Almanac Teams: Surprise sharpshooters
This week’s team is based on somewhat surprising bags of goals from 1980 onwards.
Probably until the turn of the current century a bag of goals was maybe seven or more for a full forward, six for any other forward and four for a midfielder. I would argue that it is probably now five goals for a forward and three for any other position, though this is up for interpretation.
This week’s side features a team and unlucky players not in the side. It is really a squad of 46 players.
The team is mainly based on their most known position but on the day they kicked their bag they may have been playing forward, however their goalkicking effort was still an achievement. Hope you enjoy, and if think I am missing someone bear in mind they may be coming up in a future edition.
FB: John Gastev (Bris) Steve Silvagni (Carl) Michael Mansfield (Geel)
CHB: Gary Foulds (Ess) Mark Bayes (Syd) David King (NM)
C: Nathan Eagleton (WB) Ben Allan (Haw) Mil Hanna (Carl)
CHF: Simon Beaumont (Carl) Adam Goodes (Syd) Nicky Winmar (St.K)
FF: Brodie Holland (Coll) Kerry Good (NM) Mark LeCras (WCE)
Ruck: Mark Lee (Rich) Brett Ratten (Carl) Scott West (WB)
Interchange: Rod Blake (Geel), Michael Conlan (Fitz), Shane Ellen (Adel), Darryl Sutton (NM), Steven Sziller (St.K), Michael Tuck (Haw)
Emergencies/other squad members:
Craig Bradley (Carl), Scott Camporeale (Carl), Bernie Evans (Carl), Brent Guerra (St.K), Mark Johnson (Ess), Rick Kennedy (Foots), Garry Lyon (Melb), Robert Mace (St.K), Donald McDonald (NM), Andrew McLeod (Adel), Jarrod McVeigh (Syd), Daniel Merrett (Bris), Daniel Metropolis (WCE), Bruce Monteath (Rich), Mark Nicoski (WCE), Brenton Phillips (Bris), Michael Poynton (Fitz), Kyle Reimers (Ess), Brad Rowe (Coll), Jacob Townsend (Rich), Chris Waterman (WCE), David Williams (Melb)
Brisbane’s John Gastev [Source: Author]
7 v Sydney Round 2 1989
Brisbane 18.15.123 defeated Sydney 8.17.65
143 games, 72 goals 1987-1994
Gastev joined Brisbane in 1989 and kicked seven goals in his second game for the Bears. He kicked 11 goals in 1989 and his next best was three goals in a game (four times). Gastev’s first year, 1987 with the Eagles, was his best with 16 goals for the season.
Steve Silvagni
10 v Fitzroy Round 16 1993
Carlton 27.19.181 defeated Fitzroy 14.11.95
312 games, 202 goals 1985-2001
Silvagni was voted Full Back of the Century in 1996 but still spent plenty time in the forward line. Apart from his bag of ten, Silvagni kicked two bags of eight and another two bags of six. 28 goals in 1992 was his personal best in a year. On this day Stephen Kernahan was injured so Silvagni played forward and even though it was against a then struggling Fitzroy, ten goals is a great effort especially for a regular full back. You do wonder if Silvagni played forward more often, how good he could have been.
Michael Mansfield
6 v Collingwood Round 9 1991
Geelong 18.24.132 defeated Collingwood 13.12.90
235 games, 118 goals 1990-2002
This was Mansfield’s eighth ever game, until then he had kicked two goals. For this match at Victoria Park Mansfield had started on the bench, but with Geelong 32 points down and struggling up forward Mansfield appeared in Blight’s line of sight. Blight knew Mansfield was a good kick and he was sent forward with success – his total was 6.4. Mansfield kicked 24 goals in 1991 but was ultimately sent down back again where he was an All Australian defender.
Gary Foulds
7 v Richmond Round 3 1981
Richmond 17.16.118 defeated Essendon 16.18.114
300 games, 140 goals 1974-1989
With the help of his seven goal haul, Foulds kicked 22 total in 1981. Foulds’s next best was four goals, twice. Foulds played at full forward on that day (maybe the first of Kevin Sheedy’s noted random coaching moves, considering it was his third ever match as coach) while Essendon were missing Simon Madden and Paul Van Der Haar. The following week Foulds did not kick a goal.
Mark Bayes
7 v Brisbane Round 3 1995
Brisbane 15.14.104 defeated Sydney 14.15.99
246 games, 174 goals 1985-1998
Bayes could play at either end of the ground and was a beautiful raking left foot kick. In 1995 Bayes kicked 16 goals; his best year was 1987 with 38 goals. Bayes also kicked a bag of six in 1997.
David King
7 v Essendon Qualifying Final 2000
Essendon 31.12.198 defeated North Melbourne 11.7.73
241 Games, 145 Goals 1994-2004
King’s seven goals was remarkable considering it was in a final, he was playing half back/wing and North got thumped by 20 goals. King in his later career became a very attacking half back/wing who was capable of a good running goal. He kicked five goals three times and in 2000 kicked 27 goals his best in a year followed by 19, 22 and 26 the next three years.
Nathan Eagleton
7 v Geelong Round 13 2000
Geelong 19.12.126 defeated Western Bulldogs 18.11.119
277 games, 231 goals 1997-2010
2000 was Eagleton’s first year as a Bulldog and he kicked 22 goals for the year. Eagleton was swung forward after Geelong held a 43 point lead close to half time. His best goalkicking year was 28 in 2005 and his best haul after this seven was four in a match (five times).
Ben Allan
7 v Fitzroy Round 6 1991
Hawthorn 36.15.231 defeated Fitzroy 11.8.74
145 games, 106 goals 1990-1997
Allan shared the major goalkicking this day with Darren Jarman who also kicked seven (perhaps changing in the centre with Allan). This was just Allan’s twelfth game and he had 22 disposals including 12 kicks and scored 7.3. He kicked 18 goals in 1991 with 20 goals in 1993 his best. Allan’s next best haul was four goals.
Carlton’s Mil Hanna [Source: Author]
Mil Hanna
8 v Melbourne Round 4 1991
Melbourne 23.17.155 defeated Carlton 17.8.110
190 games, 83 goals 1986-1997
Hanna played as a third marking forward to Kernahan and Dorotich in this match rather than his more customary wing or half back. He kicked 23 goals in 1991, his personal best in a year. Hanna’s next best efforts were five goals, kicked twice .
Simon Beaumont
8 Goals v Collingwood Round 17 1999
Carlton 23.15.153 defeated Collingwood 14.12.96
179 Games, 101 Goals 1995-2005
This was Beaumont 50th game in his fourth season and until now he had 31 goals. Beaumont moved to Full Forward early in this game for a mismatch and it worked as he kicked 8 goals out of 14 in the first half.1999 was Beaumont best year for goals kicking 25. Beaumont next best effort was 3 goals which he did several times.
Adam Goodes
8 Goals v Fremantle Round 19 2008
Sydney 17.10.112 defeated Fremantle 15.18.108
372 Games, 464 Games 1999-2015
Goodes showed in his career he could play in any position on the ground from ruck to midfield and then also either end. This night Goodes played Full Forward kicking 8 from 11 kicks. Goodes kicked 29 goals in 2008 with his best year being 2010 with 44 goals. Goodes next best haul was 5 goals twice.
Nicky Winmar
9 Goals v Melbourne Round 21 1989
St Kilda 16.8.104 defeated Melbourne 10.12.72
251 Games, 317 Goals 1987-99
With Tony Lockett out, Winmar was the main focus kicking 9 goals. 1989 along with 1988 was Winmar best year with 43 goals in each year. Winmar next best bag was 8 goals in another match Lockett was unavailable. Four goals in a match was Winmar’s next after that.
Brodie Holland
8 Goals v West Coast Round 2 2002
Collingwood 17.18.120 defeated West Coast 18.11.119
155 Games, 141 Goals 1998-2008
Holland 8 goals against West Coast included the West Coast included the match winning goal as a small forward. Holland would struggle after this game kicking just one goal in next six games and found himself out of the team for most of the second half, before being reinvented the next year as a tagger. Holland best year was 2001 with 2008 goals and his next best haul was 4 goals (3 times).
Kerry Good
10 Goals v Melbourne Round 21 1981
North Melbourne 21.19.145 defeated Melbourne 13.9.87
74 Games, 150 Goals 1977-83
Good was just 184cm but did play a few times as the focus up forward or as an alternative to Malcolm Blight. A few weeks earlier he had kicked 9 goals against Melbourne with his next best being haul of 7 and 6. 1981 was his best year kicking 49 goals from 16 games. Good is best remembered for kicking a goal well after the siren in 1980 Night Series Grand Final
Mark LeCras
12 Goals v Essendon Round 16 2010
West Coast 20.12.132 defeated Essendon 14.16.100
219 Games, 441 Goals 2005-18
While LeCras was a specialist mid-size forward, 12 goals was a huge bag with three bags of six goals his next best. 2010 was LeCras best season with 63 goals.
Mark Lee
9 Goals v St Kilda Round 17 1982
Richmond 28.17.185 defeated St Kilda 14.18.102
233 Games, 94 Goals 1977-91
Lee had missed most of the first half of the season with injuries and when he returned Lee would play mostly full forward replacing Brian Taylor as Michael Roach had been playing first ruck. Lee would kick 5 goals the next week which would be his next best haul before returning to the ruck. Lee kicked 22 goals in 1982 which was a personal best.
Brett Ratten
6 Goals v Port Adelaide Round 6 2000
Carlton 26.13.169 defeated Port Adelaide 12.6.78
255 Games, 117 Goals 1990-2003
Ratten kicked 6 goals in the midfield along with 30 disposals in Carlton big win. Ratten kicked 25 goals in 2000 which was a personal best with his next best haul of goals being 3 goals (4 times)
Scott West
6 Goals v Essendon Round 5 1993
Footscray 20.7.127 defeated Essendon 11.15.81
324 Games, 104 Goals 1993-2008
West started his career as a forward pocket before becoming an elite midfielder and in his fourth game he kicked 6 goals where he also earned 3 Brownlow Votes. West kicked 21 goals in 1993 which was 10 goals more than his next best. 3 goals was West next best haul kicking those three times.
Rod Blake
7 Goals v North Melbourne Round 13 1981
Geelong 26.14.170 defeated North Melbourne 8.8.56
176 Games, 113 Goals 1971-83
Blake was not a noted goalkicker but with John Mossop arrival, Geelong had two ruckmen in the side and as it turned out both players capable of kicking goals. In his first ten years Blake played 141 games for 55 goals, in his last three years he 35 games for 57 goals. 1981 was Blake best year with 26 goals while he also kicked two bags of six goals.
Michael Conlan
10 Goals v Footscray Round 4 1984
Fitzroy 21.14.140 defeated Footscray 9.16.70
210 Games, 395 Goals 1977-89
While Conlan was always a champion half forward capable of kicking goals, his ten goal haul was a huge bag from the half forward flank in a team that consisted of Bernie Quinlan and Mark Scott as tall forwards. Conlan did kick 51 goals in 1981 with his best haul 52 goals and he kicked over 50 goals three times between 1982-84. Conlan next best haul was 7 goals (9 times).
Shane Ellen
5 Goals v St Kilda Grand Final 1997
Adelaide 19.11.125 defeated St. Kilda 13.6.94
65 Games, 16 Goals 1993-2000
Five goals may not seem like a big bag, but when it is Grand Final Day and you are playing full forward with just three career goals, it is a huge effort. Ellen started the game at Full Forward kicking two goals in the first half before Darren Jarman went full forward. Ellen though returned to the half back line in the second half and kicked three goals from there. These goals were Ellen’s only goals in 1997 and his next best haul was 3 goals in 1998.
Darryl Sutton
9 Goals v St Kilda Round 11 1980
North Melbourne 25.13.163 defeated St Kilda 12.8.80
111 Games, 90 Goals 1973-83
Sutton was often used to play at either end of the ground and against the Saints he kicked 9 goals which also contained Malcolm Blight, Arnold Briedis and Kerry Good up forward. In 1980 he kicked 21 goals with his best in 1983 when at Sydney with 25 goals. Sutton next best haul was 6 goals.
Steven Sziller
6 Goals v Sydney Round 10 1998
St Kilda 24.10.154 defeated Sydney 8.5.53
156 Games, 41 Goals 1995-2002
Sziller was a recognised tagger but in a surprise, move played up forward against the Swans. Sziller would kick 15 goals for 1998 including a goal the next five weeks after his 6 goals. Sziller next best effort was 2 goals (4 times).
Michael Tuck
6 Goals v Melbourne Round 21 1983
Hawthorn 25.22.172 defeated Melbourne 8.9.57
426 Games, 320 Goals 1992-91
Tuck kicked 6 goals while playing on ball sharing the goals with fellow on baller Terry Wallace who kicked 4 goals. Tuck kicked 33 goals in 1983 with his best 37 goals in 1982. Tuck next best haul was 4 goals which he kicked eight times.
Craig Bradley
6 Goals v Melbourne Round 22 1986
Carlton 20.19.139 defeated Melbourne 6.17.53
375 Games, 247 Goals 1986-2002
Bradley 6 goals were in the last round of his first year at Carlton, playing on the wing. Bradley would kick 30 goals in his first year which was the most he kicked in a year. Bradley next best haul was 5 goals in a game.
Scott Camporeale
7 Goals v Fremantle Round 18 1996
Carlton 23.7.145 defeated Fremantle 11.18.74
252 Games, 205 Goals 1995-2007
Camporeale kicked 7 goals from the wing with Carlton forwards kept quiet. Camporeale next best haul would be 5 goals while the most goals he kicked in a year was 31 in 2000.
Bernie Evans
9 Goals v St Kilda Round 1 1985
Sydney 26.20.176 defeated St Kilda 8.18.66
185 Games, 257 Goals 1978-88
Evans was the 1984 Best & fairest who started 1985 with a bang with 9 goals and three Brownlow votes, playing rover changing forward. Evans best year was 1985 with 44 goals with 6 goals his next best haul.
Brent Guerra
7 Goals v West Coast Round 9 2004
St Kilda 26.13.169 defeated West Coast 9.14.68
255 Games, 108 Goals 2000-13
Guerra is best known as premiership small defender at Hawthorn but before Hawthorn there was four years at Port Adelaide as a utility and two years at St Kilda primary as a small forward. Guerra played 31 games for 44 goals at St Kilda. Guerra was one of many multiple goalkickers with 7 while Gehrig kicked 5 and Milne & Hamill kicked 4. 2004 was Guerra best year with 29 goals and his next best haul was 4 goals (6 times).
Mark Johnson
6 Goals v Carlton Round 21 2005
Essendon 28.14.182 defeated Carlton 11.17.83
208 Games, 100 Goals 1999-2008
In 2005 Johnson spent a lot of time up forward kicking 29 goals with his next best haul in a game 3 goals (9 times). On this day Lloyd kicked 7 along with Johnson 6 goals.
Rick Kennedy
5 Goals v Richmond Round 15 1988
Footscray 12.8.80 defeated Richmond 8.7.55
158 Games, 34 Goals 1981-91
With Simon Beasley a late withdrawal, Kennedy was played up forward in a match winning move. This was not the only time Kennedy kicked 5 with the other time in 1984 against Melbourne. Kennedy next best haul was 3 goals. The most Kennedy kicked in a year was 8 in 1984.
Garry Lyon
10 Goals v Footscray Semi Final 1994
Melbourne 21.18.144 defeated Footscray 9.11 65
226 Games, 426 Goals 1986-99
While Lyon kicked plenty of goals, I have selected him for his game at CHF in a final. Lyon played either end especially early in his career by 1994 though he was a permanent forward. 1994 was Lyon best year with 79 goals and his next best haul was 8.
Robert Mace
7 Goals v Footscray Round15 1982
St Kilda 20.11.131 defeated Footscray 18.12.120
80 Games, 39 Goals 1980-88
This was Barry Breen 300th and last game and the Saints were 2 goals down at ¾ time. Mace day out included three goals in the last quarter. 1982 was Mace best year for goals with 17 goals and his next best haul was three goals. The best bit in 1982 Mace was wearing Number 60.
Donald McDonald
8 Goals v Fitzroy Round 11 1984
Fitzroy 25.16.166 defeated North Melbourne 23.14.152
155 Games, 165 Goals 1982-92
McDonald was a forward/ruck who had a day out in a high scoring loss. 1984 was McDonald best season with 38 goals and his next best haul was 6 goals.
Andrew McLeod
7 Goals v Western Bulldogs Preliminary Final 1998
Adelaide 24.17.161 defeated Western Bulldogs 13.15.93
340 Games, 275 Goals 1995-2010McLeod was a September specialist and after winning the Norm Smith in 1997 on half back flank, Malcolm Blight played McLeod up forward where he kicked 7 goals. The next week McLeod won another Norm Smith Medal again on the Half back Flank. 1998 was McLeod best season with 30 goals while his next best haul was 6 goals.
Jarrod McVeigh
6 Goals v Western Bulldogs Round 18 2008
Western Bulldogs 17.11.113 defeated Sydney 14.13.97
325 Goals, 201 Goals 2004-19
McVeigh goals came in spurts , kicking the first two goals of the match inside the first three minutes and then 3 goals in 8 minutes in the last quarter. Despite the loss McVeigh game in the midfield earned him three Brownlow votes. 2008 was McVeigh best year with 32 Goals with 4 goals (3 times) his next best haul.
Daniel Merrett
7 Goals v Greater Western Sydney Round 8 2012
Brisbane 19.18.132 defeated Greater Western Sydney 5.10.40
200 Games, 70 Goals 2003-16
Merrett had a few days up forward between 2012-14 kicking 52 goals in this period. On this day Merrett kicked 7 and received 3 Brownlow votes. 2012 would be Merrett best year with 26 goals and 4 goals was his next best haul.
Daniel Metropolis
6 Goals v St Kilda Round 3 1992
West Coast 16.17.113 defeated St Kilda 12.8.80
114 Games, 48 Goals 1992-2001
Metropolis 6 goals was in his first game with his first 4 kicks all goals. Metropolis best year was 1999 kicking 12 goals and his next best haul was 4 goals.
Bruce Monteath
8 Goals v Melbourne Round 9 1980
Richmond 29.21.195 defeated Melbourne 15.12.102
118 Games, 198 Goals 1975-80
In a forward line of Bartlett 4 goals, Cloke 5 goals, Roach 3 goals it was the captain turn to shine with Monteath starting strong with 4 goals in the first quarter. Monteath would kick 43 goals in 1980 but was short of his best of 55 goals in 1978. Monteath next best haul was 7 goals.
Mark Nicoski
6 Goals v Richmond Round 20 2011
West Coast 22.15.147 defeated Richmond 14.6.90
112 Games, 61 Goals 2004-11
Coming into 2011 Nicoski had played 87 games for 20 goals. In 2011 Nicoski kicked 41 goals is best yet with his next best haul being 3 goals. Nicoski however never played again after 2011 missing all of 2012-13 with torn tendon in his hamstring and then a broken wrist in his comeback game in the WAFL.
Brenton Phillips
5 Goals v North Melbourne Round 1 1987
Brisbane 19.23.137 defeated North Melbourne 15.14.104
71 Games, 33 Goals 1986-91
In Brisbane first ever match, Phillips was the leading goalkicker with 5 goals from 28 disposals and three Brownlow votes. 1987 was Phillips best year with 17 goals with 4 goals his next best haul.
Michael Poynton
6 Goals v Essendon Round 17 1980
Essendon 18.14.132 defeated Fitzroy 17.14.116
52 Games, 66 Goals 1979-83
Poynton 6 goals came in a run where Poynton kicked 13 goals in three games when bought into the Fitzroy side midway through 1980. Poynton kicked 18 goals in 1980 with his best year being 1981 with 32 goals. Poynton next best haul was 4 goals (4 times).
Kyle Reimers
8 Goals v Gold Coast Round 6 2011
Essendon 31.11.197 defeated Gold Coast 8.10.58
60 Games, 69 Goals 2007-12
Reimers and Essendon had a day against the new boys of the AFL. Essendon would kick 15 goals in the first quarter with Reimers kicking 3. 2011 would be Reimers best year with 27 goals and his next best haul was 4 goals.
Brad Rowe
6 Goals v Sydney Round 15 1993
Collingwood 25.19.189 defeated Sydney 11.11.87
73 Games, 80 Goals 1990-96
Rowe had kicked 6 goals out of 11 in the first half for Collingwood. The game was Peter Daicos 250th game which he started and spent a lot of time on the bench due to Rowe’s impact. 1993 would be Rowe best year kicking 33 goals. Rowe next best haul would be 3 goals (8 times)
Jacob Townsend
6 Goals v Fremantle Round 22 2017
Richmond 25.5.155 defeated Fremantle 7.9.51
62 Games, 44 Goals 2012-21
This match was Townsend’s 33rd game and before this match he had 4 career goals. Picked as a marking pressure forward Townsend kicked the first two for Richmond. Townsend after his 6 goals would kick 5 the following week and with finals the following week, he played a vital role in a Richmond premiership with 5 goals in the finals including two in the Grand Final. Townsend 2017 year would be his best with 17 goals from 5 games.
Chris Waterman
6 Goals v Melbourne Semi Final 1990
West Coast 19.16.130 defeated Melbourne 15.10.100
177 Games, 75 Goals 1988-98
Waterman had been dropped for the Qualifying Final Replay but earned a recall the week after. Waterman played in the forward pocket as the lead up forward. Waterman would kick 13 goals from 6 games in 1990 with his best year 1993 with 15 goals. Waterman next best haul was 3 goals (4 times).
David Williams
9 Goals v North Melbourne Round 21 1986
Melbourne 28.14.182 defeated North Melbourne 14.13.97
Career 67 Games, 102 Goals 1983-88
Williams at 182cm was a small fast leading full forward who had success in Melbourne two finals years of 1987 with 39 goals and 1988 with 33 goals. Williams day out was in 1986 kicking 9 goals in his 4th game of the year. Williams next best haul was 7 goals. Williams was forever injury plagued with hamstring and a knee injury saw him delisted after missing two years and then surprisingly drafted by Richmond.
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Adelaide’s Tom Lynch kicked 10 against GWS early in his career, a bag of six and two fours his best after that.
Cheers Swish
Have him coming up next week
Some surprises there Rodney.
Shane Ellen’s performance on the big stage is what resonates the most. Can you imagine a half back flanker scoring 5 goals
in a GF today… 4 goals from a small forward is unusual.
Marty McGrath from Richmond kicked 6 in his first game and only added another game. Probably you’ve researched this!
Correction, 5 goals , 4 games. Remember Tigers were looking for a saviour in. 2003 and he looked promising.
Gilbert McAdam, who normally played on the wing for St Kilda, kicked 5 goals for St Kilda against Collingwood at Victoria Park in the famous game in 1993, after he and Nicky Winmar were racially vilified by Collingwood supporters while warming up, as well as during the game itself. That game was also known for Winmar famously lifting up his jumper to point to his skin in a gesture fondly remembered as a pivotal moment in racism issues in Australian sport.
McAdam ended up playing 53 games for St Kilda from 1991-1993 and kicked 48 goals.
He then played a further 58 games and kicked 41 goals for the Brisbane Bears from 1994-1996.
Firstly, I forgot to mention in my previous comment that St Kilda beat Collingwood in that match 18.18 (126) to 15.14 (104).
In the 1992 Grand Final, Peter Matera had a day out kicking 5 goals from the wing for West Coast against Geelong. He won the Norm Smith Medal that day, and West Coast won their 1st premiership. The scores were West Coast 16.17 (113) defeated Geelong 12.13 (85).
Matera ended up playing 253 games for West Coast and kicked 217 goals from 1990-2002.
Good job Rodney; some memories there. Anyhow I’ll be my pedantic self with a few points.
Gary Foulds started his career as a half forward, being a regular goal scorer early on in his career. Michael Mansfield was another who scored quite a few goals early on.
Rod Blake, like John Mossop, filled a void in a Geelong side lacking a tall marking forward. A few blokes were tried but couldn’t grab the spot. I was at Kardinia Park when Rod Blake kicked 7 against Footscray late in 1981. I was at the ‘G’ a few weeks later when Blake was goalless, but fellow ruckman Mossop kicked 7 in a Qualifying Final victory over Collingwood.
Going back to the halcyon days, 1974, I recall St. Kilda’s Peter Bell kicking 5 in a winning tally of 8-13-61 to Geelong’s 6-9-45 at a wet Kardinia Park. These goals came in the second half, being all of their goals in that half. Peter Bell was a half bank flanker who twice kicked 5 in a match, though this was the standout . He ended up with Sandringham in the VFA.
Glen!
Following on from Glen’s comment regarding Peter Bell in 1974, this was also pre 1980. In round 6 of 1978, Russell Greene, who normally played as a utility for St Kilda and wasn’t a known goal kicker, kicked 5 goals for St Kilda, who defeated Melbourne at the MCG by 63 points. On that day, George Young, the regular full-forward, kicked 7 goals and Trevor Barker had 29 disposals and kicked 3 goals.
That game was also famous for being the highest total aggregate of scores for both teams, St Kilda scoring 204 points and Melbourne 141 points, for a combined total of 345 points, which is still the VFL/AFL record.
Russell Greene ended up playing 120 games for St Kilda from 1974-1980 and kicked 52 goals. He then was transferred to Hawthorn during the 1980 season and he played 184 games for Hawthorn and kicked 82 goals.
I’m hoping this qualifies. Fraser Gehrig, when he started at West Coast, was used more as a utility and played on the wing.
When he later played for St Kilda, he started as a full back in his 1st year, in 2001.
In 2003, he was switched to the full-forward position where he kicked many bags of goals during his career at St Kilda. Most notably, he kicked 10 goals at Telstra Dome against North Melbourne, playing on Glen Archer, for a period of the game. St Kilda won that game by 51 points.
Perhaps Gherig will be mentioned next week, like Tom Lynch, from Adelaide as players who perhaps started in other positions but made a success of themselves as a forward. Nowadays, you see more taller players who don’t make it as a forward, but then make it as a backman.
Gehrig ended up playing 115 games and kicking 159 goals for West Coast from 1995-2000. He played 145 games for St Kilda and kicked 390 goals from 2001-2008.
Love any mention of the great John Gastev!
Was at the game where Brodie Holland kicked 8, looked like we’d found a forward there, as you mentioned he ended up better as a run with midfielder.
Thanks Dan, Ellen game was enormous considering it was Grand Final, Blight thinking was amazing. Have McGrath coming up.
Thanks Anon do have McAdam coming up.
Thanks Glen until this game Mansfield was a defender though was only his 8th game, after this match he played forward for a while. Thanks for the Peter Bell story.
Thanks Luke Holland game showed he looked a forward prospect
One player who deserves to be on this list is Phil Egan from Richmond.
He played 125 games for Richmond from 1982-90, then a final game with Melbourne in 1991. Primarily a neat wing/half-forward flanker type, he kicked 117 goals from his 126 games. He was someone who could kick a few goals on a day out, but I don’t recall him as being a frequent match-winner. He polled 24 Brownlow votes across his career, which supports that idea.
However, he remarkably kicked bags of 7 goals in successive weeks in rounds 18 and 19 1988, against North Melbourne and Melbourne (who made the Grand Final). Richmond was in a lean era and sat 13th (out of 14th) before the North game. They won both games and finally settled in a slightly less depressing 10th place at the end of the season.
Egan’s next best was 4 goals (on 4 occasions).
Cheers The Enthusist, have Egan coming up