Toby McGrath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toby McGrath |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Toby Jason McGrath | ||
| Date of birth | 11 October 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Northam, Western Australia | ||
| Original team | Kent Districts | ||
| Draft | No. 12, 2000 Rookie Draft, West Coast No. 57, 2002 Rookie Draft, Essendon |
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| Position(s) | Midfield, half-back flanker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | South Fremantle | ||
| Number | 39 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Toby Jason McGrath (born 11 October 1980) is a talented Australian rules football player. He played for the South Fremantle team in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Toby was also on the 'rookie list' for two big Australian Football League (AFL) clubs, the West Coast Eagles and Essendon. However, he didn't get to play a main game for either of them.
Toby's Early Football Days
Toby McGrath was born in Northam, Western Australia. He has three brothers: Bradley, Cory, and Ashley McGrath. Interestingly, both Cory and Ashley also played in the AFL for different teams. Cory played for Carlton, and Ashley played for the Brisbane Lions.
Toby started playing junior football in a town called Katanning. Later, he joined the South Fremantle team in the WAFL. He made his first appearance for them in 1998.
AFL Career: A Quick Look
Toby McGrath had a brief chance to play in the professional Australian Football League. He was picked by the West Coast Eagles to be on their 'rookie list'. This meant he was training with them, hoping to play in a senior game. After a year, he left the team without playing a match.
He then got another opportunity with the Essendon Football Club in 2002 and 2003. His brother, Cory, was also playing there. Even though he trained hard, Toby didn't get to make his senior debut for Essendon either.
Success in the WAFL
After his time with AFL clubs, Toby returned to the WAFL and became a star player.
- In 2004, he won the 'Best & Fairest Award' for the South Fremantle Football Club. This award goes to the team's top player.
- The next year, in 2005, was amazing for Toby. He won the Sandover Medal, which is a very important award for the best player in the entire WAFL.
- He also won the Simpson Medal in 2005 for being the best player in the Grand Final game.
- That same year, he was part of the South Fremantle team that won the WAFL premiership, which is like winning the championship!
Toby also represented Western Australia in special games six times. He played for the state team in 2000, 2004, and 2005. He was even chosen to be the captain of the WA team in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In 2008, his team beat Queensland in a game played in Townsville.
In 2008, Toby became the captain of the South Fremantle team. He also played his 150th game for the club and won his second 'Best & Fairest Award'. In 2009, he led South Fremantle to another WAFL premiership, which was his second championship win. He played his 200th game for South Fremantle in 2010.
Toby McGrath has received many honors for his football skills:
- In 2011, he was named in South Fremantle’s Indigenous Team of The Century.
- In 2012, he was included in the WAFL’s Best 25 players of the Last 25 Years.
- In 2022, he was added to the South Fremantle Hall of Fame. He is known as one of the most successful players in the WAFL.
Outside of football, Toby McGrath works as a firefighter. He has three brothers: Cory, Ashley, and Bradley. He also has several cousins who played professional football, including Mark Lecras, Marty McGrath, and Dion Woods.
