Pacy and versatile, Damien Nygaard played in numerous different positions during his 96 game SANFL career with Norwood (plus 3 appearances for the state) between 1964 and 1969. In his debut season, for example, he played successfully at full back, despite being considerably smaller and lighter (178cm, 78kg) than most opposition full forwards. By the time of his final season, however, he had developed into one of the finest half forward flankers in the state.

His profile on a 1965 Mobil swap card ran thus: Judgement and timing, rather than high leaps, get him most of his marks. Plays close to opponents without losing any of his dash. He is essentially a ball player, but has the ability to hand out solid bumps.

He is probably best remembered for a collision with Glenelg strong man Neil Kerley during a match in 1969 which resulted in Nygaard sustaining a broken jaw. Despite the fact that Kerley clearly collected him with a raised forearm, Nygaard allegedly felt no bitterness about the incident, regarding it as part and parcel of football.

Damien Nygaard finished his Australian football career with West Perth where he was touted as a big name recruit, but sadly failed to fulfill his promise. There was still time for one final flurry, however, this time in the foreign sport of gridiron as, in 1974, Nygaard tried his hand as a punter with NFL club the Green Bay Packers, more than a decade and a half before Darren Bennett, to somewhat greater fanfare, did the same.

*Courtesy of John Devaney at www.fullpointsfooty.net

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