Shepparton United product Charlie Di Stefano takes a towering mark for Parkside at the weekend which caught the attention of various media outlets. Photo: TLCX Photography
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TLCX Photography
Harry Himmelberg, Mitch Georgiades, Shai Bolton ... Charlie Di Stefano?
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While the latter is yet to play AFL like the three Mark of the Year winners preceding him, Shepparton United product Di Stefano has caused a stir thanks to his gravity-defying grab for Western Football Netball League outfit Parkside at the weekend.
And for good reason, too.
Di Stefano leapt into orbit among a pack of Point Cook markers, channelling his inner Alex Jesaulenko as he went knee-over-shoulders on a number of unassuming bodies.
Time stood still as he hung suspended in the air and all that was left for him to do was to catch the damn thing.
He did.
As soon as the Murray Bushrangers graduate touched grass with the Sherrin firmly wrapped within his grasp, hands on heads accompanied a heavy reverb of verbal disbelief rattling around Merv Hughes Oval.
But what was ringing in his head at the time?
“I was talking to Mum about this today, probably not much,” Di Stefano said with a laugh.
“It was sort of just spur of the moment; you’re not really thinking that’s going to happen until it does.
“I can’t remember exactly how it went, it’s a bit of a blur.”
Thankfully, Di Stefano’s epic grab was captured on tape.
Leader Local Footy, an arm of media giant The Herald Sun, soon got word of the monster mark and contacted the Demons’ export for an article and shared the video around, labelling it ‘Better than Bobby Hill? Local footballer’s mark of the year’.
Di Stefano’s pluck certainly shared an uncanny likeness to Hill’s viral last-gasp take in Collingwood’s one-point win over North Melbourne a fortnight ago.
But for it to gain such volume of media exposure?
Even he couldn’t believe it.
“You don’t expect that to happen from a mark in a local footy game I guess,” he said.
“But it was pretty surreal the next couple of days, all the boys were getting around me.
“It was more big for the team to get a win, but it was pretty cool the first few days after.”
Di Stefano booted two goals for Parkside in the 14.7 (91) to 7.9 (51) victory over Point Cook, helping it to its first victory in six weeks.
He’s played every game this season for the Parksiders, but is still in hot pursuit of breaking into Northern Bullants’ VFL side as he remains on the club’s list.
Charlie Di Stefano last played for Shepparton United in the 2022 Goulburn Valley League season.
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Laura Briggs
The 20-year-old left Shepparton United at the end of 2022 for Bullants’ pre-season, joining Essendon District Football League club Airport West in 2023.
Di Stefano made one VFL appearance for the Bullants in 2023 and, through one of his coaches, Chris Muratore, he switched to Parkside for the 2024 season.
And while the Goulburn Valley boy enjoys the scenery at his new club, he’s not abandoning hope of playing at the elite level.
“It’s been a pretty good club, I love it there. The team’s great and the two coaches I’ve got there are amazing,” he said.
“I’m on their (Bullants) list, but I’m just pursuing that dream of VFL and AFL footy.
“I’m loving Parkside obviously, but my goal is to play as high a level footy as I can.”
It’s safe to say Di Stefano’s effort at the weekend has only increased his chances of making a ‘mark’ at the highest level.
