Brent Crosswell: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:55, 7 February 2026

Career : 1968 - 1975
Debut : Round 1, 1968 vs Geelong, aged 17 years, 250 days
Carlton Player No. 802
Games : 222 (98 at Carlton)
Goals : 257 (92 at Carlton)
Guernsey No. 17
Last Game: Round 1, 1975 vs Geelong, aged 24 years, 240 days
Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.)
Weight : 81 kg (13 stone, 2 lbs.)
DOB : August 8, 1950
Premiership Player: 1968 & 1970

Brent ‘Tiger’ Crosswell was a brilliant, yet enigmatic star at Carlton during the Barassi era. A brash, flamboyant individual capable of winning a game off his own boot with quarter or two of inspirational play, he was also at times prone to infuriating lapses in concentration. First and foremost, Crosswell was a big occasion player – perhaps the best of his time. On a cold and wet day at Glenferrie or the Western Oval, he could often seem disinterested - but on a fine afternoon at the MCG, in front of a big crowd, he was tenacity and skill personified.

Hailing from Campelltown in Tasmania, Crosswell was discovered by former Carlton centreman Berkley Cox, who was impressed when he saw the 17 year-old playing inter-school football for Launceston's Scotch College in 1967. Brent was never comfortable with the regimented college life, and so found an outlet for his youthful frustrations on the football field - even though he never totally embraced the close mateship of club culture. When they first met, Carlton coach Ron Barassi was intrigued by the skilful, highly intelligent youngster, and the pair went on to share triumphs and tribulations at two clubs during Crosswell's 14-year VFL career – even though, as individuals, they were chalk and cheese.

Barassi, the fierce disciplinarian who demanded maximum physical and mental commitment from all his players, was often left dumbfounded by Crosswell, who delighted in quoting classical English poetry to his coach, and to his opponents. Seemingly unmoved by Barassi's fiery tirades at training or during matches, Crosswell would simply offer to sort out the pairs' differences later - on the tennis court, or over a chess board. These matches he invariably won. Then time after time on the weekend, he would go out and win an important game for the Blues with a jaw-dropping burst of football magic.

Crosswell played his first game for Carlton in round one of the 1968 season, wearing guernsey number 17. A classic high mark, quick and intuitive, he won our best first-year player award that year, and went on to be an integral part of the triumphant Grand Final win over Essendon. He played in our losing Grand Final team of 1969, then won his second Premiership medal when he was one of Carlton's real heroes in that extraordinary 1970 decider. He missed the '72 Grand Final through injury, played in our unsuccessful Grand Final team of '73, and early in 1975 - to the chagrin of just about every true Blue supporter - was cleared to rejoin Barassi, who by then was coaching North Melbourne. He had played 98 games for Carlton, scoring 92 goals.

Barassi had given Crosswell something of a free rein at Carlton, playing him as an offensive weapon at ruck-rover, half-forward or in the centre, where his 185cm, 81 kg frame was ideal for these roles. When he arrived at North in 1975 however, he began spending more time in defence. One of the enduring memories of that era occurred in the '75 Grand Final between North and Hawthorn. With the game in balance, Barassi sent his runner out to switch Crosswell from full-forward to full-back. Tiger strutted from goal square to goal square, leaving friend and foe alike in no doubt at all about his intentions. From that moment on, Hawk full-forward Michael Cooke was held goalless, and the 'Roos won their first flag by a massive 55 points. Two years later, North won their second (and Crosswell's fourth) Premiership when they skittled Collingwood by 27 points in the replay of the previous week's famous drawn Grand Final.

After another 76 games and 108 goals for the 'Roos, Crosswell crossed to Melbourne in 1980. He played a further 48 games for the Demons and booted 57 goals before retiring in 1983. In the later stages of his career, and into retirement he became an incisive, often controversial writer on the game. He admitted dabbling with marijuana and once described himself when playing as ‘half crazy, sulky, petulant, ostentatious and lairising.’ In his highly successful stage production, ‘The Club’, playwright David Williamson is said to have modelled his character Geoff Hayward - the gifted, pot smoking country recruit - on Crosswell.

On the 6th of July 2012, Brent Crosswell was into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

A link to his amusing interview on The Footy Show is provided here. Alternatively, one can also access it by referring to the interview section below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Tn5UL6G5o&pbjreload=101

Milestones

50 Games: Round 17, 1970 vs Fitzroy

Career Highlights

1968 - Terry Ogden Memorial Trophy: Best First Year Player Award
1968 - Premiership Player
1970 - 5th Best & Fairest
1970 - Premiership Player
1972 - 7th Best & Fairest
1973 - 7th Best & Fairest

Video

Links

Articles: [tiki-read_article.php?articleId=20|The 1970 Prelim: Ragsy, Jacko, Jezza and Brent] | [tiki-read_article.php?articleId=156|The Fish that Got Away]

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Brent Crosswell

Gallery

Brent Crosswell
cokel001-016 crosswell.jpg
tcscn009-005 crosswell.jpg
cokel003-004 crosswell.jpg
mpasm001-001 crosswell.jpg
Crosswell mark - cazaly classic
Brent Crosswell.jpg
Crosswell.jpg
Crosswell Mark 1970 G/F
1982 Rd 2 Ex Blue Brent Crosswell.
1977 Tiger Crosswell plays in 8th Grand Final (06/10/77).
1970 GF - Crosswell takes a big grab.
Brent Crosswell.
1970 Grand Final WEG DVD Cover ; Brent Crosswell.
1970 GF - Brent Crosswell outmarks Denis O'Callaghan.
1981 Rd 5 - Ex Blue Brent Crosswell marks.
1981 Rd 15 - Ex Blue Brent Crosswell plays 200th game.
1973 Rd 20 - David McKay & Brent Crosswell.
An injured Brent Crosswell.
1968 GF - The final siren!!.
1968 Brent Crosswell series - Pt 1 (page 4 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell series - Pt 1 (page 3 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1968 Brent Crosswell series - Pt 1 (page 2 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1968 Brent Crosswell series - Pt 1 (page 1 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1968 Brent Crosswell May series - Pt 2 (page 4 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell May series - Pt 2 (page 3 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1968 Brent Crosswell May series - Pt 2 (page 2 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell May series - Pt 2 (page 1 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1968 - Brent Crosswell.
1968 Brent Crosswell July series - Pt 3 (page 4 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell July series - Pt 3 (page 3 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell July series - Pt 3 (page 2 of 4).
1968 Brent Crosswell July series - Pt 3 (page 1 of 4).
1968 - Brent Crosswell's First Year (page 5 of 5).
1968 - Brent Crosswell's First Year (page 4 of 5).
1968 - Brent Crosswell's First Year (page 3 of 5).
1968 - Brent Crosswell's First Year (page 2 of 5).
1968 - Brent Crosswell's First Year (page 1 of 5).
1968 Rd 1 - Brent Crosswell lays a strong tackle on debut.
1968 Rd 5 - Brent Crosswell about to handball.Pic; Football Life.
1969 - Brent Crosswell Article (page 4 of 4).
1969 - Brent Crosswell Article (page 3 of 4).
1969 - Brent Crosswell Article (page 2 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1969 - Brent Crosswell Article (page 1 of 4).Pic; Football Life.
1969 Rd 2 - Brent Crosswell tackling.Pic: Football Life.
1969 Rd 2 - Brent Crosswell.Pic: Football Life.
1969 - Brent Crosswell & Syd Jackson future stars.
1969 2nd Semi Final - Crosswell takes a screamer.Pic: Football Life.
1971 - Football Life Advert. with Crosswell mark's.
1970 Rd 7 - Brent Crosswell & Kevin Hall chase footy.Pic: Football Life.
1970 Rd 7 - Crosswell & Robertson.Pic: Football Life.
1970 - Brent Crosswell at training.Pic: Football Life.
1972 - Amazing Mr.Crosswell (page 3 of 3).Article: Football Life (Sept 1972).
1972 - Amazing Mr.Crosswell (page 2 of 3).Article: Football Life (Sept 1972).
1972 - Amazing Mr.Crosswell (page 1 of 3).Article: Football Life (Sept 1972).
1972 - Amazing Mr.Crosswell.Pic: Football Life.
1972 - Crosswell; the thinker & the athlete.Pic's: Football Life.
1972 Rd 14 - Crosswell flies for a big grab.Pic: Football Life.
1969 GF - Brent Crosswell.
1969 GF - Brent Crosswell flies for a grab.
1971 Rd 22 - Crosswell fires up the Blues.Source: Footy Week.
1971 Rd 22 - Crosswell takes a safe mark on the lead.Source: Footy Week.
1971 Rd 22 - A happy Jezza & Jones after Crosswell has marked.Source: Footy Week.
1971 - Gallagher & Crosswell at Caltex.Source: Footy Week.
1971 - Brent's bad luck. (20/06/71).Source: Footy Week.
1969 - Brent Crosswell receiving treatment during finals game.Picture: Footy Week.
1972 Rd 3 - Crosswell; Bold & Brilliant.
1972 Rd 4 - Crosswell & Bourke chase the ball.
1972 - What makes Crosswell tick?? (page 2 of 2).
1972 - What makes Crosswell tick?? (page 1 of 2).
1972 - The 'Mickey' knocked out of the tribunal.
1972 Rd 10 - Percy Jones & Crosswell about to tackle Matthews.Inside Football.
1972 Rd 10 - Brent Crosswell takes a screamer over Southby.Inside Football.
1972 Rd 11 - Brent Crosswell in action.The Australian.
1972 Rd 13 - Cool it Brent.Inside Football.
1972 Rd 13 - Brent Crosswell gets a ride on Jezza.Inside Football.
1972 Rd 14 - Brent Crosswell about to collect the footy.Inside Football.
1972 Rd 17 - Waite & Crosswell 'blue' with each other.The Australian.
1972 Rd 1 - Nicholls in a blue with Crosswell & Keogh in support.Pic; Sporting Globe.
1973 - Brent has grown up (12/05/73).Inside Football.
1972 Rd 11 - Brent Crosswell injures shoulder.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 7 - Crosswell and Dickson fly together.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 11 - Brent Crosswell flies for a mark.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 22 - Doull & Crosswell about to tackle Davis.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 - Big V Rep.; Brent Crosswell.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 1 - Brent Crosswell.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 4 - Brent Crosswell eludes Charlie Grummisch.Pic: Inside Football.
1970 GF - Tiger Crosswell kicks the goal that puts the Blues in front.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Brent Crosswell flies for a mark.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1991 - Brent Crosswell suffering from Minnear disease.Inside Football.
Crosswell on Nicholls: It's only pain!!!
1970 GF - Crosswell puts the Blues in front.
1969 2nd Semi - Brent Crosswell.
1973 2nd Semi - Waite & Crosswell fly to spoil the pack.
Brent 'Tiger' Crosswell.
Quirk & Crosswell enter the playing field.
Brent Crosswell Soars Over Tiger Rex Hunt
1970 - Brent Crosswell and his father Darryl - 1970 Premiership dinner.jpg
1970 GF Brent Crosswell Almost Loses His Head
1970 GF Nicholls Blocks And Crosswell MarksPic: Melbourne Herald
1972 Brent Crosswell UK Posterj1972 Brent Crosswell on UK poster for Carlton vs AllStars London 29 October
1972 Brent Crosswell injures shoulder v Footscray June 101972 Brent Crosswell injures shoulder during the third quarter at Footscray - June 10 Image: Age June 12
1969 SF Crosswell Gets His Shoulder Checked.Edited image- originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
Brent Crosswell 2012 Tasmanian Football Hall Of Fame
1981 - Brent Crosswell.Image courtesy of Melbourne Football Club.
1970 - Brent Crosswell caricature.
Ron Barassi And Brent CrosswellImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club.
Brent Crosswell Portrait
Crosswell Takes A Pack Mark Against CollingwoodEdited image - originally submitted by harmesin79.
1946 Darrell Crosswell - Brent's father 1946 Darrell Crosswell - Brent's father Trove; Examiner Launceston Tas. June 14
1969 GF - Brent Crosswell marks.
1970 GF - Crosswell flies for a pack grab with Jackson waiting for the crumbs.
1973 Rd 7 - Crosswell & Dickson in a marking contest.
Brent Crosswell Article.
Brent Crosswell marks at training.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell clashes with Terry Waters.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell flies for a grab.
1970 Rd 8 - Brent Crosswell flies for a one handed mark.
1975 - Brent Crosswell; I'm not Psycho.
1973 Qual Final – Allford flies over Jones with Crosswell waiting for crumbs
1972 Rd 17 - Brent Crosswell & Vin Waite clash.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell celebrates a goal.
1973 - The Blues at training (1st August).
1970 - Brent Crosswell.
Brent Crosswell Footy Cards.
1970 Grand Final - Brent Crosswell outmarks two Magpies.
Brent Crosswell - 1970
1973 Grand Final Brent CrosswellBilly Wilson 2025

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:13648.jpg|left]]<br>
+[[File:13648.jpg|left]]
 '''Career : [[1968]] - [[1975]]'''<br>
 '''Debut : [[Round 1, 1968]] vs Geelong, aged 17 years, 250 days'''<br>
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 <br>
 Crosswell played his first game for Carlton in [[Round 1, 1968|round one of the 1968 season]], wearing guernsey number 17. A classic high mark, quick and intuitive, he won our best first-year player award that year, and went on to be an integral part of the [[Grand Final, 1968|triumphant Grand Final win over Essendon]]. He played in our [[Grand Final, 1969|losing Grand Final team of 1969]], then won his second Premiership medal when he was one of Carlton's real heroes in that extraordinary [[Grand Final, 1970|1970 decider]]. He missed the [[Grand Final, 1972|'72 Grand Final]] through injury, played in our unsuccessful [[Grand Final, 1973|Grand Final team of '73]], and early in [[1975]] - to the chagrin of just about every true Blue supporter - was cleared to rejoin Barassi, who by then was coaching North Melbourne. He had played 98 games for Carlton, scoring 92 goals.<br>
-[[File:13626.jpg|left]]<br>
+[[File:13626.jpg|left]]
 Barassi had given Crosswell something of a free rein at Carlton, playing him as an offensive weapon at ruck-rover, half-forward or in the centre, where his 185cm, 81 kg frame was ideal for these roles. When he arrived at North in [[1975]] however, he began spending more time in defence. One of the enduring memories of that era occurred in the '75 Grand Final between North and Hawthorn. With the game in balance, Barassi sent his runner out to switch Crosswell from full-forward to full-back. Tiger strutted from goal square to goal square, leaving friend and foe alike in no doubt at all about his intentions. From that moment on, Hawk full-forward Michael Cooke was held goalless, and the 'Roos won their first flag by a massive 55 points. Two years later, North won their second (and Crosswell's fourth) Premiership when they skittled Collingwood by 27 points in the replay of the previous week's famous drawn Grand Final.<br>
 <br>