| Stephen Jurica | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Stephen Jurica | ||
| Born | (1976-06-26)26 June 1976 (age 49) | ||
| Original team | South Fremantle | ||
| Draft | 26th,1993 AFL draft | ||
| Height | 194 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Weight | 104 kg (229 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1995–1997 | Richmond | 18 (25) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1997. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources:AFL Tables,AustralianFootball.com | |||
Stephen Jurica (born 26 June 1976) is a formerAustralian rules footballer who played withRichmond in theAustralian Football League (AFL) during the 1990s. Jurica attendedChristian Brothers College, Fremantle.
A product of theSouth Fremantle colts, Jurica was just 17 when he was drafted by Richmond, with the 26th selection of the1993 AFL draft.[1] He came into the Richmond team halfway through the1995 AFL season to replace injured key forward Matthew Richardson and performed creditably. In the now famous draw against Essendon, Jurica kicked five goals and later in the season kicked four goals in a win over Collingwood to win a1995 AFL Rising Star nomination. He ended the season playing in a qualifying final and finished with 21 goals for the year.[2]
Despite some impressive performances in his debut season, Jurica was delisted after adding just five further games in 1996 and 1997. He starred in Richmond's 1997 reserves premiership, kicking five goals in the grand final.[3]
Jurica, who now works as abarrister, won theNorth Ballarat Football Club's "Best and Fairest" award in 2003.