Caleb Daniel

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Caleb Daniel

| image = Caleb Daniel 2018.7.jpg

| caption = Daniel in August 2018

| fullname = Caleb Daniel

| nickname = CD

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|07|07|df=y}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = South Adelaide/Edwardstown Football Club

| draftpick = No. 46, 2014 national draft

| height = 171 cm https://www.safc.com.au/blog/caleb-daniel-standing-tall-in-the-afl

| weight = 72 kg

| position = Defender / midfielder

| currentclub = {{AFL NM}}

| guernsey = 5

| years1 = 2015–2024

| club1 = {{AFL WB}}

| games_goals1 = 192 (49)

| years2 = 2025–

| club2 = {{AFL NM}}

| games_goals2 = {{0}}8 {{0}}(0)

| games_goalstotal = 200 (49)

| statsend = 2024

| careerhighlights = * AFL premiership player (2016)

}}

Caleb Daniel (born 7 July 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Known for his precise short kicking from half back, Daniel has been recognised statistically as one of the most effective short kicks in the game.

When he was recruited in 2014 he was listed as the shortest player at 167cm (standing now at 171 cm) in the AFL,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-27/daniel-finds-fitting-home-with-bulldogs|title=Bulldogs a fitting home for diminutive Caleb Daniel|last=Edwards|first=Nat|date=27 November 2014|publisher=AFL.com.au|access-date=8 January 2016}} and is one of the few players who regularly wears a protective helmet, having done so since his playing days at junior level. {{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Cherny|publisher=The Age|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/irish-helmet-in-vogue-but-afl-not-convinced-20180711-p4zqwu.html|date=11 July 2018|title=Irish helmet in vogue, but jury still out}} He previously played for the Western Bulldogs from 2015 to 2024 and was in the 2016 premiership team.

Early days and career

Daniel was born in Beaudesert, Queensland where he lived until the age of six[https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/caleb-daniel-makes-short-work-of-a-big-ask-20150807-giu6jn.html Bulldog Caleb Daniel makes short work of a big ask] Peter Hanlon for The Age August 7, 2015 before moving to Adelaide. He studied at Aberfoyle Park High School and played eleven senior games for South Adelaide in the SANFL. He credits his coach at South Adelaide, former Fitzroy and St Kilda rover Brad Gotch, for instilling confidence in him at the start of his senior career.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-04-18/tiny-but-mighty-dog-caleb-daniel-taught-to-be-a-smart-runner|title=Tiny but mighty Dog taught to be a 'smart runner'|date=18 April 2016|first=Ben|last=Guthrie}}

AFL career

=Selection and debut=

Daniel was selected by the Bulldogs with pick 46 of the 2014 National Draft. While he was overlooked by other clubs due to his short stature, Simon Dalrymple, the Bulldogs' chief recruiter at the time, had been impressed by Daniel, commenting: "His decision-making stood out, his ball-handling... He can keep on running. And he's got fantastic agility, and when you've got that lateral movement it buys you a bit more time."{{cite news|publisher=The Age|first=Peter|last=Hanlon|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/caleb-daniel-makes-short-work-of-a-big-ask-20150807-giu6jn.html|date=7 August 2015|title=Bulldog Caleb Daniel makes short work of a big ask}} He made his debut in an 11-point win against {{AFL Car}} as the starting substitute in round 14 of the 2015 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/bulldogs-youngster-caleb-daniel-ignites-western-bulldogs-on-debut-against-carlton/story-fnp04d70-1227428760244|title=Bulldogs youngster Caleb Daniel ignites Western Bulldogs on debut against Carlton|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=4 July 2015|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp|access-date=6 July 2015}}

=Early AFL career=

After the promise shown in his debut season, Daniel took his game to the next level the following season, playing all but two games due to calf injury and playing a key role in the Bulldogs' drought-breaking premiership. In Round 4 2016, he was the round nominee for the 2016 AFL Rising Star after collecting 25 disposals in a 36-point win against {{AFL Car}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/caleb-daniel-snares-round-4-rising-star-nomination-eighth-western-bulldog-since-2013/news-story/d1dac4f32c0b0a23643049e97c02403a|title=Caleb Daniel snares Round 4 Rising Star nomination, eighth Western Bulldog since 2013|last=Landsberger|first=Sam|date=18 April 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=6 September 2016}} He would finish runner-up to Sydney's Callum Mills. Daniel was among the Bulldogs' best players in the Elimination Final win over {{AFL WC}} at Subiaco Oval, amassing a then career-high 33 disposals and kicking a goal.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2016/071820160908.html|title=West Coast v Western Bulldogs, Thursday 8 September 2016|access-date=16 May 2019}}{{cite web|date=8 September 2016|publisher=AFL.com.au|title=Every Bulldog rated: Million-dollar Dog's breakout game against Eagles|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-08/western-bulldogs-player-ratings-v-west-coast-elimination-final|first=David|last=Reed|access-date=16 May 2019}}

In February 2017, Daniel signed a two-year contract extension with the Western Bulldogs, keeping him at the club until 2019.{{cite web|title=Cult hero Daniel re-signs with premiers|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/105805/cult-hero-daniel-re-signs-with-premiers|last1=Davidson|first1=Ryan|date=14 February 2017|work=AFL Media|access-date=3 September 2020}} Daniel had required a shoulder reconstruction after the Western Bulldogs 2016 Premiership, meaning he trained without contact for some time.{{cite web|title=Dog Daniel stays contact free after shoulder reconstruction|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/145627/dog-daniel-stays-contact-free-after-shoulder-reconstruction|date=15 January 2017|last1=Navaratnam|first1=Dinny|work=AFL Media|access-date=3 September 2020}} Daniel played 20 games in the 2017 AFL season, only missing out on rounds 4 and 5, which he spent in the Victorian Football League (VFL).{{cite web|title=Season Review: Caleb Daniel|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/289230/season-review-caleb-daniel|date=13 October 2017|work=Western Bulldogs FC Media|access-date=3 September 2020}} In the 2017 season, Daniel had 12 games where he picked up 20 or more disposals. After being recognised for having a strong season, Daniel came fifth in the Charles Sutton Medal voting for 2017.{{cite web|title=Back-to-back Bont: Dog sets new club record|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/143771/back-to-back-bont-dog-sets-new-club-record|date=5 October 2017|last1=Davidson|first1=Ryan|work=AFL Media|access-date=3 September 2020}}

=2020 season: Best and fairest success=

Daniel played every game in the home and away season, having a career best season and being recognised around the league for his impressive performance. Daniel was ranked as the games best ranked general defender according to AFL Player ratings.{{cite web|title=Star trio earn All Australian honours|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/818592/star-trio-earn-all-australian-honours|date=24 September 2020|access-date=25 September 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media}} He was nominated by the Western Bulldogs for the Leigh Matthews Trophy, alongside teammates Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae.{{cite web|title=Bulldogs' nominations revealed for MVP Award|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/814430/bulldogs-nominations-revealed-for-mvp-award|date=18 August 2020|access-date=23 September 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media}} He was named in the initial 40-man squad of the 2020 All-Australian team.{{cite web|title=Three Dogs make All Australian squad|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/817688/three-dogs-make-all-australian-squad|date=22 September 2020|access-date=23 September 2020|work=Western Bulldogs Media}}{{cite web|title=Revealed: 20yo bolter Zak Butters joins superstars in 40-man All-Australian squad|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-all-australian-2020-squad-afl-all-australian-2020-team-40-man-squad/news-story/0afd69dc07d06bb82aa7daed5cad8f69|date=22 September 2020|access-date=23 September 2020|work=Fox Sports|last1=Waterworth|first1=Ben}}{{cite web|title=AFL All Australian 40-man squad revealed: Power and Cats lead the way|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-all-australian-40man-squad-revealed-power-and-cats-lead-the-way/news-story/fa1fca866e87f826fff1ad117ba55adf|date=22 September 2020|work=News.com.au|last1=McKern|first1=James|access-date=23 September 2020}} Daniel made the 22 man final squad, named on the interchange bench.{{cite web|title=All-Australian team: Danger joins greats, 12 fresh faces|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/510595/all-australian-team-danger-joins-greats-12-fresh-faces|last1=Beveridge|first1=Riley|date=24 September 2020|work=AFL Media|access-date=25 September 2020}}{{cite web|title=Dangerfield leads All-Australian team, but Tigers snubbed|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dangerfield-leads-all-australian-team-but-tigers-snubbed-20200924-p55yza.html|work=The Age|date=24 September 2020|last1=Gleeson|first1=Michael|access-date=25 September 2020}}

Daniel won the Western Bulldogs best and fairest award, the Charles Sutton Medal, with a total of 205 votes over the course of the 18 games he played, beating Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli by a mere 10 votes.{{cite web|title=King Caleb: Daniel crowned top Dog|url=https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/823148/king-caleb-daniel-crowned-top-dog|work=Western Bulldogs Media|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2020}}

=Later AFL career=

Daniel signed a four-year contract extension with the Bulldogs in 2022. https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1149571/daniel-inks-four-year-deal

In the same year, Daniel came sixth in the club’s Best and Fairest count https://www.afl.com.au/news/852388/wantaway-mid-edges-clearance-gun-to-claim-maiden-dogs-bf/amp despite missing a month of the season due to knee surgery. https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-western-bulldogs-stars-caleb-daniel-and-adam-treloar-set-to-face-geelong-as-luke-beveridge-questions-sub-rule/news-story/773480f03fb8c0c90679fe553b98fd1e?amp

Statistics

: Statistics are correct to the end of 2023.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/C/Caleb_Daniel.html|title=Caleb Daniel|work=AFL Tables|access-date=16 May 2019}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2015

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 10 || 6 || 2 || 55 || 76 || 131 || 23 || 22 || 0.6 || 0.2 || 5.5 || 7.6 || 13.1 || 2.3 || 2.2

| scope=row bgcolor=F0E68C | 2016^#

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 24 || 11 || 9 || 279 || 239 || 518 || 89 || 79 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 11.6 || 11.0 || 21.6 || 3.7 || 3.3

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2017

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 20 || 5 || 5 || 210 || 224 || 434 || 59 || 57 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 10.5 || 11.2 || 21.7 || 3.0 || 2.9

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 20 || 4 || 7 || 214 || 206 || 420 || 84 || 63 || 0.2 || 0.35 || 10.7 || 10.3 || 21.0 || 4.2 || 3.15

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 17 || 1 || 0 || 294 || 157 || 451 || 67 || 56 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 17.3 || 9.2 || 26.5 || 3.9 || 3.1

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}}

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 18 || 3 || 2 || 225 || 138 || 363 || 59 || 42 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 12.5 || 7.7 || 20.2 || 3.3 || 2.3

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 25 || 7 || 1 || 364 || 267 || 631 || 100 || 58 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 14.6 || 10.7 || 25.3 || 4.0 || 2.3

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2022

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 297 || 172 || 469 || 97 || 36 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 15.6 || 9.1 || 24.7 || 5.1 || 1.9

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2023

|{{AFL WB}}

| 35 || 23 || 10 || 6 || 295 || 242 || 537 || 100 || 88 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 12.8 || 10.5 || 23.3 || 4.3 || 3.8

|- class="sortbottom"