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Sydney Stack
Sydney Stack (1) 16.04.21.jpg
Stack with Richmond's VFL team in April 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-04-28) 28 April 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth Northam, Western Australia
Original team Perth (WAFL)
Draft Pre-season supplemental signing, 2019
Debut Round 3, 2019, Richmond
v. Greater Western Sydney, at Giants Stadium
Position(s) Forward / Defender
Career highlights

AFL

  • AFL Rising Star nominee: 2019
  • Cosgrove-Jenkins Award (RFC Best First-Year Player): 2019

VFL

  • VFL premiership player: 2019

Junior

  • Under 18 All-Australian: 2018
  • WAFL Colts team of the year: 2018
  • Perth Colts best & fairest: 2018

Sydney Stack, born on April 28, 2000, is a talented Australian rules footballer. He played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Before joining the AFL, he played junior football for Perth in the WAFL. He also represented Western Australia in national championships. In 2018, he was even named an All-Australian player. After not being picked in the 2018 draft, Richmond signed him in 2019. He made his AFL debut in Round 3, 2019.

Early Life and Junior Football

Sydney Stack grew up in Northam, Western Australia. This is a country town near Perth. He was one of seven children. Sydney had a challenging childhood, often moving between different relatives' homes. He played junior football for local clubs in Northam.

Moving and Playing Football

At age 11, Sydney moved to Koongamia. He lived with his brother there. He then moved to live with his sister at age 12. At 13, he returned to Northam to live with his aunt. He stayed there for three years. During this time, he played local football again.

Later, at 16, he moved to live with other relatives. He attended Northam Senior High School. He continued to experience housing changes. He lived with extended family and friends. He also lived in a home for country footballers in Perth.

Playing for Perth and Western Australia

During his teenage years, Stack played Colts football. This was for the Perth Football Club in the WAFL. In 2017, he averaged 18 disposals per game. Later that year, he played for Western Australia. This was at the 2017 2017 AFL Under 18 Championships. Even though he was younger than most players, he played in all four matches. He kicked two goals during the tournament. He also traveled to New Zealand. He played in an exhibition match there. This was against the New Zealand national senior team.

Under 18 Championships

In 2018, Stack was chosen for the Western Australian squad. They competed in the 2018 AFL Under 18 Championships. He missed the first game due to a family disagreement. However, he returned for the second round. He was one of the best players, with 23 disposals. In another match, he had 22 disposals. After the tournament, Stack was named an All-Australian. He averaged 21.3 disposals per match. He played as a midfielder.

In 2018, he also played three senior WAFL matches for Perth. He won the club's best and fairest award at Colts level. He was also named in the WAFL Colts Team of the Year. Despite his strong play, Stack faced challenges outside of football. These issues led to him leaving the AFL Academy.

Joining the AFL

Before the 2018 AFL draft, experts praised Stack's skills. They noted his ability to pressure opponents. They also liked his calm play and clean ball use. His speed and acceleration were also highlighted. Some predictions suggested he would be picked early in the draft. However, all 18 AFL clubs passed on him. This was due to concerns about his fitness and training dedication.

AFL Career Highlights

First Season (2019)

After the 2018 draft, Richmond offered Stack a chance to train. He moved to Melbourne in December 2018. He even stayed with coach Damien Hardwick's family. Stack impressed the club. In February 2019, Richmond signed him. This was under new AFL rules.

Sydney Stack - 2019 Grand Final Parade
Stack travelling as an emergency in the 2019 AFL grand final parade

During his first pre-season, Stack trained as a defender. Coaches noticed his fitness needed work. He played his first games for Richmond in VFL practice matches. He made his AFL debut in Round 3 against Greater Western Sydney. Stack played very well in his first game. He kicked a goal and had 17 disposals. He kept his spot in the team. In Round 5, he had 22 disposals against Sydney.

In Round 6, he gained a lot of attention. He took an amazing mark. It was nominated for Mark of the Week. He also made a strong, legal bump on Melbourne captain Jack Viney. After nine rounds, Stack was doing very well. He was among the top young players. In Round 10, he took part in the club's pre-game war cry. The next week, he had a career-best 24 disposals. This earned him a nomination for the Rising Star award.

Stack was named in the AFL Media Team of the Week. This was after a Round 13 game. Commentator Kane Cornes called him one of the biggest 'steals' in draft history. Stack was also ranked number one among Rising Star players. After the mid-season break, Stack moved to a forward role. He was outstanding in his first game as a forward. He kicked four goals. He was named among Richmond's best players. He also received nine votes for the AFLCA player of the year award.

He continued as a forward in July. He kicked three goals in four matches. He then missed a game due to calf soreness. He returned for one AFL match. However, he was left out of the senior team in Round 22. Stack then played in a VFL match. He suffered a serious ankle injury. He had surgery for a syndesmosis injury. This meant he might miss the finals.

Stack recovered quickly. He returned for the VFL grand final. Richmond won their first reserves premiership since 1997. He was an emergency for the AFL grand final. Richmond won the premiership that year. At the end of the season, Stack finished third in the Rising Star award. He was also named in the 22under22 team. This team recognizes the best young players. He also won the Cosgrove-Jenkins award. This is for Richmond's best first-year player.

Challenges and Later Seasons

Before the 2020 season, Champion Data rated Stack as an "elite" defender. He trained as a half-back and small forward. He played in both pre-season matches. His strong play earned him a spot in the season-opening game. This game was played without crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic. The season was then suspended.

When the season restarted, Stack played as a half-back. He was later dropped from the team. He played midfield in unofficial matches. He was recalled to the AFL team in Round 9. He played both forward and midfield. He had a career-best seven tackles. Stack continued to play midfield and forward. He then missed a game due to a minor hip injury. He returned to reserves level for one week. Later, he received a 10-match suspension. This ended his 2020 season. He played nine AFL matches that year.

In December 2020, Stack faced further challenges. He was unable to play until Round 5 of the 2021 season. He played seven games in 2021. In 2022, Stack played only two games. He was delisted by Richmond at the end of the 2022 season.

Playing Style

Sydney Stack is a versatile player. He can play in many positions. These include half-back and small forward. He played both roles in his first AFL and VFL seasons. Richmond's coaches believed he could become a midfielder. This would happen with improved fitness.

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 23, 2022.

Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2019 Richmond 44 17 10 9 132 160 292 83 51 0.6 0.5 7.8 9.4 17.2 4.9 3.0
2020 Richmond 44 9 2 2 30 62 92 15 26 0.2 0.2 3.3 6.9 10.2 1.7 2.9
2021 Richmond 44 7 2 1 60 57 117 36 17 0.3 0.1 8.6 8.1 16.1 5.1 2.4
2022 Richmond 44 2 0 1 3 2 5 3 2 0.0 0.5 1.5 1.0 2.5 1.5 1.0
Career 35 14 13 225 281 506 137 96 0.4 0.4 6.4 8.0 14.5 3.9 2.7

Awards and Achievements

AFL
  • AFL Rising Star nominee: 2019
  • Cosgrove-Jenkins Award (Richmond's Best First-Year Player): 2019
VFL
  • VFL premiership player: 2019
Junior
  • Under 18 All-Australian: 2018
  • WAFL Colts team of the year: 2018
  • Perth Colts best & fairest: 2018

Fun Facts

Sydney Stack is related to other footballers. He is a cousin to Collingwood forward Bobby Hill. He is also related to former Western Bulldogs player Brennan Stack.

Sydney is an Aboriginal Australian man. He belongs to the Noongar people.

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