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 major teams, North Melbourne and Collingwood, in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was known for his speed and skill as a midfielder.
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Early Life and Football Start
Daniel Wells grew up in Port Lincoln, South Australia. He started playing junior football there when he was nine years old. He played for local teams, including Mallee Park.
A big moment in his early career was being chosen for an Under 16 team. This team traveled to Ireland to play international rules football. This is a special game that mixes Australian rules football with Irish Gaelic football. Daniel was even chosen as the captain for this team. Later, he would also captain the senior Australian team.
As a teenager, Daniel moved to Perth, Western Australia. There, he played really well for the Peel Thunder team in the WAFL. This is where professional AFL scouts noticed his talent.
Playing in the AFL
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Daniel Wells was picked by North Melbourne as the second player overall in the 2002 AFL draft. The draft is where AFL teams choose new players. He started playing in 2003 and quickly showed his skills.
In 2004, he became famous for kicking the AFL Goal of the Year. This amazing goal happened during a game against Fremantle. He jumped high, grabbed the ball from a group of players, and kicked it into the goal before he even landed!
Daniel was chosen for the Australian team in the 2005 International Rules Series. However, he couldn't play because of an injury. In 2006, he had a good year and finished second in the Syd Barker Medal. This award goes to the best player at North Melbourne.
In 2008, Daniel played very well, helping North Melbourne win many games. He was again selected for the Australian team to play against Ireland.
After a tough year with injuries in 2009, Daniel had an amazing season in 2011. He won his first Syd Barker Medal, sharing it with teammate Andrew Swallow. He was also named in the top 40 players for the All Australian squad.
In 2013, Daniel was given a special honor. He was chosen to be the captain of the Australian team for the International Rules Series. This team was made up only of Indigenous players.
After the 2016 season, Daniel decided to leave North Melbourne. He joined Collingwood as a free agent. This means he could choose which team to play for next.
In 2017, Daniel wore a special number 67 on his jersey for one game. This was during the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. He wore it to remember the 1967 referendum. This important event allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted in the national census.
Daniel Wells officially retired from playing football in September 2019. He played a total of 258 games and kicked 166 goals in his career.
Health Challenge
At the end of the 2011 season, Daniel had shoulder surgery. During this time, doctors found a serious blood clot in his lungs. Luckily, the clot was removed successfully. Daniel made a full recovery and was able to return to playing football.
Life Outside Football
In 2009, Daniel Wells appeared in a fun AFL television advertisement. It showed famous AFL players playing Australian rules football in unusual places around the world. Daniel was seen passing the ball during a soccer match.
Daniel is a Roman Catholic. On October 14, 2006, he married Mariangela Laudato, who is a school teacher. They have a daughter named Laudate Angelus.
Images for kids
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Wells with Collingwood in March 2017
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Wells with North Melbourne in 2012
