Brent Tasman Crosswell

Born in Campbell Town and educated at Scotch College in Launceston, Brent showed great talent as a schoolboy athlete when he won the Independent Schools high jump event. However, the field in which he greatly excelled for his school was football.

Brent led Scotch to the State Premiership in 1967, where he dominated the match and was named best on the ground. He was widely regarded as the best schoolboy footballer of his era in Tasmania.

It was obvious to all that he was destined for VFL, and he was drafted to Carlton in 1967. This is where he started his stellar career as a champion footballer.

From 1968 to 1974 Brent played 98 games with Carlton and kicked 92 goals for them. In that time he played in two premiership sides with the club, in 1968 and again in 1970, when he was coached by the great Ron Barassi. Transferring to North Melbourne in 1975, he joined forces with Barassi again. He played 76 games with North Melbourne and kicked 108 goals. Two more premierships with North Melbourne - in 1975 and 1977 - cemented Brent, or ‘Tiger’ as he was known, as a legend in the game.

To win four VFL premierships in the short space of 10 years is exceptional. Both enigmatic and flamboyant, Brent printed his name indelibly on Australian football as a player of exceptional ability who could play as both a key forward and a dashing defender.

He and Barassi created an interesting mix; both being volatile characters, they had many clashes, but they each had a fierce desire to succeed and an obvious respect for each other's talents and abilities.

It is interesting to note that Barassi included Brent in his best team of players with whom he had played. Further, Barassi named Brent in the best team of players he had coached; an honour indeed, from a great man in Australian football.

Brent switched from North Melbourne to Melbourne in 1980, coached again by Barassi. He played out his VFL career with Melbourne, finishing up in 1982 after playing in 48 games and kicking 57 goals for the Demons.

In a career playing at the highest level of football competition in Australia, Brent played in 222 games and kicked 257 goals. After retiring from AFL football, he was selected to represent Victoria in interstate games and was named in an All Australian team to cap a stellar career.