Ben Kane 1983, Michael Gardiner 1978.
PLAYER OF THE DAY. Darren O'Brien, born 22nd March 1969.
Darren was drafted to Collingwood in 1996 and was there for two seasons playing 24 games and kicking 9 goals.
Coming from West Perth as a midfielder/defender he was a mature age player and did not play his first senior AFL game until he was 27.
Source: The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.
Top 3 Draft Picks 1986.
Number 1. Martin Leslie.
Recruited from Port Adelaide, Martin actually did not join the Brisbane Bears until 1989. He was at the club until 1995 and in that time played 107 games and scored 11 goals.
He was a solid, reliable defender and was the Bear's joint Best & Fairest winner in 1990 and was selected in the All Australian team in 1988 while still playing in South Australia.
Number 2. Steven Sims.
Steven Sims was a great player for his South Australian clubs so you can see why
St. Kilda drafted him.
Unfortunately, for some reason he did not play any senior games with the Saints.
Number 3. Steven Febey.
Probably the best performer of the top 3 draft picks in this year, Steven hailed from Tasmania and played his first game for Melbourne in 1988. From then until 2001 he played 258 games for 40 goals.
Having a basketball background he was a good mover and in his first game he was pitted against Robert Dipierdomenico. You can understand why he used all his evasive skills to keep out of 'Dippers' reach!
Playing most of his footy on the half back flank, Steven represented both Victoria and Tasmania in state games.
Some other players that went on to be great servants for their clubs but were selected further down the order include Darrin Pritchard, Craig Kelly, Simon Minton-Connell, Andy Lovell, Alastair Lynch, and Darren Jarman.
Source: AFL Record Season Guide 2013 & The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.
Keith Stackpole.
When you mention the name Stackpole most people immediately think of Keith Stackpole the Australian cricketer. He played mainly as a middle order batsman in 40 tests between 1959 and 1974 and hit 2807 runs. He had followed in his fathers footsteps by joining Victoria's Sheffield Shield team. However, unlike his father he chose cricket over Aussie Rules.
Keith Stackpole Snr played for Collingwood from 1935 to 1939 in 34 games and kicked 26 goals. He then joined Fitzroy and was there until 1944 playing 94 games for 203 goals.
Due to the number of rovers at Collingwood Keith found it hard to be a regular in the senior side and was 19th man in their flag sides of 1935 and 1936. Had he stayed at Collingwood he would have got his chance as they had a number of players leave the club.
The move to Fitzroy however paid off for him as he was able to really shine there and was in the Lions premiership side of 1944. He also showed great team leadership qualities.
Source: Wikipedia & The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.
A Team Of Champions.
Today we are looking at the forwards from Ben Collins champion team in his book 'The Champions'.
Wayne Carey. - CENTRE HALF FORWARD.
North Melbourne 1989-2001.
Adelaide 2003-2004.
272 games 727goals. (Total).
2 premierships.
2 pre season premierships.
1 Michael Tuck Medal.
7 times All Australian.
James Hird. - HF FLANK. Royce Hart. - HF FLANK.
Essendon 1992-2007. Richmond 1996-1977
253 games 343 goals. 187 games 369 goals.
2 premierships. 4 premierships.
3 pre season premierships. 1 time All Australian.
1 Brownlow Medal.
1 Jim Stynes Medal.
5 times All Australian.
Peter Hudson - Full Forward.
Hawthorn 1967-1974 and 1977.
129 games 727 goals.
1 premiership.
3 night premierships.
4 Coleman Medals.
2 times All Australian.
Darren Jarman. - Pocket. Robert Harvey. - Pocket.
Hawthorn 1991-1995. St. Kilda 1988-2008.
Adelaide 1996-2001. 383 games 215 goals.
230 games 386 goals. (Total). 2 Brownlow Medals.
3 premierships. 1 Michael Tuck Medal.
2 pre season premierships. 3 pre season premierships.
3 times All Australian. 8 times All Australian.
Source: The Champions ,The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers & Wikipedia.
Neil Balme - Coach as a Player.
The last we heard of Neil Balme was as coach of Melbourne from 1993 to 1997. But between 1969 and 1979 he played for Richmond in 159 games and kicked 229 goals.
He was a no holds barred, tough ruckman who was used in the forward line due to his hard at it style of play.
Originally from Subiaco in Western Australia, he was part of Richmond's 1973 and 1974 premiership sides and was equal highest goal kicker for the team in 1972.
ONE MANS INFLUENCE ON THE GAME.
One person who played a big part in the formation of Aussie Rules was a cousin of Thomas Wills named Henry Harrison. It is quite probable that he actually played the game for Melbourne and was asked chair a meeting to review the rules, which took place in 1866.
Harrison played for and in fact captained both Melbourne and Geelong and played until 1872 then continued to be involved in the game as an administrator both at Melbourne FC and in the VFA. He passed away in 1929 after many years of service to this great game.
Source: A National Game.
Number 3's at North Melbourne.
Three of the great players to wear number 3 at North Melbourne are:
Jack Wrout.
Although he later moved to Carlton he played for North from 1931 to 1936. With a return of 52 goals from 53 games from a small half forward he was a shining light for the struggling North Melbourne team.
Anthony Rock.
From 1988 to 1998 Anthony kicked 138 goals in 178 games for the Kangaroos. After joining the club as a 14 year old he made his way up through the ranks until he made it into the senior side.
He was a very popular player and was part of the premiership side of 1996 and played for Victoria on 4 occasions. His career finished at Hawthorn where he moved in 1999.
Brady Rawlings.
Yet another fine footballer from Tasmania, Brady started with North in 1999 and was there until 2011. He played 245 games and kicked 82 goals.
During 2004 he played his best football, subduing some of the stars of opposition teams week in and week out. This culminated in him winning the clubs Best & Fairest award.
Source: The Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.
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