Almanac Teams: Drafted brothers who never played a game

 

 

This side is based on players who were brothers of VFL/AFL players, but themselves never played a game.

 

Please note some of the position in the side are based on the brother’s position.

 

This team is done since the draft came in 1986 as realised it may be hard to look up lists prior for teams that had brothers play reserves or U19s. I am still interested to hear of any others though. I have included a couple of examples at the end.

 

 

 

FB:      Marcus Pickett (Ess)                Aisake O hAilpin (Carl)  Matthew Sexton (Rich/Melb)

 

CHB:   Cian Hanley (Bris)                   Cameron Croad (Carl)           Jamie Keane (St.K)

 

C:         Michael Embley (WCE)          Nick Raines (Bris)                  Adam Varcoe (Geel)

 

CHF:    Josh Houlihan (St.K)              Anthony Alessio (Foots)        Troy Polak (NM/Freo)

 

FF:       George Gorozidis (Melb)        Brian Hinkley (Bris/Ess)      Riley Grundy (PA)

 

Ruck:   Christian Bock (Ess)               James Pyke (WB/Coll)          Cameron Hewett (PA)

 

Interchange: Jason Lappin (St.K), Corey Lyons (Bris), Hugh Minson (PA), Patrick Steinfort (Rich)

 

Others: John Bingham (St.K), Eljay Connors (St.K), Sam Crocker (St.K), Frankie Dimattina (Coll), Jackson Edwards (Adel), Darren Fraser (Coll/PA), Andrew Galluci (Carl), Jason Gowans (St.K), Alex Grima (Geel), Todd Grima (Haw), Wade Kingsley (NM), Lachlan Langford (Haw), Nick Lowther (NM), Tim Sheringham (Geel), Ben Silvagni (Carl), Andrew Venner (NM), Zac Webster (Haw).

 

 

 

Marcus Pickett

Pick 45, 1999 National Draft, Essendon

Brother – Byron Pickett 204 games North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne (1997-2007)

 

Marcus is 181cm and had one year at Essendon before he was delisted. He is three years younger than Byron. Byron won a premiership and a Rising Star in 1999 with North Melbourne and premiership and Norm Smith Medal in 2004 at Port Adelaide.

 

 

Aisake O hAilpin

Pick 50, 2005 Rookie Draft, Carlton

Brother – Setanta O’Hailpin 88 games Carlton and GWS (2005-2013)

Aisake is 198cm ruck who was on Carlton’s rookie list for four years and is two years older younger than Setanta. Setanta was mainly a forward and kicked 82 goals with a best haul of five.

 

 

Matthew Sexton

Pick 30, 1986 National Draft, Richmond and Pick 53, 1990 Preseason Draft, Melbourne

Brothers – Michael Sexton 200 games Carlton (1990-2000) and Ben Sexton 43 games Carlton and Footscray (1991-1996)

Matthew was a 190cm defender who played 300 games at Sandhurst. Matthew is 18 months older than Michael and three years older than Ben. Michael is a 1995 Premiership player.

 

 

Cian Hanley

Pick 56, 2015 Rookie Draft, Brisbane

Brother – Pearce Hanley 169 games Brisbane and Gold Coast (2008-2020)

Cian is 185cm half back and was on Brisbane’s list for four years; he is seven years younger than Pearce. Pearce won a Marcus Ashcroft Medal in 2014.

 

 

 

Cameron Croad

Pick 60, 2002 National Draft, Carlton

Brother – Trent Croad 222 games Hawthorn and Fremantle (1998-2008)

Cameron is 188cm, was a marking forward and is just under four years younger than Trent. Trent is a 2008 Premiership player and 2005 All Australian at Hawthorn.

 

 

Jamie Keane

Pick 31, 1987 National Draft, St Kilda

Brother – Gary Keane 55 games Fitzroy (1985-1989)

Jamie is a 186cm half back and is five years younger than Gary. Gary got the most votes for Fitzroy with 10 in the 1987 Brownlow.

 

 

Michael Embley

Pick 25, 2004 Rookie Draft, West Coast Eagles

Brother – Andrew Embley 250 games West Coast (1999-2013)

Michael is a 200cm ruck who spent three years on West Coast’s list and is four years younger than Andrew. Andrew is a premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist in 2006.

 

 

Nick Raines

Pick 66, 2001 Rookie Draft, Brisbane

Brother – Andrew Raines 129 games Richmond, Brisbane, and Gold Coast (2004-2015)

Nick is a 178cm midfielder who was on Brisbane’s list for two years and is three years older than Andrew. Andrew came second in both the 2006 Rising Star and Best & Fairest.

 

 

Adam Varcoe

Pick 15, 2008 Rookie Draft, Geelong

Brother – Travis Varcoe 230 games Geelong and Collingwood (2007-2020)

Adam is a 179cm wing who was on Geelong’s list for two years and is two years younger than Travis. Travis is a two time premiership player.

 

 

 

 

Josh Houlihan

Pick 49, 2001 National Draft, St Kilda

Brothers – Damian Houlihan 11 games Collingwood (1994), Adam Houlihan 94 games Geelong and Richmond (1997-2004) and Ryan 201 games Carlton (2000-2011)

Josh is a 183cm half forward and had three years on St Kilda’s list. He is the youngest Houlihan brother, eight years younger than Damian, six younger than Adam and two younger than Ryan. Adam and Ryan both were Rising Star winners.

 

 

 

Anthony Alessio

Pick 22, 1989 Preseason Draft, Footscray

Brother – Steven Alessio 184 games Essendon (1992-2003)

Anthony is a 194cm CHF who is five years older than Steven and ended up as Coburg’s VFA captain and club legend. Steven is a 2000 Premiership player.

 

 

Troy Polak

Pick 50, 1993 National Draft, North Melbourne; traded to Fremantle for Glenn Freeborn and Pick 55 in 1994

Brother – Graham Polak 111 games Fremantle and Richmond (2002-2010)

Troy is 192cm forward/defender who spent one year at North Melbourne and two years at Fremantle and is two years older than Graham. Despite having not played a game Troy does have a footy card. Graham was a Rising Star nominee.

 

 

George Gorozidis

Pick 48, 1991 Preseason Draft, Melbourne

Brother – Con Gorozidis 34 games St Kilda and Footscray (1980-1983)

George is a 183cm forward and kicked 57 goals for Melbourne’s reserves in 1991; he is 10 years younger than Con. Con was St Kilda’s leading goalkicker in 1981.

 

 

 

 

Brian Hinkley

Pick 9, 1989 Preseason Draft; traded to Brisbane as a Pre-Draft Selection in the 1989 National Draft

Brother – Ken Hinkley 132 games Fitzroy and Geelong (1987-1995)

Brian is 194cm forward/ruck and is 12 months younger than Ken. Being from Camperdown like me, I can confirm Brian is considered a local legend. He won the Hampden League and Geelong League’s Best & Fairests, was leading goalkicker and a premiership player. Brian played some games for Geelong’s reserves in 1988 as a zone top up player but had moved to Queensland in 1989 when drafted by Essendon – he then moved back to Victoria when traded to the Bears. Ken is a two time All Australian.

 

 

 

Riley Grundy

Pick 73, 2018 National Draft, Port Adelaide

Brother – Brodie Grundy 186 games Collingwood and Melbourne (2013- )

Riley is a 194cm forward and is six years younger than Brodie. Brodie is a two time All Australian.

 

 

 

 

Christian Bock

Pick 36, 2008 Rookie Draft, Essendon

Brother – Nathan Bock 140 games Adelaide and Gold Coast (2004-2013)

Christian is a 205cm beanpole ruck at 85kg (I remember seeing him in his gear; he looked like a point post) and is seven years younger than Nathan. Nathan is a 2008 All Australian.

 

 

James Pyke

Pick 45, 1986 National Draft, Footscray and Pick 25, 1989 Preseason Draft, Collingwood

Brother – Don Pyke 132 games West Coast (1989-1996)

James is a 183cm midfielder who is two years older than Don. James was a state cricketer for South Australia who played 13 games from 1985-1988 as an allrounder; he made 533 runs at 29 and took 33 wickets at 34. Don is a two time premiership player and former coach of Adelaide.

 

 

Cameron Hewett

Pick 28, 2015 Rookie Draft, Port Adelaide

Brother – George Hewett 143 games Sydney and Carlton (2014- )

Cameron is a 189cm midfielder and is 12 months younger than George. Cameron spent four years on Port Adelaide’s list. George played in the 2016 Grand Final.

 

 

Jason Lappin

Pick 12, 1996 Preseason Draft, Footscray

Brother – Matthew Lappin 251 games St Kilda and Carlton (1994-2007)

Jason is a 182cm midfielder and is two years older than Matthew. After his playing career finished Jason worked at North Melbourne from 2010 as a development coach and then performance analysis manager. Matthew was All Australian in 2004.

 

 

Corey Lyons

Pick 71, 2016 National Draft, Brisbane

Brother – Jarryd Lyons 184 games Adelaide, Gold Coast and Brisbane (2011- )

Cory is 184cm and six years younger than Jarryd. Jarryd has two Marcus Ashcroft Medals as BOG against Gold Coast in the QClash/Pineapple Grapple.

 

 

Hugh Minson

Pick 58, 2005 National Draft, Port Adelaide

Brother – Will Minson 191 games Western Bulldogs (2004-2016)

Hugh is a 202cm ruck who is three years younger than Will. Will was an All Australian in 2013

 

 

Patrick Steinfort

Pick 16, 1996 National Draft, Richmond

Brother – Carl Steinfort 92 Games Geelong and Collingwood (1996-2002)

Patrick is a 198cm ruck who is two years younger than Carl. Patrick spent five injury plagued years at Richmond with his first year his best. As a Richmond supporter I saw his first year in the reserves and had him Best on Ground in the 1997 Reserves Premiership. Carl played in the 2002 Grand Final, his last game.

 

 

John Bingham
Pick 94, 1989 National Draft, North Melbourne

Brother – Lawrence Bingham 25 games Hawthorn and St Kilda (1989-1993)

John is a 200cm ruck and 18 months older than Lawrence.

 

 

Eljay Connors

Pick 70, 2007 National Draft, St Kilda

Brother – Daniel Connors 29 games Richmond (2007-2012)

Eljay is 181cm small defender and is 18 months younger than Daniel.

 

 

Sam Crocker

Pick 43, 2010 National Draft, St Kilda

Brother – Ben Crocker 33 games Collingwood and Adelaide (2016-2020)

Sam is 179cm midfielder who is five years older than Ben.

 

 

Frankie Dimattina

Pick 71, 1998 Rookie Draft, Collingwood

Brothers – Paul Dimattina 131 games Western Bulldogs (1995-2003) and Andrew Dimattina 28 games Collingwood (2000-2002)

Frankie is a 175cm small forward who is five years younger than Paul and 18 months younger than Andrew.

 

 

Jackson Edwards

Pick 41, 2017 Rookie Draft, Adelaide

Brother – Luke Edwards 17 games West Coast (2021- )

Jackson is a 185cm midfielder/forward and is two years older than Luke.

 

 

Darren Fraser

Pick 42, 1992 Mid-Season Draft, Collingwood and Pick 57, 1997 National Draft, Port Adelaide

Brother – Mark Fraser 110 games Collingwood and Essendon (1992-2000)

Darren is a 180cm midfielder/defender and is two years younger than Mark.

 

 

Andrew Galluci

Pick 19, 2016 Rookie Draft, Carlton

Brother – Jordan Galluci 27 games Adelaide (2017-2019)

Andrew is a 178cm small forward and is four years older than Jordan.

 

 

Chris Gowans

Pick 25, 1999 Rookie Draft, St Kilda

Brother – James Gowans 4 games St Kilda (1999)

Chris is a 180cm forward and he and James are twins. Chris and James played in nine premierships at Central Districts.

 

 

Alex Grima

Pick 42, 2008 Rookie Draft, Hawthorn

Brother – Nathan Grima 88 games North Melbourne and Essendon (2009-2016)

Alex is a 186cm defender and is four years younger than Nathan.

 

 

Todd Grima

Pick 12, 2006 Rookie Draft, Geelong

Brother – Nathan Grima 88 games North Melbourne and Essendon (2009-2016)

Todd is a 192cm forward and is 18 months younger than Nathan.

 

 

Wade Kingsley

Trade selection from Port Adelaide for Paul Geister 1996

Brother – Kent Kingsley 125 games North Melbourne, Geelong and Richmond (1999-2007)

Wade is a 195cm forward who is a twin brother of Kent; both were traded to North Melbourne at the same time.

 

 

Lachlan Langford

Pick 53, 2014 Rookie Draft, Hawthorn

Brother – Will Langford 72 games Hawthorn (2013-2018)

Lachlan is a 189cm forward and is four years younger than Will.

 

 

Nick Lowther

Pick 47, 1998 National Draft, North Melbourne

Brother – Daniel Lowther 34 games Geelong (1997-2001)

Nick is a 186cm midfielder and is three years younger than Daniel.

 

 

Tim Sheringham

Pick 43, 2005 Rookie Draft, Geelong

Brother – Jackson Sheringham 12 games Geelong (2012-2014)

Tim is 180cm defender and is two years older than Jackson.

 

 

Ben Silvagni

Pick 70, 2018 National Draft, Carlton

Brother – Jack Silvagni 108 games (2016- )

Ben is a 196cm tall defender and is three years younger than Jack.

 

 

Andrew Venner

Pick 34, 1989 National Draft, North Melbourne

Brother – Steven Venner 4 games North Melbourne (1989)

Andrew is a 194cm defender and is three years younger than Steven.

 

 

Zac Webster

Pick 48, 2013 Rookie Draft, Hawthorn

Brother – Jimmy Webster 135 games St Kilda (2013- )

Zac is a 182cm defender and is two years younger than Jimmy.

 

 

 

Some brothers from memory that were on AFL lists prior to the draft that never played a game:

 

Tim Rendell ruck at Fitzroy, brother of Matthew

Adrian Kink at Collingwood, brother of Rene

Anson Brownless at Sydney, brother of Bill

Blair Brownless at Collingwood also a brother of Bill

 

 

Would love to hear of any more!

 

 

 

 

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