Almanac Teams: Double Dales and Binary Barhams; Obscure 43s (1980- )

 

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 43 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 43, 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:        Marcus Ashcroft (Bris)         Dane Rampe (Syd)                 Anton Tohill (Coll)

 

CHB:    Bachar Houli (Ess)                 Nick Maxwell (Coll)               Tim Livingstone (Rich)

 

C:          Ricky Barham (Coll)              Sam Gibson (NM)                   Jaxson Barham (Coll)

 

CHF:    Adam Contessa (WB)            Frank Rugolo (Melb)              Dean Rioli (Ess)

 

FF:        Ben Hollands (Rich)             John Longmire (NM)              Ryan Nyhuis (Freo)

 

Ruck:    Derek Shaw (Coll)                 Dale Lewis (Syd)                     Dale Weightman (Rich)

 

Interchange: Darren Loutitt (Fitz), Ben McGlynn (Haw), Reilly O’Brien (Adel), Paul Payne (Melb)

 

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

 

 

 

Games in Number 43 (Years played)

Marcus Ashcroft 19 (1989)

Dane Rampe 23 (2013)

Anton Tohill 1 (2021)

Bachar Houli 26 (2007-2010)

Nick Maxwell 10 (2004)

Tim Livingstone 8 (1992-1993)

Ricky Barham 43 (1977-1979)

Sam Gibson 130 (2012-2017)

Jaxson Barham 7 (2009-2010)

Adam Contessa 17 (1997-1999)

Frank Rugolo 8 (1983-1984)

Dean Rioli 100 (1999-2006)

Ben Hollands 8 (1999)

John Longmire 11 (1988)

Ryan Nyhuis 17 (2017-2019)

Derek Shaw 23 (1981-1984)

Dale Lewis 2 (1990)

Dale Weightman 18 (1978)

Darren Loutitt 2 (1988)

Ben McGlynn 4 (2006)

Reilly O’Brien 77 (2016- )

Paul Payne 22 (1985-1986)

 

 

 

Marcus Ashcroft – Ashcroft was recruited from Southport as a 17 year old Zone player in the 1988 Draft. Ashcroft debuted in Round 9, 1989 aged seventeen and went on to play ten games in his first year. The next year Ashcroft took over the Number 10 jumper at Brisbane from John Fidge and was a mainstay in Brisbane’s defence until 2003. Ashcroft played 318 games including 170 consecutive games with 145 goals, three premierships and ten top ten finishes in the Best & Fairest. He was also assistant coach and then football manager at Gold Coast from 2008-2017. The player voted best on ground in the Brisbane v Gold Coast match wins the Marcus Ashcroft medal. His son Will is set to join Brisbane next year and will possibly be the first pick in the National Draft.

 

 

Dane Rampe – Rampe was drafted by the Swans with Pick 37 in the 2013 Rookie Draft and made his debut in Round 1, 2013 aged 22, having only just started playing at 17. He played 23 games in his first year including all three finals. The following year Rampe moved to Number 24 and has since played over 200 games for the Swans, he won a Best & Fairest in 2019, was All Australian in 2016 and has been co-captain since 2019. Rampe is perhaps best known for climbing a goalpost against Essendon in 2019 as David Myers was shooting for goal. He was fined $1,000 for the incident.

 

 

Anton Tohill – Tohill was rookie listed by Collingwood in 2018 as a Category B Rookie from Derby in Ireland and spent three seasons at the Pies. Tohill made his debut aged 21 in Round 19, 2021 where he gathered nine disposals in his only game – he retired to resume his medical studies back in Ireland after 2021. Anton’s father is Anthony Tohill who was a champion Gaelic footballer who played for Melbourne U19s and Reserves in 1990-1991. Anthony did not have much to show for his time in Australia as he suffered a broken leg. Anthony played International Rules for Ireland against Australia in 1998 and 2001.

 

 

Bachar Houli – Houli was drafted by Essendon with Pick 42 in the 2006 Draft and was the first devout Muslim and third overall to play in the AFL. Houli made his debut in Round 7, 2007 and played the next four weeks; he played ten of the first eleven games in 1998 and earned a Rising Star nomination. At that point he was third in the Best & Fairest, but missed the rest of the season with osteitis pubis. Houli was in and out of the side in 2009-2010 and requested a trade after four seasons and 26 games. Despite a trade not being able to be met with Richmond, Houli found his way to Punt Road via the Pre-Season Draft. He played 206 games at Richmond and 232 in total before retirement at the end of 2021. A three time premiership player, Houli came second in the Norm Smith in 2017 [was best on in 2017 without doubt – Ed.] and 2019 and was an All Australian in 2019.

 

 

Nick Maxwell – Maxwell was recruited from the Geelong Falcons with Pick 15 in the 2002 Rookie Draft. He debuted in Round 9, 2004 aged 20 and played ten games for the year. In 2005 Maxwell moved to Number 27 and was a regular in the side from then on. When Nathan Buckley retired in 2007, Maxwell took over Number 5 from 2008 until his retirement in 2014. He played 208 games for 29 goals with a best of four goals against Brisbane 2007 (out of a team total of seven goals). Maxwell was appointed captain in 2009, led the side to a flag in 2010 and made the All Australian team in 2009.

 

 

Tim Livingstone – Livingstone was drafted by Richmond from Box Hill in the 1992 Mid-Season Draft. Livingstone played two games in 1992 and six games in 1993 with his best game 20 disposals. He returned to Box Hill in 1994 and captained a representative VFA side in 1995 against NSW. It is off the field that Livingstone has had a significant impact at Richmond. After a stint as the Brisbane Lions’ Victoria manager from 2006-2008, Livingstone joined Richmond in 2009 as General Manager and was then promoted to Head of Coaching and Football Performance, where he remains today as Damien Hardwick’s right hand man and takes all of Dimma’s calls on the bench.

 

 

Ricky Barham – Ricky was known as a racehorse of a wing who missed a lot of football due to constant hamstring injuries. Barham was recruited from South Warrnambool and debuted in Round 6, 1977, and played 17 games including the Grand Final and the replay; he kicked two goals in the latter. Barham wore Number 43 from 1977-1979 before moving to Number 1 in 1980. Barham played five grand finals for Collingwood from 1977-1981 and retired aged 27 in 1986 after 151 games and 140 goals. Ricky had two brothers who briefly played in Bill Barham who played at Melbourne and Jamie (Melbourne and Footscray). His son Jaxson also played for Collingwood (see below). Ricky worked for Sydney for 15 years as Recruiting Manager and is responsible for many players who took part in the 2005 and 2012 Premierships.

 

 

Sam Gibson – Gibson was originally rookie listed by Hawthorn in 2007. He never played a game but stayed at Hawthorn’s reserves team Box Hill. Gibson was then rookie listed by North Melbourne with Pick 62 in 2012. He debuted aged 26 in Round 12, 2012 and from his debut to Round 22, 2017 he played 130 games for North Melbourne without missing. In 2018 Gibson was traded to Adelaide but only played five games before he retired. Gibson was a high disposal winner; he averaged 22 with a best of 36 and finished top ten in the Best & Fairest four times with a best of third in 2016. Gibson’s streak of 130 games since debut is the second longest in the AFL.

 

 

Jaxson Barham – Jaxson is the son of Ricky and was drafted by Collingwood as a Father-Son in the 2007 Draft. Jaxson debuted in Round 4, 2009 against Brisbane and gathered 28 disposals and a Rising Star nomination. He played six games in 2009 at an average of 18 disposals and just one game in 2010 before he was delisted at the end of the year.

 

 

Adam Contessa – Contessa, it seemed to me, was picked each year in the AFL Draft, but was only ever rookie listed twice. Contessa started his career at Strathmore, then went to the Northern Knights and after he was overlooked for the draft became a top up player for the North Melbourne reserves, and won a premiership with them in 1996. His form got him noticed and he was rookie listed by the Bulldogs with Pick 2 in the 1997 Rookie Draft. Contessa made his debut in Round 13, 1997 and played four games and then one in 1998. After he was delisted at end of 1998, Contessa was rookie listed again by the Bulldogs with Pick 41 in 1999 Rookie Draft. Another twelve games followed in 1999 and he then had his best year in 2000 with 21 games and a finals appearance. After just seven games in 2001 Contessa was delisted for the final time and played with Glenelg in the SANFL.

 

 

Frank Rugolo – Rugolo was a cult figure for Melbourne who unluckily suffered two broken forearms. Rugolo debuted aged 19 in Round 21, 1983 against Hawthorn and kicked a goal. He played the first two games of 1984 but in Round 2 suffered his first broken forearm and did not come back until the last four rounds of the season. In Round 1, 1985 he suffered another fracture to his forearm and missed the rest of the year. Rugolo played just two games in 1986 and was delisted after 11 in total. Frank’s brother Joe played eight games for Melbourne and both of them later joined Sandringham in the VFA.

 

 

Dean Rioli – Dean was the second Rioli to play in the VFL/AFL and is the nephew of Maurice Rioli Snr and Michael Long. Rioli played in a premiership with South Fremantle in 1997 and was rookie listed with Pick 3 in 1998 Rookie Draft by his uncle’s club Essendon. He debuted aged 20 in Round 3, 1999 and played 17 games for 29 goals with a career best of five goals in his eighth career game against Geelong. Rioli played all finals in 1999 but in 2000 he only played five games due to injuries and missed the 2000 Premiership. He played in the 2001 Grand Final but failed to kick a goal in the loss to Brisbane. Rioli battled through his career with fitness issues and injuries which restricted him to 100 games for 91 goals and an early retirement at age 28.

 

 

Ben Hollands – Hollands was originally drafted by Sydney in 1995 as a NSW Zone selection but did not play a game for the Swans. Hollands was then drafted by Richmond with Pick 36 in the 1998 Rookie Draft. Hollands would debut age 21 in Round 6 1999 against Essendon. He played eight games for five goals with a best of ten disposals. His most memorable game was against Fremantle where he kicked two goals including the last goal to put Richmond in front within the last minute. Hollands was delisted after 2000 and was then rookie listed by Port Adelaide in 2001 but did not play a game. Ben’s son Elijah was drafted with Pick 7 in 2020 by Gold Coast and played five games this year; he  also earned a Rising Star nomination.

 

 

John Longmire – Longmire’s first official game at any level for North Melbourne was the ‘Battle of Britain’ against Carlton in 1987. Longmire had spent 1987 with Corowa-Rutherglen where he kicked 82 goals and nearly won the Ovens & Murray’s goal kicking. He made his league debut in Round 4, 1988 aged 17 against Footscray where he kicked four goals. Longmire played 11 games for 21 goals with his best haul five goals against Footscray in Round 16. In 1989 he moved to Number 35 and played most of the year at FB. In 1990 Longmire won the Coleman Medal which included 12 goals against Richmond in Round 2 and 14 against Melbourne in Round 14. Coming into the last round he had 96 goals but kicked 2.8 to finish with 98. Longmire proved to be part of a great two-pronged forward attack with Wayne Carey and over the next five years kicked 91, 64, 75, 78 and 58. In 1996 Longmire suffered a knee injury that required a reconstruction during the preseason which forced him out for the year and caused him to miss a premiership. Longmire returned in 1997 but was not the same player, he had lost a lot of his movement in his knees and played mainly as spare ruck/tall for 45 games and 17 goals. Longmire was dropped for 1998 Grand Final but came in for 1999 Preliminary Final for Cameron Mooney and held his spot for premiership; he announced his retirement after the game for 200 games for 511 goals. After an apprenticeship as assistant coach at Sydney Swans, Longmire took over as head coach in 2011 and won a premiership in 2012, he also made the Grand Final in 2014 and 2016.

 

 

Ryan Nyhuis – Nyhuis was recruited from NT Thunder with Pick 34 in the 2016 Rookie Draft. He debuted in Round 16, 2017 and kicked four goals from eight kicks. Nyhuis kicked only one more goal in his remaining sixteen games as he mainly played in defence for the rest of his career. He ended up with 17 games and a best of 21 disposals.

 

 

Derek Shaw – Derek was one of five Shaws to play for Collingwood in the late 1970s and early 1980s, however despite coming from Bundoora in Collingwood zone he was not related to any of the others. Shaw played mainly as spare ruck/tall forward. He debuted in 1978 in Number 44 and played nine games. In 1979 Shaw moved to Number 4 and played 15 games for 21 goals with a best of four goals. Shaw played all finals but his Grand Final was less than memorable with zero disposals and one hit out. In 1980 Shaw sought a clearance to South Fremantle which needed court action to help go through and in 1981 he wished to return to Collingwood (which also needed legal intervention). Shaw was given Number 43 upon his return in 1981 but only played one game in 1981, three in 1982, and six in 1983. In 1984 Shaw played thirteen games including the semi and preliminary finals. He was leased/traded to West Adelaide in 1985 with Dale Woodhall and Ron Andrews for Tony Burgess. Shaw finished with 47 games and 32 goals.

 

 

Dale Lewis – Lewis was drafted by Sydney with Pick 2 in 1990 from North Ballarat. Lewis debuted in Round 15, 1990 against Footscray aged 21 where he gathered 17 disposals and kicked one goal. Following this Lewis kicked two goals and had 24 disposals against eventual premiers Collingwood. Lewis unfortunately got injured and missed the rest of the year, however Sydney liked what they saw and offered him Gerard Healy’s Number 3. He played every game in 1991 as a half forward/onballer and kicked 27 goals with a best of five against Fitzroy. Lewis was a mainstay for the Swans as a highly skilled played and after only twelve games in 1996 due to injury he found himself recovered in time to for Round 22. He kicked three goals in the 1996 Preliminary Final and was one of Sydney’s best in the first half in the Grand Final. Lewis played 182 games until 2001 for 186 goals with 43 goals and seven goals in a match in 1994 his best.

 

 

Dale Weightman – Weightman was recruited from Mildura in 1977 and debuted in Round 1, 1978. He played 18 games in 1978 for 24 goals. In 1979 Weightman took over Number 3 from Paul Feltham and with Bartlett on a HFF, shared roving duties with Robert Wiley. Weightman still kicked on average at least a goal a game and in 1980 had a breakout year – he played 24 games for 24 goals, averaged 24 disposals, kicked four goals in the qualifying final and kicked the first goal in 1980 Grand Final win. Weightman became a Richmond star over 274 games for 344 goals with 31 goals in the 1982 Grand Final year his best; he kicked five goals six times. When Richmond were poor, Weightman was their best player and is best known as a big game performer for Victoria, he played 20 state games, won two Whitten Medals, one Tassie Medal, one Simpson Medal, was three times All Australian and Victorian captain several times. He also won two Best & Fairests, captained Richmond from 1988-1992 and is a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

 

 

Darren Loutitt – Loutitt joined Melbourne from Bentleigh and played 13 games from 1985-1986 with 11 games in 1985. Loutitt was then traded to St Kilda in 1987 but was traded again, this time to Fitzroy, after he started a fight with Tony Lockett in a practice match. Loutitt broke his arm in his first practice game at Fitzroy and had to wait until Round 4, 1988 to make his Lions debut. He played the next week but finished with just two games at Fitzroy and 15 in total at the end of 1988. Loutitt was in Boston in 1998 and played for the USAFL’s Boston Demons. In 1998 and 1999 he was captain/coach for the Demons in grand final wins over John Ironmonger’s Santa Cruz side.

 

 

Ben McGlynn – McGlynn could be considered one of the unluckiest footballers ever in terms of missed games. McGlynn was drafted from Dareton in NSW with Pick 55 in the 2006 Rookie Draft. He debuted in Round 10, 2006 against the Bulldogs and played four games for two goals at an average of 18 disposals. McGlynn moved to Number 22 in 2007 and played 21 games but missed both finals due to injury. He played just three games in 2008 and was not part of Hawthorn’s premiership side. After 16 games in 2009 and 44 in total McGlynn was traded to Sydney with Josh Kennedy. He played another 127 games for Sydney from 2010-2016. In 2012 McGlynn played 22 games but injured his hamstring in the Semi Final and missed the Grand Final. McGlynn played in the 2014 and 2016 Grand Finals (the latter his final game) but alas they were both losses.

 

 

Reilly O’Brien – O’Brien was rookie listed by Adelaide with Pick 9 in 2014 and debuted in Round 20, 2016 against Brisbane. O’Brien did not play in 2017-2018 but had a breakout year in 2019 for 18 games. In 2020 O’Brien won the Crows’ Best & Fairest and averaged 27 hit outs a game with a best of 54. O’Brien is best remembered for an incident before a game against West Coast in 2020 where he sent out a tweet in error: the tweet said that Eagles champion Nic Naitanui was lazy and unfit. O’Brien had accidentally tweeted his personal game notes and claimed that his phone was broken. It made for an interesting narrative to the contest and after the match Naitanui presented O’Brien with a new phone.

 

 

Paul Payne – Payne was recruited from Melbourne’s country Zone of Tatura. Payne made his debut aged 20 in Round 3, 1985 and played seven games for four goals. He moved into defence in 1986 and played 15 games, however after he moved to Number 19 in 1987 he played just six more games at Melbourne. Payne decided to join the police in 1989, however after Carlton drafted him with Pick 40 in the 1989 Preseason Draft he delayed his move into the force. Payne played five games in 1989 but was delisted at the end of the year.

 

 

Some of the forgotten Number 43s are Jake Barrett (Bris), Brendan Tranter (Coll), Danny Morgan (Ess), Tim Finocchiaro and Danny O’Brien (Geel), Liam Patrick (GCS), Phillip Murton (Haw), Jeremy Clayton (NM), Nick Salter (PA), Craig Ednie and Cameron Howat (Rich), John Favier (St.K), Brent Plitz (Syd), Zach Beeck (WCE) Brad Nicholson (WB).

 

 

 

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