Mark Zanotti (1989 - 1996)

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Brisbane Bears 1989 - 1992

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Fitzroy 1993 - 1996

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Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Zanotti)

Zanotti usually played at fullback and started his career with Subiaco in the WANFL. He played in their 1986 premiership and won the Simpson Medal for best on ground in the grand final. The following season he joined then VFL and was a member of West Coast's inaugural side.

After two seasons he moved to Brisbane and had his best season in 1990 when he finished third in their best and fairest. He finished his career at Fitzroy from 1993 until 1995, adding 57 games. In addition to playing for three VFL/AFL clubs he also represented Western Australia five times in interstate footall.

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Career statistics (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Mark_Zanotti.html)

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West Coast Eagles bio (http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/players/playerprofile/markzanotti/tabid/7302/playerid/15532/category/past/season/2011/selected/bio/default.aspx)

The archetypal dashing defender, Zanotti made an early impression but stayed only two seasons with the West Coast Eagles. From there he transferred to Brisbane where he played a further 64 games and was third in the club champion award in 1990. He then moved to Fitzroy for a further 57 games and runner-up in the club’s fairest and best in 1995. As Fitzroy struggled for survival, Zanotti retired at age 31.

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Link (http://www.velocitysports.com.au/default.asp?PageID=1465) ....

Merrett <became> just the third player in Club history - behind Fitzroy's Wilfred 'Chicken' Smallhorn and Alan Thompson - to wear the number 21 guernsey in 100 senior Club matches. Mark Zanotti also appears on Merrett's locker door having played 64 matches in the number 21 guernsey with the Bears and 57 matches in the number 16 guernsey with Fitzroy.

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An ode to footy's untamed (http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/4679-an-ode-to-footys-untamed)
Murray Middleton
Written on Wednesday, 27 July 2011 10:05

Zanotti was the quintessential sporting journeyman. He plied his trade – and it was most certainly a trade – with West Coast, Brisbane and Fitzroy. Like his tousled mop of dark hair, Zanotti refused to be tamed.

He began his career in an era of dour full backs, such as Danny Frawley, Mick Martyn and Chris Langford, whose prerogative was to limit the effectiveness of the opposition’s full forward. This proved a little boring for Zanotti, whose attention span was comparable to that of Rene Higuita, the audacious Columbian goalkeeper.

Zanotti could regularly be seen embarking on bouncing runs through the centre of the ground, seemingly oblivious to the consequences of his daring manoeuvres. It was like watching a drunken adolescent speed past a stop sign at a busy intersection.

Yet, in a sense, Zanotti was a trailblazer. He attempted to play a counter-punching style which has since been appropriated (and refined) by Geelong’s Matthew Scarlett. Perhaps Scarlett’s wild mane was a thinly-veiled homage to Zanotti? Following his stint with Fitzroy, Zanotti moved to the United Kingdom, where he was one of the founders of the Putney Magpies.

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West Coast's inaugural team (http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/1987%20inaugural%20team/tabid/7285/default.aspx):

Backs: Dwayne Lamb Michael Brennan Paul Peos
Half-backs: Geoff Miles Ross Glendinning (c) Mark Zanotti
Centres: Phil Narkle Murray Wrensted Peter Davidson
Half-forwards: Dean Laidley Laurie Keene Don Holmes
Forwards: Steve Malaxos Darren Bennett Andrew Macnish
Ruck: Alex Ishchenko John Annear Wally Matera
Interchange: Chris Lewis Adrian Barich
Coach: Ron Alexander

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Italian heritage: (http://www.italianteamofthecentury.com.au/player-detail-cms.php?playerId=186) Paternal grandparents Italian-born

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