An outstanding junior at SANFL club Norwood who made his league debut at the age of 17, Bassett was overlooked by Port Adelaide when it formed its inaugural AFL list at the end of 1996 - and by all the other clubs at two national drafts - before claimed by Melbourne as a rookie.
He was elevated to the senior list during the 1997 season but a chest injury stopped him from making his AFL debut with the Demons.
Nathan was then traded to the Crows at the end of that year and played his first AFL game in the opening round of 1998. He had a strong debut season, finishing 10th in the best-and-fairest despite playing only 13 games and unfortunately missing out on the finals series and grand final through injury.
His best season was arguably 2005, when he finished runner-up in the club’s best-and-fairest to Simon Goodwin and won the best team man award. The development of Ben Rutten at full back allowed Bassett to move into the back pocket and he took his rebounding game to a new level. This was recognised the following year when he was chosen in the All Australian side.
A broken ankle cut short Bassett’s 2007 and he missed the last 10 games. He retired at the end of the 2008 season - and after the elimination final loss to Collingwood walked back on to AAMI Stadium after the final siren and had a kick with some relatives and fans.
He has been the senior coach at SANFL club Norwood since 2010. Nathan’s younger brother Scott played 15 AFL games for Port Adelaide and then another 15 with the Western Bulldogs.
Nathan Bassett at the Crows
Guernsey number: 8
Crows debut: Round 1 v Carlton, 1998.
AFC games: 210. AFC goals: 25.
Recruited from: Melbourne.
Trade from Melbourne for Matthew Collins, Brent Williams
DOB: December 7, 1976.
He said: “It’s been difficult for me to keep up, but I think I’ve been able to move with the changes and continue to play pretty decent football."
Random info:
• While at Melbourne, Bassett was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and he
had to learn to juggle his health with the demands of elite sport.
• He took 22 marks in a four-point win over Collingwood at AAMI Stadium
in 2006, when he racked up a career best 31 disposals.
• He kicked a career-best three goals in the 2002 preliminary final loss to
Collingwood at the MCG.
Random info:
Year | Games |
1998 | 13 |
1999 | 21 |
2000 | 18 |
2001 | 13 |
2002 | 20 |
2003 | 21 |
2004 | 21 |
2005 | 25 |
2006 | 22 |
2007 | 13 |
2008 | 23 |
