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      Western Bulldogs
Footscray   Todd Curley   Footscray

Number:

  11 Footscray

Western Bulldogs

Red white and Blue

Height:

  188

Weight:

  80

Birthday:

  14 January 1973

Period on list:

  1996 to 2001

Senior Games:

  115

Goals:

  47

Disposals:

  1444

Recruited From:

  1995 National Draft pick 29, West Perth, Collingwood.
Honours:   7 Finals between 1998 and 2000
  Half back flanker who could come down and kick the occasional goal. He kicked 4 goals in a match against his old side Collingwood in 2000. Was occasionally put at full-forward.  

Footscray

  
Western Bulldogs Was reliable and gave his all. He was drafted the same year when the club went for 'experienced' players by drafting Jacko, Mark West and redrafting Tony Campbell. His form dropped off after the incident with the umpire but I thought he still was worth another season with us.
 		  
   In April 1997 Todd was the first player in AFL history to be referred to the Racial Vilification  Tribunal. Aboriginal player Che Cockatoo-Collins claimed that Curley called him "a black c**t".. However Curley claimed that that was incorrect and had referred to him as "a weak c**t", and rightfully refused to apologise. The Tribunal took evidence from players that were present and found him not guilty.

 

  
  In 2001 Todd was the first player in AFL history to become suspended under a new rule of bumping into an umpire (Kieron Nicholls). He got 4 weeks that was later reduced to 2 on appeal. He was not reported on the day, but the free kick did result in a goal to Hawthorn. He was reported on video evidence. Todd said his focus was the ball and he did not see the umpire, who reported tingling in his arm and a sore neck.

Nicholls refuted Curley's plea, saying he believed video footage showed that Curley had time to deviate his course to avoid contact. We appealed the decision, hoping to have the verdict and/or penalty overturned but it was upheld. However, the sentence was reduced to 2 weeks and the Appeals Board ruled that Curley's actions were negligent but not reckless.

 
     
  Todd Curley was an underrated player. He was by no means spectacular but a player who generally did a solid job in the backline. He provided some run and was a good user of the footy. In the days when he is not there, when our backline is taking a pounding, we can appreciate the value of having solid players in the backline.

The suspension for bumping the Ump ruined his career. His form dropped after that.		  
     
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He returned to West Perth where, with his brother Adam, he played in a premiership in 2003.