{xtypo_dropcap}F{/xtypo_dropcap}our premierships in two States, two Sandover Medals, and drafted by two AFL clubs...that was the impressive haul of Subiaco centreman, Ian Dargie, despite being hampered by injury over many of his thirteen years at league level. A hard running centreman or onballer, Dargie's medical history reads like a war zone, and the fact he played as many games as he did is testament to his resilience.

Playing his junior football at Sorrento and Karrinyup, Dargie showed potential at North Beach Amateurs, where he won three fairest and best awards in a row  after joining them in 1983 at the age of nineteen. The following year he decided to try his luck at Subiaco, where he was promptly chosen for the league side in the opening game of the 1986 season, against East Fremantle.

At five foot ten, Dargie was a quick player, with his main attributes of endurance and stamina making him an ideal onballer. His league career began with a bang, when he was reported for hitting Rob Solin, and was hit with a two week suspension. “He'd been smacking me around all day, and as soon as I whacked the bloke back I got copped,” he said. Ironically, acquaintances would be renewed six years later, when Solin was appointed coach of Subiaco.

Despite the hiccup, Dargie thrived as a wingman with the Lions, and, although missing a few more games after a motorbike injury, lined up in the grand final, and was part of Subiaco's premiership side of that year.

It was a good period for Subiaco, who, after being runners up to Claremont in 1987, won another flag in 1988.

It was in 1988 that Dargie was drafted by St Kilda at pick 85. Sponsored by 100 spins.

Moving to Victoria was an exciting time for the boy from North Beach. Despite being one of the last chosen in the draft, he was hopeful that he would break into the AFL, and in round sixteen he debuted against the Brisbane Bears. Used initially as a tagger, he played seven games before season's end and was looking forward to the following year. But injuries kept his appearances in the AFL in 1989 to three, with an achiles tendon, a plate inserted in his thumb, and tears to both hammies(twice) ruining his year.

“I'd had enough, and all I wanted to do was get home to WA,” he recalled. The West Coast Eagles did a pre draft trade with St Kilda, and Dargie was back in Perth.

The change was a tonic, and Ian was welcomed with open arms at Subiaco.  Playing as a centreman, he resumed in scintillating form, winning the Sandover Medal, but running third to Andrew McNish in Subiaco's fairest and best. His AFL career was at a standstill, however, with only one appearance when covering for an injury to Dwayne Lamb. Subiaco played in another grand final, but were losers this time to Claremont.

1994 was to be Ian Dargie's last year in Western Australian football, and he went out with a second Sandover Medal, equalling the great Haydn Bunton's feat as the only players from Subiaco to win a pair of Sandovers. This time he added the Subiaco award to the mantelpiece.

Moving to Brisbane the following season, Dargie lined up with the Southport club, where fellow West Australian David Bain was captain. He stayed there for four years, with premierships in the last two, before his body gave out. “I was totally buggered,” he said. “Hammies went and then the calves. It was time to give it away.” Southport went on to win two more premierships, making it four in a row.

Moving back again to the South West of Western Australia, Ian Dargie found it hard to leave the game for good, and has been involved as assistant coach over recent years at  Busselton, Margaret River, Collie, and Bunbury.

He nominated Craig Bradley (Carlton), John Platten(Hawthorn), and Tim Watson(Essendon) as hardest to beat, and Tony Lockett and Jeff Cunningham(St Kilda) as best he'd played with.

These days, Ian Dargie spends most of his leisure hours surfing and diving, and likes to get to watch the Subiaco Lions as often as he can.

Injuries were the biggest bugbear of Ian Dargie's time at the top, and certainly affected his AFL career, but  two Sandovers and four premierships show that the bloke could play a bit.