Answer Man

with GRAHAM PILKINGTON

Chris Scott has coached Geelong for 11 seasons and each year has had more wins than losses. Is that a record for so many seasons? STEPHEN BILLINGHAM, MURRAY BRIDGE, SA

GP: Chris Scott is in equal fifth place, level with Richmond legend Jack Dyer, who also achieved the feat in his first 11 seasons as coach. Scott had a 69 per cent success rate to the end of 2021. Percy Bentley had 16 consecutive winning seasons, starting in 1934 as a playing-coach at Richmond before moving to Carlton in 1941 as coach, despite getting the Tigers to the Grand Final the year before. He finished his career with four premierships – three as coach. Jock McHale is in second place on 15, which formed part of a record 31 successful seasons at Collingwood and eight flags as a coach. So many consecutive winning seasons is not an easy feat to achieve. Recent coaches Alastair Clarkson and John Worsfold, who won premierships at Hawthorn and West Coast respectively, both had 10 winning seasons (Worsfold had seven at the Eagles and three at Essendon), but they were not consecutive. While none of the nine coaches on the list below won a flag in the last season of their consecutive run, four of them got their teams to the Grand Final.

MOST CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS

TOTAL COACH SEQUENCE CAREER WINNING SEASONS PREMS

16 Percy Bentley 1934-49 18 (Rich 7, Carl 11)

15 Jock McHale 1925-39 31 (Coll)

3

8

12 Dick Reynolds 1940-51 20 (Ess)

4

12 Norm Smith 1954-65 16 (Fitz 3, Melb 12, SM 1) 6

11 Jack Dyer 1941-51 11 (Rich)

11 Chris Scott 2011- 11 (Geel) 1

1

10 Mick Malthouse 1990-99 20 (Foots 2, WCE 10, Coll 8) 3

10 Tom Hafey 1966-75 19 (Rich 10, Coll 5, Geel 1, Syd 3) 4

MIDAS TOUCH: Cats coach Chris Scott and former Tigers and Blues mentor Percy Bentley (inset).

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u The AFL is seeking the dates of death for the following players. Hailing from Leongatha, James Kenneth McDonald, who was born on June 14, 1916, played for Melbourne in 1942. His brother Alan represented Richmond between 1939-43 and later coached the Tigers. Former Oakleigh and Carlton seconds player Albert Joseph Williams played with North Melbourne in 1943. He was born on August 13, 1916. If you can assist, contact Col Hutchinson at col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

ROUND 14, 2021

u The last of the bye rounds saw two matches originally scheduled in Melbourne – Hawthorn v Essendon (MCG) and North Melbourne v Brisbane (Marvel Stadium) – moved to Tasmania, while the Geelong v Western Bulldogs clash at GMHBA Stadium was capped at 7000 fans. Trailing by a point, Geelong ran the ball the length of the ground in the final minute to find forward Gary Rohan, who coolly slotted the match-winner after the siren from 45m out. The Cats’ win was soured by a knee injury to Mitch Duncan. It was a similar story the following day when Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray, in his 250th game, suffered a PCL injury in the Power’s big win over Gold Coast. The Lions held out a gallant North at Blundstone Arena while the pressure mounted on Carlton coach David Teague after the Blues’ disappointing 36-point loss to GWS. The biggest crowd of the round – 14,834 – saw Essendon down Hawthorn by 13 points at UTAS Stadium with Bomber Jake Stringer (29 disposals, four goals) starring.

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY IN THE HATTAH DESERT FRIDAY 1 - SUNDAY 3 JULY 2022 GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY IN THE HATTAH DESERT FRIDAY 1 - SUNDAY 3 JULY 2022 GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY IN THE HATTAH DESERT

FRIDAY 1 - SUNDAY 3 JULY 2022

In Mildura, the season of winter is synonymous with elements that travellers consistently search Australia for - crisp mornings, clear blue skies and warm golden days, hence Mildura’s long held reputation for ‘Winter Sun’. And nothing has changed as foodies, families, couples and groups continue to seek out Mildura’s mild Mediterranean climate at a time when much of southern Australia shivers. Mildura’s stand-out appeal includes its setting on the banks the calendar is the Hattah Desert Race, the most challenging offroad race in Australia. Held this year from 1-3-July, the 2022 Penrite Hattah Desert Race attracts a large field of Australia’s best riders, pitting themselves against each other on a course that includes dust, dirt, mud and sand, all with tight corners demanding agility and finesse as well as brute speed. Arriving at the Hattah Desert Race, you’re met with the sight of cars and gazebos all lined up to form

In Mildura, the season of winter is GETTING DOWN AND DIRTYsynonymous with elements that travellers consistently search Australia for - crisp mornings, clear blue skies and warm golden IN THE HATTAH DESERTdays, hence Mildura’s long held reputation for ‘Winter Sun’. And nothing has changed as foodies, families, couples and groups FRIDAY 1 - SUNDAY 3 JULY 2022continue to seek out Mildura’s mild Mediterranean climate at a time when much of southern Australia shivers. Mildura’s stand-out appeal the noise is deafening as hundreds includes its setting on the banks of motorbikes are kick-started, of the magnificent Murray River, revved up and pushed to their Australia’s most important speed limits by eager competitors. waterway and a continuous The question is, can Daniel Milner attraction for visitors when they go back to back or will Mason venture to the region. Another, is Semmens push hard and take the our regions extensive calendar honours this time around. of events, which is beginning to pick up after cancellations due to COVID-19. A must see event on If you’re after some action this winter, be sure to include Mildura and the Hattah Desert Race as your next holiday destination. Scan here to find out more about Mildura:

visitmildura.com.au

the calendar is the Hattah Desert Race, the most challenging offroad race in Australia. Held this year from 1-3-July, the 2022 Penrite Hattah Desert Race attracts a large field of Australia’s best riders, pitting themselves against each other on a course that includes dust, dirt, mud and sand, all with tight corners demanding agility and finesse as well as brute speed. Arriving at the Hattah Desert Race, you’re met with the sight of cars and gazebos all lined up to form an ad hoc pit lane. It’s a long way from the umbrellas and grid girls of Formula One but the crews here are every bit as dedicated to victory. The smell of fuel lingers heavy in the air; there’s no stopping the red dust blowing into your mouth and

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visitmildura.com.au

start your journey here IMAGE BY 94 VISUALS PHOTOGRAPHY