2104 Round 16, Quarter time.

24th June Birthdays.

 

Ashley Fernee 1977, Mal Michael 1977, Michael Tuck 1953.

 PLAYER OF THE DAY. Jeff Farmer, born 24th June 1977.

'The Wizard' was the nickname given to Jeff Farmer and it came from the description of him given to Melbourne by their Western Australian recruiter.

Joining Melbourne in 1995 he played 118 games until 2001 and kicked 259 goals and at times certainly lived up to his nickname.

Though he had not played senior football before moving to Victoria, he soon showed his talent, and despite a few down times he could be a match winner.  He helped the club climb back to the finals, actually being in the Grand Final in 2000.

The homesickness he had suffered at times during his Melbourne years finally got the better of him and he returned to WA in 2002. He went to Fremantle who he was tied to before being traded to Melbourne. 

Once again he suffered up and down times, but when he was on song he was great to watch. He played 131 games for Fremantle from 2002 to 2008 and kicked 224 goals.

Source: The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers.

Carlton Team Of The Century – Back Line.

Bruce Comben played for Carlton for 12 seasons, 1950 to 1961, in 188 games, kicking 36 goals.

A stocky player that went straight at the ball and took whatever came his way, he was a strong back pocket and was selected in that position in the clubs team of the century.

Starting his career with the Blues at age 15 in the Carlton thirds, he played all his football at the same club, except for a 1 year stint with Werribee.  He was Best and Fairest in 1957 and 1958 and represented Victoria 9 times.

Stephen Silvagni was used as a forward and back in his 312 games for Carlton from 1985 to 2001 and kicked 202 goals.  Most back men don’t kick a great deal of goals so that shows how versatile he was and it was as full back that he got into the clubs team of the century.

Born to play for Carlton, he spent most of his childhood around the club, as his father was a rover for the club during the 60’s.  Despite his father’s worries he began playing in the seniors at the age of 17 and was in 2 Premiership teams in 1987 and 1995.

In the 1995 finals series he kept 4 of the games’ best forwards to a total of 1 goal between them.

The other back pocket was Geoff Southby who played for Carlton from 1971 to 1984. He may have only kicked 31 goals in his 268 game career, but he was one of the best full backs of his time.

Winning the club Best and Fairest in 1971 and 1972 he was part of the 1972 and 1979 flag winning sides and was a regular in the Victorian team.

Source: The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers.

For The Record.

-   Highest score by a club was 37.17.239 for Geelong against Brisbane in Round 7 1992.

-   Lowest score for a club was 0.1.1 for St. Kilda against Geelong in Round 17 1899.

-   Geelong got their first VFL win in round 4 1897 and went on to win the next 10 games.

-   Biggest margin in a game was 190 points in round 17 1979. Fitzroy 36.22.238 d Melbourne 6.12.48.

-   Highest losing score by a club is 25.13.163 for Geelong against Hawthorn (26.15.171). Round 6 1989.

-   Lowest winning score by a club is 1.8.14 for Essendon against Melbourne (0.8.8). Final 1897

 Source: AFL Record Season Guide 2013.

Cain Ackland – Journey Man.

In 2001 Cain played 12 games for Port Adelaide and kicked 3 goals. He stayed with the club until 2004 but could not get back into the senior side.

2005 found him at St. Kilda where he spent 2 seasons, playing 41 games and kicking 18 goals. Again he struggled and in 2007 he joined his third club.

At Carlton he managed 21 games and 4 goals in 2007 and 2008. Cain was a ruckman/utility and it was a pity circumstances did not enable him to fulfil his potential.

Source: The Encyclopaedia Of AFL Footballers.