This weekend the Club celebrates Theo Moraitis’s 150 th open-age game for the Pennant Hills Demons.
Now 29, in his 13 th season with the Demons, Theo is one of the club’s most prolific goal-scorers, with a goal
tally currently exceeding 320. From 8 games this season, he has kicked
14 goals so far.
A former Pennant Hills junior, Theo joined the senior club in 2012 playing in the Under 18/19s. He was a member of the Under 18 Premiership side in 2013 and made his first grade debut in 2014. His senior debut was also the start of his career as a forward and he credits this astute decision to former Senior Coach Chris Yard who obviously saw potential in Theo’s marking and kicking abilities.
From 2015 Theo has played exclusively in the Premier Division side and has gained a reputation as one of the league’s best goal-kicking spearheads. He has kicked more than 320 first grade goals and has been the senior side’s Leading Goalkicker for a record 5 seasons. His best is 69 goals in 2019, placing him second in the league’s goal-kicking ladder that year.
Theo was a key member of the 2015 Premier Division Premiership side kicking 2 goals and rated 3rd best on the ground for Penno. In an epic Grand Final, Penno won the match with a blistering final quarter, coming from behind, to win by 35 pts.
In Round 17, 2017, Theo suffered a “horrific” injury when playing against Sydney University on the Uni No 1 oval. In what seemed an innocuous incident, Theo landed awkwardly on his left leg, tearing his ACL, MCL, lateral knee ligaments and also suffered a fractured femur … he did a right good job of it! His season was over and he missed playing in the 2017 Grand Final which Pennant Hills won from 5th position after the home & away season. One can only imagine how disappointing this was for Theo.
Theo required a full knee reconstruction and his rehabilitation meant he missed the whole of the 2018 season. He resumed playing footy in 2019, and what a return! In arguably his best season, he kicked a personal record of 69 goals and won the Ern Holmes Trophy (Premier Division’s Best & Fairest) … what a comeback!
In 2025, Theo’s season has been again interrupted through injury, only managing 4 games in the first 11 rounds. Now recovered, he’s played the last three rounds and hopefully he’ll stay fit for the rest of the season.
Theo is a fierce competitor and the bane of opposition fullbacks. He has brute strength, great hands and is equally competent on the lead or in one-on-one contests. He is a reliable kick and is a great exponent of the forward’s craft. He throws his weight around, has a hint of on-field arrogance about him and has a recognisable swagger. He doesn’t like opposition defenders and his great ability is highly respected by his opponents and team mates alike.
In recognition of his goal kicking ability, Theo has twice been a Sydney AFL representative player and has been selected in the Sydney AFL Team of the Year on 4 occasions. He was also selected to represent AFL Sydney on two occasions, 2014 and 2017. He also played one game in this season’s AFL Sydney & AFL Canberra Pre-Season Invitational.
Congratulations Moz on achieving this significant milestone!
Go Penno!
