Answer Man

with LACHLAN ESSING

Across history, we have seen many players who had animal surnames or nicknames. Can you tell us about some of them? WILLIAM SIMMONDS, BROOME, WA

LE: Carlton rover Adrian Gleeson went by the nickname ‘Bear’ and his 176 games between 1986-96 included the 1987 premiership. Craig Bird was a premiership midfielder for the Swans in 2012 and played the last of his 157 career games in 2017 after switching to the Bombers. John Fox played 60 games for the Cats in the 1960s after crossing from a rugby background. He had a rugby-style approach to the game and once ran 40m without bouncing the ball, as he forgot he was playing Australian Football. Brian Roberts, known as the ‘Whale’, was a giant ruckman for the Tigers and the Swans. One the heaviest players to have played the game, he once weighed in at 120kg. North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey was famously known as ‘Duck’. The nickname came early in his career, as he used to waddle when he walked and ran.

NAME GAME: Andrew ‘Rat’ Bews and John ‘Horse’ Longmire were stars of the 1980s and ‘90s.

North Melbourne sharpshooter Phil Baker went by the nickname ‘Snake’ and was renowned for his high marking. Andrew Bews was well known as ‘Rat’ and, despite his diminutive size, was recognised as one of the League’s toughest players.

SELECTED ANIMAL SURNAMES OR NICKNAMES

NAME NICKNAME CLUB CAREER GAMES GOALS

Adrian Gleeson Bear Carlton 1986-96

176 175 Craig Bird Syd/Ess 2008-17 157 59 Kevin Murray Bulldog Fitzroy 1955-64; 1967-74 333 51 Max Crow Ess/StK/WB 1974-86 188 210 Bill Dolphin South Melb 1905-11 100 0 Wayne Carey Duck NM/Adel 1989-2001; 2003-04 272 727 Paul Salmon Fish Ess/Haw 1983-2002 324 561 John Fox Geelong 1960-65 60 7 Neil Crompton Frog Melbourne 1957-66 99 24 John Longmire Horse North Melb 1988-99 200 511 Tim Notting Possum Brisbane 1998-2009 208 138 Andrew Bews Rat Geel/Bris 1982-98 282 134 Phil Baker Snake NM/Geel 1971-79 106 125 David McKay Swan Carlton 1969-81 263 277 Brent Crosswell Tiger Carl/NM/Melb 1968-82 222 257 Chris Grant Turtle WB 1990-2007 341 554 Brian Roberts Whale Rich/SM 1971-75 93 36

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u The AFL is seeking information regarding the following former players – Noel Alford (North Melbourne 1952-53), Pat Audas (Richmond 1952-54), Noel Carroll (Fitzroy 1951, 1953), Charlie Clymo (St Kilda 1907-09), Peter Cook (Melbourne 1956-58), Roy Cullinan (South Melbourne 1953), Neil McNeill (South Melbourne 1955-56), Len Metherell (Geelong 1930-36), Frank Mockridge (Geelong 1925-31), Fred Mundy (Geelong 1959; Richmond 1960), Bob Troughton (Geelong 1930-35) and Jack Williams (Geelong 1925-34). If you can assist, contact Col Hutchinson at col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

u In the final round of 2007, Essendon bid farewell to two of its greats – captain James Hird, in his 253rd match, and Kevin Sheedy, who had coached the Bombers for 27 seasons.

Essendon trailed reigning premier West Coast by 44 points at three-quarter time at Subiaco Oval.

Enter Scott Lucas.

Within 17 minutes, the Bombers had cut the margin to 14 points, with Lucas kicking five goals thanks to some strong marking and a booming left foot.

A behind to the Eagles was followed by another two goals to Lucas to give him seven for the quarter and eight for the match, but at the 22-minute mark, Essendon still trailed by three points.

After a tense couple of minutes, Lucas scored a behind, but West Coast replied with a goal to Brent Staker to snuff out a fairytale finish for Hird and Sheedy.

Lucas retired at the end of 2009 with 471 goals in 270 games.

MARK GENGE Have a great goalkicking

story? Contact AFL historian Mark Genge at mark.genge@afl.com.au.