One of the most electrifying players the AFL has seen, Tony thrilled fans with high-flying marks and bags of goals, becoming a cult figure in the process.
Tony and his four older siblings spent their early childhood in Christie’s Beach before moving to Loxton, 3 hours out of Adelaide, when Modra was 11.
He played local football for Loxton and the Renmark Rovers, before heading to Adelaide to play Under 19s with West Adelaide in the SANFL.
However, Modra missed his hometown and returned to Loxton, where he booted 76 goals in 1989, followed by 118 to lead Renmark to a premiership in 1990.
He played for West Adelaide in 1991 and caught the eye of Adelaide Crows recruiters, who invited him to train and then selected him as a priority zone pick.
Modra made his AFL debut at the age of 23 and after showing promise from limited opportunities in 1992, exploded in 1993 to boot an incredible 119 goals and set the football world alight with his towering marks.
He spent seven years with the Crows and was their Leading Goalkicker in five of those seasons, winning a Coleman Medal in 1997, two All-Australian selections and was named in the Crows’ Team of the Decade.
Modra was traded to Fremantle in 1999 where he played another 3 years and 47 games to be named in the Dockers Best Team of their First 25 Years.
Known for his flying marks and bags of goals, Modra won the AFL Mark of the Year 3 times, Goal of the Year once and is a member of the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Since retiring, Modra has returned to country life and has a cattle farm outside of Adelaide.
He continues to play in charity matches, and is a popular guest speaker around South Australia.
