Almanac Teams: Krakouer Jack; Obscure 48s (1980- )

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 48 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 48, mostly from 1980 onwards but I have made exceptions, such as Mark Alves in Number 39.

 

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:           Matthew Banks (Ess)                    Mal Michael (Coll)              Duncan Kellaway (Rich)

 

CHB:       Nathan Krakouer (PA)                  Glen Jakovich (WCE)          Corey Maynard (Melb)

 

C:          Scott Hosking (Geel)                        Kieren Jack (Syd)                  Daniel McPherson (Syd)

 

CHF:        Kyle Dunkley (Melb)                     John Bennett (St.K)             Lindsay Thomas (PA)

 

FF:           Adam Cockie (WCE)                      Michael Cooke (Haw)           Darren Cuthbertson (Melb)

 

Ruck:     Carl Peterson (Haw)                        Kane Lambert (Rich)            Mark Attard (NM)

 

Interchange: Brent Grgic (Melb), Dylan Grimes (Rich), Mark Majerczak (Carl), Greg Miller (SM)

 

 

No players from Adelaide, Brisbane, Fitzroy, Fremantle, Gold Coast, GWS or the Western Bulldogs.

 

 

 

Games in Number 48 (Years Played)

Matthew Banks 2 (1997)

Mal Michael 61 (1997-2000)

Duncan Kellaway 10 (1993)

Nathan Krakouer 29 (2015-2016)

Glen Jakovich 16 (1991)

Corey Maynard 1 (2017)

Scott Hosking 1 (1986)

Kieren Jack 2 (2007)

Daniel McPherson 2 (1994)

Kyle Dunkley 5 (2019)

John Bennett 2 (1980)

Lindsay Thomas 7 (2018)

Adam Cockie 7 (2009)

Michael Cooke 2 (1975)

Darren Cuthbertson 16 (1991)

Carl Peterson 17 (2010)

Kane Lambert 13 (2015)

Mark Attard 3 (1992)

Brent Grgic 9 (1997)

Dylan Grimes 8 (2010-2011)

Mark Majerczak 2 (1987)

Greg Miller 4 (1972)

 

 

 

Matthew Banks –Banks was drafted in 1995 and his debut was Anzac Day clash against Collingwood in 1997.Banks would play on Saverio Rocca and kept him to two goals. Banks would play two weeks later against Adelaide on Tony Modra and kept him to five goals. Banks third and final game was against Collingwood again on Anzac Day the following year where Rocca this time kicked seven goals. Banks would injure his shoulder late in the match and would not play another game. Banks was delisted at end of 1998 with three career games, two of them on Anzac Day.

 

Mal Michael –Michael is featured in the 22 obscure side for his stint at Essendon but he makes the side here for a couple of reasons. Mal was born in Papua New Guinea and moved to Queensland aged 3. He was recruited by Collingwood in 1996 with pick 6 in the rookie draft. Michael spent four seasons at Collingwood and has played the most games in the AFL in the 48 jumper with 61 games. In 1999 Michael was the Full back for Collingwood against Sydney when Tony Lockett would kick his 1300thand AFL record amount. Michael was swapped to Brisbane in 2001 for Jarrod Molloy and would play 140 games and play in three premierships at Brisbane. Michael moved to Essendon in 2007 and played 37 games in two seasons for a total of 238 career games.

 

Duncan Kellaway – Duncan Kellaway made his debut in Round 7 1993 against St Kilda and would have 27 disposals. Kellaway debut perhaps was overshadowed by another fellow debutant that day in Matthew Richardson. Kellaway was known for his great defensive attributes, his never say die attitude and his ugly kicks. However Kellaway was a great player for Richmond who played ten games in his first year and earned a rising star nomination in 1993 and 1994. In 1995 Kellaway form was so good he was chosen to represent Victoria which he did again in 1996. Kellaway was ideally match up for their mid-size forward like Mark Ricciuto in state matches and was rarely beaten and at 185cm he even played on and beat Wayne Carey and then played as a tagger in the midfield before two knee reconstructions slowed him down. In Round 21 Kellaway was playing his 98th game and had only kicked a career total of 5 behinds when Richmond were up by twelve goals, Kellaway was sent forward. Kellaway led well and took strong marks like a natural forward but he had kicked a point and couple not make the distance before he got a goal at the 20 minute mark, which got all the players to congratulate their popular team mate. Kellaway would play 180 games for 12 goals including two goals in a match and worked at Geelong as a physiotherapist from 2005-2011.

 

Nathan Krakouer – Nathan is the nephew of Jimmy and Phil Krakouer and was drafted by Port Adelaide from Claremont with pick 39 in 2006 and was 61kg for his 188cm. Krakouer wore number 29 in his first three years at Port and then number 7, playing 40 games before requesting a trade to Gold Coast to become an inaugural Sun. Nathan played 14 games in 2011 before leaving due to loss of love for the game. Nathan lived in Kalgoorlie and played amateur football between 2012-2014 before being picked again by Port Adelaide with pick 16 in 2015 rookie draft. Nathan wore 48 for 29 games between 2015-2016 before retiring again with 82 career games.

 

Glen Jakovich – Jakovich represented Western Australia in state of origin against Victoria in 1990 and by the time he had debut for West Coast Eagles in 1991 he had already played 50 games for South Fremantle. Jakovich debut in 1991 in Round 12 and kicked two goals in his first game. Jakovich played sixteen games for eight goals as a tall defender and mobile ruckman and in his sixth game he had 26 disposals, 10 marks and 17 hit outs. From 1992 Jakovich virtually played permanent CHB and is recognised probably as the best CHB in the modern era. Jakovich was known for his legendary duels with Wayne Carey which probably went in Jakovich’s favour. Jakovich would play 276 games for 60 goals, winning two premierships, two time All Australian and won four Best & Fairest and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

Corey Maynard – Corey was drafted by Melbourne in 2016 as a Category B rookie. Corey is the older brother by five years of Brayden. Corey came from a basketball background where he had played for Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles in the NBL. Corey would debut Round 20 2017 against GWS and he would have 18 disposals and kick one goal. Corey would move to Number 20 in 2018 but would only play one game in Round 1. Corey sustained an injury to his hip which restricted him 2018-19 and he was delisted at the end of 2019.

 

Scott Hosking – Scott is the son of Ron Hosking who played 70 games for Geelong from 1964-68 in the backline. Scott and his brother Craig came to Geelong from Lismore playing Under 19’s and reserves with Scott playing one game against Collingwood Round 15 1986 aged 19. Hosking had just two handballs for the match. Scott, Craig and Nick have since owned and currently owned KFC franchises around Geelong and Colac area.

 

Kieren Jack – Kieren is the son of NRL legend Garry Jack who had played 244 games for Balmain from 1982-95 and represented NSW and Australia. Kieren had played both Rugby and Aussie Rules until he was 13 before deciding to pursue Aussie Rules full time. Jack was rookie listed by Sydney in 2005 and would make his debut in Round 6 2007 aged 19 and gather 12 disposals. Jack would play in Round 7 before not being seen again in 2007. In 2008 Jack moved to Number 15 and he would be a permanent member of the side with 23 games. Jack would play 256 games from 2007-2019 and was captain from 2013-2016, premiership player in 2012, Best & Fairest in 2010 and All Australian in 2013. His brother Brandon played 28 games for the Swans from 2013-2017.

 

Daniel McPherson – McPherson joined Sydney from Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and debut aged 18 in Round 13 1994. McPherson would play two games in 1994 and would move to Number 32 in 1995 and after playing 19 games including the 1996 Grand Final, McPherson would move to Number 13. McPherson would play 111 games in total from 1994-2003, retiring aged 27 due to injury. McPherson worked for Melbourne from 2014 firstly as a forward line coach and then General Manager of Football. McPherson joined North Melbourne as General Manager of Football in 2022 but was let go with appointment of Alistair Clarkson and is now General Manager at Essendon, having being appointed in November 2022.

 

Kyle Dunkley – Kyle is the son of Andrew Dunkley and younger brother of Josh by three years and at 185cm is six years smaller. Kyle was playing for Footscray VFL when he was picked up by Melbourne with Pick 3 in 2019 Mid-season rookie draft. Dunkley would debut in Round 16 2019 against Carlton and would play Round 16-17 and Round 20-22 with his best game against Richmond in Round 20 where he had 12 disposals and kicked two goals. Dunkley did not play a game in 2020 and was delisted after five games and three goals. Kyle spent 2021 playing for Essendon VFL side and in 2022 was listed as Covid top up player for Sydney.

 

John Bennett – Bennett joined St Kilda from East Brighton and made his debut aged 19 in Round 6 1980 and played two games for the year before breaking his ankle. In 1981 Bennett moved to number 34 and in his fourth game he had 23 disposals, 10 marks and kicked 6.2 against Geelong. This was to be his only time he would kick multiple goals in 1981, playing 12 games for 12 goals. In 1982-83 Bennett played four games for four goals before joining Sandringham. In 1984 Bennett joined Footscray and playing three games for eight goals with his last game being Round 18 against St Kilda kicking three goals. Bennett would kick 84 goals in the VFL reserves that year. In 1985 Bennett rejoined St Kilda as a second forward to Tony Lockett and played sixteen games for 25 goals with a best bag 5.4 against Collingwood. Bennett played just one game in 1986 but did not get a disposal and rejoined Sandringham. His AFL career finished with 38 games for 49 goals. Bennett played with Sandringham until 1989 playing 53 games for 201 goals before returning to East Brighton where he coached them to two premierships.

 

Lindsay Thomas – Thomas was drafted from Port Adelaide Magpies with pick 53 of 2006 draft. Thomas would debut in Round 1 2007 against Collingwood and would kick 0.5. Thomas though proved to be a very good small forward from 2007-2017 with North Melbourne playing 205 games for 325 goals with a best of 53 goals in 2013 and seven goals in a match against Carlton in 2010. Thomas would win the goal kicking twice at North Melbourne in 2010 & 2013. Thomas is known for having a rule changed because of his sliding action into Gary Rohan in 2012 where Thomas slid into Rohan taking out his legs and breaking it. After being delisted at the end of 2017 Thomas was rookie listed with Pick 12 by Port Adelaide aged 30 and would play seven games for four goals. Thomas first games was against Geelong in Round 5 where he was reported and suspended for striking Scott Selwood for three weeks. Thomas returned in Round 13 and played the next six in a row before retiring at end of 2018.

 

Adam Cockie – Cockie was picked up by West Coast from Subiaco with pick in 2008 rookie draft. Cockie had a bit of cult following due to his surname with commentators using it as “Cockie wants a biscuit” and “Cockie wants the Footy”. Cockie debut in the Derby clash against Fremantle in Round 6 2009 and he gathered 12 disposals. Cockie played four games in a row from Round 6-9 and then three in a row from Round 14-16. Cockie would kick three goals and had a best of 14 disposals. Cockie did not play a game in 2010 and was delisted at the end of 2010 and after playing for Subiaco and Sandringham he now works as an Aboriginal project officer for Western Australian Cricket Association.

 

Michael Cooke – Michael Cooke only ever played two games and both of them were Finals in 1975. Cooke was 21 in 1975 and had long hair and a beard and looked like a member of a rock rather than a football. In 1975 Cooke played for Old Carey in the VAFA and with no prospect of playing finals he and his brother Robert played in the last three home and away games for Hawthorn Reserves. In the last two rounds Cooke kicked six goals in each match and in the Reserves Elimination Final he kicked seven. Hawthorn finished on top in 1975 and had week one of the finals off. For the semi-final Michael Cooke was bought in as Full Forward with regular forward Michael Moncrief moved to defence. Cooke’s opponent would be David Dench and Cooke would kick four goals with six disposals in Hawthorn 21 point win. Hawthorn and Cooke next game would be 1975 Grand Final and North Melbourne would win by 55 points with Cooke not having a disposal. In 1976 Cooke injured his back in a practice match and once he returned from injury he struggled in the Reserves and never played another game. Cooke played two games, for four goals, six disposals, two finals and one Grand Final.

 

Darren Cuthbertson – Cuthbertson joined Melbourne in 1988, winning Best & Fairest in the Under 19’s in 1989 and leading goal kicker of the Reserves in 1990 which included nine goals against Footscray in the semi-final. Cuthbertson would debut Round 2 1991 against Fitzroy and would two goals in each of this first two matches. It was in his fourth game in Round 5 against North Melbourne that Cuthbertson would start a purple patch of form for three weeks which highlighted his freakish enigmatic goal craft. Cuthbertson kicked seven against North Melbourne and then the following week he kicked seven goals against reigning premiers Collingwood and then five goals against Brisbane. In the three weeks Melbourne won every game and Cuthbertson kicked 19 goals. Cuthbertson form would run out playing ten more games for the year in three stints for just six goals while another recruit who was similar to size and goal sense Allen Jakovich ran riot. Cuthbertson moved to Number 9 in 1992 and played eleven games for five goals and in 1993 five games for nine goals before being delisted. Cuthbertson did a preseason at Fitzroy but was not picked up and finished with 32 games for 43 goals.

 

Carl Peterson – Peterson name first came up in 2006 when at a Richmond pre draft function I attended, Francis Jackson went over likely draft picks and mentioned Carl Peterson name as late draft pick possibility as an exciting forward with a big vertical leap that has played ruck in the WAFL even though he was only 183cm. Peterson was drafted with Pick 60 but had just one year at Richmond before being delisted and returning home. After also playing at St Marys in the NT Peterson was rookie listed by Hawthorn in 2009 with pick 61. Peterson would debut in Round 1 in 2010 and he played seventeen games for thirteen goals and seventeen hit outs. Petersen was delisted by Hawthorn after 17 games at end of 2010 due to a lack of professionalism but in amazing bit of chemistry it was recommended to Petersen to help work as a builder and former player who had met on 2009 Kokoda club trek in Michael Cooke. Peterson took up the full time work and also played at Cooke old club Old Carey.

 

Kane Lambert – Lambert was a mature aged recruit who started his career in 2009 winning the Best & Fairest for Northern Knights in TAC cup. Lambert was not drafted and would remain that way until 2014. Lambert played for Northern Bullants in 2011-2013 coming fourth in JJ Liston Medal, winning Best & Fairest, making the team of the year and representing Victoria. Lambert would move to Williamstown and had a great finals series which bought closer attention for an AFL spot. Lambert was pick 46 for Richmond in 2015 rookie draft and would debut in Round 2 2015. Lambert though injured his shoulder and would miss ten weeks. Lambert would come back in the side and play thirteen games including Elimination Final for eight goals with a best of 27 disposals. Lambert moved to Number 23 in 2016 and would have a great career playing 135 games, playing in three premierships, making the All Australian squad in 2018 and second in 2018 Best & Fairest and third in 2017. Lambert retired aged 30 in 2022 due to ongoing hip injury.

 

Mark Attard – In 1991 the Under 19 competition was disbanded and replaced by the TAC Cup with six clubs in Geelong Falcons, Western Jets, Eastern Rangers, Southern Stingrays, Northern Knights and Central Dragons. Other clubs would join from Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland, Murray Bushrangers, Tasmania and NSW/ACT. The 1992 mid-season draft saw the first few players drafted from TAC Cup who were eligible due to their age. There were six players drafted by one only played a game and that was Mark Attard who was pick 19. Attard would debut aged 18 in Round 22 1992 and play the last three games of the year, kicking two goals with a best of 14 disposals. Attard would not play any games in 1993 and would be delisted.

 

Brent Grgic – Grgic was drafted by Melbourne with Pick 11 in 1996 and played the last nine games of 1997 as mobile tall half forward/half back. Grgic was a frustrating talent as he had ability but always seemed to be coasting and not really settling in on a position. From 1998 he moved to Number 4 but after 77 games from 1997-2001 he was traded to Geelong for pick 55. Grgic best season was 2000 playing 22 games including a Grand Final. Grgic played thirteen games for Geelong in two seasons before being delisted with a total of 90 games and 32 goals with three goals in a match the best. Brent as far as I can read was not related to Ilija Grgic and despite both spelt the same way were pronounced differently it was Brent Ger-gick and Ilija Grig-gick.

 

Dylan Grimes – Dylan is the brother of former Melbourne captain Jack and was undrafted until the preseason draft in 2010 where he went at pick 2. Grimes would spend 2010 in the reserves until a call up in Round 22 against Port Adelaide aged 19. In 2011 Grimes was bought into the side in Round 3 due to Alex Rance out with suspension. Grimes played the next seven games and was settled in defence before a season ending hamstring injury in Round 9. Grimes moved to Number 2 in 2012 and despite good early form and a rising star nomination, Grimes was plagued by hamstring injury and played only nine games. Grimes would travel to Germany like a few players before him to be treated by Hans Wilhem Muller Wohlfahrt. From 2014 Grimes was less restricted by injury and has being a vital member of three Richmond premierships. Grimes at 193 is mobile to play as an intercept defender and play on talls or smalls like Eddie Betts in 2017 Premiership. Grimes has now played 207 games, 2019 All Australian and making squad in 2018 & 2020, Best & Fairest in 2021 , Robert Rose AFL most courageous in 2019 and Richmond co-captain since 2022. Grimes lives and owns a winery/farm at Mount Macedon with the winery previously owned by Olivia Newton John.

 

Mark Majerczak – Majerczak was a cult figure for Carlton who was unlucky not to play more games due to players like Naley, Gleeson and Fraser Murphy. Majerczak debut in Round 10 1987 and kicked a goal but played only two games as Carlton moved onto to 1987 premiership. After injury interrupted year in 1988, Majerczak moved to Number 33 and played three games in 1989 and his best season was 1990 playing eleven games for twelve goals with a best of three goals. Majerczak was delisted after 1991 after seventeen games for twenty goals. Majerczak was draft in 1992 preseason draft but did not play a game.

 

Greg Miller – Miller debut for South Melbourne aged 19 in 1972. Greg father Allan had played 36 games for South Melbourne between 1948-51. Greg played the last four games of the 1972 season and earned himself a promotion to Number 5 from 1973. Miller was a defender who played 52 games from 1972-76 and did not kick a goal. His best season was 1975 with twenty games. Miller is best known as a football administrator, firstly with South Melbourne from 1980-84, then CEO of North Melbourne from 1985-89, Director of Football 1990-1994  and then Ceo again 1995-2001, then Football Manager on the TV show the Hammerheads in 2002 and the Football Manager at Richmond from 2004-2009. Miller was a key part of North Melbourne success in the 1990s with his recruitment of Wayne Carey, John Longmire and Wayne Schwass from other club zones the feature of his work.

 

Some of the forgotten Number 48s are Hugh Beasley (Bris), Ashley Matthews (Carl), Caolon Mooney (Coll), Graeme Williamson (Fitz), Michael Gurrie (Geel), Glenn Howard (Haw), John Tossol (Melb), Kevin Hughes (NM), Renato Dintinosante (Rich), Troy Gray (Syd), Brent Tuckey (WCE) and Darren Grant (Foots).

 

 

 

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