Paul Sharkey

A tall defender recruited from Sandhurst, Paul Sharkey served a significant apprenticeship at Victoria Park before breaking into senior football. Selected by Collingwood with pick 22 in the 1990 National Draft, he spent three and a half seasons developing through the club's under-19s and reserves grades, patiently biding his time until his debut in Round 13, 1994. Standing 190cm, Sharkey was a mobile defensive option capable of matching up on key forwards or providing support on a half-back flank. He showed promise in his debut year, playing 10 games including a Qualifying Final against West Coast, but struggled to cement a permanent spot in the best 22 over the following three seasons. In search of regular senior opportunities, he was traded to Hawthorn in a straight swap for Shannon Gibson ahead of the 1998 season. However, he was unable to crack the Hawks' senior lineup and was delisted at the end of the year without adding to his career tally, eventually returning to play in the Bendigo league.