Almanac Teams: 22 more flavours of 31 (1980- )

 

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 31 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 30, mostly from 1980 onwards but I have made exceptions, such as Phil Baker.

 

 

It is a light-hearted team based on cult figures, forgotten/lesser known players or stats/cameos associated with them, players known for other deeds, sons, fathers & brothers and forgotten players.

 

My criteria, similar to my previous efforts was:

 

• Attempt to include one player per club
• I have tried to create as balanced side as possible but this was not a priority

 

 

Stats are based on their time in that number

 

 

 

 

FB:          Francis Jackson (Syd)                     Bob Jones (St.K)                            Oleg Markov (Rich)

 

CHB:      Dean Bailey (Ess)                             Greg Madigan (Haw)                     Jordan Bannister (Carl)

 

C:            Phil Manassa (Coll)                         Mick McGuane (Carl)                    Rory Sloane (Adel)

 

CHF:       Stuart Dew (Haw)                           Mark Weideman (Coll)                  Rohan Smith (Foots)

 

FF:          Jason Heatley (WCE)                     James Podsiadly (Geel)                 Phil Krakouer (Foots)

 

Ruck:      Barnaby French (PA)                      Matthew Ball (Haw)                       Paul Spargo (NM)

 

Interchange: Tim Bourke (Geel), Tom Hickey (Syd), Tom Scully (Melb), Peter Welsh (Rich)

 

No players from Brisbane, Fremantle, Gold Coast, GWS or Fitzroy.

 

 

Games in Number 31 (Years played)

Francis Jackson 100 (1975-1983)

Bob Jones 20 (1988-1989)

Oleg Markov 23 (2016-2020)

Dean Bailey 50 (1987-1992)

Greg Madigan 40 (1989-1994)

Jordan Bannister 53 (2004-2009)

Phil Manassa 122 (1973-1979)

Mick McGuane 3 (1997)

Rory Sloane 15 (2009-2010)

Stuart Dew 26 (2008-2009)

Mark Weideman 28 (1981-1984)

Rohan Smith 14 (1992)

Jason Heatley 3 (1995-1996)

James Podsiadly 83 (2010-2013)

Phil Krakouer 7 (1991)

Barnaby French 62 (1999-2002)

Matthew Ball 17 (2004-2006)

Paul Spargo 52 (1986-1989)

Tim Bourke 5 (1989-1990)

Tom Hickey 23 (2021- )

Tom Scully 31 (2010-2011)

Peter Welsh 46 (1980-1984)

 

 

 

Francis Jackson – Jackson started his career at Richmond in 1973 and played six games in two years. In 1975 Jackson was traded to South Melbourne with Brian ‘Whale’ Roberts and Graham Teasdale for John Pitura. Jackson played 100 games for the Swans from 1975-1983 and had his best season in 1981 with 11 Brownlow votes. Jackson missed all of 1982 with a knee injury but came back in 1983 to play 15 games before he retired at the end of the year aged 28 due to not wanting to relocate to Sydney. Jackson returned to Richmond in 2006 to head up their recruiting division and is still involved with Richmond having stepped down from head recruiter in 2016.

 

 

Bob Jones – Jones was drafted at the age of 26 with Pick 44 in the 1987 National Draft. Jones played 19 games in 1988 as a tall defender and back up ruck. He represented the NT in the 1988 Bicentennial State of Origin Carnival but had actually being recruited from Devonport. Jones played in Round 1, 1989 but suffered a knee injury and missed the rest of the season – in the end he did not play another game. Bob’s son Liam played 161 games for the Western Bulldogs and Carlton.

 

 

Oleg Markov – Oleg is the son of former Belarusian and Australian pole vaulter Dmitri Markov who represented Belarus at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and won gold in 2001 World Championships. Oleg was born in Belarus and moved to Adelaide when he was ten months old in 1997. Oleg was recruited from North Adelaide with Pick 50 in the 2015 Draft and made his debut in 2016, he played eight games. Markov played seven games in 2017 and was emergency for the first two finals. In 2020 he played six games and was emergency for the Grand Final. After 23 games Markov joined Gold Coast for more opportunities – he played 17 games for the Suns in 2021.

 

 

Dean Bailey – Bailey started his career in 1986 wearing Number 42, he played three games. Bailey was a utility able to play in the midfield or half back. Bailey played 15 games in 1988 and had his best season in 1989: 17 games including all three finals and was one of Essendon’s best in the Qualifying Final against Geelong with 22 disposals and one goal. Bailey did not play a game in 1990 and just 10 games in 1991-1992. He played for Glenelg and then coached Mt Gravatt before he joined Essendon as an assistant coach from 1999-2001 and Port Adelaide from 2002-2007. In 2008 Bailey was appointed coach of Melbourne, he coached 83 games for 22 wins before being sacked mid-2011 season after a 186 point loss to Geelong. Bailey moved to Adelaide to be an assistant coach, however after an AFL investigation into tanking in 2012 Bailey was suspended for the first 16 rounds for his involvement. Sadly in this time Bailey was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in March, 2014.

 

 

Greg Madigan – Madigan debuted in 1989 aged 19 as a spare tall defender or forward in Round 11 and played four games in a row, his fifth game was in Round 20. Game six for Madigan was the 1989 premiership when he came into the side for a suspended Peter Schwab. Madigan spent all of the second half on the ground as Hawthorn had Gary Ayres and John Platten injured on the bench. Madigan’s stats read: two kicks, two handballs and a premiership winner’s medal. Madigan never fully established himself at Hawthorn and his best season was 10 games in 1991, though he was dropped for the finals. Madigan joined Fremantle in 1995 for 26 games in three seasons with 18 of them in 1995.

 

 

Jordan Bannister – Jordan is the son of Australian welterweight champion Wayne Bannister. Jordan was drafted with Pick 47 to Essendon and debuted in 2001 with four games for the year. Bannister played 14 games in three seasons, was delisted and then drafted by Carlton. Bannister played 17 games in 2004 but after 53 games in six seasons was delisted aged 26. Bannister took up umpiring in the VFL in 2010 and progressed to the AFL umpire panel in 2012. He umpired 97 games from 2012-2016 including a final in 2012, his first year.

 

 

Phil Manassa – Phil Manassa made his debut for Collingwood aged 17 in 1973 from Melbourne High School. Manassa played 13 games in his first year, which included a recall for the Preliminary Final. He played every game in 1974 and 1978 including all finals and was a regular in the other years. Manassa is best remembered for his goal in the 1977 Grand Final replay which included four bounces and kick from outside 50m. Manassa kicked three goals that day to be amongst Collingwood best. After only 10 games in 1979 Manassa was delisted and what maybe considered a surprise his career was over at 23 and 122 games.

 

 

Mick McGuane – McGuane like Manassa is famous for a running goal for Collingwood, but his was while wearing Number 34. McGuane played 152 games for Collingwood in ten seasons and won a premiership, All Australian and two Copeland Trophies. After two injury plagued seasons in 1995 and 1996 where he played just 18 games McGuane requested a trade to Carlton in 1997. McGuane was traded to Carlton for their first and fourth round draft picks. McGuane at Carlton continued to be plagued by injury and after playing the first games of the season, McGuane did not play another game. His last game was at the age of 29 in the infamous M&Ms blue.

 

 

Rory Sloane – Sloane was drafted by Adelaide with Pick 44 in the 2008 National Draft. He debuted in 2009, his first game against Hawthorn in Round 20 where, despite not getting a kick, he had six handballs and seven tackles. Sloane played 14 games in 2010 and with the promise shown he was given the lower Number 9 for 2011. Sloane has now played over 200 games, captain since 2019, All Australian in 2016 and Best & Fairest in 2013 and 2016.

 

 

Stuart Dew – Dew was an inaugural Port Adelaide player, he appeared in 180 games from 1997-2006, kicked 245 goals and played in the 2004 Premiership. He retired aged 27 at end of 2006 and did not play any football in 2007. Dew had itchy feet and was convinced by Alistair Clarkson to nominate for the 2007 Draft and, despite some misgivings from the Hawthorn recruiting staff, Clarkson got his way and drafted Dew with Pick 45. Dew had some early hamstring injuries in 2008 and played 15 games for seven goals, but two of those were in 2008 Grand Final where Dew had a sensational third quarter that swung the match Hawthorn’s way with two goals and two assists. Dew played 11 games and kicked 13 goals in 2009 before he retired for a second time in 2009. Dew was appointed as an assistant coach at Sydney from 2010-2017 before he became Gold Coast coach in 2018 where he has coached 85 games for 20 wins so far.

 

 

Mark Weideman – Mark is the son of former Collingwood great and premiership captain Murray Weideman and father of emerging Melbourne forward Sam. Mark was a key forward and recruited from South Adelaide where he made his debut as a 16 year old. He debuted in Round 5 1981 aged 19 and played the next 20 games where he kicked 23 goals with a best haul of four against South Melbourne. Weideman played in the 1981 Qualifying and Preliminary Finals but was dropped for Peter Moore in the Grand Final and was made an emergency. Weideman struggled for games after 1981 – he played just eight – though he did start 1983 promisingly with five goals but was dropped after two more games. He did not play a game in 1985 and joined Coburg in 1986 where he won premierships in 1988-1989.

 

 

Rohan Smith – Smith made his debut in 1992 for the Bulldogs in Round 1 and in his second game he kicked three goals against St Kilda. He played the first 10 games and played 14 for the year but was not part of the Bulldogs’ finals campaign. In 1993 Smith wore Number 5, the first player to wear it since the late Ron James. Smith ended up playing 300 games for the Bulldogs and kicked 254 goals from 1992-2006. Smith was an All Australian in 1997 and 2003 and EJ Whitten Medallist in 1998.

 

 

Jason Heatley – Heatley started off his career at North Heidelberg and was zoned to Fitzroy who rejected him as they thought her was too small. He moved to Subiaco, kicked 111 goals in 1993 and was taken with Pick 43 for West Coast. Heatley did not play any games in 1994 but debuted in Round 10 against Brisbane aged 23 where he kicked two goals. Heatley’s next game was not until Round 20, 1996 where he played two games for six goals. Heatley continued to kick goals for Subiaco with 370 in 73 games from 1993-1996. He was then delisted and drafted by St Kilda with Pick 49. Heatley played 60 games for St Kilda in four seasons, kicked 163 goals with 1997 his best year with 73 which included a best of nine against North Melbourne and then seven against the Roos again, in the Preliminary Final.

 

 

James Podsiadly – Podsiadly was originally drafted by Essendon with Pick 58 in 1999 Rookie Draft, he was next drafted by Collingwood with Pick 8 in the 2001 Rookie Draft. Podsiadly won Williamstown’s (Collingwood’s then VFL affiliate) goal kicking in 2002. He joined Werribee from 2003-2008 won two VFL leading goal kicker awards and made team of the year in 2005, 2006 and 2008. In this time Podsiadly did preseason training at Richmond in 2006 and Western Bulldogs in 2005 but was not picked up. Geelong’s VFL side recruited Podsiadly as a player, captain and fitness coach. Podsiadly made team of the year and won the Best & Fairest with 49 goals. Life got better for the JPOD in 2011 – he played 23 games for 52 goals including eight against Brisbane and an AFL Premiership winner’s medal. Podsiadly played 83 games for 169 goals at Geelong in four seasons and then played 21 games at Adelaide in one season before he retired aged 33.

 

 

Phil Krakouer – Phil was one half of the amazing Krakouer brothers that came from Claremont and debuted for North Melbourne in 1982. Phil was 22 and Jim was 23 when they played in Round 1. Phil as a half forward and Jim as rover were highly skilled footballers who had a sixth sense of knowing where the other brother was when disposing the ball. Phil played 141 games at North Melbourne from 1982-1989, he kicked 224 goals and won the goal kicking in 1983, 1985 and 1987 – 1983 his best with 44 goals. Phil struggled with injury in 1989 and played just seven games and at the end of the season Jim and Phil left North Melbourne due to a contract dispute. Jim joined St Kilda in the 1990 preseason and Phil who was injured was picked up by Footscray with Pick 8 in the mid-season draft. Phil did not play in 1990 but played seven games in 1991 for seven goals with a best of three and also kicked two against his former team.

 

 

Barnaby French – French was a rower for Australia’s Under 23 rowing team, he then took up football and played for Ironbark – he won their Best & Fairest in 1996-1997. French was rookie listed by Port Adelaide in 1998 and debuted in 1999 – he played 22 games including the Qualifying Final against North Melbourne aged 23. He played 17 games in 2000, but injury restricted him to the last four games in 2001 and then 19 games in 2002 including the finals. Barnaby was traded to Carlton in 2003 for Pick 16. He had four seasons at Carlton for 71 games before he retired at age 30. French announced his retirement to his team mates in the three quarter time address in the Round 22 match against Sydney. After football French competed on the ironman circuit.

 

 

Matthew Ball – Matthew is two years older than brother Luke and son of former Richmond and South Melbourne player Ray. Matthew was initially drafted by Hawthorn in 2000 on their rookie list, one year prior to Luke but was delisted the year after. Matthew won the Best & Fairest for Box Hill in 2003 and was drafted with Pick 51 by Hawthorn in 2003. Matthew had a good first year at Hawthorn in 2004, he played 14 games was used mainly as a run-with onballer. Matthew’s ninth game was against Luke in an 11-goal loss. Matthew ended up with 15 disposals and Luke 12. Matthew played just one game in 2005 and three in 2006, he was delisted after 17 games.

 

 

Paul Spargo – Paul sits amid four generations of AFL footballers. Bob Senior was the first to play, he ran out in 65 games for Footscray from 1934-1941 and two for Melbourne in 1942. His two sons Ricky (64 games 1966-1971) and Bob Junior (80 games between 1958-1963) also played for Footscray. Bob Junior’s son is Paul who played 81 games for North Melbourne 1985-1992 and nine games for Brisbane in 1993. Paul’s son is Melbourne premiership player Charlie who has played 59 games since 2018. Paul coached Albury to five premierships in the Ovens & Murray League.

 

 

Tim Bourke – Tim is the younger brother of former Geelong captain Damian. Tim debuted aged 19 in Round 1, 1989 but did not play another game for the season. Bourke played four games from Round 2-5 in 1990 but with an influx of rucks with his brother Damian, Darren Flanigan, Stephen Hooper and even Barry Stoneham playing, Tim was traded to North Melbourne at the end of 1991 but failed to play a game.

 

 

Tom Hickey – Hickey is unique in that he has played for four clubs in four different states. Gold Coast 12 games (2011-2012), St Kilda 67 (2013-2018), West Coast 23 (2019-2020) and Sydney from 2021. Hickey had his probably best year with Sydney in 2020 aged 30 in the AFL. From what I can see Hickey is the only player to have played in four different states with the VFL/AFL.

 

 

Tom Scully – Scully joined Melbourne in 2010 as the Number 1 Draft Pick in what was hoped to be the start of new era. Scully went Pick 1, Jack Trengove Pick 2, Jordan Gysberts Pick 11, Luke Tapscott Pick 18 and Max Gawn Pick 34. They joined the previous year Pick 1 Jack Watts at the club. Scully was given the honour of wearing the great Number 31 for Melbourne. He debuted in Round 1, 2010 and in Round 4 showed why he was Pick 1; he gathered 26 disposals and a Rising Star nomination. Three weeks later Scully gathered 39 disposals and three Brownlow votes. Scully played 21 games and finished second in the Rising Star award. Injuries restricted Scully to ten games in 2011 and at the end of the year Scully shocked Melbourne by being an inaugural signing for GWS for the 2012 season, he joined his Dad who was a recruiter for GWS. Scully played 121 games for GWS from 2012-2018 and made the All Australian squad in 2016-2017. Scully suffered a broken ankle in 2018 and was traded to Hawthorn for 2019-2020 where he played 35 games. Scully played 187 games before injuries stopped him at age 29.

 

 

Peter Welsh – Welsh started at Hawthorn in 1973 and played 79 games including the 1975 Grand Final loss. Welsh crossed to Richmond in 1980 and played only four games during the year. Welsh was named on the bench in the Reserves in Round 22 but he had a good game. Since Richmond had lost in the Firsts, Tony Jewell thought Richmond lacked pace and Welsh was recalled for the first final against Carlton – selected on the wing. Welsh was one of Richmond’s best in the Semi Final for his job on Michael Turner and had a good Grand Final on Ricky Barham. Welsh had gone from reserves interchange player to premiership player in four weeks. Welsh played in 1982 Grand Final as well but did not have as good as day and after eight games in 1983-1984 he retired after 125 in total.

 

 

 

Forgotten Number 30s include: Matthew Kluzek (Adel), Luke Weller (Bris), Marcus Davies (Carl), Andrew Dimattina (Coll), Jan Smith (Fitz), Leigh Wardell-Johnson (Coll), Richard Murrie (Geel), Chris Obst (Haw), Donald Cockatoo-Collins (Melb), Kevin McGuire (NM), Mitch Banner (PA), James White (Rich), Tim Elliott (Stk), Ian Dargie (WCE), Anthony Darcy (Foots)

 

 

 

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