Almanac Teams: Number 35 Obscure (1980- )

 

 

 

A team of more obscure/lesser known players to wear the Number 35 jumper since 1980.

 

 

Here’s my second team of players to wear the Number 35, mostly from 1980 onwards but I have made exceptions, such as Glynn Hewitt in the Number 19 side.

 

 

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:        Chris Newman (Rich)                   Steven Smith (Melb)                       Terry Wheeler (Foots)

 

CHB:    Steve Goulding (NM)                    Simon Prestigiacomo (Coll)           Darryl Cox (Melb)

 

C:          Mark Gale (Freo)                            Noel Mugavin (Fitz/Rich)              Cain Liddle (Geel)

 

CHF:    Gary Ablett (Haw)                          Chris Groom (Freo)                         Peter Laughlin (Rich)

 

FF:        Toby Greene (GWS)                      Jarryd Roughead (Haw)                  Ken Judge (Bris)

 

Ruck:    Brodie Grundy (Coll)                    Nick Daicos (Coll)                             John McCarthy (PA)

 

Interchange: Michael Apeness (Freo), Simon Garlick (Syd), Shaun McKernan (Adel), Josh Saunders (St.K)

 

No players from Carlton, Essendon, Gold Coast or West Coast.

 

 

 

Games in Number 35 (Years played)

Chris Newman 76 (2002-2005)

Steven Smith 180 (1974-1983)

Terry Wheeler 157 (1974-1983)

Steve Goulding 2 (1981)

Simon Prestigiacomo 233 (1996-2010)

Darryl Cox 13 (1984-1986)

Mark Gale 28 (1999-2000) can be 37

Noel Mugavin 41 at Fitzroy (1978-1981) 2 at Richmond (1982)

Cain Liddle 4 (1994)

Gary Ablett 6 (1982)

Chris Groom 7 (1995)

Peter Laughlin 25 (1977-1980)

Toby Greene 19 (2012)

Jarryd Roughead 16 (2005)

Ken Judge 17 (1987-1988)

Brodie Grundy 7 (2013)

Nick Daicos 8 (2022)

John McCarthy 21 (2012)

Michael Apeness 12 (2014-2018)

Simon Garlick 7 (1994)

Shaun McKernan 34 (2009-2014)

Josh Saunders 22 (2013-2015)

 

 

 

 

Chris Newman – Newman was drafted with Pick 55 in the 2000 Draft from Beaconsfield, debuted in 2002 and played 13 games in succession. From the time he debuted, Newman rarely missed a game until he broke his leg in 2006. After four seasons in Number 35 he moved to Number 1 in 2006. When Newman was appointed captain in 2009 he moved to Number 17 as was the club’s (short lived) tradition at the time. He was captain from 2009-2012 and when Trent Cotchin took over, Newman moved back to Number 1. Newman played 268 games for Richmond, 76 in Number 35, 121 in Number 1 and 81 in Number 17. I would imagine he is one of very few players to play more than 50 games in three numbers at the same club since 1980. (This is something I can perhaps research at a later date; I know Collingwood players changed their number regularly in the early days).

 

 

Steven Smith – Smith debuted for Melbourne in 1977 as a 17 year old recruited from Melbourne’s zone Bentleigh-McKinnon. Smith was a mainstay in Melbourne side from his debut and played 203 games from 1974-1985. Smith  wore number 35 for every season bar 1984-1985 when he wore Number 1. Despite being in a struggling Melbourne side, Smith played for Victoria in 1981 and won the Best & Fairest. He retired in 1985 aged 28 due to complications with a broken foot and to also concentrate on his work commitments as a barrister. Smith was the first player to play in the VFL/AFL that also played Little League. Smith served the football club as a director and in 2015 he started a four year term as President of the Melbourne Cricket Club. Smith is one of four footballers to play 200 games without a final, others being Trevor Barker, Gary Hardeman and Geoff Cunningham with Jack Newnes the current leading player at 195.

 

 

Terry Wheeler – Wheeler played 157 games for Footscray from 1974 until his retirement aged 28 in 1983 having being recruited from Warburton. Wheeler moved to Williamstown in 1984 and in five seasons there coached Williamstown to a premiership in 1986 and Grand Finals in 1985 and 1988. Wheeler was assistant coach at Footscray in 1989 and when Mick Malthouse left to coach West Coast in 1990, Wheeler was appointed coach of Footscray despite being at that stage in the middle of a proposed merger with Fitzroy. Footscray avoided merging and showed an improvement in form to win 12 games and finish seventh. They won nine games in 1991 but in 1992 won 16 and make the Preliminary Final. Footscray won 11 games to finish ninth in 1993. In 1994 Footscray won Round 1 against Richmond by two points but lost Round 2 by 88 points to Geelong and Wheeler was sacked as coach for Alan Joyce. Wheeler’s coaching stints are maybe best known for a stunt in preseason 1993 where he got all the players to jump out of a plane and into Port Phillip Bay.

 

 

Steve Goulding – Goulding joined North Melbourne from North Launceston as a 20 year old after he had played in the 1979 premiership. Goulding played just two games with his second and last game being against Richmond where he collected 21 disposals and two goals. Goulding was picked the following week against Hawthorn but was a late withdrawal and did not play another game. He moved to Claremont from 1982-1987 and returned to North Launceston from 1988-1992. Steve’s son is Chris Goulding who has had a successful NBL career winning three championship and represented Australia at the 2016  and 2020 (2021) Olympics where he won a Bronze Medal.

 

 

Simon Prestigiacomo – Prestigiacomo was actually drafted to Collingwood as a forward with Pick 10 in the 1995 Draft. Prestigiacomo debuted in 1996 as a defender, played 12 games and won Best First Year Player. After a bout of glandular fever and injuries in 1997-1998 Presti reclaimed his spot in the side in 1999 and maintained it as a regular throughout his career as a stoic FB. While he never gathered big disposals (his personal best was 18) he rarely had goals kicked on him. Despite being drafted as a forward Prestigiacomo only ever kicked three goals in the AFL. In 2010 Prestigiacomo played 13 games with his last in Round 20, Prestigiacomo was deemed fit to play in the 2010 Grand Final but ruled himself out as he did not feel fully fit. He retired at end of 2010 and Collingwood honoured him by allowing him to unveil the flag in 2011 and also gave their first draft pick Number 35 the next year.

 

 

Darryl Cox –Cox started his career in 1980 aged 19 at Fitzroy as tall defender of 192cm. Cox played 16 games in four seasons at Fitzroy with 1980 his best year with eight games. Cox joined Melbourne in 1984, wore number 35 and played 13 games in three seasons with eight in 1985 his best year. He then went to the Brisbane Bears in their inaugural year in 1987 and played just one game in Round 2, 1987. Cox finished with 30 games in eight seasons. His son is current Essendon young gun Nikolas who at 200cm inherited his dad’s height and has shown great mobility as a possible wing; so far he has played 27 games.

 

 

Mark Gale – Gale was an inaugural Docker who wore Number 37 in his first four seasons. Gale was 19 when he debuted in 1995 for one game. His best season was in 1998 where he played all 22 matches with an average of 19 disposals a game. In 1999 Gale moved from Number 37 to 35 and again had a good season; he played 19 games for the season before a poor 2000 with nine games saw him delisted at the end of the year. Gale joined St Kilda for one year as Pick 64 in the draft and played 13 out of first 14 games before his retirement aged 25 with 84 games. Mark is the son of former professional golfer Terry Gale who won tournaments in Australia, Japan and on the Asia Tour and European Seniors’ Tour.

 

 

Noel Mugavin – Mugavin joined Fitzroy from country zone Koroit and played his first game in 1978 with Leo Sayers-style locks. Despite one game in 1978 Mugavin came into the senior side in Round 4, 1979 and played the remaining 18 games including both finals. Injuries restricted him to 14 games in 1980 and in 1981 he played the first eight games for 12 goals including a haul of four against Essendon before a knee injury ruled him out for the rest of the season. Mugavin went to Richmond in 1982 and wore the Number 35 again, in this season he kicked three goals against his old side Fitzroy. The next game Mugavin suffered a serious spleen injury and despite an attempt at a comeback in 1983 he did not return. Noel’s nephews are Jonathan Brown and Liam & Marcus Picken – their mothers are Noel’s sisters.

 

 

Cain Liddle – Liddle was drafted by Geelong with Pick 14 of the 1994 preseason draft. Liddle made his debut for Geelong in Round 1 and played the first four games as a wing but was delisted at the end of the year. Liddle was an assistant coach of the Calder Cannons for eight seasons, between 2010-2017 Liddle worked at Richmond as Chief Customer Officer and most recently was CEO of Carlton from 2018-2021 before he was sacked for Geelong’s Brian Cook.

 

 

Gary Ablett Snr – Gary is the younger brother by six years of champion Hawks wing Geoff and three years younger than Kevin. Ablett was recruited to Hawthorn from Drouin in 1981 but only played six reserves games. In 1982 he debuted in Round 2 against Geelong and had six disposals and kicked 1.1. Ablett showed a glimpse of his untapped talent the next week against Footscray with 23 disposals and 2.5. Ablett stayed for the whole season and after playing seniors from Round 2-5 he reappeared again for Round 9 and in Round 22 he kicked three goals to finish with ten goals from six games. Ablett struggled with city life and missed several training sessions – he left Hawthorn to play for Myrtleford in 1983 under his cousin Len Ablett. He was spotted by Geelong’s recruiting officer and was convinced to join Geelong in 1984 where he could continue to enjoy the country lifestyle. Ablett made his Cats debut in Round 1 1984 with Greg Williams and Mark Jackson against Fitzroy where he had 22 disposals, kicked three goals and got suspended for three weeks. In 1984 Ablett was selected to play for Victoria after six games; he played 15 games in total for 33 goals and won the only Best & Fairest in his career. He played for Geelong from 1984-1997 over 248 games in total for 1,031 goals. His honours include the 1989 Norm Smith Medal, three Coleman Medals, four time All Australian, 1984 Geelong Best & Fairest, captain of Geelong 1995-1996, captain of Victoria 1995, inductee in Australian Football Hall of Fame and member of the VFL/AFL Team of the Century.

 

 

Chris Groom – Groom debuted for Adelaide in 1993 and played 12 games in two seasons for five goals. Groom was traded to Fremantle at end of the 1994 season for the rights to Andrew McLeod who was prelisted at Fremantle. This looked promising for Fremantle at the start as Groom played in Fremantle’s first ever game and kicked three goals before missing six games with injury, in his second game for Fremantle he kicked five goals and in his third game he kicked three. Groom thoughonly played seven games for 18 goals in 1995 and was delisted at the end of the year. North Melbourne drafted Groom with Pick 26 in the 1995 National Draft but he missed 1996 with a knee reconstruction and played five games from 1997-1998 for. Groom also played three games for Chicago in 2011.

 

 

Peter Laughlin – Laughlin joined Richmond from its zone in Nyah and debuted in 1977 for four games. Laughlin’s first game was Round 10, 1977 and his second game Round 22 against St Kilda where kicked 6.2 – he held his spot for the two finals games. Laughlin played 17 games in 1978 for 36 goals including another bag of six against St Kilda, however in 1979 Laughlin played just three games and 1980 he played one game only. He moved to Norwood from 1981-1986 and played 67 games. Peter’s older brother is Trevor who played three tests for Australia in the WSC era and his nephew Ben played 20/20 cricket for Australia.

 

 

Toby Greene – Toby was drafted by GWS with Pick 11 in the 2011 Draft. Toby spent 2012 in the Number 35 and played as mid/forward with great effect; 27 disposals in his first game and 31 in his second. In 2012 he played 19 games for eight goals at an average 28 disposals and earned a Rising Star nomination. In 2013 Greene had the honour of wearing Number 4 (given to him from past great Israel Folau) and continued to emerge as a star of the game. Greene has played 180 games for 235 goals with a best of 45 goals in 2017 & 2021, Best & Fairest in 2016 and is a two-time All Australian.

 

 

Jarryd Roughead – Roughead was drafted by Hawthorn with Pick 2 in the 2004 draft and debuted in Round 3, 2005 against Essendon – he kicked two goals. Roughead played 16 games for six goals, he was mainly in defence in his first couple of years. In 2006 he moved to Number 2 taken from Nick Holland and after having been moved forward in 2007, in 2008 (a premiership year) he played a critical role in support of Lance Franklin up forward with 75 goals. Roughead went on to have a great career at Hawthorn with 285 games for 578 goals and won four premierships, was a two-time All Australian, won the Coleman Medal in 2013 and was Hawthorn captain 2017-2018.

 

 

Ken Judge – Judge joined Hawthorn from East Fremantle in 1983 debuted aged 25 against Fitzroy in Round 1. Judge was known for his silky forward skills and always wearing long sleeves. He played 72 games for Hawthorn in four seasons for 158 goals with his best 63 goals in 1984. Judge was a premiership player in 1983 and played in 1984-1985 Grand Finals but was dropped for the 1986 Grand Final after playing in the semi final. Judge was sent to Brisbane in 1987 where he wore Number 35 as Number 1 was given to the captain Mark Mickan. Judge played 17 games for 18 goals at Brisbane with a best haul of five goals. He coached East Fremantle to premierships in 1992 and 1994 and was offered an assistant job at Carlton in 1995 where he earned rave reviews in their premiership. Judge was coach of Hawthorn from 1996-1999, he guided them to finals in 1996 and then was offered the West Coast job for 2000-2001 but was sacked after he failed to make the finals in 2001. Judge sadly passed away from cancer in 2016.

 

 

Brodie Grundy – Grundy was drafted by Collingwood with Pick 18 in the 2012 Draft and as with Collingwood’s new policy was given Number 35 for his first season. Grundy played seven games in his debut in Round 18 and stayed in for rest of the year including an elimination final, he averaged 21 hit outs. Grundy took over Number 4 from Alan Didak in 2014 and took over first ruck duties from then on. Grundy has since played 177 games for Collingwood, won two Copeland Medals and is a two-time All Australian.

 

 

Nick Daicos – Nick is the son of Peter and brother of Josh who was drafted by Collingwood with Pick 4 in the 2021 draft as a father-son selection after Collingwood matched Gold Coast’s bid. Unlike Josh, as Nick was Collingwood’s first draft pick he was able to wear Number 35 this year. Daicos has played every game this year, earned a Rising Star nomination, kicked one goal off half back and averages 25 disposals with a best of 32. Unfortunately for romantic Collingwood supporters, Nick at this stage will not be seen in Number 35 next year.

 

 

John McCarthy – John is the younger brother by eight years of former Geelong forward Matthew, his dad Shane played three games for Geelong. John was drafted by Collingwood with Pick 31 in 2007 and debuted in 2008 for the last six games of the year including two finals. McCarthy followed up the next year for the last two games including a final in 2009. McCarthy was at Collingwood when they were at their peak – a premiership in 2010 and the 2011 Grand Final. He played 18 games in four seasons and was delisted after 2011. McCarthy was selected with Pick 8 in the 2012 Preseason Draft by Port Adelaide and he played 21 games for five goals. Sadly McCarthy lost his life in Las Vegas in September 2012 on Port Adelaide’s end of season trip.

 

 

Michael Apeness – Apeness was a tall forward/defender who was drafted in 2013 with Pick 17. Apeness had something of a cult following, mainly due to his surname but sadly he had to retire in 2018 due to injuries. Apeness damaged his PCL in 2015, which meant he missed most of 2016 and then missed the second half of 2017 and start of 2018 after reinjuring the same PCL.

 

 

Simon Garlick – Garlick was drafted with Pick 43 in the 1993 National draft and debuted in 1994; he played the last seven games of the season. Garlick moved to Number 29 in 1995 and played 16 games for 16 goals as a small half forward/wing. Garlick would played 19 games in 1996 including all finals but after only two games in 1997 he moved to the Western Bulldogs. He played 137 games from 1998-2004 and 181 games in total; he then served the Bulldogs as CEO from 2010-2015 and was appointed Fremantle’s CEO in 2019.

 

 

Shaun McKernan – Shaun is 17 years younger than brother Corey and at 196cm is the same height. Shaun was drafted to Adelaide with Pick 28 in 2008 and debuted in 2009 for one game. After no games in 2009 he played 16 games as forward/ruck and kicked 10 goals. McKernan only played 17 games over the next three years and was delisted by Adelaide. McKernan was Rookie listed by Essendon and played 53 games in six seasons for the Dons,  then had one year at St Kilda for four games in 2021. In total Mckernan played 91 games for 74 goals with a best of four goals on four occasions.

 

 

Josh Saunders – Saunders was drafted by St Kilda with Pick 43 in the 2012 Draft from Geelong. Saunders debuted in Round 5, 2013 against Sydney at Westpac Stadium in Wellington – the first ever premiership game held overseas, Saunders is the first and only player so far to debut overseas. He played ten games in 2013-2014 but after only two games in 2015 he was delisted.

 

 

Some of the forgotten Number 35s are Nick Trask (Bris), Denis Leneghan (Carl), James Davies (Ess), Brendon Fedemma (Freo), Tim Finocchiaro (Geel), Adrian Cox (Haw), Luke Tapscott (Melb), Mario Turco (NM), Mark Conway (PA), Peter Brown (St.K), Jarrad Sundqvist (Syd), Jaxon Crabb (WCE) and Stephen Tiller (WB)

 

 

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.

One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE.

Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE.