SOLOMON, Dean

Dean Solomon was drafted from the Bendigo Pioneers by Essendon at pick 20 in the 1997 Draft. He had previously won All-Australian selection playing for the NSW/ACT Rams in the AFL National Under 18 Championships.

His size and pace saw him quickly establish himself on the Essendon back half line with occasional forays into the forward line. He was a tough, fearless player, not afraid to put his body on the line. These qualities were immediately put to the test as his debut game was the iconic Anzac Day game against Collingwood.

He was named as a Norwich Rising Star nominee in 1998 and was Essendon's Most Courageous player in 1999.

Solomon continued his good form into 2000 and showed his high skill level and fitness, contributing to Essendon's solid defence, and was a member of the 2000 Grand Final team.

He had a very quiet first half of 2001 but finished in fine style, starring in the first two finals and playing in the losing Grand Final team. He won the Club's Most Courageous award for the second time.

Solomon sustained a serious knee injury in a practice game a week before the 2002 season which kept him out of action for the entire year.

He returned in 2003 to play all 24 games but announced at the end of the season that he would be seeking a clearance to Richmond. However negotiations broke down and he remained at Essendon. He struck career-best form in 2004, finishing third in the Club's Best and Fairest and being selected to represent Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland at the end of the season.

Solomon's form was affected by injuries in 2005 and, although he played every game in 2006, he couldn't regain top form and he was traded to Fremantle at the end of the year. He played 51 games there before retiring at the end of the 2009 season to become assistant coach to Mark Harvey. He left Fremantle at the end of 2010 to become assistant coach at the Gold Coast Suns. He was caretaker coach for three games in 2017 but was not appointed senior coach and returned to being an assitant. He was sacked at the end of the 2020 season and some time away from the AFL before taking up a position as an assistant coach at Greater Western Sydney in 2022. He left GWS after just one year to become senior coach of the Tweed Coast Football Club.