Almanac Poetry: ‘Another A to Z of Footballers Past’

Over a month ago, I posted my poem “A to Z of Footballers Past” on The Footy Almanac website. It received a pleasing response. I had so many ideas for another such piece that I had to write it.
Enjoy!

 

 

Another A to Z of Footballers Past
(again, a nod to Ogden Nash)

 

 

A is for Ayres,
Conan, Hawk defender.
He would flash his big chompers,
then most likely up-end ya.

 

B is for Barassi,
“Mr Football” to many.
A player and coach
with premiership antennae.

 

C is for Carey,
champion Roo.
In Pagan’s paddock,
he flourished and flew.

 

D is for Daicos,
Macedonian Marvel.
Sharpshooter supreme,
talent colossal.

 

E is for Ebert,
South Aussie Russell.
Four “Marjorie” Medals.
Great skill and muscle.

 

F is for Fletcher,
Dustin the Don.
Inspector Gadget
who could kick a long bomb.

 

G is for Goodes,
Adam, graceful Swan.
Sublime utility,
indigenous icon.

 

H is for Hudson,
Hawk Peter the Great.
But beating Pratt’s record
was not his fate.

 

I is for Icke,
Roo/Demon Stephen.
He’ll do nicely here.
(The I’s are quite even.)

 

J is for Jezza,
with his wizardly tricks.
He looked like Aldo
from Number 96.

 

K is for Keenan.
(List “Crackers” or not?)
His favourite story:
“When I belted Don Scott”.

 

L is for Lahiff.
Let’s give it to Tommy,
who wore many guernseys,
was much loved on the tranny.

 

M is for Michael.
As a ruckman, no peer.
Would’ve loved it, oh Stephen,
if you’d come over here.

 

N is for Nicholls,
Carlton’s “Big Nick”.
With a backhanded whack,
he could make your ear thick.

 

O is for Ottens.
I’ve a soft spot for him.
This tall man helped
three Cats premiership wins.

 

P is for Pert,
the great Lion Gary.
Opponents did find
his poise almost scary.

 

Q is for Quade,
the durable Ricky.
He often excelled
in conditions sticky.

 

R is Raines.
Geoff played for four teams.
With the Tigers best known,
a centreline dream.

 

S is for Skilton,
triple Brownlow Bob.
A bright shining light
for the South Melbourne mob.

 

T is for Thurgood,
early Dons superstar.
“Albert the Great”
could boot it so far.

 

U is for Ugle.
A-o-kee-doakee.
Troy the West Coaster.
(Suggested by Smokie.)

 

V is for Vander Haar,
high flying Paul.
A Dons highlight reel,
he often stood tall.

 

W is for Williams,
dual Brownlow Diesel.
A footballing artist,
who needed no easel.

 

X – there’s no X’s –
but take it from me,
“X (Xavier Tanner) marks the spot.”
So said D. Cometti. (Thanks Daniel Flesch.)

 

Y is for Yeates,
Geelong’s Mark is he.
Well-known for collecting
big Derm at the “G”.

 

Z is for Zempilas.
Didn’t know Basil’s worth
till I found out today
that he played for West Perth.

 

 

 

 

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