DEMPSEY, Courtenay

Courtenay Dempsey was recruited from Morningside in Queensland at pick 19 in the 2005 National Draft.

He made his debut the following season in the Round 7 loss to Carlton at the MCG. He played five games in his debut season but found wins hard to come by and had to wait until his third season, 2008, to sing the Club song, in what was his seventh senior game.

At his best, Dempsey was a creative and skilful back line player with speed to burn and he brought flair and courage to his game. He could electrify Bomber fans with his pace and weaving runs from the backline, but he was to suffer more than his fair share of injuries, which regularly interrupted his career.

In 2008, he suffered leg problems which reduced his opportunities but he was back in 2009 and really hit his straps, playing 20 games in that and the following season.

An injury to his anterior crucitate ligament in Round 4, 2011, required a knee reconstruction and finished his year, but he bounced back the following year with another 20 games.

While opportunities to score were few, Dempsey managed a career-high three goals against the Bulldogs in Round 19, 2013. But three weeks later a hamstring injury finished his season four weeks early.

In the Round 23 game against Gold Coast at Docklands, Dempsey provided one of the most remarkable pieces of play when he mis-timed his bounce of the ball while running at at full tilt, only to flick the ball with his heel over his head and back into his arms without breaking stride.

He was not one of the players suspended due to the supplements saga so was able to play 15 games in 2016 but he was delisted at the end of the year. The Club thanked him for his contribution over many seasons and also for his work as a mentor to the Club's younger Indigenous players.

After retirement, Dempsey played with Greenvale Football Club for six years.

Draft history: #19 (2005 National Draft)