Ang Christou

Career: 1991-2002
Debut: Round 24, 1991 vs Richmond
974th Carlton Player
Games: 151
Goals: 18
Last Game: Round 22, 2002 vs Essendon
Guernsey No. 39 (Also #56 in one game)
Height: 190cm
Weight: 90kg
DOB: 16 January, 1972
Premiership Player 1995
AFL Rising Star Nominee: Round 18, 1993


Ang Christou was a long-kicking left footed defender who would play 151 games in the #39 guernsey for the Blues. While 'Ang' was short for Evangelis, Christou was probably better known as 'Woof' after he inherited the Perovic woof as he booted with the left boot.

Recruited locally from East Brunswick (he also played for Princes Hill, Carlton Juniors and Carlton NSJFL). Ang has been involved with the Club since commencing in the Carlton Under 19s in 1989 and made his debut in Round 24, 1991 (wearing the #56 Guernsey). In 1993 Christou began to make his mark with 18 games including a game or two at half forward (Round 18 v the Hawks, Christou would kick 4 goals), and then 24 in 1994.

But 1995 was his year. Christou was a member of the 1995 Carlton Premiership side and was selected in the All Australian side in the same year. It was this year that his dash from defence and superb delivery with the 'woof' foot were prominent. The Christou right foot kick was as rare as a right handed handball for this very one-sided player. But it didn' matter in the end - in 1995 his skill and desperation, with 50 tackles for the year, were prominent. Throughout 1995 Christou would have the stats of a midfielder, regularly earning 20 possessions even from the last line of defence.

His career was threatened in 1997 with a debilitating back complaint that forced him to miss almost two years of football. Such was the extent of the back complaint that his initial objective was to actually walk before contemplating being able to run or even think about returning to football.

Ang was able to return to senior football, playing the final 4 reserves games of 1998, before making his long awaited senior return at the start of the 1999 season. He would go on to play a further 46 senior games for Carlton, though continue to be troubled by injuries- a foot problem in 1999, a knee problem in 2000 and 2001 and a broken arm in 2002. He played 10-13 games in seasons 1999-2002. Christou returned to his defensive role but to be fair, he was not the same player, losing some dash and distance with his left. But the fact that he returned at all was a great thing for Christou and fans alike. Ang was a member of the 1999 Carlton Grand Final side, despite his struggle with injuries and form. He reached the 150 game milestone in a Carlton victory in Round 21, 2002, but would play only one more game, before being delisted at the end of that season, aged 30.

In a slightly interesting statistical point to Christou's career, Christou retains the record for games played in 2 different guernseys (#56 and #39) - the only Blue to have such a record! Incidentally, he also maintains the goal kicking record for both guernseys despite predominantly playing in defence.

At the end of his playing career, Christou would travel overseas, and later go back and play grass-roots footy. In 2010, he lined up with EDFL club Craigieburn with former team-mate Lance Whitnall, that was being coached by Ex-Bomber Paul Barnard.

A highly talented athlete, beyond the guise of mere footballer, his complementary skills became a mainstay in defense prior to long term injury. Armed with a lethal left boot, which rivaled perfection, each kick possessed a speed, depth, weight and accuracy that few contemporaries could match.

Career Highlights

1993 AFL Rising Star nominee
1994 5th Best & Fairest
1995 Equal 10th Best & Fairest
1995 Premiership Player
1996 8th Best & Fairest

Links

Articles: The BIG Numbers

Blueseum: Summary of playing statistics for Ang Christou | Career Breakdown | Christou's Blueseum Image Gallery

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