Almanac Teams: Altered states, 28 (1980- )

 

 

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 28 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 28, mostly from 1980 onwards but I have made exceptions, such as Peter McKenna.

 

 

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:         Darcy Daniher (Ess)                   David Kernahan (Carl)             Alan McConnell (Foots)

 

CHB:     Alex McDonald  (Haw)               Michael Reeves (Fitz)               Brad Scott (Haw)

 

C:           Andrew Demetriou (NM)           Brian Wilson (NM)                   Paul Dimattina (WB)

 

CHF:     Andrew Balkwill (Carl)               Ray Windsor (Bris)                   Ross Lyon (Bris)

 

FF:         Jamie Shaw (Fitz)                        David Cordner (Melb)             Jack Higgins (Rich)

 

Ruck:    Cameron Cloke (Carl)                  Liam Pickering (NM)               Leigh Montagna (St.K)

 

Interchange: Rod Carter (Fitz), Denis Collins (Rich), Graeme Cordy (Foots/Syd), Sean Rusling (Coll)

 

No players from Adelaide, Fremantle, Geelong, Port Adelaide, West Coast, Gold Coast or GWS.

 

 

Games in Number 28 (Years played)

Darcy Daniher 6 (2008-2009)

David Kernahan  53 (1988-1993)

Alan McConnell 37 (1980-1982)

Alex McDonald 46 (1990-1995)

Michael Reeves 40 (1983-1987)

Brad Scott 22 (1997)

Andrew Demetriou 91 (1982-1987)

Brian Wilson 39 (1980-1981)

Paul Dimattina 131 (1995-2003)

Andrew Balkwill 1 (1997)

Ray Windsor 14 (1992-1993)

Ross Lyon 2 (1995)

Jack Higgins 20 (2018)

David Cordner 53 (1982-1987)

Jamie Shaw 1 (1988)

Cameron Cloke 36 (2007-2009)

Liam Pickering 14 (1990-1991)

Leigh Montagna 22 (2002-2004)

Rod Carter 50 (1976-1979)

Denis Collins 17 (1980)

Graeme Cordy 6 at Footscray (1985-1986) 21 at Sydney (1987-1989)

Sean Rusling 6 (2005)

 

 

Darcy Daniher – Darcy is the son of Anthony and five years older than Joe. Darcy was drafted by Essendon with Pick 39 of the 2007 Draft, and was also eligible for Sydney. At 191cm he was the same height as his father Anthony and was also a defender. Daniher debuted in Round 7, 2008 and kept his spot for three games. Daniher played a further three games in 2009 from Rounds 2-4 with his best game in Round 2 with 22 disposals. Darcy struggled a lot with back and shoulder injuries, never played another game and retired in 2011 aged 22.

 

 

David Kernahan – David was two years younger and 8cm shorter than Stephen and drafted by Carlton with Pick 39 of the 1987 Draft. David made his debut in Round 1, 1988 and played the first five games as a forward – he kicked seven goals. After just one game in 1989, Kernahan was picked as FB for 19 games in each of the 1990 and 1991 seasons and came fifth in the Best & Fairest in both years. Kernahan struggled with injuries in 1992-1993 and played just eight more games before retirement due to ongoing groin injuries.

 

 

Alan McConnell – McConnell was recruited from Kolora to Fitzroy but never played a game there so after a stint with Preston, McConnell was recruited to Footscray. McConnell debuted in 1980 aged 23 and played 37 games in three seasons, his best was 1981 with 17 games. McConnell was an assistant coach at Fitzroy and became caretaker coach when he took over from Bernie Quinan in 1995. When Michael Nunan resigned in 1996, McConnell was again appointed caretaker coach and led Fitzroy in its last games in the AFL. All up McConnell coached 11 games for 11 losses. McConnell became an assistant coach at Geelong and then head coach at the AIS before he moved to GWS as director of coaching. When the AFLW started in 2017 McConnell was appointed GWS’s inaugural coach in a role he remains in today.

 

 

Alex McDonald – After winning the 1988 Premiership, Hawthorn swapped Robert Handley aged 23 with 23 games (0 in 1988 then four for St Kilda), Paul Harding aged 24 with 11 games (five games in 1988 then 62 for St Kilda), Peter Russo aged 29 with 162 games (8 games in 1988, 33 for St Kilda) for the Number 1 Draft Pick. McDonald made his debut in 1990 for Hawthorn but did not reach great heights for a Number 1 Pick; 46 games in six years with his most 14 in 1992. McDonald’s best game was five goals against Richmond in 1994. McDonald was traded to Collingwood with Scott Crow at the end of 1995 for Pick 54. McDonald was a regular at Collingwood in his first three years there with 57 games as a tagger but only played four in 1999 and retired at the end of the year. Alex’s brothers Anthony and James were both picked up by Melbourne from the rookie list. Alex is now an AFL player manager.

 

 

Michael Reeves – Michael started his career at North Melbourne where his father John played 102 games. Michael played 23 games for 21 goals as forward/ruck with a best effort of five goals twice in 1980. After not playing a game in 1982 Michael joined Fitzroy and kicked three goals in his first game, however he only played two more that year. In 1984 Reeves played as a key defender and played 15 games that year – including the Elimination Final. After just three games in 1985 Reeves played 16 games in 1986 including the Elimination and Preliminary Final. Reeves is best remembered for two things, wearing extremely long footy shorts that ended below his knees and being knocked out by Robert Dipierdomenico in the 1986 Preliminary Final. The problem with the incident was it was also Reeves’ wedding day, he explained on the Front Bar in 2018 that the Preliminary Final was the only date the venue was available and when he booked it mid-year when Fitzroy were struggling and might not have made the top five. Fitzroy did make the five of course, won the first two finals and played Hawthorn. Reeves was knocked out but still got married that day having been escorted to the venue by a Channel 7 helicopter. Reeves had little memory of the game and wedding but apparently Dipper sent his best wishes on the night.

 

 

Brad Scott – Brad was drafted with Pick 60 in 1994 by Hawthorn, which was 12 months after his brother Chris was drafted by Brisbane in 1993 and won the Rising Star in 1994. Scott struggled with injury and was delisted in 1996 and then redrafted with Pick 85. Brad played every game in 1997 and he too received a Rising Star nomination. At the end of the season Brad requested a trade to Brisbane to join his brother Chris for John Barker and Nathan Chapman and swap of draft picks. Brad played 146 games for Brisbane including the 2001-2002 premierships before he retired in 2006 with 168 games. Brad was influential in the 2001 GF, he kept James Hird to just ten disposals. Brad was an assistant coach at Collingwood from 2007-2009 before being appointed coach of North Melbourne from 2010-2019 making the finals four times for two Preliminary Final appearances. Brad is now the AFL’s GM of football.

 

 

Andrew Demetriou – Demetriou started his career in 1981 aged 20 and wore Number 48 in his first year where he played 12 games. Demetriou moved to Number 28 in 1982 and played eight games including two finals. Demetriou’s best year was 1983: 23 games including both finals and 36 disposals in one game. Demetriou was a regular player from 1984-1987, he played 60 games and all finals. In 1988 Demetriou moved to Hawthorn but only played three games; he ended up with 106 in total. In 1998-2000 Demetriou was CEO of the AFLPA, 2001-2003 he was GM of the AFL and then became CEO of the AFL from 2004-2014. Demetriou’s time as CEO saw the introduction of the Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants. Andrew’s older brother Jim played nine games for Essendon from 1975-1976 before he broke his leg after tripping on a sprinkler at Waverley Park.

 

 

Brian Wilson – Wilson was recruited from Braybrook and played his first game at Footscray in 1978 aged 16. Wilson played nine games at Footscray in two seasons and was traded to North Melbourne in 1980. Wilson played 39 games in two seasons in the Number 28 jumper including a final. In 1982 Wilson with Steven Icke and Alan Jarrott joined former coach Ron Barassi at Melbourne; his third club in five years aged 21. Wilson played 154 games for Melbourne and kicked 208 goals, won the Brownlow in his first season at Melbourne aged 21 and played for Victoria. Wilson played seven games for St Kilda before he retired with 209 games and 246 goals.

 

 

Paul Dimattina – Paul is the son of Frank Dimattina who played 56 games for Richmond and North Melbourne. Paul played U19 and Reserves football for Richmond but was delisted after 1992. He was drafted in 1995 with Pick 26 of the Preseason Draft and debuted in 1995 aged 20. Dimattina played 10 games in 1996 but from 1997 under Terry Wallace, Dimattina – along with Tony Liberatore and Jose Romero – formed the ‘Bulldog Midfield Mafia’, a trio of players with overseas heritage that were given midfield tagging roles. Dimattina missed the 1997 and 1998 finals campaigns due to suspension. He ended up playing 131 games before his retirement in 2003. Paul, like his father, is a successful restaurant owner with restaurants in Carlton’s Lygon St, Southbank, Melbourne CBD and Gold Coast.

 

 

Andrew Balkwill –Balkwill played just one game for Carlton in 1997 aged 25 after being swapped from Port Adelaide for Brent Heaver. Balkwill was picked as a HFF and had just the two disposals in his sole outing. Balkwill’s game was not even in the famous old dark navy blue jumper but the one-0ff M&Ms promotional light blue jumper.

 

 

Ray Windsor – Windsor played 23 games in four years for Brisbane between 1990-1993 and kicked 22 goals. He wore number 48 in his first two years including the 1991 reserves premiership. In 1992 Windsor moved to Number 28 and played his first match for the year in Round 5 against West Coast at Carrara. Brisbane had never beaten West Coast before and in the final minutes were six points behind. With the siren apparent Windsor marked 35 metres out and kicked truly as the siren sounded to draw the game. Windsor is one of only six players to kick a goal after the siren to draw a game.

 

 

Ross Lyon – Lyon was known as strong half forward/onballer for Fitzroy over 127 games from 1985-1994. Lyon quit Fitzroy at end of 1994 and entered the Pre Season Draft and was selected by Brisbane with Pick 6. Lyon played the first two games of the 1995 season and collected 22 disposals on debut but after Round 2 his knee was stuffed and he retired aged 28. In 1996 Lyon was an assistant coach at Richmond under former coach at Fitzroy and Brisbane Robert Walls. When Walls was sacked at Richmond he joined another former coach David Parkin at Carlton and then ex-teammate Paul Roos at Sydney. Lyon was appointed coach at St Kilda in 2007, where he coached St Kilda to 121 games for 76 wins. Under Lyon St Kilda made the finals from 2008-2011 and the Grand Final a for 12 point loss in 2009 and tie in 2010 before losing the replay by 56 points. Lyon was appointed coach of Fremantle in 2012 after quitting St Kilda at end of 2011. Lyon coached Fremantle from 2012-2019 in 184 games for 96 wins, making the finals 2012-2015 including the 2013 Grand Final.

 

 

Jack Higgins – Higgins was drafted by Richmond with Pick 17 in the 2017 Draft and made his debut against Hawthorn in Round 3 2018, he kicked two goals. Higgins was a popular player known for his enthusiasm and post-match interviews – on one occasion he told a joke when addressing the players at three-quarter time. Higgins played 20 games in 2018 for a Richmond side that finished on top of the ladder, his highlight came in Round 19 where he kicked goal of the year against Collingwood after keeping the ball in play and kicking it over his head while going around the goalpost. In 2019 Higgins requested to wear Number 13 which is an unlucky number at Richmond (and elsewhere). Higgins lost form and then suffered a brain bleed which restricted him to 13 games. Higgins played 10 games in 2020 but did not play in the finals and requested a trade to St Kilda – the club he supported as a kid – after 43 games at Richmond.

 

 

David Cordner – The Cordner name is royalty at Melbourne. David’s father was Ted who played 52 games and one premiership. His uncles were Denis who played 152 games, three premierships and captained the club; Don who played 166 games, two premiership, won the 1946 Brownlow Medal and also captained the club; and John who played six games. Grandfather Edward played two games at Melbourne and 60 games at University. David joined Melbourne in 1982 as forward after kicking 100 goals in the U19s in 1981. Cordner played 53 games from 1982-1987 for 61 goals. His best year was in 1984 with 32 goals and his best haul was seven goals against Fitzroy in 1985. Cordner joined Sydney in 1988 as a replacement for Warwick Capper but played only five games for six goals. David’s cousin Harriet (granddaughter of Don) now plays in the AFLW – originally for Melbourne and now for Richmond.

 

 

Jamie Shaw – Shaw joined Fitzroy from Preston after winning the VFA’s leading goal kicking award with 145 goals including a bag of 18. Shaw debuted for Fitzroy Round 18, 1987 and kicked five goals in his first game. Shaw missed the next game injured and did not reappear again until Round 1, 1988 where he did not kick a goal and was dropped the next week and rejoined Preston not long after. He kicked 105 goals for the Bullants that year. Shaw stayed in the VFA and in 1989 kicked 19 goals in a game against Sunshine.

 

 

Cameron Cloke – Cameron is the son of David, brother of Jason and Travis and was drafted in 2002 with Pick 43 as a father son pick. Cameron wore Number 33, the same as his Dad and played 21 games with Collingwood from 2004-2006 as a tall forward/ruck. He played just once in the seniors with both Jason and Travis – Round 6 2005. At the end of 2006 Cameron as well as Jason were delisted and while Jason was not picked up, Cameron was drafted by Carlton with Pick 9 in the 2006 Pre Season Draft. At Carlton Cameron played mainly ruck and wore Number 28 in 36 games over three seasons. Cloke’s time at Carlton is best remembered for an intra club match where Setanta O’ hAilpin punched and kicked Cloke behind the play while he was lying on the ground. O’ hAilpin was suspended for a month. In 2010 Cloke was rookie listed by Port Adelaide but only played one game.

 

 

Liam Pickering – Pickering was recruited from Stawell and made his debut with North Melbourne in 1989 wearing number 48. Liam’s father Michael played 6 games for North Melbourne between 1961-62. Liam played 22 games in four seasons and wore three numbers at North Melbourne 48, 28 and 8. In 1993 Pickering was traded to Geelong with Leigh Tudor and Darren Steele for draft pick 123 which ended up being ex Cat Marty Christensen who did not play a game. Pickering played 102 games for Geelong and won the 1997 Best & Fairest and two Grand Final appearances. Pickering also captained North Melbourne district cricket team and is now a prominent AFL player manager having managed Gary Ablett Jnr and Lance Franklin.

 

 

Leigh Montagna – Started his career in the Number 28 jumper from 2002-2004 before moving to Number 11 from 2005-2017.  Montagna was drafted with Pick 37 in the 2001 Draft and debuted in Round 6, 2002 against Collingwood which was his only game for the year. Montagna played 29 games in the next three years but from 2006 under Ross Lyon he was a mainstay in the St Kilda side. Montagna ended up playing 287 games, two time All Australian and finished five times in the top three of the Best & Fairest although he never won.

 

 

Rod Carter – Carter is best known as a Swans player over 217 games from 1980-1990. Carter had the nickname of ‘Tilt’ for the way his neck tilted when he played. Carter was a miserly full back who was known to be hard to kick goals against…in his 293 games he also only kicked one goal. Carter’s stint at Fitzroy is less known. Carter started in 1974 aged 19 at Fitzroy and wore Number 40 in his first two seasons. Carter moved to Number 28 in 1976 and was regular for Fitzroy except for 1979 where he played just one game in Round 2 before he joined Port Melbourne. South Melbourne showed interest and Carter joined the Swans and followed them to Sydney. Before the start of the 1990 season Carter needed 14 games for 300 but at age 35 he struggled for form and sadly played only seven.

 

 

Denis Collins – Denis is the son of 1950 Essendon premiership player Jack Collins. Denis was known for his bushy beard and started his career at Footscray where he played 100 games between 1972-1977. Denis played 30 games for Carlton in 1978-1979 and is best known at Carlton for walking behind Robbie Muir before Muir swung around and struck Collins in the jaw. In 1980 Collins joined Richmond at age 26 and was a regular player with 17 games including a Qualifying Final. Collins was dropped for the Semi Final for Daryl Freame as Collins missed an appointment with the club psychologist on the Thursday to take his girlfriend to the movies. Freame ended as a premiership player while Collins left Richmond at end of 1980.

 

 

Graeme Cody – Graeme is the younger and lesser known brother of Neil and Brian who both played over 100 games. Graeme was different to his brother in looks, Graeme a redhead and also being a key forward while his brothers were defenders. Graeme struggled for opportunities and played just 27 games for nine goals in five seasons.

 

 

Sean Rusling – Rusling was drafted with Pick 23 in the 2004 Draft from West Adelaide. Rusling was a strong mark and at 190cm was very quick with a good leap and was seen as a likely forward. Rusling made his debut in Round 10 2005 and played six games in a row for three goals. In 2006 Rusling wore Number 2 but only played 11 games in next three seasons for 16 goals, with four of those games finals. Rusling’s best game netted three goals in 2007 Elimination Final. Rusling had four reconstructions between both shoulders and after no games due to injury in 2009-2010 Rusling retired aged 23 with just 17 games to his name.

 

 

 

Forgotten Number 28s are Darren Smith (Adel), Cameron O’Brien (Bris), Peter Turner (Carl), Ben Kinnear (Coll), David Flood & Andrew Bomford (Ess), Peter Foster & Peter Doyle (Fitz), Peter Faulks (Freo), Simon Arnott (Geel), Matthew Little (Haw), Glenn Molloy (Melb) Stephen Daniels (PA), Peter Czerkaski & Mark McQueen (Rich) Rohan Smith (St.K), Jack Lucas (Syd), Tom Lamb (WCE)

 

 

 

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