1975 Carnival VFL Player Details

Coach: John Nicholls (Carlton) - John Nicholls, coach of the VFL team for the first time in these championships, needs no introduction. He has been probably the greatest ruckman ever produced in Victoria and holds the VFL record of 31 games as an interstate player.

Nicholls retired last year following a near record total of 331 VFL day games, plus 17 night series and his interstate appearances.

John has only been a coach for three seasons, but in that time has shown that he is not only a very keen student of the game, but one who analyses the opposing side in every way. He naturally calls on his long years of experience as a player with both Carlton and the VFL for this.

If the VFL win the series, 'Big John' will have played an important part, of that there is no doubt.

No.	Player	Age	Ht.	Wt.	Information
1	Alex Jesaulenko (Carlton - captain)	29	180cm	85.5kg	Full forward. Without doubt the most brilliant footballer in Victoria at the moment. Has great ball control whether collecting it or disposing of it. Kicks well both feet and although he is on the forward line today, has proved his versatility on the back line this year.
2	Peter Bedford (South Melbourne - vice-captain)	27	180cm	71.5kg	Half forward flanker/rover. Club captain for the fourth season this year. Brilliant ball handler who passes well to team mates. Clever on the ground and brings other players into the game with his handball.
3	Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn)	23	178cm	84.5kg	Rover. Toughest player in the league who never goes around an opponent. Leading VFL goal kicker at the moment which shows his value on the forward line. Gets a ton of kicks and uses his strength around the packs with great effectiveness. Has plenty of speed and agility for his size.
4	Keith Greig (North Melbourne)	23	180cm	78.5kg	Wingman. Flashy but effective wingman who has shown the football world how good he really is by winning the Brownlow Medal in past two years. Has a ton of pace, great balance and kicks the ball long, usually with fair accuracy.
5	Kevin Morris (Richmond)	23	180cm	84kg	Half back flanker. A real dasher who would literally 'go through a brick wall'. Has a ton of pace and is a great long kick on the run. Can be played almost anywhere. Has plenty of strength if the going gets tough, too. An underrated player for some time, but is certain to show his best in his first game for the VFL today.
6	Wayne Judson (St Kilda)	22	182cm	80kg	Back pocket. One of the few players in this side who plays in no other position. Most are versatile, but Wayne is a specialist, and his selection in his fourth state game in three years proves he is just that. Not spectacular, but knows all the rovers' tricks.
7	Warwick Irwin (Fitzroy)	23	183cm	78.5kg	Ruck-rover. Brilliant youngster who has tons of ability and enthusiasm. Bores in for the ball regardless of personal risk, as he's not a big fellow. Can fly high for a mark, too. Kicks long and can be dangerous around goals.
8	Glenn Elliott (St Kilda)	24	183cm	82.5kg	Utility/centreman. A most business like utility who can be played in a variety of positions and always puts in a good game. Not a spectacular type, but if the opportunity presents itself, Glenn really knows what to do.
9 (vs. WA)	Phil Carman (Collingwood)	24	188cm	86.5kg	Centreman/forward. After having shifted from South Australia this year Phil has settled in well. A brilliant type of player with tons of pace and marking ability. His kicking is not all that bad either.
9 (vs. SA)	Craig McKellar (Richmond)	25	193cm	95kg	Ruckman. A high flying ruckman who has learned a lot since his days at Woodville. Renowned for his big punch hit-outs and excellent around the ground marking. Good kick and smooth mover. Playing in his first interstate game for the VFL today.
10	Peter Knights (Hawthorn)	23	188cm	83.5kg	Centre half back. The best in the League at the moment. Is also the most spectacular mark in the side. Has returned to his best form after a couple of lean seasons. An excellent kick and team man, who has a good turn of pace.
11 (vs. WA)	Kevin O'Keeffe (Fitzroy)	22	180cm	82.5kg	Half back flanker. Distinctive because of his red hair, Kevin is in his third season of League football, although he's only won selection on 30 occasions. Dashing type who kicks the ball long and plays the game with plenty of vigour.
11 (vs. SA)	Greg Wells (Melbourne)	25	175cm	79.5kg	Centreman/utility. Very versatile, fair headed player who has been a very good club player over the past few years. Wins many kicks and although he's short he's a superb kick and ball handler when playing in the centre. Kicks well with both feet and has been a runner-up in the Brownlow Medal. Has played 167 games for 247 goals (many on the run) and is representing the VFL for the third time.
12 (vs. WA)	Kevin Bartlett (Richmond)	28	177cm	71kg	Rover. Until this season, Kevin has enjoyed the richly deserved success of the top rover in the VFL in the top team in the VFL. He has not had a great season, but comes in with the unfortunate injury sustained by the brilliant Francis Bourke. Should be a great player if he gets his chance.
12 (vs. SA)	Wayne Richardson (Collingwood)	28	180cm	80.5kg	Rover. Captain of the famous Collingwood side for the past four seasons and a popular player. Has recently passed the 200 games mark and today replaces the injured Phil Carman in the side. Wins many kicks and places the ball to team mates with accurate drop punt passes. Dangerous if let loose around the goals as he's kicked 282 in his 208 VFL games. Reads the game well and is representing the VFL for the fifth time.
13	Ross Abbey (Footscray)	22	185cm	87kg	Half back flanker. A strong playing defender who can be used in a variety of positions. Will make a perfect reserve. Played 40 club games and will be making his first interstate appearance.
14	Graham Moss (Essendon)	25	196cm	102kg	Ruckman. The 'form' big man in the side. After a great career in Western Australia, Graham settled in here to be a top ruckman. Never upset by opponents' tactics, he is renowned for his marking around the ground and is always dangerous when resting on the forward line. Runner up in the 1973 Brownlow.
15 (vs. WA)	Stan Alves (Melbourne)	29	178cm	75.5kg	Wingman. Brilliant captain of his club side for some years. Has a ton of pace and in 198 VFL games has played many outstanding ones. A brilliant ball handler, mark and kick. Stan would have to be one of the most courageous players around. He is one of the veterans of the side, but if he gets a run, will show how good he is.
15 (vs. SA)	Malcolm Blight (North Melbourne)	25	182cm	83.5kg	Centre half forward. Was probably unlucky not to have been chosen in the state team earlier this year but will no doubt give a good account of himself in such select company. Has been doing well in club games. High flying type who kicks the ball well and is a clever player on the ground. Former Magarey Medal winner.
16	Gary Hardeman (Melbourne)	25	187cm	86kg	Utility. Today he'll probably start at centre half forward, but he can be used in many positions with the same effectiveness. Magnificent mark, kicks equally well with both feet, although he's a natural right footer. Has plenty of pace, determination and courage. Always gives great value to either club or state.
17 (vs. WA)	John Newman (Geelong)	29	189cm	93.5kg	Ruckman. Captain of his club who has a ton of heart even if he doesn't have the inches. Great mark around the ground and excellent kick. Can 'be there' if the going gets rough. An inspirational player with his big leap who has played 198 VFL games in a long career. Came back after a serious injury to play his best football in the last two years.
17 (vs. SA)	Bruce Nankervis (Geelong)	24	179cm	77kg	Half back flanker. Easily his team's best player in the last two seasons and has been unlucky not to have represented the state before, although he has been in the squad. A very tight playing defender, who is a fierce competitor. Capable of getting up high for marks and is a good kick to position.
18	Max Richardson (Collingwood)	26	183cm	84.5kg	Defender/ruck-rover. Determined type who will be playing in his third interstate game against the state where he learned his football. Can play in many positions. Marks strongly, plays it hard and delivers the ball well to team mates.
19	Gary Dempsey (Footscray)	26	197cm	100kg	Ruckman. Biggest man in the VFL side who always gives his best in these matches. Takes big marks and is a really great knock ruckman. Played for the VFL in last 11 interstate matches.
20	Geoff Southby (Carlton)	24	188cm	86.5kg	Full back. Regarded by many as the best ever in this position in Victoria. Marks strongly, dashes through with great judgement and caps it off with a fine long kick. A brilliant ball handler.
21	Ken Fletcher (Essendon)	27	184cm	78.5kg	Wingman. Although he's getting on in years, Ken is still regarded as the best in his position in his day, and he rarely puts in a bad one. Loves the open spaces to use his space and dashes down field, usually playing on after taking a good mark.