Loyal Legends In the AFL Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hawthorn

Despite his consistency, mainly as a ruck-rover, he never won Hawthorn's Best and Fairest medal, but was second on 6 occasions. His name is permanently enshrined, as the AFL awards a medal with his name to the best player in the preseason Grand Final. He is, of course, Michael Tuck, one of the few players that played most of his games in a long-sleeved guernsey.

Answer: Craig Bradley

Bradley played almost 100 games in the South Australian league, before crossing the border to play with Carlton, in 1986. His first year in his career was nothing short of spectacular - he played in the Grand Final (Carlton went down to Hawthorn in that game), he was named in the All-Australian team, tied for the club Best and Fairest with Wayne Johnston, and won the Best On Ground for South Australia in the State of Origin against Victoria. Doull, (356 games), was a taciturn man, but was explosive on the half-back line. With his long flowing locks, and bald pate, he earned the nickname of The Flying Doormat. Steve Silvagni played most of his 312 games at full back, but was occasionally moved up forward, and ended up with 182 goals. Southby (273 games) was another fullback, who was at his peak in the 1970s.

Answer: Gary Ablett

Ablett, known as 'God' because of his high-flying marking ability, started his career with Hawthorn in 1982, where he played only half a dozen games. He was recruited by Geelong in 1984, and was an instant sensation, winning Best and Fairest in his debut year.

He played in four Grand Finals, but was on the losing side each time. However, in 1989, he achieved the rare accolade of winning the Norm Smith Medal in a losing side. Nankervis held the record of 325 games in his 17 seasons at the 'Cattery', captaining the team for five years. Hocking, who went by the nickname 'Buddha', was a contemporary of Ablett's. Couch was a centreman who played 259 games (kicking 203 goals), and won the coveted Brownlow Medal in 1989.

Answer: Gary Lyon

Lyon was skipper for a then record 112 games, before being passed by Neitz in 2005. After his retirement, he followed the tried and true path of sports journalism, working on radio, television and in print. Robbie Flower was an elusive wingman for the Dees and racked up 274 games in his career, and was captain from 1981-1987. Jim Stynes was recruited from Ireland after showing his prowess at Gaelic football, but was never captain.

He did, however, set a record for the most consecutive games with 204 - quite impressive for a ruckman!

Answer: Lou Richards

For such a small man, Lou sure makes a lot of noise! His nickname of the 'Kiss of Death' came from his abysmal tipping ability. Many coaches and players shuddered when he selected their team to win in the press, and his antics when his tips did not come off are legendary. Among some are- cutting a winning coach's lawn with nail scissors, having a bath in a horse trough in the middle of a Melbourne street, and piggybacking a 140kg ruckman down Collins St. During his playing days with the Collingwood Magpies, he was known as a cheeky rover, and was not averse to a bit of 'dirty' play- he could dish it out, and he could take it. Lou was crowned King of Moomba, a large festival held annually in the southern capital.

The 'Captain' referred to in the question is 'Captain Blood', also known as Jack Dyer- a ferocious ex-Richmond ruckman.

These two were antagonists on 'World of Sport' for many years. Jock McHale was coach of Collingwood for a mammoth 37 years, from 1912-1949, and snared eight premiership flags. Coventry was the leading goal kicker for many years, until his 1299 total was topped by Tony Lockett over 50 years later. Ted Whitten was a Loyal Legend, but not for the Magpies; he played for Footscray.

Answer: Wayne Schimmelbusch

'Schimma' played an integral part of the first flag to grace Arden St, in 1975. He was a real speed-merchant, and kicked better than a goal a game (354 total, in 306 games) over his career. Keith Greig was a very elegant footballer, and this was recognised by him being awarded the Brownlow Medal, (the League's Best and Fairest award), in 1973.

He become one of the few dual recipients when he won it again the following year. Barassi never played in the blue and white stripes, but coached them to six Grand Final appearances in eight years, winning two of them- a phenomenal feat! James Gardiner's name may not be familiar to fans, but without him, there would have been no Kangaroos- he was one of the founders, and the first ever player for the Shinboners, as they used to be called.

Answer: Simon Madden

Simon was a tall lad, at about 198 cms (6'5"), but was dwarfed by brother Justin, who was 206cms (over 6'9"). Both men were ruckmen, and the winner of matches between Essendon and Carlton nowadays receive the Madden Cup. Simon was one of the youngest captains ever appointed, leading the Bombers before his 20th birthday.

His career spanned 19 years (1974-1992), a phenomenal effort for a ruckman. He also booted 575 goals. Watson was another Essendon stalwart, racking up 305 games, before going on to coach St Kilda for a couple of years.

He then proceeded to various jobs in the media, including reading the sports news for Channel 7 in Melbourne. The 'Flying Dutchman', van der Haar was an injury prone forward, who played 201 games for the team, and on his day was one of the best high marks in the business.

Answer: Glen Jakovich

Jakovich was recruited from South Fremantle, just south of Perth, and was the Rookie of the Year in 1991. He picked up a trophy cabinet full of other silverware as well, including the Club Champion four times. Worsfold was the captain when the Weagles won their first flags, in 1992 and 1994. Matera and Jakovich were also in these teams. Jason Ball does not qualify as a Loyal Legend, as he transferred to Sydney in 1999.

Answer: Paul Kelly

From the sports-mad country town of Wagga Wagga, Paul Kelly went on to captain the All-Australian team two years in a row, and was know as one of the Swans most courageous players. He was also the captain of their Grand Final team in 1996 - the team's first appearance since 1945. Mark Bayes was also in the 1996 Grand Final team and was named on the interchange bench in the Sydney Swan's official 'Team of the Century'.

He was Sydney's Best and Fairest player in 1989, and played 246 games for the Red and Whites. From Tasmania, Daryn Cresswell was the club's Best and Fairest in 1994 and played 244 games. Another member of the 1996 Grand Final team, Andrew Dunkley was a defender who played 217 games.

Answer: Mark Bickley

Bickley played 272 games for the Crows, retiring in 2003. He then went into television, becoming a regular on the 'AFL Footy Show'. Smart and McLeod were both part of the 1997 and '98 champions, and Graham Cornes was the coach for the first four years.

Answer: Kevin Bartlett

Bartlett earned his sobriquet of 'Hungry', as he was usually rather reluctant to share the ball with teammates, preferring to hog the limelight. He retired with 403 games, and held the record until overtaken by Hawthorn's Michael Tuck. He also scored 778 goals.

Sheedy played 251 games for the Tigers before joining up with Essendon as one of the games longest serving single-team coaches. I guess he could also be known as a 'Loyal Legend Coach', as he was at the helm for over 600 games! Francis Bourke was a gritty winger for many years, eventually ending his career after 302 games, and Jack 'Captain Blood' Dyer was a roughhead who would rather go through the opposition, than around them- his nickname was well-earned! He later joined up with Lou Richards on various TV footy shows.

Answer: Alastair Lynch

He started his career at Fitzroy in 1988, moved to Brisbane in 1993, and then played for the amalgamated team until his retirement in 2004. When he eventually hung up his boots, he had played 306 games. He was a part of the Brisbane trifecta of flags, in 2001-03, and a member of the Fitzroy Team of the Century. Lynch suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1995, and was banned when he revealed that the drugs he was taking as a cure were on the list of prohibited substances.

He was eventually reinstated, but his best was behind him. Murray played 333 games, but retired before the team moved north. Wilson was also a Fitzroy-only player, retiring in 1984, with 268 games under his belt. Champion never played for the Victorian team, being recruited by Brisbane from the South Australian team of Woodville.

Answer: Ted Whitten

E.J. (Ted) Whitten died of cancer in 1995, and one of the most haunting images in footy is seeing him being driven around the MCG only a few weeks before his death. The Ted Whitten Medal is now awarded to the Best and Fairest for Victoria in interstate matches.

He held the record for the Bulldogs with 321 games, before it was passed by Doug Hawkins, and was named captain of the AFL Team of the Century in 1996- probably the highest possible honour for any footballer. Hawkins played 329 games for the Doggies, before transferring to Fitzroy for his last season- many fans still see that as an act of treachery on Dougie's part. Liberatore was a sneaky little rover who played 246 games before retiring in 2002.

He won the Brownlow Medal in 1990. Brian Royal missed out by one game on qualifying as a Loyal Legend in my quiz- he retired in 1993 due to injury, with 199 games to his credit.

Answer: Bob Skilton

Winning his club's Best and Fairest on nine occasions, and three times his club's leading goal kicker, Bob Skilton is best known for his record of three Brownlow Medals over a period of ten years. Other than playing 164 games, Ricky Quade was also the first coach of South Melbourne when they were relocated to Sydney in 1982 as the Sydney Swans. Bob Pratt holds the record of 150 goals in the 1934 season and played 158 games for South Melbourne in the 1930s. With 231 games, Ron Clegg is second on the South Melbourne 'most games' list and in the 1950s was captain for four years and playing captain/coach for another two.

Answer: Trevor Barker

The blonde bombshell was a spectacular high marking defender, and the club's Best and Fairest Award was named after him. He was named in the 2003 Inductees to the club's Hall of Fame and the St Kilda Team of the Century. Another member of the Team of the Century, Nathan Burke set the club record for most number of games at his retirement, with 323 games.

He was one of the first to play in a cyclist's helmet, due to numerous concussions. "Buckets" Loewe, named for his huge hands, was also in the Team of the Century and won the Trevor Barker Award in 1990. Known as the "Cowboy", Kevin Neale kicked five goals in St Kilda's winning premiership side of 1966 and played a total of 256 games.