So you think Aussie Rules is a tough game do you? Well just ask Dermott Brereton. Since starting his pro career at Hawthorn in 1982 most people remember Dermott for his tough style of play, being reported for it a number of times and missing over 35 games because of it. The side of Dermott many don’t know is the toughness comes at a cost - 10 different operations (with an eleventh pending) on legs, shoulders and elbows. 

Dermott found his love for footy at the age of seven, playing for Frankston Rovers. To make league football is certainly an achievement but to play your first league game in the 1st Semi Final certainly means being thrown in at the deep end. Playing 189 games at Hawthorn, Dermott spent most of his career under the coaching regimes of Allan Jeans and Allan Joyce. They obviously had the right effect on Dermott as he achieved State selection on 9 occasions and was named “ All Australian “ once. 

Many of the Hawthorn diehards were devastated when Dermott left the club, eventually to end up playing his 1995 season with their arch rivals Collingwood. Being such a seasoned player, Dermott was invaluable to the Collingwood young guns, helping and motivating them to strive for their best. 

Although best known for his on field antics, Dermott is certainly shaping a bold future in the media with his special comments role on radio Triple M in Melbourne, as well as his continued appearances on channel 7 with The Game. Dermott’s life has been moulded by many greats and his sports talks certainly are an eye-opener for any general fan of our great game.