Dean McRae
North Melbourne and Sydney
AFL career
141 games55 goals
- Debut
- R2 1987 v MEL3 Apr 1987
- Most recent
- R6 1996 v ESS3 May 1996
Stats
1996 | SYD | 3 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 12.3 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 36 |
1995 | SYD | 21 | 10.2 | 6.9 | 17.0 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 58 |
1994 | SYD | 18 | 9.8 | 5.3 | 15.2 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 54 |
1993 | SYD | 18 | 10.8 | 5.2 | 16.1 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 57 |
1992 | NTH | 10 | 12.2 | 4.8 | 17.0 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 58 |
1991 | NTH | 8 | 10.1 | 2.8 | 12.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 46 |
1990 | NTH | 17 | 8.5 | 3.2 | 11.6 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 40 |
1989 | NTH | 12 | 9.1 | 5.2 | 14.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 44 |
1988 | NTH | 22 | 9.5 | 3.0 | 12.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 44 |
1987 | NTH | 12 | 7.7 | 2.8 | 10.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 36 |
Bio
Recruited from Epping, Dean McRae broke into the VFL with North Melbourne in 1987, establishing himself as a versatile utility capable of filling roles on the wing or across half-back. He managed 81 games over six seasons at Arden Street, but as the Kangaroos began to assemble the powerhouse list that would dominate the 1990s, McRae found himself squeezed out of the core rotation. Seeking regular senior opportunities, he was traded to the Sydney Swans ahead of the 1993 season, joining a club that was then languishing at the bottom of the ladder and in desperate need of experienced bodies to support a young list.
At Sydney, McRae became a disciplined fixture during the club's resurgence under Ron Barassi and later Rodney Eade. His playstyle was defined by high endurance and a selfless work rate, often performing tagging roles or providing run-and-carry through the midfield. He played a significant part in the Swans' rapid rise from cellar-dwellers to contenders, a journey that culminated in the 1996 season. In a cruel twist of football fate, McRae’s final game was the 1996 Grand Final, where he lined up for Sydney against his former North Melbourne teammates. The Roos secured the premiership that day, and McRae retired following the loss, ending his career as a respected servant of two clubs during a transitional era of the game.
Profile
- Born
- 12 Nov 1968 (age 57y 343d)
- Height
- 186 cm
- Weight
- 90 kg
Teams
Family
- Father:Colin McRae
- Uncle:Frank McRae, Peter McRae
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Epping, Dean McRae broke into the VFL with North Melbourne in 1987, establishing himself as a versatile utility capable of filling roles on the wing or across half-back. He managed 81 games over six seasons at Arden Street, but as the Kangaroos began to assemble the powerhouse list that would dominate the 1990s, McRae found himself squeezed out of the core rotation. Seeking regular senior opportunities, he was traded to the Sydney Swans ahead of the 1993 season, joining a club that was then languishing at the bottom of the ladder and in desperate need of experienced bodies to support a young list.
At Sydney, McRae became a disciplined fixture during the club's resurgence under Ron Barassi and later Rodney Eade. His playstyle was defined by high endurance and a selfless work rate, often performing tagging roles or providing run-and-carry through the midfield. He played a significant part in the Swans' rapid rise from cellar-dwellers to contenders, a journey that culminated in the 1996 season. In a cruel twist of football fate, McRae’s final game was the 1996 Grand Final, where he lined up for Sydney against his former North Melbourne teammates. The Roos secured the premiership that day, and McRae retired following the loss, ending his career as a respected servant of two clubs during a transitional era of the game.