Dan Currie’s football journey has taken him all over the country. He begun in Melbourne, before departing to the Harbour City. Then Adelaide. Then back to Melbourne. And now, he heads to a new state in search of opportunity.
 
Originally from Eltham in Melbourne’s north, the new Gold Coast ruckman was drafted by the Sydney Swans in 2006 where he spent five injury-riddled seasons before being delisted without registering a senior game.
 
From there, he reignited his AFL dream at North Adelaide in the SANFL, before being giving another opportunity by North Melbourne in 2013. Timing is everything in life, and the timing couldn’t have been less advantageous for Currie during his time at the Kangaroos.
 
Despite strong, consistent form with the Kangaroos affiliate Werribee in the VFL, Currie was stuck behind the premier ruckman in the land – 2015 All Australian big man Todd Goldstein. The 26-year-old managed only four appearances – all in 2014 – in three seasons at Arden Street, as Goldstein rose to elite status.
 
Currie’s survival skills are admirable, but he is ready to sink his teeth into regular senior football and finally be rewarded for his perseverance. After meeting with Rodney Eade and Scott Clayton prior to the trade period, the Victorian ruckman was confident the next stage of his football odyssey lay in Queensland.
 
“The hunger is still as strong as ever. I’ve been in the system awhile now for very little reward,” Currie told SUNS TV in his first appearance as a Gold Coast SUN on Friday afternoon.
 
“It's not that common you see guys who have been in the system as long as me not having been as rewarded with as much AFL footy, but having just that little taste of it drives me that little further and I really want to add to that.
 
“Clearly being stuck behind the All Australian ruckman at North is not the ideal situation, so when I met with ‘Rocket’ and Scotty [Clayton] I just felt it was a really good fit straight after that meeting.
 
“I was really excited that a deal was able to be formalised early in the week, but also the opportunity to be able to work with an exciting and developing midfield.”
 
With Zac Smith requesting a trade to Geelong and being granted that wish during the trade period, Currie heads north to the glitter strip as a direct replacement for the inaugural SUN.
 
Following a breakout season by Tom Nicholls, who grasped the No. 1 ruck spot at Metricon Stadium and emerged as one of the best young ruckmen in the game, Currie boosts a thin ruck department, and is confident the competition for spots will be beneficial for all parties.
 
“With the addition of me and losing Zac, it just keeps the competition for spots healthy and drives the club to improve even further and hopefully we can work together and all drive each other and hopefully we can all play in the same side if all going well,” Currie said.