Daniel McAlister (born 22 August 1978 in New Zealand[1]) is an Australian rules footballer notable for his brief appearance in the Australian Football League for the Essendon Football Club.

Daniel McAlister
Personal information
Full name Daniel McAlister
Date of birth (1978-08-22) 22 August 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth New Zealand
Original team(s) Tassie Mariners
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 88 kg (194 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1997, 2001–02 Essendon 6 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2002.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

McAlister was born in New Zealand. Of Māori heritage, he is one of few Maori Australians in the history of the VFL/AFL. McAlister grew up playing rugby union and rugby league as a junior in Taranaki. His family emigrated to Tasmania when Daniel was 12, and after starting as a boundary umpire he played junior Australian rules in Smithton before moving to Hobart where he was selected in the Under 18 state team.

The 185 cm, 88 kg solidly built McAlister played just six games in three seasons between 1997 and 2002. Originally drafted with pick 5 in the 1996 AFL Draft, McAlister was delisted after playing just two senior games. Surprisingly, he was re-drafted in the 2001 AFL Draft, picked up again by Essendon at pick #64. He was delisted at the end of 2002, after which he was signed to play for the Wodonga Raiders in country Victoria.

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