Dennis Carroll

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Dennis Carroll (born ?, 19)is a former Australian rules footballer for the Sydney Swans in the VFL/AFL.

From Ganmain, a town outside of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Carroll came from a football family. Carroll's father Laurie (St Kilda Football Club) and uncle Tom (Carlton Football Club) also played in the VFL/AFL. Dennis played junior football for Lockhart, Wagga Wagga and Tumburumba and a season with the Albury Football Club in the Ovens & Murray Football League.

Carroll was recruited by the Swans in the VFL via a zoning rule, which enabled the Swans to recruit players from New South Wales.

His first season was playing out of the Lake Oval in Melbourne in 1981, before moving with the Swans permanently to Sydney.

Carroll, a back flanker became known as one of the finest kicks in the VFL, with the ability to dispose of the ball equally well on either foot.

As an experienced campaigner and local product, Carroll was selected to captain the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League, an honour which he held for seven seasons between 1986 and 1992, during some of the club's darkest days and the brink of extinction.

He represented Victoria and New South Wales in State of Origin level.

Carroll retired from the AFL in 1993. During his career he totalled 219 games for the Swans and was named on the Swans team of the century.

The award for the most improved player at the Sydney Swans, the Dennis Carroll Trophy is named after him.

After retiring in 1993, Dennis spent four years as Swans reserves coach and was later the Swans match committee chairman.

Ben Carroll, dennis's son now has a scholoship with geelong.

Dennis continues to reside with his family in Sydney.