Chad Wingard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chad Wingard |
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Wingard playing for Hawthorn in April 2019
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Chad Jordan Wingard | ||
| Nickname(s) | Chooka | ||
| Date of birth | 29 July 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Murray Bridge, Australia | ||
| Original team | Imperial (RMFL), Sturt (SANFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 6, 2011 national draft (Port Adelaide) No. 1, 2023 pre-season draft (Hawthorn) |
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| Debut | Round 1, 2012, Port Adelaide v. St Kilda, at AAMI Stadium |
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| Position(s) | Midfielder / forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Chad Jordan Wingard (born 29 July 1993) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He played for the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was chosen by Port Adelaide in the 2011 AFL Draft.
Early Life and Sports
Chad Wingard was born in Murray Bridge, South Australia. His father is an Aboriginal man, and his mother is Irish. Chad's family has a special history. His father is a descendant of Kudnarto, the first Aboriginal woman to legally marry a European settler in South Australia in 1848.
Chad has two brothers and five younger foster siblings. He finished school in Murray Bridge.
When he was 16, Chad played for the Imperial Football Club. His team won the River Murray Football League championship in 2009. He kicked five goals in that important game. Chad also loved basketball as a child. He was even the captain of South Australia's under-16 basketball team.
Chad's AFL Career
Chad Wingard started his AFL career with Port Adelaide in 2012. In his first year, he played well and was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. This award is for young players who show great talent.
His second season in 2013 was amazing. He averaged over 21 disposals (getting the ball) per game and kicked 43 goals. He was chosen for the All-Australian team, which is a team of the best players in the league. He was one of the youngest players ever to make this team.
In 2013, Chad also won the Showdown Medal. This medal is given to the best player in a special game between Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows. He kicked five goals in that game. At the end of the 2013 season, he won the John Cahill Medal. This award is for the best and fairest player at Port Adelaide. He was the youngest player to win it for the club since 1982.
In 2014, Chad won the Mark of the Year award. This award is for the best high catch (mark) in a game. He jumped high on another player's shoulders to take an amazing mark.
The 2015 season was one of Chad's best. He kicked a career-high 53 goals, making him Port Adelaide's top goal kicker. He kicked at least one goal in almost every game that year. He was again selected for the All-Australian team. This was a great achievement for him.
At the end of the 2018 season, Chad decided to move to a new club. He joined the Hawthorn Football Club.
Playing for Hawthorn
Chad joined Hawthorn in 2019. He had some injuries early on, but he made his debut for Hawthorn and kicked three goals in his first game.
During his time at Hawthorn, Chad often had injuries. These injuries caused him to miss some games each season. He signed a new contract for 2024, even though he was recovering from a serious Achilles tendon injury. Chad did not play for Hawthorn in the 2024 AFL season.
Chad Wingard announced his retirement from AFL football after the 2024 season. He played a total of 218 games over 12 years for both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. He kicked 300 goals in his career.
Honours and Achievements
Chad Wingard achieved many great things in his football career:
- He was selected for the All-Australian team twice: in 2013 and 2015.
- He won the John Cahill Medal in 2013.
- He was Port Adelaide's top goal kicker twice: in 2015 and 2016.
- He won the Showdown Medal in 2013.
- He was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in 2012.
- He played for the Australian international rules football team in 2014 and 2017.
- He was part of the Indigenous All-Stars team in 2013.
- He was selected for the 22 Under 22 team three times: 2013, 2014, and 2015.
- He won Hawthorn's Goal of the Year award in 2023.
- He was captain of the South Australia Under 18s team in 2011.
