Fact checking the full forwards
I’ve been updating my 2016 Footy Almanac piece on the fishy full forwards with a view to turning the 16 stories I’ve written so far into a book to be hosted one of those online self-publishing sites. While trying to get my head around the leading goal kickers I got a bit forensic, resulting in a list of players who have kicked more than 1,000 goals across the AFL, SANFL, TFL/TNFL, VFL (before it became the AFL) and WAFL. Five of the 13 players didn’t play in the VFL or AFL so it’s good to restore them to their place in the sun (or the sea, continuing my fishy theme).
I didn’t include the AFL NSW/ACT or AFLNT or QAFL because my searches there were inconclusive, and in any case at present they aren’t up to the standard of the more traditional footballing states. So the table doesn’t include, for example, the 73 goals kicked by Jason Dunstall in 1984 for Coorparoo in the QAFL. I’m hoping there aren’t any 1,000 goal kickers in the Northern Territory, especially with players in other states spending summers there.
Although Peter Hudson didn’t kick 1,000 goals in Tasmania or Victoria, his combined figures top the list. It was lovely to see him on Channel 7’s The Front Bar last Wednesday. I’m pleased that Ken Farmer still tops the goals per game ratio, ‘hunting goals as efficiently and intuitively as a seal catching fish’.
Of course statistics don’t tell the full story because, for example, Gary Ablett Senior and Buddy Franklin played in other positions. I reckon Buddy’s average of three goals per game would go up to four if you took out his years on the wing. He also played one game and kicked one goal for Perth, so I’ve added them on to his AFL stats.
My source for these statistics was Wikipedia, which couldn’t say for certain how many games Wayne Fox played for five different Tassie teams—each stint was rounded up to the nearest ten. George Doig was a great discovery, one of 17 members of the Doig family to play for East or South Fremantle.
Maybe someone has already compiled this list, but if not I would appreciate hearing from anyone who would like to add to or correct the list, which shows goals, games played and goals per game.
| Peter Hudson | TFL/VFL | 1721 | 288 | 5.97 |
| Ken Farmer | SANFL | 1417 | 224 | 6.30 |
| Tony Lockett | VFL/AFL | 1360 | 281 | 4.84 |
| Gordon Coventry | VFL | 1299 | 306 | 4.25 |
| Austin Robertson Jr | WAFL/VFL | 1271 | 269 | 4.62 |
| Jason Dunstall | VFL/AFL | 1254 | 269 | 4.66 |
| Ted Tyson | WAFL | 1196 | 228 | 5.24 |
| George Doig | WAFL | 1095 | 202 | 5.42 |
| Lance Franklin | WAFL/AFL | 1067 | 355 | 3.00 |
| Doug Wade | VFL | 1057 | 267 | 3.96 |
| Wayne Fox | TFL | 1049 | c310 | 3.38 |
| Bernie Naylor | WAFL | 1034 | 194 | 5.32 |
| Gary Ablett Sr | VFL/AFL | 1031 | 248 | 4.16 |
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About Carolyn Spooner
Thanks Carolyn,
Enjoyed the read. For interest, it may be worth having a look at Darren Ewing’s records via PlayHQ, which doesn’t cover his entire career, mainly his time in the Northern Territory.
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Carolyn I will add personally that I think it’s farcical that-Ken Farmer isn’t legend status in -HOF thank you
Nice Carolyn. If Buddy could take an overhead mark he’d be the best. Hands like dinner plates.
Gary Ablett hardly played full forward at his best. Came later. His numbers are extraordinary. Best player I’ve ever seen by a fair way.
I have it on good authority that Ken Farmer will become a HoF Legend this year Carolyn and ‘Book.
Although you explicitly ruled out some state leagues, the VFA’s Fred Cook’s tally of 1336 goals from 300 games was worthy of mention, even if only to exclude it (if you know what I mean).
Good work Carolyn. Like Damian O’Donnell mentioned, Gary Ablett rarely played full forward. I saw him kick 14 against Richmond in 1989 when he played as a floating half forward.
His move to a permanent full forward role was in the latter part of his career; 1993-1996. He brought up tons in the first three of those seasons, the final season he played only 17 games handicapped by a lengthy suspension, and an ageing body.
Fred Cook is certainly worthy of inclusion. In his era the VFA was probably the second best footballing league in Australia. Fred played on some fine opponents, such as John Scarlett, John Douglas, and Kerry Foley. He was five times the VFA’s leading goal kicker, six time premiership player, as well as Port Melbourne Best and Fairest in a premiership season; 1976. Certainly worthy of inclusion in any list of top full forwards.
Glen!
Thanks for all those excellent comments. Will be adding Darren Ewing and Fred Cook to the list. Although the list will be appearing in my updated chapter on the fishy full forwards, it is recognition of players who have kicked 1,000 goals regardless of position. In the text I’ll clarify Gary Ablett’s time spent at full forward as explained by Glen!
Ta Carolyn. There would have been times between 1984, & 1993, when Gary Ablett played full forward. In those years a fair few of his team mates fulfilled the role more regularly.
These include, but were not limited to; Mark Jackson, Bruce Lindner, Billy Brownless, Gavin Exell. In 1993 Ablett’s first season as a regular at full forward he missed the season opener against St. Kilda, played the next mach against Collingwood, then had a two week ‘holiday’. He returned to kick 8 against Brisbane at the Gabba, then the following week I watched him kick 14 in a losing side against Essendon. His form was sensational that season, as he equaled the record of the fastest to 50 goals in a season, taking only 6 games.
He kicked 124 games in seventeen games that year, including five double figure bags. It was his first season as a Coleman medallist.
Glen!
My other half has just shown me Peter Lines’ book ‘South Australian Country Football Digest: leading goalkickers’ which has 26 players who’ve kicked more than 1,000 goals. Because I’m writing from a South Australian viewpoint I’ll have to talk about the legendary Chris ‘Tractor’ Prime who’s kicked 2089 goals over 450 games (maybe still going?) for Norwood, Port Neill, Tasmans in Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay.