Player: 1988-2003 (Claremont 1988-89,91,93,2001-03, Fitzroy 1990, West Coast 1991, St Kilda 1992, Essendon 1994, Fremantle 1995-2002, WA 1991,1995-96)  

Games: 266 (Claremont 82, Fitzroy 15, West Coast 2, St Kilda 21, Essendon 8, Fremantle 135, WA 3) 

Goals: 170 (Claremont 102, Fitzroy 13, St Kilda 20, Essendon 7, Fremantle 24, WA 4) 

Honours: Claremont F&B 1993; Fremantle Club Champion (Doig Medal) 1997 RU 1995-96; Simpson Medal 1991,1993; Claremont Leading Goalkicker 1989; Claremont premiership player 1989,91,93; Fremantle Life Member 2020; Fremantle 25 since ’95 champion team.  

Dale Kickett was one of the early heroes of the Fremantle Football Club, a consistent Doig Medal contender and an inspirational match winner. 

For eight seasons at the Dockers his attacking dash from the half back line was accompanied by a courageous approach to the game. 

Dale Kickett was born in Cunderdin and came from remarkable football stock in the nearby Tammin area. 

His uncle Larry Kickett, first cousins Lance Franklin and Jeff Garlett and father’s cousin Derek Kickett have all been champions of the game. 

He began his football career with Tammin in the Avon Association in 1984 before moving to Perth and playing three games at Under 19’s level with Swan Districts in 1987. 

Enticed to Claremont by Uncle Larry, then coach of their Under 19’s, he made his senior debut in 1988 and enjoyed significant success in his first two seasons, playing in the 1989 premiership team and taking the Leading Goalkicker award as a half forward. 

Kickett’s flair and creativity attracted AFL clubs and Fitzroy selected him at Number 9 in the 1989 National Draft. 

After 15 senior games in his debut season, he was traded to the West Coast Eagles for pick 78 in the 1990 draft but played mainly at Claremont under Gerard Neesham in 1991.  

A fine WAFL season netted him a second premiership for the club and a Simpson Medal for a dominant display in the Grand Final. 

Delisted in 1991, Kickett had further AFL stints with St Kilda in 1992 (pick 38 in the pre-season draft for 21 games) and Essendon (8 games in 1994 after selection in the 1993 mid-season draft). 

Each stint was limited to one season with further success at Claremont in intervening periods (a third Claremont premiership and a second Simpson Medal in 1993). 

A crucial switch of position to half back in 1993 saw Kickett develop into an outstanding rebound defender, producing a comprehensive win in the club’s Best and Fairest award. 

The new Fremantle Football Club under his coach and mentor Gerard Neesham was a natural fit for Kickett. 

He spent seven years with the Dockers, the longest period of stability in his career. 

Kickett became a mainstay of the Fremantle defence, finishing either first or second in the Doig Medal in the first three seasons, as well as fourth in 1999, and becoming the first player to play 100 games for the club in Round 20, 1999. 

Kickett was involved in what became known as the Demolition Derby in Round 21, 2000, taking the brunt of the penalties with nine weeks suspension, but he was a major inspiration in the Dockers emerging as AFL contenders in subsequent seasons. 

His retirement came in June 2002 after back and leg injuries began to take their toll. 

A final game for Claremont in 2003 saw Kickett finish with 282 senior games. 

In retirement, Dale continued to assist the game and particularly young indigenous footballers in his role with the Clontarf Academy.