Paul Licuria

Infobox afl player NEW


playername = Paul Licuria
fullname = Paul Licuria


birthdate = birth date and age|1978|1|4|df=y
birthplace = Victoria
originalteam = Keon Park Stars/ Northern U18
draftpick =
heightweight = 179cm / 86kg
position =
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
currentclub =
guernsey =
years = 1997 – 1998
1999 – 2007
Total
clubs = Sydney
Collingwood

games(goals) = 10 (2)
182 (70)
192 (72)
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2007
repstatsend =
careerhighlights =

* best and fairest 2001,2002
* 2nd best and fairest 2004
* AFL Rising Star nominee 1999

Paul Licuria (born 4 January 1978) is an Australian rules footballer, formerly in the Australian Football League. His father is Italian and his mother is Spanish.

Football career

ydney Football Club

Licuria was drafted to Sydney in the 1995 National Draft as a second round selection, after having two knee reconstructions at ages 16 and 17. He was recruited as a hard-working midfielder but also was rumoured as a recruit to keep Anthony Rocca at the club as they were good friends. Licuria struggled to get a spot in the side after his debut in 1997. He played 4 games in 1997, and then only 6 more in 1998, not having the impact he would've liked.

Collingwood Football Club

Licuria was traded to the club he supported as a child, Collingwood for the Pies' first round selection, (no.3 overall). Licuria immediately made an impact at the club with his ability to win the ball off half-back; however his disposal let him down, and his consistency had dropped off, causing him to be dropped half-way through his first year. However, he came back into the side and won a Rising Star nomination for a 28 possession game against the West Coast Eagles. His form at the time showed signs of what was to come and he carried this form into the 2000 season, finishing 6th in the club's best and fairest, and playing every game with an average of 21 touches.

His 2001 and 2002 seasons were brilliant. His disposal was once again questioned, but his incredible workrate and consistency were rated very highly. He played every game in both seasons, averaging 23 and 22 touches a game in respective seasons. He capped both terrific seasons by winning the Copeland Trophy. It stunned everyone with his win in 2001, but in 2002 it was expected in the year the club made it to the Grand Final. Licuria's final series was fantastic. Despite a poor performance in the big game, he would achieve a career-high 40 disposals in the Qualifying Final against Port Adelaide and in the 2002 Grand final loss to Brisbane him and Mick Malthouse showed there disappointment in tears.

His 2003 season was productive also, managing 24 games, missing round 1 through suspension, and breaking a consecutive games run of 74 games. He played all games once again in 2004 and 2005, being noted as one of the most durable midfielders, despite his knee problems early in his career. He finished runner-up in the 2004 best and fairest, once again showing his importance to the side. However, 2006 would see Licuria exposed as a tiring player, with his use of the ball continually debated, and his consistency being questioned. He was rested in Round 16 after an inconsistent start to the year, with highs and lows. He played for Williamstown in the VFL but forced his way back into the side after one week in the reserves. After playing few games during the 2007 season, Licuria retired from the AFL at the end of the season.

Collingwood Reserves

Due to his close ties with the club, he was appointed a coach of the Collingwood VFL reserve side under the clubs head coach Gavin Brown. He also continues to play in the VFL for Collingwood reserves.

Personal life

Licuria married British born Barbara Hawley on the 15th February 2008. Hawley featured in a segment of "Pillow Talk" [http://video.aol.com/video-detail/pillow-talk/1334874999?icid=acvsv1 Barbara Hawley on Channel 9's "The Footy Show"] on the Nine Network's "Footy Show" in 2007.

He became a contestant on the Channel Seven series Dancing with the Stars for the 2008 series of the show.

References