CUPIDO, Damian

Damian Cupido had outstanding skills and an ability to kick goals, but his AFL career was short-lived.

He represented Victoria at Under 16 level in 1997 and 1998. The following year he toured Ireland with an AFL/AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) squad and was Victoria's leading goalkicker at the 1999 All-Australian Carnival.

Cupido was Brisbane Lions' first draft pick (6th overall) when he was picked up by them in 1999 and made his debut for the Lions in Round 13, 2000, kicking two goals against Sydney and finishing the season with six games. He played a further seven games in 2001 but injured his shoulder and was unable to find his way back into the classy Brisbane premiership side. His shoulder problems kept him out of AFL action for all of 2002 and after 13 games with Brisbane, Cupido was picked up by Essendon, the team he followed as a boy. Brisbane traded him and pick 15 to Essendon for Blake Caracella.

He made his debut for Essendon in Round 1, 2003, against his old side, Brisbane, where he kicked Essendon's first goal of the game and finished among the best that day. He played 23 games in his debut season for Essendon scoring 39 goals and winning the Best First Year Player award for his effort.

He played six games in 2004 missing much of the season due to injury.

Cupido made 11 appearances in 2005 to reach a total of 50 senior games in the AFL, which coach Sheedy believed was a milestone he had reached too easily. He seemed to frustrate fans and coaches alike with his casual approach to the game.

He was delisted at the end of 2005 after playing 40 games for Essendon over three seasons.

Cupido was born in Capetown and was the first player of South African descent to play in the AFL. His grandfather, Eric Boggs was a New Zealand All Blacks representative.