Daniel Wells (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daniel Wells |
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Wells with Collingwood in March 2017
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Daniel Wells | ||
| Date of birth | 3 February 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Port Lincoln, South Australia. | ||
| Original team | Peel (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 2, 2002 national draft | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Daniel Wells (born 3 February 1985) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He played for two teams, North Melbourne and Collingwood, in the top league, the Australian Football League (AFL).
Early Life and Early Football
Daniel Wells was born and grew up in Port Lincoln, South Australia. He started playing junior football there when he was nine years old. He played for local clubs like Mallee Park.
A big moment in his junior career was being chosen to captain an Under 16 team. This team went to Ireland to play international rules football. This is a special game that mixes Australian rules football with Irish Gaelic football. Daniel was very good at this mixed game. Later, he even became captain for Australia's senior team.
When Daniel was a teenager, he moved to Perth, Western Australia. He became a star player in the WAFL for the Peel Thunder team. His great skills caught the attention of scouts from the AFL.
Daniel Wells' AFL Career
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Daniel Wells was picked by North Melbourne as the second player overall in the 2002 AFL draft. This meant he was one of the most promising young players in the country. He started playing in the AFL in 2003. In his first year, he played 18 games.
In 2004, Daniel became well-known for an amazing moment. He kicked the AFL Goal of the Year against Fremantle. He jumped up in the goal square, grabbed the ball from a ruck contest, and kicked a goal before he even landed!
Daniel had a good year in 2006. He finished second in the Syd Barker Medal, which is an award for the best player at North Melbourne. In 2008, he played well again and was chosen to play for Australia in the International Rules Series.
In 2011, Daniel had a fantastic season. He won his first Syd Barker Medal, sharing it with Andrew Swallow. He was also named in the top 40 players for the All-Australian squad.
After the 2013 season, Daniel had a special honor. He was chosen to be captain of the Australian team for the International Rules Series again. This time, the team was made up only of Indigenous Australians.
At the end of the 2016 season, Daniel decided to leave North Melbourne. He joined Collingwood as a free agent in October. This means he could choose which team to play for.
In May 2017, Daniel wore a special number 67 on his jersey for one game. This was for the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. The number 67 honored the 1967 referendum. This important event allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted in the national census.
Daniel Wells stopped playing professional football in September 2019.
Health and Personal Life
After the 2011 season, Daniel had surgery on his shoulder. During the surgery, doctors found a large blood clot in his lungs. Luckily, the clot was removed successfully. Daniel made a full recovery and was able to return to playing football.
Daniel Wells is married to Mariangela Laudato. They have a daughter named Laudate Angelus.
