WANGANEEN, Gavin

Gavin Wanganeen was drafted by Essendon as their number 12 pick in the 1989 National Draft. He had represented South Australia at Under 17 level in 1989 and 1990 and gained All-Australian honours in 1992, 1993 and 1995. He was a member of Port Adelaide's 1990 premiership side in the SANFL.

His first match for Essendon was against Richmond at the MCG in 1991. He was named Essendon's Best First Year Player in 1991 and Most Improved Player in 1992. He was a member of the 1993 and 1994 Foster's Cup premiership sides, winning the Michael Tuck Medal in 1993.

Wanganeen's greatest individual achievement was winning the Brownlow Medal in 1993 which topped off a magnificent year for him. His other achievements include state honours for South Australia in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 against Victoria. He received All-Australian honours in 1992, 1993 and 1995. He was named young Aboriginal Sports Star of the Year in 1993.

At the end of 1996, he returned to Adelaide to become the first captain of Port Power in its first season in the AFL. Essendon received picks 2 and 25 which they used to draft Chris Heffernan (#2) and Andrew Bomford (#25).

Wanganeen was just as successful at Port Adelaide and was a key player in their first AFL premiership win in 2004. He won the best and fairest award in 2003 and won two more All-Australian selections (2001, 2003).

He played in the opening round of 2006 but was soon sidelined by injuries and retired late in the year after playing a total of 327 games, making him the first Indigenous player to pass 300 games.

After retirement he owned three Anytime Fitness centres then became interested in art and became a successful artist. He has had several exhibitions and designed Essendon's 2016 Dreamtime at the 'G' jumper.

Gavin Wanganeen was named at number 19 in the Champions of Essendon (2002) and is a Hall of Fame Legend. He was awarded AFL Life membership in 2004. His son, Tex, was drafted by Essendon in 2022. He is part of a wide footballing family. His cousins are Aaron and Alwyn Davey; Alwyn's sons, Alwyn jr and Jayden, were drafted by Essendon in 2022. His nephew, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, played for St Kilda.