Carl Steinfort

Infobox afl player

| firstname = Carl
lastname = Steinfort


birthdate = Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|1|4
birthplace = Victoria
originalteam = Mazenod Old Collegians/Central U18/Geelong
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 22, 31 August 1996
debutteam = Geelong
debutopponent = Carlton
debutstadium = Kardinia Park
playingteams = Geelong (1996–2000)

67 games, 19 goals

Collingwood (2001–2002)

27 games, 7 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2002
careerhighlights =

*AFL Rising Star nomination 1997

Carl Steinfort (born 1 April 1977) was an Australian rules football player for both the Geelong (1996–2000) and Collingwood (2001–2002) Football Clubs in the Australian Football League.

Geelong career

Steinfort struggled over the duration of his five year stint at Geelong to maintain a foothold in the senior side, although playing the majority of the 1997 and 2000 seasons. His best effort was without a doubt his tagging job on Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley in the Cats round 12 defeat of the Magpies. It is said that that performance is what wooed Collingwood into trading draft selection 44 for Steinfort's services at seasons end.Fact|date=December 2007

Collingwood career

Along with other experienced players, including Jarrod Molloy, James Clement, Brodie Holland, Shane Wakelin and Chad Rintoul, Steinfort arrived at Victoria Park in season 2001. After a consistent beginning to the year, Steinfort's form dwindled later in the season, failing to register double-figured possessions after the round 17 defeat of Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

The following season was to be Steinfort's last at the club, and at league level. With the Magpies younger players developing quickly, Steinfort's opportunities were limited. Aside from a solid performance against Essendon on Anzac Day, it appeared the journeyman's career was coming to a close. Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse surprised all when he named Steinfort in the team to face Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in the Qualifying Final, but his man didn't let him down, gathering a season-high 18 disposals and scored a goal, as the Magpies trumped a shellshocked Power outfit. Steinfort's September purple-patch continued into the final two weeks of the finals series, first playing a serviceable role in the side's win over Adelaide in the Preliminary Final, before successfully curtailing the influence of the dangerous Des Headland in the 2002 AFL Grand Final.

Surprisingly, it was to be Steinfort's final match, retiring after he was told by Malthouse that he could expect a struggle to play the majority of the following season in the senior side, his retirement paving the way for Murray Bushrangers youngster Luke Mullins to be selected by the club in the 2003 Pre-Season Draft.