Answer Man

with COL HUTCHINSON

Adelaide’s win was the first time in 50 years that the previous year’s wooden-spoon team had beaten a grand finalist in round one. I was at that 1971 game, which was also the debut match for Keith Greig and Geoff Southby. How many opening round matches have there been between the wooden-spoon team and a grand finalist from the previous year? IRWIN HIRSH, VIA EMAIL

CH: The first of 15 such instances occurred in 1912. Ten years later in 1922, Essendon became the first of three wooden-spoon clubs from the previous season to beat a grand finalist, downing Carlton by 18 points. The Dons improved dramatically to finish third that year, then claim premierships in 1923 and 1924. Melbourne just fell short of upsetting Geelong in the opening round of the 1952 season. Three years later, after finishing runner-up to Footscray in 1954, the Demons easily beat the Saints, who had finished last a few months earlier. Denis Cordner, Ian McLean, Noel McMahen and Stuart Spencer played in both

BOTTOMS UP: Wooden spooner Adelaide stunned the Cats in round one; (right) Roos champion Keith Greig.

games. Forty years ago, Fitzroy, which had finished last in 1980, was competitive against Collingwood in a high-scoring contest at the Junction Oval. The Lions won the return match at Victoria Park in round 22. Both clubs qualified for September action and met again in a semi-final. The Pies won a thriller by a point.

GRAND FINALIST v WOODEN-SPOONER IN ROUND ONE

SEASON PREV. SCORES SEASON FINISH

1912 Prem Essendon 17.14 (116) d University 6.6 (42)

Ess prem, Uni last 1922 RU Carlton 9.8 (62) lost to Essendon 11.14 (80) Carl 4th, Ess 3rd 1923 RU Collingwood 16.5 (101) d South Melbourne 12.7 (79) Coll 5th, SM 3rd 1932 Prem Geelong 14.21 (105) d North Melbourne 11.12 (78) Geel 5th, NM 8th 1939 Prem Carlton 20.22 (142) d South Melbourne 13.10 (88) Carl 5th, SM last 1940 RU Collingwood 13.14 (92) d South Melbourne 11.14 (80) Coll 8th, SM 10th 1945 Prem Fitzroy 15.16 (106) d Geelong 10.8 (68) Fitz 6th, Geel 11th 1952 Prem Geelong 15.13 (103) d Melbourne 14.13 (97) Geel prem, Melb 6th 1955 RU Melbourne 17.16 (118) d St Kilda 8.11 (59) Melb prem, StK last 1958 RU Essendon 13.17 (95) d Geelong 8.10 (58) Ess 5th, Geel last 1971 Prem Carlton 14.14 (98) lost to North Melbourne 18.16 (124) Carl 5th, NM 9th 1981 RU Collingwood 22.27 (159) d Fitzroy 20.13 (133) Coll 2nd, Fitz 4th 1984 RU Essendon 19.20 (134) d St Kilda 14.13 (97) Ess prem, StK last 2013 Prem Sydney 16.10 (106) d GWS Giants 11.10 (76) Syd 4th, GWS last 2021 RU Geelong 13.13 (91) lost to Adelaide 15.13 (103)

CAN YOU ASSIST?

u The AFL is seeking information regarding the following former players – Frank Booth (Collingwood 1938, Hawthorn 1939), Bill J. Brown (Hawthorn 1926-26), Bill E. Brown (South Melbourne 1925; Hawthorn 1928), Leo Clements (Hawthorn 1933-34), Fred Hansen (Footscray 1928; Hawthorn 1930), Gerry Hickey (Hawthorn 1934-35), Syd V. James (South Melbourne 1923; Hawthorn 1925), Joe Lyons (Hawthorn 1938), Barry Metcalfe (Hawthorn 1957), Dermot O'Brien (Hawthorn 1928) and John O'Halloran (Hawthorn 1929). If you can assist, contact Col Hutchinson at col.hutchinson@afl.com.au.

u Seven-time Sturt best and fairest Rick Davies was one of South Australia’s finest ruckmen in the 1970s and a tremendous mark.

Later in his career, he moved forward and in 1983 kicked 151 goals, a then SANFL record.

Nicknamed the ‘Jumbo Prince’, one of his most memorable performances was in round eight that season in the top-two clash with West Adelaide.

The Double Blues, who also included Peter Motley and Neil Craig, dominated from the start, kicking nine goals to five in the first term, and by three-quarter time Davies had notched 10 goals.

He booted another five in the final quarter for a club-record 15 as Sturt added 10.6 to win by 74 points.

In a career spanning 1970-1986, Davies played 317 games for Sturt, 33 for South Adelaide, 20 in his one season for Hawthorn in 1981, and 20 for SA.

He kicked 838 goals and in 2013 was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

MARK GENGE Have a great goalkicking

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