Clint Bizzell

Clinton "Clint" Bizzell (born 28 June 1976) is a former professional Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

Clint Bizzell
Personal information
Full name Clinton Bizzell
Date of birth (1976-06-28) 28 June 1976
Place of birth Brisbane, Queensland
Original team(s) Kedron Grange (QAFL)
Draft 75th, 1995 National Draft
Debut Round 6, 1996, Geelong
vs. Melbourne, at the MCG
Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 88 kg (194 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1996–2001 Geelong 075 (72)
2002–2007 Melbourne 088 0(7)
Total 163 (79)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2007.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

The son of Robin Bizzell a QAFL player who played over 200 games, Clint was born in and grew up in Brisbane, Queensland and attended Payne Road Primary School, then attended Brisbane Boys' College. He was soon identified by talent scouts.

AFL career

Bizzell began his professional football career at the Geelong Football Club after being taken at #74 overall in the 1995 AFL Draft. During his stint at Geelong, Bizzell usually played in the forward line and by many accounts, was regarded as a "reasonable" player with some signs of potential, especially in the weeks following his 5 goals against Collingwood in 2001. However, that potential would not be realised at Geelong. At the end of the 2001 season, he was traded to the Melbourne Football Club.[1]

At the Demons, Bizzell quickly rose to become a first class and reliable defender, who was capable of playing forward if the need arose. Throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons, commentators began to recognise Bizzell as a strong playmaker off the back-half and a genuine talent in the AFL. In 2005, he played 20 games for the season, including his 150th. However, a back injury resulted from a knock he sustained in a preseason match in 2006 and shortly after, he sustained a leg fracture which ultimately impeded his ability regain the senior-level match fitness before the end of the season. While he played a number of solid games for the Demon's VFL affiliate Sandringham when he recovered from injury, he was unable to break into the senior side due to a number of factors, including the fact that Bizzell was competing for a spot against some young emerging talent, most of whom began earning regular senior selection in 2006.

Unfortunately, he did not play a senior AFL game in 2006.

Breaking back into the side in round 8 in 2007, Bizzell produced a string of performances which guaranteed his re-selection, including a near best-on-ground performance against the Kangaroos, despite Melbourne losing by a solitary point.

Bizzell retired at the end of 2007.

Post AFL

Following his retirement from the AFL, Bizzell pursued an acting career. He obtained a five-week guest role as Adam Clarke in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[2]

Along with his partner, former Channel 7 news presenter Jennifer Adams, Bizzell produces and hosts a TV travel series, Places We Go, which is broadcast on Network Ten.[3] They have also written a book, Australia’s Top 100 Places To Go – The Ultimate Bucket List.

References
  1. Ahmed, Nabila (18 October 2001). "Bizzell not bitter, it's a business". The Age. p. Sport 2.
  2. "Clint Bizzell on Neighbours". 23 March 2009.
  3. Baldwin, Adam (19 May 2014). "Clint Bizzell - Places We Go".
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