Damian Cupido

Damian Cupido (born 11 March 1982) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Lions and Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Damian Cupido
Personal information
Date of birth (1982-03-11) 11 March 1982
Place of birth South Africa
Original team(s) Croydon/Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup)
Debut Round 11, 2000, Brisbane Lions
vs. Sydney Swans, at Sydney Cricket Ground
Height 184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 95 kg (209 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2000–2002 Brisbane Lions 13 (16)
2003–2005 Essendon 40 (50)
Total 53 (66)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2005.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

AFL career

In 2003 Cupido had his best year to date. He booted 40 goals for the season in his small/medium forward role and was a very exciting and at times dominant player.[1]

In 2004 Cupido had an indifferent year, suffering for most of the year with a knee injury. It was hoped he could bounce back in 2005, but it turned out he could not. At one stage early in the season, Cupido suffered a public blast from coach Kevin Sheedy in the media, and Cupido was not only dropped to the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL, but one level further, to the Bendigo reserves team. Eventually he fought his way back into the Essendon side but he never looked like recapturing his form. At the end of the 2005 season, Cupido was delisted from the Bombers.[2]

SANFL career

Cupido continued his football career in the SANFL with South Adelaide Football Club in the 2006 season, hoping to get a second chance in the AFL via the 2007 Pre-season draft.[2] He did not get picked in the draft after his first season and left South Adelaide to play for West Adelaide, where he was the club's leading goal scorer in 2007.[3] In 2009, Cupido was stood down from West Adelaide to deal with a gambling problem.[4] He played a total of 72 games in the SANFL; 51 with West Adelaide and 21 with South Adelaide.[4]

Ovens and Murray Football League

In 2010, Cupido was recruited to North Albury Football Club in the Ovens and Murray Football League.[5]

References
  1. Pearce, Linda (12 September 2003). "Cupido grows into new boots".
  2. Niall, Jake (13 December 2005). "Talent-to-burn Cupido's career turns to ashes". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  3. "Honour Table". West Adelaide Football Club. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. Keller, Candice (5 August 2009). "Damian Cupido stood down over gambling addiction". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  5. Seewang, Niall (28 January 2010). "Hoppers snare Cupido". The Border Mail. Albury. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
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