years in the Under 19s and Reserves, but after two games didn't play again until the middle of 1993. It proved to be a dream start to his career when he won a premiership medal in just his 13th game of League football.

1994 was his most successful season. He won the E. J. Whitten Medal for his best on ground performance for Victoria against South Australia, the Australia Day Medal in Essendon's game against the Northern Territory in Darwin, his second Club Most Improved Player award and was part of the Club's night premiership side.

Calthorpe was a nuggety half-back/winger who was quicker than he looked and a fine tagger. His consistent form continued in 1995 and 1996 but unfortunately his 1997 season was hampered by hamstring problems.

The following year he had a career-best fifth in the Club's Best and Fairest award in 1998 but contract negotiations stalled and Calthorpe left Windy Hill to continue his career at Brisbane as their number 1 draft pick in the 1999 pre-season draft. He struggled to make the Brisbane Lions team regularly due to injury.

He was traded to the Kangaroos in 2000 and played 13 games but was delisted by them in 2001.

After coaching the Western Jets in 2002 and 2003, he was appointed coach of the Werribee Seconds. He was later the Bendigo Bombers' football manager and then Essendon's football administration manager.