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[Murray MacDonald] [Brian MacGregor] [Jack Mack] [Aubrey MacKenzie] [Tom MacKenzie] [Gordon Mackie] [Mark Maclure] [Justin Madden] [Michael Madden] [Simon Madden] [Harold Maddigan] [Gary Maddison] [Gordon Maffina] [Stuart Magee] [Francis Magor] [Stan Magro] [Frank Maher] [William Mahoney] [Chris Mainwaring] [Robert Makeham] [Gary Malarkey] [Steve Malaxos] [Stanley Malin] [Harold 'Hassa' Mann] [Lance Mann] [Neil Mann] [Peter Manning] [Michael Mansfield] [Albert Mantello] [Jim Marchbank] [Gerald Marchesi] [George Margitch] [Don Marinko junior] [Don Marinko senior] [Ray Marinko] [Peter Marker] [Joe Marmo] [Ron Marney] [Peter Marquis] [Peter Marrett] [John Marriott] [Percy Marsh] [Steve Marsh] [David Marshall] [Deniston Marshall] [Ken Marshall] [Ray Marshall] [Harry Marsham] [Geoffrey Martin] [George Martin] [James Martin] [John 'Ray' Martin] [Owen Martin] [Wally Martin] [William Martin] [Percy Martini] [Colin Martyn] [Tony Martyn] [Les Marvell] [Bill Maslen] [Angus Mason] [Bob Mason] [Peter Matera] [Wally Matera] [Phil Matson] [Herbie Matthews] [Jimmy Matthews] [Leigh Matthews] [Bernard Mattiske] [Stuart Maxfield] [Wally May] [Bill Mayman] [Alan Maynard] [Max Mayo]

Murray MacDonald (South Fremantle)

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Although he had the misfortune to play during what was an almost wholly unmemorable decade for the club, the 1960s, Murray MacDonald nevertheless gave South Fremantle consistent and highly valued service. Much of his football was played at centre half forward, but he could also perform capably in defence when required. He played a total of 110 senior WANFL games for South, and also represented Western Australia twice, in 1962 against South Australia, and in 1967 against the VFL.

Brian MacGregor (East Perth)

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A versatile customer who knew how to kick a goal but was equally effective as a close-checking defender, Brian MacGregor gave East Perth precisely 150 games of useful service between 1960 and 1967. He played in many fine Royals teams, and could be considered extremely unfortunate - as indeed could many of his contemporaries at the club - not to experience premiership success. MacGregor was on a half forward flank when East Perth lost the 1960 grand final to West Perth, and a year later was one of the Royals' best in the shock defeat at the hands of Swan Districts. In the 1966 grand final he played at full back and produced another fine performance to restrict his Perth opponent, Graham Ramshaw, to just 1 goal. However, he was unable to prevent another grand final loss.

Jack Mack (Port Adelaide & Central Broken Hill)

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Port Adelaide's 1907 Magarey Medallist Jack Mack played an unknown number of games for the club in a nine season career which began in 1900 and, broken by a single year with Central Broken Hill in 1906, ended "because my leg was playing up" (see footnote 1) in 1909. He was a somewhat inconspicuous performer early, but by 1903 was beginning to eke out a reputation for himself as a hard working and occasionally brilliant follower. While with Central Broken Hill in 1906 he won that club's best all round player award, despite only intermittently capturing his best form.

Returning to the city in 1907 Mack combined with newcomer Shine Hosking and veteran 'Welshy' Davies to give Port Adelaide the best first ruck combination in the SAFL (see footnote 2). Mack was frequently named among Port's best players that season, and mid-way through the year made his interstate debut against the VFA. His Medal win, when it came, was both predictable, and unanimous (see footnote 3).

Jack Mack continued to perform to a high standard for the remainder of his career. He was a member of South Australia's inaugural carnival team at Melbourne in 1908, and was still playing consistently well when he elected to the following year.

Footnotes

1. Quoted in SA Greats: The History Of The Magarey Medal by John Wood, page 57. Return to Main Text

2. The South Australian Football Association (SAFA) became the South Australian Football League (SAFL) in 1907. Return to Main Text

3. The Medal was voted for, at season's end, by all the central umpires who had officiated during the season. Return to Main Text

Aubrey MacKenzie (Melbourne, Footscray, St Kilda)

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Aubrey MacKenzie (sometimes wrongly spelt 'McKenzie') commenced in league football in 1914 when he played a couple of VFL games for Melbourne. However, it was not until after the war that he rose to prominence, initially with Footscray in the VFA, and then with St Kilda. While with the Tricolours he was a key contributor, as a bullocking ruckman resting in the forward lines, to the premierships of 1919 and 1920, and also played in the losing grand final of 1921 against Williamstown. He crossed to St Kilda in 1922, and gave the Saints good service in 35 VFL games over three seasons. During the 1923 season he was acknowledged as one of the leading ruckmen in the competition, and his fine form was a major catalyst for the Saints' rise up the ladder after several poor seasons.

Tom MacKenzie (West Torrens & North Adelaide)

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Tom MacKenzie was the first triple Magarey Medallist, winning the award in 1902 with West Torrens, and 1905 and 1906 while playing at North Adelaide. Despite rarely training MacKenzie was 'all action' once on the field, playing with a tenacity and verve which made him, along with Tom Leahy, the most popular South Australian footballer of his day. Although primarily a rover, MacKenzie could also perform with distinction in the backlines as he possessed that classic defender's attribute of never knowing when he was beaten.

McKenzie made his league debut with West Torrens in 1901, and was selected to represent South Australia that same year. He went on to make a total of 20 state appearances.

In 1904 he switched to North, and was best afield in the red and whites' 1905 grand final defeat of Port Adelaide.

He returned to West Torrens in 1909, and was captain of the club between 1911 and 1913.

MacKenzie retired from football after the outbreak of the Great War during which he fought in Egypt and France, sustaining serious wounds from shell fire in 1916. Although he survived the war he never fully regained his health, and he died in 1927 at the comparatively young age of forty-five.

Gordon Mackie (Preston & Carlton)

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Gordon Mackie's senior career began at Preston in 1928, where he played with success for four seasons. He then expressed a desire to move to VFL club Carlton, which the Bullants' committee at first refused to countenance, but in the end he managed to get his way in time to join the Blues after the 1932 season had commenced. His VFL career was short, comprising just 60 games in less than five seasons, but auspicious. Indeed, in the view of some he was the best centre half back in the competition, boasting formidable pace, good aerial and ground ability, and magnificent kicking skills, qualities which earned him interstate selection. He was one of Carlton's best in its narrow grand final loss to Richmond in 1932, but three and a half years later, while he was still very much at his peak, his career was brought to a peremptory end by injury.

Mark Maclure (East Sydney & Carlton)

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Born in Perth, Mark Maclure moved to Brisbane when he was eleven after his father was stationed there in the Navy. He played under-age football with Coorparoo, and then, after moving to Sydney, played in the under nineteens with East Sydney. Shortly after making his senior debut he was watched by Carlton secretary Bert Deacon, who made the trip to Sydney on the recommendation of a local Blues supporter who had watched Maclure in action, and been impressed. Deacon, too, liked what he saw, and midway through the 1973 season, after just 8 senior games with East Sydney, Maclure was invited to Melbourne to try out with Carlton's under nineteens.

Strong overhead, and extremely aggressive, he made an immediate impact, and was invited to stay. Midway through the 1974 season he made his senior VFL debut against Geelong, and held his own. It was the start of an illustrious thirteen season league career during which he played 243 games and booted 327 goals. Fairly light in build when he joined the Blues, he played mainly in the backlines during his first three seasons, but after he filled out he was tried at centre half forward to good effect. If at times he struggled for consistency, his best was as good as if not better than that of any other player in the position. He represented Victoria, headed Carlton's goal kicking list twice, and was at centre half forward in the Blues' premiership teams of 1979, 1981 and 1982. A commanding, sometimes fearsome physical presence, he was ferociously protective of smaller team mates in the forward lines. He was appointed club captain in 1986, but endured a horror year with injuries. Towards the end of the year he recovered sufficiently to lead the team in its finals campaign, but this ended in disappointment as the Blues lost the grand final to Hawthorn. Mark Maclure retired shortly afterwards.

Justin Madden (Essendon & Carlton)

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He may have boasted neither elegance nor athleticism, but Justin Madden was one of the most supremely effective ruckmen of recent times. His massive 206cm 112kg frame was significantly bigger than that of most opponents, who found it virtually impossible to dislodge him from ruck contests. He could also do a serviceable, if somewhat stilted, job around the ground, and liked to kick a goal.

Madden commenced his senior career at Essendon, but his opportunities there were restricted owing to the presence of another champion ruckman in the shape of his older brother, Simon. Consequently, after 45 VFL games and 20 goals between 1980 and 1982 he moved to Carlton, where over the course of 287 games (for 170 goals) from 1983 to 1996 he established himself as one of the most instantly recognisable, and well-loved, players in the game. A club best and fairest winner in 1985 and 1991, Madden came within a vote of winning the 1985 Brownlow Medal, gained AFL All Australian selection in 1995, and was a key contributor to two Carlton premierships. He was the V/AFL's leader in hit-outs won in a record seven seasons.

Michael Madden (Essendon & Essendon Association)

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Known evocatively as 'Mad Mick', Michael Madden was a powerful, extremely mobile key position player who boasted a luxuriant crop of red hair and the traditional fiery temper to go with it. Essendon recruited him from Heathcote, and he gave the club good service in 65 games, which saw him kick 51 goals, between 1903 and 1906. In 1907 he crossed to Essendon Association where he rapidly became one of the biggest draw cards in the VFA. In 1911, however, he was banned for a full year and although his appeal against the ban was upheld in a court of law, the VFA refused to budge. Madden came back in style in 1912 by helping the Dreadnoughts to a second successive flag with a 9.8 (62) to 5.11 (41) grand final defeat of Footscray. Once his playing career was over, 'Mad Mick' calmed down sufficiently to take up the whistle as an Association umpire.

Simon Madden (Essendon)

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Widely acknowledged as the finest ruckman in the game for much of his career, Essendon's Simon Madden emphasised that status by winning virtually every honour football at the elite level has to offer, with the exception of the Brownlow Medal. After spending his early years operating out of a forward pocket Madden developed into a superb tap ruckman who was also extremely damaging around the ground. Between 1974 and 1992 he played a club record 378 V/AFL games for the Bombers, kicking 575 goals which included club list topping tallies of 45 in 1980, 49 in 1982 and 42 in 1991. He won Essendon's premier individual award on four occasions, and was club captain in 1980-81. A recipient of the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in the 1985 grand final, Madden achieved All Australian selection three times, and was runner-up for the Brownlow in 1988. Given these achievements there was no surprise when he was selected as first ruckman in Essendon's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Madden maintained his involvement in football after his retirement as a player and most recently this has involved taking the coaching reins at leading VAFA club St Bernard's Old Collegians.

Harold Maddigan (Acton & Turner)

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After shining as a schoolboy footballer, Harold Maddigan made his senior debut with Acton in 1940, aged just sixteen. After a couple of seasons he embarked on military service with the RAAF and did not resume until 1946. Invariably known as 'Sammy', Maddigan was tall and strong, and a booming kick. After playing mainly as a centre half forward in his first couple of seasons he was transformed into a full back on his return after the war, and was chosen in that position in Canberra's 1947 carnival team. In 1948, Maddigan was instrumental in forming a new CANFL club, Turner, in order to comply with the league's desire to have a team based in the north of Canberra. Both on and off the field, Maddigan could validly be described as the cornerstone of the new club, and in 1948 his consistently outstanding performances as a player - mainly as a ruckman - were rewarded with the Mulrooney Medal. Maddigan represented Canberra twice against Western Australia in Perth in 1949, and the following year, having been appointed captain of his club, he went to Brisbane as a member of the carnival team. During the carnival, representatives of each of the competing teams took part in a long kicking competition and Maddigan, with a kick of 76 yards, was the winner. He retired from football two years later after badly injuring his hip but having had the satisfaction, in 1951, of playing in Turner's first ever finals matches.

Gary Maddison (Norwood, Wilston Grange, Mayne)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Gary Maddison was a Norwood player (13 senior games) who moved north in 1979, aged twenty-two, and joined Wilston Grange. Soon afterwards he transferred to Mayne, and it was with the Tigers that he spent the bulk of his glittering QAFL. Superbly skilled and capable of playing in just about any position, he dominated the competition in the midfield through the 1980s. He was a key member of the Tigers' 1982 premiership side and was a regular star through 19 games for Queensland, captaining the Maroons in 1984 to the second leg of their interstate shield trifecta (1983-84-85). His quality performances against VFL opposition had locals suggesting he should have played at the highest level, but persistent knee injuries brought a sad and premature end to his top level career in 1984 aged just twenty-six.

Gordon 'Sonny' Maffina (Boulder City & Claremont)

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One of many fine players to emerge from West Australian Goldfields National Football League club Boulder City, Gordon 'Sonny' Maffina first came to the attention of coastal scribes after putting in a near best afield performance for a combined GFL team against East Fremantle in 1947. With inadvertent prescience, a football reporter for 'Kalgoorlie Miner' wrote that Maffina "exhibited marking ability, pace and the courage of a Bengal tiger, never shirking a hot corner, and pursuing the ball through the crushes with tenacity" (see footnote 1).

From the very next season, and for the ten after that, Maffina's tigerish approach to the game would find a perfect home with WANFL club Claremont - the Tigers - for whom, after a somewhat inconsistent start, he would develop into one of the all time greats.

Claremont during Maffina's time there was persistently unsuccessful, qualifying for the finals only once, and more often than not engaging in a season's long battle with Swan Districts and Subiaco for the wooden spoon. Amidst all the ineptitude and almost weekly thrashings, however, 'Sonny' Maffina, whom many described as 'the complete footballer', stood out. He won both the Sandover Medal and his club's fairest and best award in 1949, and the following year, as one of three Claremont representatives in Western Australia's Brisbane carnival team, was awarded the Simpson Medal as the state's best player of the series. Somewhat astonishingly, however, he failed to gain a single Tassie Medal vote.

Playing mainly in the centre, Maffina was quick, decisive and, belying his slight build, fairly strong. His ball handling and disposal by foot - most notably by means of the stab pass, of which he was one of the most adept exponents of his era - were a delight to behold.

In 1951, Maffina took over from Les McClements, who had joined Clarence in Tasmania, as Claremont captain, and the following season saw him assume the coaching mantle as well. He enjoyed immediate success, too, steering the Tigers to their first senior major round appearance since 1941, and their first finals win since 1940. However, after overcoming the challenge of East Perth in the 1st semi final, eventual premier South Fremantle proved much too strong a fortnight later.

After a disappointing 1953 season which saw the club slump to second from last on the ladder, Maffina was replaced as coach by 'Hobart Harry' Carbon, and as captain by John Munro. He continued to give the Tigers fine service as a player, however, for another five seasons, finally retiring in 1958 with 114 WANFL games to his credit, a tally which would have been much greater had he not been continually beset by niggling injuries during the closing phase of his career. He also made 8 interstate appearances for Western Australia, earning a reputation as one of the most talented centremen in the land.

In 1957, Maffina resumed as captain-coach of the Tigers, but they managed just 4 wins from 21 matches for the year to finish 7th. The following year saw him hand over the captaincy to Kevin Clune whilst carrying on as coach and, sporadically, as a player, but the side endured its worst season for many years to end up with the wooden spoon. Almost inevitably, this brought the curtain down on 'Sonny' Maffina's league career, as both player and coach (although he later served as assistant coach to Jim Conway when the Tigers broke through for a flag in 1964), but in the view of those who saw him play he deserves to be remembered and extolled more for the on field performances that made him arguably Claremont's greatest ever centreman, than for his comparative failure as a coach.

Footnotes

1. Quoted in Gravel Rash by Les Everett, pages 186-7. Return to Main Text

Stuart Magee (South Melbourne, Footscray, Swan Districts, East Fremantle)

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Ireland-born centreman and rover Stuart Magee had a chequered senior career which belied not only his considerable skill but also the renowned ‘luck of the Irish’. Two years after representing the VFL at the 1966 Hobart carnival he was unceremoniously dumped by South Melbourne as not being good enough to warrant a place in their perennially underachieving team. Picked up by Footscray he re-built his league career at the Western Oval adding 132 games to the 85 he had amassed at South. When Ted Whitten retired midway through the 1970 season he took over as the Bulldogs’ skipper only to be stripped of the role at the end of the season. Undaunted, he continued to provide Footscray with sterling service for another 5 seasons before moving to Swan Districts as captain-coach in 1976. However, with the Swans failing to impress his coaching contract was not renewed, and he completed his playing career at East Fremantle in 1977, adding 11 WANFL games to the 20 he had accrued at Bassendean.

At his best, Stuart Magee was a player of the highest calibre who perhaps serves to remind us that ability and dedication alone are not always sufficient to ensure success; you also need that indefinable quality of good fortune which no amount of determination can manufacture.

Francis Magor (Port Adelaide)

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An important member of Port Adelaide's illustrious pre-World War One combinations, Francis Magor played a total of 73 senior games for the club between 1909 and 1914. During that period the Magpies won the 'double' of state and national premiership no fewer than three times. A smooth running, highly team orientated player who could function equally well in a variety of positions - indeed he was regarded as one of the most adaptable players in the team - his last game for Port was the winning championship of Australia clash with Carlton in 1914. Magor was a member of the South Australian party at the 1914 Sydney carnival, and played in the decisive match against the VFL. In all probability, he played in at least 3 other matches during the carnival as well, but South Australia's records from the series are incomplete.

Stan Magro (South Fremantle, Collingwood, East Perth, Perth)

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Remembered today as probably one of the most ferocious tacklers in the game's history, Stan Magro commenced his league career with South Fremantle in 1970. In 1975, when South lost the grand final to West Perth by a record margin of 104 points, Magro was one of the few players in red and white to perform to expectation. He had made the first of his 7 appearances for Western Australia the same year, winning a Simpson Medal for his performance against the VFL, and was beginning to attract the attention of clubs in Victoria. In 1977 he was wooed to Collingwood, where in 96 VFL games over the next half a dozen seasons he enhanced his fearsome reputation still further. Sadly, his record in grand finals did not improve, as he played in losing teams for the 'Pies in 1977, 1979 and 1980. A centreman during his time at South Fremantle and his early years at Collingwood, he later developed into a resourceful, hard-hitting, highly dependable back pocket, in which position he represented the VFL against Tasmania in 1979.

As a coach, Stan Magro has spent time at East Perth (1992-3) and Perth (2001-5), but has yet to get a team higher than 3rd place on the ladder.

Frank Maher (Essendon, Oakleigh, Fitzroy, Carlton)

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Despite being a late starter, Frank Maher loses nothing in comparison with virtually any of the galaxy of champions to have worn the famous black and red of the Essendon Football Club. Maher, in fact, did not play football until he was serving abroad with the Australian Expeditionary Force during World War One. On his return to Australia, he joined Lilydale, where his performances were so admirable that he was soon being pursued by a number of VFL clubs, notably Carlton and Essendon. For a time, it seemed likely that he would join the Blues, but in the end he elected to throw in his lot with the Dons, for whom he made his league debut in 1921.

Just 168cm in height, and light of frame, Maher nevertheless had plenty of courage, knew how to get the ball, and used it superbly. In 1923-4 he was a key member of Essendon's famed 'mosquito fleet' which helped propel the club to successive flags. In the 1923 grand final victory over Fitzroy he was one of the best players afield, and his team mates later voted him the club's player of the season. Four years later, he won Essendon's official best and fairest award, having spent the previous three seasons as the senior side's captain-coach.

Maher was a regular VFL representative (9 games), captaining the team twice.

In 1929, after 137 VFL games, he accepted a sizeable financial inducement to join Oakleigh, which had just been admitted to the VFA, as captain-coach; it did not take him long to repay the club either as, after taking just a single season to consolidate, he oversaw consecutive flags in 1930-31.

Frank Maher later had unsuccessful stints as coach of Fitzroy (1932-3), back at Oakleigh (1934), and Carlton (1935-6). Between 1958 and 1968 he was president of the Essendon past players and officials association.

William Mahoney (Geelong, St Kilda, Richmond, Port Adelaide)

William Mahoney was an ultra diminutive rover who began his league career at Geelong in 1902, but, despite showing promise, was released after just 17 games for being 'too small'. He spent the 1904 and '05 seasons at St Kilda, but failed to win a regular place in the team. It was not until he joined Richmond in 1908 that he came into his own. Energetic to the point of being hyperactive, he thrived on being in the thick of the action, and was expert at guessing exactly where the ball would end up after a ruck contest. In three separate stints at Richmond, the last of which was in 1920, he played a total of 115 games and, particularly in the years leading up to the start of the First World War, he was widely acknowledged to be one of the game's finest players. Mahoney spent the 1912 season with Port Adelaide, and was chosen to represent South Australia against his home state. All told, he played a total of 159 games in 11 seasons of league football.

Chris Mainwaring (East Fremantle & West Coast)

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Originally from Geraldton Rovers, nineteen year old Chris Mainwaring made his WAFL debut with East Fremantle in 1985 and was an instant success, representing Western Australia and playing in a premiership team in his first season. An abundantly talented, free roaming wingman, he was a member of West Coast's inaugural VFL squad in 1987, and went on to become a key contributor to the side's success in the early 1990s. Mainwaring played 201 games for the Eagles from 1987 to 1999, kicking 84 goals. He was a member of premiership teams in 1992 and 1994, and an AFL All Australian in 1991 and 1996. Although he never won a club best and fairest award, he finished in the top three places on five occasions. Mainwaring resumed with East Fremantle in 1998 and played for two more seasons to take his final tally of WAFL games to 60. He then embarked on a career as newsreader and sports reporter. He died in October 2007 at the tragically young age of forty-one.

Robert Makeham (Collingwood)

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Solidly efficient and reliable, Robert Makeham was an important, if comparatively unheralded, member of the great Collingwood teams that secured a VFL record four successive flags between 1927 and 1930. He began with the Woods in 1923, and went on to play 157 games and kick 97 goals for the club over the ensuing ten seasons. Immensely valuable to his side because of his versatility, Makeham played as a follower in the losing challenge final of 1926 against Melbourne, at centre half forward in the decisive match of 1927 against Richmond, and thereafter on a half back flank (1928) and a half forward flank (1929, '30). More to the point, he was equally effective in all four positions. Makeham originally retired at the conclusion of the 1931 season, but he was encouraged to resume briefly the following year in order to qualify for ten year playing membership of the VFL.

Gary Malarkey (East Perth, Geelong, Geelong West)

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Despite his comparatively small (185cm, 89kg) stature Gary Malarkey was arguably the finest full back in Australia during the late 1970s and early '80s. Aggressive and determined, he used his muscular frame to good effect when engaged in the man-on-man duels which are such an integral feature of full back play.

A member of East Perth's 1972 premiership team Malarkey also won the Royals' fairest and best award the following year before heading to Geelong in 1977. He played a total of 173 games for the Cats during a predominantly mediocre ten season period for the club. Never the most eye-catchingly brilliant of players, he nevertheless excelled in those attributes which coaches value and seek to nurture: toughness, a refusal to accept defeat, and 'one percent' activities like shepherding, smothering, spoiling and chasing.

An integral member of many of Western Australia's early state of origin teams, Gary Malarkey was named an All Australian after the 1979 Perth carnival.

He finished his playing career with Geelong West, and in 1988 was that club's last ever VFA coach.

Steve Malaxos (Claremont, Hawthorn, West Coast, East Fremantle)

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As gutsy and tenacious as he was talented, Steve Malaxos achieved virtually everything the game had to offer, but the V/AFL portion of his career ended in extreme disappointment. Originally from Dalkeith/Nedlands he was recruited by Claremont and made his league debut in 1979, rapidly developing into one of the best centremen in Western Australia. He made his interstate debut in 1982 and was a regular West Australian representative for the next six years, often as captain. After winning Claremont's 1983 fairest and best award he enjoyed an even better 1984 season securing not only a second such award but a Sandover Medal (jointly with Peter Spencer of East Perth and team-mate Michael Mitchell) as well. In 1985 he joined Hawthorn, but failed to settle and, after just 9 VFL games, returned home to Claremont. Clearly now with something to prove, Malaxos put in a fine season in 1986, with the highlight being his selection as All Australian captain after Western Australia's interstate championship win. The following season saw him engage in a second attempt to make his mark in the VFL when he joined fledgling Western Australian side West Coast where, in 66 games over the better part of four years, he enjoyed considerable success. Voted his club's best and fairest player in his debut season, and selected in another All Australian team two years later, by 1990 his status as a key member of the squad had been emphasised by his selection as captain. However, things turned sour when he suddenly fell out of favour during that year's finals series, and he never played for the Eagles again.

In 1991 Steve Malaxos embarked on a new phase of his career when, after returning briefly to Claremont, where he took his final games tally to 151, he crossed to East Fremantle. Far from finished as a footballer, he played some of his best and most consistent ever football in adding 138 WAFL games over the next eight seasons, winning club fairest and best trophies in 1991, 1994 and 1995, and skippering the 1992 and 1994 premiership teams. At his best, Malaxos was one of the most damaging and creative players in the game, and it would be wholly inappropriate if his disappointing experiences at Hawthorn and West Coast were accorded undue significance when assessing his career.

Stanley Malin (Port Adelaide)

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Very little is known about the life of Stanley 'Sailor' Malin other than that he played two seasons of senior football with Port Adelaide, and was the winner, in 1899, of the second ever Magarey Medal. It seems he played mainly across the centre or half forward lines, and was a "good mark and very straight kick" (see footnote 1). In 1900 he quit football and travelled to Sydney to embark on a programme of medical studies at the city's university. Tragically, he was to die, aged just twenty-five, in December 1903, after a brief illness.

Footnotes

1. 'Prince Alfred Chronicle', quoted in SA Greats: The History Of The Magarey Medal by John Wood, page 39. Return to Main Text

Harold Mann (Melbourne, South Fremantle, Caulfield)

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While still a toddler, Harold Mann was dubbed 'Hassa' by his cousin, Len, and the name stuck. In later years, both boys played league football for Melbourne, Len as a hard working and resourceful ruckman, and 'Hassa' as one of the classiest centremen of his era.

After coming to Melbourne from Rutherglen in 1959, 'Hassa' Mann broke into the all powerful Demons line-up after just a handful of reserves matches, and never looked back. He was a member of premiership teams in his first two league seasons, and again in 1964 when he was among the best players afield as Melbourne overcame Collingwood by 4 points in a photo finish. He won the Demons best and fairest award in 1962-63 and 1967, and was club captain between 1965 and 1968, his last 4 VFL seasons. A regular member of Big V representative sides, a series of dazzling performances at the 1966 Hobart carnival earned him an All Australian blazer.

In 1969, after a brief clearance wrangle, he joined South Fremantle as captain-coach. Still very much at his peak as a player, he not only won the southerners' fairest and best award in his debut season, he topped their goal kicking list as well, but from a team perspective the meagre return of 5 wins from 21 matches and a wooden spoon was tantamount to a disaster.

With his job hanging by a thread, Mann masterminded an astonishing turnaround the following year as South stormed up the ladder to claim 2nd spot going into the finals. Two wins over Perth then clinched the premiership.

The team's success was short-lived, however, and when it could only manage 6th place in 1971, 'Hassa' Mann and South Fremantle parted company. He returned to coaching briefly in 1981 when he assumed control at VFA club Caulfield, but the Bears had a poor year, winning just 5 of their 18 matches to finish just one place off the bottom in 1st division.

Mann's success in steering South Fremantle from bottom to top in a year was undoubtedly both memorable and highly praiseworthy; however, it is for his exploits and prowess as a player that he is best remembered today. When Melbourne announced its official 'Team of the Century' in the year 2000, 'Hassa' Mann's enduring legacy was rubber-stamped with his inclusion in the team on a half forward flank.

Lance Mann (Essendon)

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Lance Mann was a solidly built and exceptionally pacy footballer who joined Essendon in 1951 after three seasons at Albury. He developed into a fine wingman who, in addition to his formidable leg speed, was hard at the ball, and a fine kick. After four seasons with the Dons he was forced to return home to Albury because of knee problems. He recovered sufficiently to front up with Albury in 1955, and the following season saw him win the Ovens and Murray League's best and fairest award, the Morris Medal. Essendon invited him back in 1958 and used him in a back pocket where his hard bumping style won him many admirers. He retired in 1959 after 80 VFL games and 22 goals. He spent the 1960 and 1961 seasons as coach of the Bombers' reserves.

Neil Mann (Collingwood)

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Despite being widely regarded as a quintessential Collingwood product, Neil Mann actually played Thirds football for St Kilda, but later revealed that he had never had any desire or intention of playing for them at senior level. Thus, when Collingwood expressed an interest, he was delighted, and promptly made the move. In those days, the Thirds competition was not directly affiliated with the VFL, and so the Saints, whilst understandably aggrieved, could do nothing.

Mann commenced his senior VFL career in 1945, and played most of his early football as a key position forward, topping the club's goal kicking list in 1947 with 48 goals. It was after being shifted to centre half back in 1948, however, that he really came into his own. Renowned as having the biggest hands in football he was, not surprisingly, a superb mark, but above all else he was almost fanatically hard working and determined. After Collingwood lost both of its major ruckmen, Phonse Kyne and Gordon Hocking in successive seasons in 1950 and '51 Mann's career received another boost when he stepped into their shoes as though born to them. A Copeland Trophy winner and Brownlow Medal runner-up in 1954 he was a regular VFL representative player during the 1950s, donning the famous navy jumper with a big white V on a total of 10 occasions. When the Magpies beat Geelong in the 1953 grand final, he was close to best afield as the team's first ruckman. When Lou Richards resigned as Magpie captain late in the 1955 season Neil Mann took over. He retained the role in 1956, and when he retired at the end of that season had played a total of 179 VFL games, and kicked 155 goals. He later spent a fourteen season stint as coach of Collingwood's reserves before occupying the senior 'hot seat' between 1972 and 1974 when he oversaw 4th, 3rd and 4th place finishes.

Peter Manning (Swan Districts)

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One of Swan Districts' finest ever players, Peter Manning had the misfortune to just miss participation in the club's first truly auspicious era as he commenced his league career in 1964. The only grand final in which he participated was that of 1965, in which Swans fell in a final quarter heap against East Fremantle.

Of medium build at 178cm and 76kg, Manning was quite versatile, and although mainly used as a centreman, gave equal value either at half forward or across centre. He was pacy, elusive, sound overhead and a reliable foot pass. He won Swan Districts' fairest and best award on three occasions over the course of a twelve season senior career comprising 201 league and 12 interstate games. He was chosen on a half forward flank in Swan Districts' official 'Team of the Century'.

Michael Mansfield (Geelong & Carlton)

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Strong, dashing and direct, Michael Mansfield was one of the finest half back flankers of the 1990s. Recruited by Geelong from St Joseph's, he could also do a highly effective job on the forward lines when required. A thumping left foot kick, he had the distinction of being the Cats' best player in their losing grand final teams of both 1994 (against West Coast) and 1995 (against Carlton). After 181 games and 100 goals for Geelong between 1990 and 1999 Mansfield crossed to Carlton where he added a further 54 games and 18 goals in his final three seasons in the AFL. He achieved AFL All Australian selection in 1994 and 1995.

Albert Mantello (North Melbourne)

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Although he had a reputation as one of the toughest men in football, North Melbourne's Albert Mantello was careful never to stray outside the laws of the game - unless he thought he could get away with it. On one occasion, prior to a night match, he was mischievously told by his coach that players could not be reported in games of this sort, whereupon he merrily set about the task of settling a succession of old scores, in the misguided belief that he could do so with impunity. Needless to say, he ended up being reported - for the one and only time in his nine season league career. In retrospect, one is torn between feeling dumb-founded at Mantello's naivety in believing his coach, and full of admiration over his restraint in other games.

The Kangaroos used Mantello mainly as a half back flanker, but he was quite versatile, and could play more than serviceably in the centre or at half forward. Solidly built, he was nevertheless both quick and agile, and his superb long drop kicks brought delight to the connoisseurs. He captained North in 1960, and was a Big V representative against Tasmania the previous year. He retired at the end of the 1962 season after 106 VFL games.

Jim Marchbank (Carlton)

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Marchbank gave Carlton fine service in two separate stints (1903-4 and 1906-13) which amounted to 117 VFL games and saw him contribute to two flag wins. Either as a ruckman or at centre half forward, he was tough, aggressive and powerful, and always gave good value. Despite being widely regarded as the epitome of fairness, he was once suspended from the game for almost a year.

Gerald Marchesi (North Melbourne)

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Powerfully built for a half forward flanker, North Melbourne's Gerald Marchesi, who played 89 VFL games between 1947 and 1954, earned a high reputation both for his all round playing prowess and his eye for goals. His career total of 111 goals included 49 in 1953 which was good enough to top the club's list. He was at half forward right in the shinboners' grand final loss to Essendon in 1950, and he captained the club in his last league season.

George Margitch (Melbourne)

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Full forward George Margitch only had a comparatively brief VFL career - 64 games between 1930 and 1934 - but his average of 4.3 goals per game over that period marks him out as a player of signal prowess. He topped Melbourne's goal kicking list in 1930-1-2 with tallies of 73, 66 and 60 goals, the first of which stood as a club record until overhauled by Norm Smith (with 80) eight years later. Margitch was neither especially strong or quick, but used a combination of excellent anticipation, smooth ball-handling skills and superior football intelligence to obtain his goals.

Don Marinko junior (West Perth & East Perth)

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Following in the footsteps of a famous parent is never easy, but Don Marinko junior, whose father was a near legendary figure with West Perth, probably managed the feat as well as anyone. Like his father, he commenced his league career with West Perth, and at the end of his debut season of 1952, playing on a half forward flank, was one of his team's best players in a 21 point grand final loss to South Fremantle. The following season saw Marinko make his interstate debut for Western Australia at the Adelaide carnival, the first of an eventual 11 such appearances.

For much of the 1950s Marinko was acknowledged as one of the finest centremen in the WANFL. Always in the thick of the action, he was a team player par excellence, and it is somewhat surprising that he never won the Cardinals' fairest and best award. In 1959 he captain-coached the side but it narrowly missed the finals. He continued as captain for part of the 1960 season before being replaced by Brian Foley, and his final game for the Cardinals was in the centre in that year's winning grand final against East Perth. Ironically, the 1961 season saw Marinko lining up with the Royals, for whom he added a final 32 league games over two seasons in what proved to be something of an Indian Summer to his career. In 1961 he helped the side reach a second consecutive grand final, which it lost to Swan Districts, and the following year saw him land the first, and only, club fairest and best award of his career. The 1963 season saw him appointed as the Royals' skipper, but unable to play because of injury.

Unlike his father, Don Marinko junior failed to make West Perth's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century', but he must have been very close to doing so.

Don Marinko senior (Boulder City & West Perth)

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Without doubt one of the most accomplished West Australian ruckmen of the inter-war years, Don Marinko began his senior football career on the goldfields with Boulder City before joining West Perth in 1926. Over the ensuing fourteen seasons he played a total of 234 games for the Cardinals, including the winning grand finals of 1932, 1934 and 1935. Marinko won a club fairest and best award in 1933, and captained the side to the 1934 and 1935 premierships. He represented Western Australia 13 times, and was selected in the forward pocket in West Perth's official 'Team of the Century'.

Ray Marinko (West Perth & East Perth)

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A fine all round footballer, equally at home across half forward or half back, Ray Marinko commenced his twelve season league career in 1954, at West Perth. Strong overhead, and an excellent kick, he had played a total of 160 WANFL games for the Cardinals by the time he retired in 1965. In 1957 and 1958 he played 24 games for East Perth, but was not selected in either of the Royals' grand final teams in those years. The highlight of his career came in the grand final of 1960 when, playing on a half back flank, he produced a display rated by many as the best of the match in West Perth's 17.13 (115) to 12.11 (83) defeat of East Perth. (Team mate Brian Foley, however, was awarded the Simpson Medal.) Marinko may justifiably have felt that he had responded to his comparative failure while with the Royals in the best possible fashion. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, he was never selected to represent Western Australia.

Peter Marker (Glenelg)

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One of the Glenelg Football Club's greatest ever servants, Peter Marker was the virtual personification of the Bay spirit in 239 league games between 1967 and 1978, during which time he amassed 168 goals. He arrived at Glenelg from Rostrevor College, and during his debut season was regarded by many as the SANFL recruit of the year. He went on to become an inspirational and authoritative leader, captaining the side from 1971 to 1977, and winning the club's best and fairest award in his first season as skipper. His proudest moment came in 1973 when he led the Tigers to a heart-stopping 7 point win over North Adelaide in the last ever grand final to be played at the Adelaide Oval (reviewed here).

Many of Peter Marker's finest performances came when the Bays were under the pump. For example, he was among the best players afield in the losing grand finals of 1969, 1970 and 1974. The same situation often maintained when he represented South Australia, which he did on 15 occasions, including 10 games as captain. A brilliant all round footballer, Marker was equally effective across half forward or in the centre. In both 1971 and 1975 he came within one vote of winning the Magarey Medal. Towards the end of his career he was frequently sidelined by injury, and his failure to front up in the SANFL's centenary grand final of 1977 against Port Adelaide may have meant the difference between winning and losing for the Bays, given that the Magpies edged home by just 8 points.

Joe Marmo (Geelong, West Perth, Hannans, Footscray)

Described by his illustrious contemporary Ted Rowell as "a great specimen of an athlete" (see footnote 1), Joe Marmo enjoyed a distinguished two decade football career with four clubs in two states (formerly known as colonies). Born at Port Arlington, he joined Geelong as a seventeen year old in 1888. During the 1890s, in common with a large number of other Victorian and South Australian footballers of the era, he ventured west, playing initially with West Perth, whom he helped to the 1897 premiership, and later with Ted Rowell's goldfields club Hannans.

In 1899, Marmo returned home to Victoria, where he embarked on by far the lengthiest and most significant stint of his playing career at VFA power side Footscray. In twelve seasons with the Tricolours, he established himself as a powerful and fearless centre half back, playing "a big man's game with the fleetness of a rover" (see footnote 2). He was a member of three Footscray premiership teams, captained the side in 1905, and was vice-captain for most of the remainder of his time at the club. Almost forty years of age when he retired from playing in 1910, he remained in the game as an umpire for another three seasons.

Footnotes

1. Quoted in Gravel Rash by Les Everett, page 188. Return to Main Text

2. From Marmo's obituary in 'The Footscray Mail', 19/12/53. Return to Main Text

Ron Marney (Glenorchy)

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Ron Marney was a tough, durable and feisty rover who also boasted considerable flair. He first played senior football with Lindisfarne in the Southern Division of the Tasmanian Amateur Football League, winning a couple of club best and fairest awards, and playing in the 1957 premiership team. Marney joined Glenorchy in 1959, and went on to enjoy a sparkling twelve season, 208 game league career, highlights of which included three club best and fairest awards, and captaincy of the victorious 1965 local and state premiership sides. A Tasmanian interstate representative on 14 occasions, Marney showed his courage by helping the Apple Islanders to a noteworthy victory over Western Australia in Perth in 1963 while suffering from a depressed fracture of the cheekbone. He played carnival football in both 1961 in Brisbane and 1966 in Hobart, and was state captain against the Vics in Hobart in 1967 when Tasmania got to within 17 points. Marney played 12 games of intrastate football for the TFL, winning the Weller Arnold Medal in 1967. In 1969-70 he captain-coached Kermandie, winning a competition best and fairest award, and steering the side to a flag. Ron Marney is a member of both Lindisfarne's and Glenorchy's official 'Teams of the Century'.

Peter Marquis (Devonport, Melbourne, North Hobart)

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A powerful and resolute defender, Peter Marquis was a hero among Melbourne supporters during his VFL career because of his penchant for smashing his way through packs with little apparent regard for his (or anyone else's) safety. He was a key figure on the last line of defence in three Melbourne premiership teams, and played the last of his 99 VFL games in the losing 1958 grand final against Collingwood.

Originally from Devonport, Marquis won that club's best and fairest award in 1951. Popularly known as 'Trunk', he played a total of 36 games for the Magpies, and was also chosen to represent the NWFU. After his six season stint with Melbourne he returned to Tasmania and joined North Hobart, where he rounded off his career with a further 92 league games, plus membership of the 1961-2 premiership teams. He was one of the most highly regarded TANFL players of his era, finishing as a runner-up in the Leitch Medal voting on no fewer than three occasions.

Peter Marquis played interstate football for both Tasmania and the VFL, and in August 2000 was selected in the official North Hobart 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Peter Marrett (Port Adelaide)

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Solid, dependable and consistent, ruckman Peter Marrett gave Port Adelaide useful service in 127 SANFL games between 1947 and 1953 and in 1955, kicking 96 goals. The highlight of his career probably came in the 1951 grand final against North Adelaide when his 3 opening term goals swung the match the Magpies' way. Marrett led the Port rucks that day, and was one of the best players afield in a 10.12 (72) to 8.13 (61) win. His last league game was the 1955 grand final in which the Magpies trounced traditional rival Norwood by 63 points.

John Marriott (Norwood)

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John Marriott was a superb knock ruckman - or, more accurately, tap ruckman - who played 176 league games for Norwood between 1947 and 1956, kicking 122 goals. He was also sufficiently mobile to produce some fine football at centre half back on occasion. According to Jeff Pash, the essence of his game was its paradoxical gentleness. Marriott was

the gentle strong man. He loves his football and would not ill-treat it for worlds. The term 'knock-out' applied to his dispatch of the ball from the rucks is crude and misleading, in fact and in the suggestion of violent pugilism it brings. It is the benignest and exactest of touches; the ball is gently guided down. (See footnote 1)

Moreover:

In his marking - the safest and most inevitable of its kind and probably his largest single contribution to the game in spite of the excellence of his rucking - we have seen the same essential gentleness. No deft, insolent plucking of the ball out of its course (Allan Crabb); no high, triumphant capture of an enemy (Ian McKay); no exploitation of the ball as a kind of ring about which to turn wild somersaults (Don Lindner). A simple, firm, affectionate grasp - which nothing can shift. And at the end an almost embarrassed shuffle, the mark is pulled down quickly, out of sight, and the game proceeds. (See footnote 2)

And finally:

In his kicking, the same refusal of violence. (See footnote 3)

Highly regarded wherever football was played throughout Australia, Marriott was a popular winner of the 1951 Magarey Medal. A South Australian interstate representative on no fewer than 23 occasions, he earned an All Australian blazer after the 1953 Adelaide carnival. He won Norwood's premier individual award in 1949, 1951 and 1955, and both the Advertiser and News-Ampol Trophies in 1951, and spent his final four seasons as club captain. In 1948, when the Redlegs overcame the challenge of West Torrens on grand final day, Marriott lined up at centre half back, while two years later in the defeat of Glenelg he was in his more accustomed position of first ruckman. Had he not elected to retire prematurely in order to concentrate on his career as a dentist he might feasibly have been expected to have carved out a name for himself among the game's bona fide immortals. As it is, the name John Marriott remains synonymous with highly adept and telling ruckwork of the highest order. Hardly surprisingly, John Marriott was chosen to lead the first ruck in Norwood's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 161. Return to Main Text

2. Ibid., page 161. Return to Main Text

3. Ibid., page 161. Return to Main Text

Percy Marsh (Valleys & Brisbane)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Percy Marsh was a vigorous defender/utility who filled a variety roles through a distinguished career. Originally from Victoria, he played for Queensland over an eleven year period from 1926 to 1936 and skippered the Maroons in the 1933 carnival in Sydney. He was a premiership player at Brisbane who also played for Valleys and represented Queensland in rugby union and soccer. Marsh spent some time as a Japanese prisoner of war on the horrific Burma Railway during World War Two.

Steve Marsh (Kalgoorlie Railways, South Fremantle, East Fremantle)

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During the first decade after the Second World War South Fremantle boasted many exceptional players, but none better than Railways in Kalgoorlie recruit Steve Marsh, who many reputable judges at the time regarded as the finest rover the game had seen up to that point. Marsh possessed all of the qualities traditionally associated with good rovers in that he was quick, most notably over that vital first two or three metres, elusive, extremely determined, courageous and highly skilled, with his impeccable drop kicking to position being especially noteworthy. He was also an excellent motivator, capable of inspiring his team mates to give of their best.

Between 1947 and 1954 South Fremantle won no fewer than six grand finals, and Steve Marsh was one of only three men to play in all of them. He won the Walker Medal for South Fremantle's best and fairest player a then record four times (since equalled by Stephen Michael), was an All Australian in 1953, and won a Sandover Medal in 1952 and a Simpson Medal after the following year's grand final.

To call Marsh's decision to accept an offer to coach arch rivals East Fremantle in 1957 controversial would represent the grossest of understatements, but from Marsh's point of view it made eminent sense. He was nearing the end of his playing career, South Fremantle's fortunes were clearly on the wane, and the proffered salary of £300 - triple what was on offer anywhere else in the WANFL - must have seemed more than a tad enticing.

Not surprisingly, Marsh proved to be a successful coach. In his first season the blue and whites, with Marsh making telling contributions both on and off the field, broke through for their first flag for eleven years. As far as the East Fremantle committee was concerned, that £300 must have seemed like money well spent.

Steve Marsh's playing career ended in 1960 after a total of 265 games over sixteen seasons.

David Marshall (Glenelg & Adelaide)

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The embodiment of smooth-running elegance and panache, David Marshall was arguably one of the most eye-catching South Australian footballers of his generation. He joined Glenelg straight from Plympton High, and made his league debut in 1978. Combining perfect balance with exemplary ball-handling and disposal skills, he was a Bay stalwart for the ensuing thirteen seasons, which were highlighted by starring roles, on a half forward flank, in the grand final wins of 1985 and 1986 against North Adelaide. Marshall won a club best and fairest award in 1990, a season which also saw him finish as a joint runner-up in the Magarey Medal voting. When the Adelaide Football Club was formed at the end of the 1990 season, David Marshall was an inaugural squad member, and, between 1991 and 1993, he played a total of 26 AFL games and kicked 14 goals for the fledgling combination. He was particularly impressive during the Crows' debut season, but after that he spent a fair amount of time back with Glenelg, for whom he had played a total of 353 SANFL games and kicked 290 goals by the time he retired in 1993. He continued to play good football right until the end of his career, as was evidenced by his selection as South Australian state league captain for a clash with Western Australia in his final season. All told, Marshall represented his state on 3 occasions.

Deniston Marshall (Claremont & Geelong)

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Denis Marshall was one of those rare footballers who exhibit genuine mastery of all the skills of the game. Quick and tough, Marshall kicked impeccably with both feet, was a superb exponent of handball, and was an excellent, and prolific, mark taker.

After making his League debut with Claremont in 1958 as a seventeen year old Marshall quickly blossomed into a polished and versatile performer. In 1958 he won the first of five club best and fairest awards (four with Claremont, one with Geelong) and was selected to represent Western Australia for the first time. He would go on to play a total of 23 interstate matches, 15 for his home state, and 8 for the VFL. In 1961 he was a member of Western Australia's historic Brisbane carnival winning side.

Marshall was enticed to Geelong in 1964, ironically in the same year that his old club won its first flag for twenty-four years. After being forced to miss the opening six games of the 1964 season while allegations of financial irregularities connected with his recruitment were investigated Marshall took to VFL football like the proverbial duck to water. Playing initially on the half back line and later in the centre he proved himself a consummately skilled and resilient performer, regularly earning selection for the 'Big V' and, in 1966, being named in the All Australian team selected after that year's Hobart carnival. In 1967 he played well for Geelong in the Cats' losing grand final against Richmond, despite being discomfited by a knock received early in the game.

The 1968 season saw Marshall at his peak. Despite being moved all over the ground by coach Peter Pianto he ran 2nd in that year's Brownlow to South Melbourne's Bob Skilton; he also took more marks (224, at an average of 11.2 per game) than any other player in the VFL.

In 1969, after a prolonged clearance wrangle, Marshall returned home to Claremont, where he played out the remainder of his fifteen season, 259 game League career. His last ever appearance came in Claremont's losing 1972 grand final team, meaning that, sadly, he never had the satisfaction of playing in a premiership-winning combination.

Ken Marshall (Subiaco & Swan Districts)

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Having arrived at Subiaco from Geraldton, Ken Marshall made his senior league debut in 1978, and went on to play for the Maroons for five seasons. Powerful and athletic, he certainly had the potential to be a leading light in a team generally lacking in star quality, but he lacked consistency, and as a result spent almost as much time playing for the seconds as the seniors. In 1983 he transferred to Swan Districts but after making a blistering start he again became blighted by inconsistency, and missed that season's finals series, from which Swans emerged triumphant. He fared somewhat better in 1984, and his mercurial marking and keen goal sense were very much to the fore as Swans again went top, with Marshall contributing a couple of goals to the 20.18 (138) to 15.12 (102) grand final defeat of East Fremantle. A serious ankle injury sustained in the build up to the 1986 season finally put paid to Marshall's league career after 36 games and 73 goals for Swans, coming on top of 68 games and over 100 goals for the Lions. Most of his football was played as a permanent forward, although he was tried at centre half back, without noticeable success, during his final season at Subiaco.

Ray Marshall (Windsor & Coorparoo)

by Murray Bird and Peter Blucher

Windsor's spearhead of the end of the club’s domination of Queensland football, Ray Marshall was relatively small for a full forward, but he compensated with great pace and a strong mark. He developed a magnificent combination with Jim Trewick. He was leading goalkicker in 1950-1-2, with his 123 goals in 1951 the third highest in the post-World War Two era. Essendon and Glenelg tried to attract him south but lack of employment opportunities kept him with the Eagles. He ended his career with Coorparoo. Ray Marshall played for Queensland in 1949-50.

Harry Marsham (Geelong & Richmond)

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Strongly built and tireless, Geelong's Harry 'Nipper' Marsham was a key figure at the club for the better part of a decade. Recruited from Chilwell, he made the first of his 129 VFL appearances in 1909. Most of his football was played as a ruckman, but he was also a useful marking option up forward, as his career tally of 63 goals appears to confirm. In 1916, when Geelong was in recess, Marsham played 7 games and kicked 4 goals for Richmond. Returning to the Pivotonians as skipper in 1917 he found himself at the centre of controversy the following year when he was dropped from the side for trying to dictate policy to the selectors. Widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ruckmen of his generation, Marsham was a VFL interstate representative on 3 occasions.

Geoffrey Martin (Launceston, Sandy Bay, Ulverstone, Burnie, Devonport)

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Geoffrey 'Paddy' Martin enjoyed an illustrious and varied football career with five different Tasmanian clubs. He made his senior debut with Launceston in 1946, and was selected in the NTFA's intrastate team the same year. In 1947 he lined up with Sandy Bay in the TFL, but the following year saw him back at Launceston, where he remained until 1955, representing Tasmania in 1951 and at the Adelaide carnival of 1953. A three year stint at Ulverstone between 1955 and 1957 coincided with that club's most auspicious era up to that point, eliciting successive grand final wins over Burnie, Cooee and Latrobe. 'Paddy' Martin's final stint as a player was with Burnie where he took his final tally of league games to 312. He was also successful in coaching the side to consecutive flags in 1958-9-60. From 1960 to 1965, Martin was non-playing coach of the NWFU's intrastate representative side, before having one final stab at club coaching at Devonport in 1970 and '71. He remains without doubt one of northern Tasmanian football's most noteworthy products. He was selected on a half back flank in Launceston's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century' and, in 2005, was included as a coaching legend in Tasmanian Football's inaugural Hall of Fame.

George Martin (Essendon, Essendon Association, Melbourne)

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Ruckman George Martin was a member of Essendon's first ever VFL side in 1897, and went on to play a total of 101 games and kick 34 goals before being sensationally and unceremoniously dumped in 1904. The reason for his sacking was never made public, but was believed to centre on an irresolvable difference of opinion with the club. When Martin reached 100 VFL games in 1903 he was the fifth Essendon player to do so. He played in both the 1897 and 1901 premiership teams, and was a VFL representative in a loss against the Ballarat Football Association in 1900. Between the second half of the 1904 season and 1907, Martin played for Essendon Association, before making a brief return to the league with Melbourne in 1908 where he added a final 2 senior games.

James Martin (Carlton, Northcote, Essendon, Fitzroy)

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After a brief 6 game stint with Carlton in 1902, Jim 'Bull' Martin moved to Northcote, where he spent the ensuing four seasons. His second stab at league football, this time with Essendon, commenced in 1907, and was much more successful. Tough and somewhat cumbersome, he often erred on the side of gratuitous violence, and on one notorious occasion in 1911 was suspended for twelve weeks, forcing him to miss that season's grand final, in which the Same Old took care of Collingwood. He played in Essendon's winning grand final team against South Melbourne the following year, however, and in 1913, having moved to Fitzroy, he made it two flags in a row as the Roys downed St Kilda. All told, 'Bull' Martin played 96 games for Essendon and another 27 with Fitzroy; he also represented the VFL.

John 'Ray' Martin (Richmond)

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Along with Jack Dyer and Percy Bentley, rover 'Ray' Martin made up one of the most famous first ruck combinations in VFL history, an ensemble that helped make Richmond one of the most powerful teams of the early 1930s. Combining a rugged fearlessness with immense adroitness and skill Martin, who was fairly big for a rover at 173cm and 73kg, was seldom beaten, and hardly ever put in a bad game. He was a member of the Tigers' 1932 and 1934 premiership winning teams, as well as being in the runner-up side of 1933. Richmond did not always proffer best and fairest awards to its players during the course of Martin's playing career, but he nevertheless managed to nab two that were on offer, in 1934-5. A regular 'Big V' representative player, Ray Martin played a total of 159 VFL games for the Tigers in a ten season league career. His omission from Richmond's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century' remains, perhaps, a trifle surprising.

Owen Martin (North Adelaide)

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Solid, tenacious and assured, North Adelaide's Owen Martin (pictured above in the light-coloured jumper) was one of the finest full backs of his era. Like most full backs, he was a fine kick, and had exceptional aerial talent. He played a total of 128 SANFL games for the red and whites between 1934 and 1941 and in 1945-6. He also made 41 appearances during the intervening years for the Norwood-North Adelaide wartime combination. His best season was arguably 1937 when, in addition to running equal third in the Magarey Medal count, he played both of South Australia's games at the Perth carnival. Martin made a total of 3 appearances for South Australia.

Wally Martin (Subiaco)

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Originally from Kalgoorlie, Wally Martin moved to Perth as a fifteen year old and went on to play league football with Subiaco. An outstanding wingman, he played a total of 131 WANFL games between 1959 and 1967, winning Subi's fairest and best award in 1963 and 1964. Somewhat surprisingly, given his high reputation, his interstate career was limited to one match against South Australia in 1964.

William Martin (Sturt)

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Sturt's enviable tradition for producing top quality ruckmen, which began with 'Taffy' Waye, and continued through the likes of Ivor Nicolle and the Whitehead brothers, was admirably maintained in the person of Bill 'Plugger' Martin, who arrived at the club in 1926. At the end of that season he had the good fortune to be included in the Double Blues' winning challenge final combination against North Adelaide. A hardy, rugged, sometimes overly vigorous competitor, he was well respected at Unley, and skippered the senior side in 1929. When he retired in 1933 he had played a total of 104 league matches, and kicked 97 goals. His interstate career comprised 4 matches at the 1930 Adelaide carnival, in the course of which he kicked 5 goals.

Percy Martini (Geelong & Richmond)

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Strongly built, superb overhead, and an exemplary exponent of the place kick, Percy Martini had all the attributes necessary to succeed as a forward in the pre- and post-World War One VFL. He began with Geelong in 1909 when, despite playing just 8 games for the season, he topped the club's goal kicking list with 17 goals, an achievement he would repeat on 8 occasions. In 1910 he became the first Geelong player to register 50 goals in a season, a remarkable achievement considering that he did not always line up at full forward.

In 1916, when Geelong dropped out of the VFL competition "as a gesture designed to encourage young men to join the military forces" (see footnote 1), Martini played for Richmond, and topped that club's goal kicking for the year with 22 majors. He returned 'home' to Geelong where he went on to complete 148 league games before retiring after round 6 of the 1920 season. His aggregate tally of 333 goals was quite exceptional for the time.

Footnotes

1. Cats' Tales by Col Hutchinson, page 41. Return to Main Text

Colin Martyn (Coburg & Carlton)

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Superbly balanced, poised and skilful, Colin Martyn was beyond question one of the finest centremen of the late 1920s and early 1930s. He began his senior career with his local VFA side Coburg, and was a star of the club's 12.9 (81) to 9.11 (65) grand final defeat of Brighton in only its second season in the competition, 1926. Martyn was equally effective the following year when the side went 'back to back' at the expense of the same opponents. In 1928 he crossed to Carlton, and was a magnificent performer in 85 VFL games for the club over five seasons. Had the Blues been bestowing best and fairest awards at the time he would very likely have been the recipient of several. As it was, he represented the Big V in the interstate arena 5 times, and was state captain, both home and away, against South Australia in 1931. He also captained Carlton for part of the 1931 season, and the whole of 1932. His final game for the Blues came in the 1932 grand final against Richmond, a see-sawing tussle which the Tigers eventually won by 9 points, with Colin Martyn widely nominated as the losers' best player. Always a somewhat reserved character, he had little direct involvement with football after his retirement as a player.

Tony Martyn (Sandy Bay, Melbourne, Port Adelaide)

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Tony Martyn made his TANFL debut with Sandy Bay in 1976 and immediately stamped himself as a performer of immense potential, and no small amount of skill. Named the TANFL's rookie of the year that season, he capped things off by helping his team to a 21.10 (136) to 9.9 (63) grand final annihilation of Glenorchy. After playing in further premiership teams in 1977 and 1978, and winning the club's best and fairest award in the latter year, he transferred to Melbourne where he gave solid service in 32 VFL games over the next two and a half seasons. Midway through the 1981 season he joined Port Adelaide, playing a total of 14 SANFL games including that year's winning grand final against Glenelg when he was one of the best players afield.

Martyn returned to Sandy Bay in 1982 a much more accomplished and assured player. Equally effective when playing across the centre, on a half forward flank, or on the ball, he was the dominant player in the league in 1982 and 1983, winning the William Leitch Medal both seasons. He also won consecutive best and fairest awards for the Seagulls, and the Lefroy Medal as Tasmania's best player in interstate matches in 1982. The last of his 129 senior games for Sandy Bay was the losing grand final of 1986 against Glenorchy. In 2001, Tony Martyn was named among Sandy Bay's official 'Best 25 Players'.

Les Marvell (West Torrens)

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Les Marvell was a key member of West Torrens sides for the first eight seasons after World War One, during which time he played a total of 105 SAFL games. For most of that time he was used as a goalsneak, with occasional runs on the ball, and he was Torrens' leading goal kicker on half a dozen occasions, with 47 goals in 1925 his best tally. His form could be somewhat erratic, but at his best he was a highly damaging player. Winner of his club's best and fairest award in 1922, he perhaps surprisingly made only 1 interstate appearance for South Australia. He was a member in 1924 of West Torrens' inaugural premiership team. (Click here for a brief review of the 1924 challenge final.)

Bill Maslen (Preston & St Kilda)

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Except for 1939-40, when he played 20 VFL games for St Kilda, Bill Maslen was a stalwart of Preston's VFA teams between 1935 and the break for the war at the end of the 1941 season, and again from 1945 to 1949. He played a total of 172 senior games for the Bullants, and was the winner of the club's 1945 best and fairest award. Nicknamed 'Socks', Maslen played the overwhelming majority of his football in the back pocket, where he was hard working, resourceful and reliable.

Angus Mason (North Hobart, St Kilda, Camberwell)

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Christened Angus, but invariably answering to the name of 'Horrie', Mason began his senior league career with North Hobart, and played in that club's 1920 local and state premiership sides. He also played the following year when North lost the local grand final to Cananore, before embarking on a ten season, 137 game VFL career with St Kilda.

A slimly built wingman when he first arrived in Melbourne, he eventually bulked up so much that by the end of his career he was playing as a ruckman. He also gave good service, at various times, as a centreman and half forward flanker, where his superb disposal skills came to the fore. Regarded by many as one of the finest exponents of the stab pass in the league, he could also drop kick the ball prodigious distances.

A joint winner of St Kilda's top individual award in 1926, Mason also represented the Big V against South Australia that year, and went on to make a total of half a dozen appearances for his adopted state.

At the end of a 1931 season which had seen him skippering the Saints for part of the year, Mason crossed to Camberwell, which had just finished in last place in the VFA, as captain-coach. His arrival sparked the emergence of the Tricolours as a VFA force for the first time, but a runner-up spot to Yarraville in 1935 was the closest they could get to a flag.

During his time with Camberwell (and with Kyneton, where he spent part of the 1934 season), Mason continued to display some excellent form. He "did a lot of heavy work in the packs and at times was an inspiration" (see footnote 1). When the VFA met the VFL in a charity match at Princes Park in 1932, 'Horrie' Mason gave an inspirational performance as captain of the VFA which was almost enough to secure a famous win; as it was, the VFL just managed to hold on to secure an 8 point win.

When Camberwell selected its official 'Team of the 20th Century' in August 2003, Mason was given the prestigious coaching position.

Footnotes

1. The Roar of the Crowd by Marc Fiddian, page 39. Return to Main Text

Bob Mason (East Fremantle & South Fremantle)

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Bob Mason was a lightly built defender best suited to a half back flank, but perfectly capable of filling in in a key position, particularly full back, when required. He commenced his league football career with East Fremantle in 1942, when the WANFL competition was conducted on an under-age basis in lieu of the war. He continued with Old Easts until 1945, playing a total of 33 games and kicking 68 goals, including the victorious grand final of 1943 against Swan Districts. Mason was club captain in 1944, and won the Lynn Medal for fairest and best. When open age football resumed after the war he found it hard to get a regular senior game, and so opted for a move across town to arch rivals South Fremantle. Between 1947 and 1952 he was a virtual ever present for the southerners, playing a total of 121 senior games, which included the winning grand finals of 1947-8 (both against West Perth) and 1950, against Perth. Somewhat surprisingly, he was never selected to represent Western Australia.

Peter Matera (South Fremantle & West Coast)

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With pace, determination and precise use of the ball Peter Matera has been one of the most eye-catching performers in the modern game since making his debut for South Fremantle in 1987. After a somewhat inconsistent debut season he began to blossom in 1988 when he was the only non-VFL player to be selected the Western Australian state of origin team which played Victoria.

In 1989 Matera joined West Coast, and it would be hard to contend with the observation that he has since become one of the half a dozen greatest players in the short history of a great club. In a sport which, during the 1990s, was becoming increasingly the province of athletic speedsters Matera was admirably fitted to succeed; however, the fact that he combined these attributes with a wide range of the more traditional football skills - kicking, tackling, marking and so forth - transformed him from a merely good player into a champion.

Like all champions, in whatever sport, Peter Matera was often at his best in important games, most notable of which was the 1992 AFL grand final, in which he won the Norm Smith Medal after booting 5 goals in an exhilarating exhibition of attacking wing play. Later in his career he held down a half back flank with equal efficacy.

Matera was much more than just a big game player, however. His consistency is evidenced by his selection in no fewer than five AFL All Australian teams, the first three as a wingman, and the last two on a half back flank. In some ways, his name - along with those of certain of his more illustrious team mates, such as Hart, Heady, Mainwaring, McIntosh and Worsfold - will always be synonymous with the first genuinely auspicious era in the history of the West Coast Eagles Football Club.

Wally Matera (South Fremantle, West Coast, Fitzroy, Prahran)

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At just 170cm and 64kg Wally Matera was one of the most diminutive league footballers of his generation. He joined South Fremantle from Wagin Federals and made his senior debut as an eighteen year old in 1982. A handy performer from the outset, he really blossomed in 1985, winning the club's fairest and best award, and continued in fine form the following year when he was runner-up for the same award, and earned selection in West Coast's inaugural VFL squad. Matera played 24 games in two seasons with the Eagles, and kicked 26 goals. He crossed to Fitzroy in 1989 and proved a useful performer both that season and the next, adding another 32 V/AFL games and 39 goals. He rounded off his senior career with Prahran in the VFA. Whilst in Western Australia he played twice for the state.

Phil Matson (West Perth, Boulder City, Sturt, North Fremantle, Subiaco, East Perth)

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Despite probably being more highly renowned as a coach, Phil Matson was also a champion player for close on two decades in two states. Born in South Australia, he spent only two seasons (1908-9) playing in his home state (with Sturt). The remainder of his playing career - both before and after his Unley stint - was spent west of the Nullarbor, in Bunbury, on the West Australian goldfields for Boulder City, and in Perth, where he played initially with West Perth in 1903, and after his time at Sturt with North Fremantle, Subiaco and East Perth.

Three times a Western Australian carnival representative the prime features of Matson's play were his sure ball handling, excellent field kicking, and supreme adaptability which enabled him to play almost any position on the ground with equal success. He was also a fine high mark and, although highly aggressive in his approach to both the ball and the man, he was nevertheless extremely fair.

Phil Matson's greatest achievements came as coach of East Perth between 1918 and 1924, and again from 1926 until midway through the 1928 season. During that time the Royals won no fewer than seven flags. He also coached Subiaco to a premiership in 1913.

Matson had retired as a player in 1923, aged thirty-eight, and in 1925 had travelled to Victoria where he had been an unsuccessful applicant for the vacant coaching position at Richmond. Remaining in Victoria, he had spent a season coaching country team Castlemaine which, not surprisingly, went on to win the 1925 premiership.

Prevailed upon by the East Perth committee to return home, Matson oversaw successive premierships in 1926 and 1927, but his coaching career was tragically cut short in 1928 when he was killed in a road accident at the age of forty-three. Had he lived, who knows what he might have ended up achieving?

In addition to his football prowess, Phil Matson was a superb swimmer, at one stage holding the world record for the 220 yards breaststroke.

The immensity of his contribution to the East Perth Football Club was recognised in June 2006 when he was selected as coach of the Royals' official 'Team of the Century 1906 to 1944'.

Herbie Matthews (South Melbourne & Oakleigh)

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Recruited from Fairfield, Herbie Matthews made his South Melbourne debut in 1932 and went on to become one of the key members of the club's famous 'foreign legion' sides. Quick, tough and exquisitely skilled, he played mostly as a wingman during the early part of his career, but later excelled as a centreman, rover and half forward as well. Despite standing only 175cm in height, he was a brilliant high mark. He played in South's winning grand final team of 1933 against Richmond, as well as in the losing teams of 1934-5-6. In the 1940 Brownlow Medal count he famously featured in a perfect tie for first place with Collingwood's Des Fothergill, as a result of which both players received cheap replica Medals, with the real one being retained by the league. Matthews polled well in the Brownlow on several other occasions, finishing 2nd in 1937 and 1941, and 3rd in 1936.

A five time winner of the Bloods' best and fairest award, Matthews captained the side from 1938 to 1945. In 1939 he also served as coach. His 191 game, 71 goal VFL career came to an end with the famous 'Bloodbath grand final' of 1945 (reviewed here), during which he was one of ten players reported. His offence? Throwing the ball away after a free kick was awarded against him, for which he received a reprimand. Much more distressingly, however, South Melbourne lost the match to Carlton by 28 points.

In 1946, Matthews was appointed captain-coach of VFA club Oakleigh. In his two seasons in the role he led the Purple and Golds to 9th and 8th place finishes in what was at the time a twelve team competition.

Nine years after leaving South, Herbie Matthews returned there as the club's senior coach, but in four years in charge he was never able to get the team above 9th place on the ladder.

When the official Sydney/South Melbourne 'Team of the Century' was announced in August 2003, Matthews was selected as a wingman.

James Matthews (North Adelaide)

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Jimmy Matthews was an accomplished and extremely versatile footballer who gave North Adelaide fourteen seasons of superb service. He began his career as a forward, booting 15 goals in 1900, his debut season, to top the club's list. North went top that year for the first time in the club's history, with Matthews contributing a goal to the 4.3 (27) to 1.8 (14) grand final defeat of South Adelaide. In 1902, the red and whites again overcame South to lift the premiership, with Matthews starring on a half forward flank. He later played some fine football across the centreline but by the time North again ran out premiers, in 1905, he had been transformed into one of the Association's finest full backs, a position in which his trademark long kicking really came to the fore, and in which he played out most of the remainder of a career that ended with grand final defeat at the hands of Port Adelaide in 1913. Matthews, who captained North Adelaide to a runners-up spot in 1906, played twice for South Australia. He also played Sheffield Shield cricket for South Australia.

Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn, Collingwood, Brisbane)

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Popularly referred to as 'Lethal' there was nothing delicate or fancy about the style of Hawthorn champion Leigh Matthews. However, unlike in 'sports' like gymnastics, diving and synchronised swimming, Australian football scores do not derive in any directly assessable way from perceived aesthetic merit. Efficiency and expediency are paramount in Australian football, and Leigh Matthews possessed both in abundance.

Which is only to affirm that, in Australian football terms, he was a highly skilful player. In 332 VFL games over seventeen seasons with the Hawks he was eight times adjudged his club's fairest and most brilliant player - quite an awesome accolade when you consider that his career coincided with arguably Hawthorn's greatest ever era. He also topped the club goalkicking list on no fewer than 6 occasions in amassing a career total of 915 goals (and, in the process, highlighting another reason for the aptness of the 'Lethal' epithet).

Matthews' failure to secure Victorian football's highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, is perhaps not too surprising given his relentlessly vigorous style of play, but participation in the Hawthorn premiership sides of 1971, 1976, 1978 and 1983 will no doubt have afforded more than adequate compensation (if such were needed).

Further details on Matthews' VFL playing career can be found in the entry on Hawthorn.

Following his retirement as a player, Matthews embarked on a highly successful coaching career which, up to the end of the 2003 season, had spawned AFL premierships with Collingwood in 1990, and Brisbane in 2001-2-3.

Bernard Mattiske (West Adelaide)

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Although West Adelaide's Bernie Mattiske only had a comparatively brief league career, he was regarded for a time as one of the premier defenders in the state. Extremely hard to beat in the air, he used his strength to good effect on the ground as well, virtues of which the South Australian selectors were obviously keenly aware as they chose him to represent the state on 7 occasions. Between 1933 and 1938, he played a total of 67 league games, winning the club's best and fairest award in 1935, the same year that saw him finish runner-up in the Magarey Medal voting to South Adelaide's Jack Cockburn. Mattiske captained Westies in his final league season, but they managed just 4 wins from 17 games to finish a disappointing 7th.

Stuart Maxfield (Richmond & Sydney)

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One of the AFL's last non-draftees, Stuart Maxfield was recruited by Richmond from Glen Waverley Rovers, and made his senior league debut for the Tigers in 1990. Strong, courageous and pacy, he developed into a fine wingman or half forward flanker, and was a key contributor to Richmond's 1995 finals campaign, the club's first since 1982. In 1996 he crossed to Sydney, and was a member in his first season of the Swans' losing grand final team against North Melbourne. Highly professional in his outlook, he was appointed Sydney's captain in 2003, and still officially held the role when he retired two seasons later. Tragically for Maxfield, however, a knee injury limited him to just 5 appearances in his final season, and he missed the club's historic 4 point grand final win over West Coast. Swans coach Paul Roos later paid glowing tribute to Maxfield when he described him as vying with Bob Skilton and Paul Kelly for the mantle of the greatest captain in the club's history. Stuart Maxfield played a total of 260 AFL games, comprising 60 with Richmond, and precisely 200 with the Swans. He booted 137 goals.

Wally May (Essendon & Sturt)

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Recruited locally, Wally 'Chooka' May gave Essendon fine service as a ruckman-cum-defender in 94 VFL games between 1947 and 1952. Hard hitting and shrewd, he was the team player par excellence, and often saved his best form for when it mattered most, such as the 1949 and 1950 grand finals, both of which the Bombers won. Runner-up in Essendon's best and fairest award in 1951, he asked for a clearance two years later to Sturt, and when this was refused he stood out of football a year until it was granted.

In four seasons with the Double Blues, Wally May played a total of 54 league games, plus 2 for South Australia, winning his club's best and fairest award in 1955. The 1956 season saw him installed as captain-coach, but after a dismal season which produced just 3 wins and a draw from 18 games he resigned, citing 'business reasons'. The character of the man is shown by his decision to remain with the club as a player under his replacement as coach, Ed Tilley.

After his playing days were over May remained in Adelaide and is still remembered with affection and nostalgia by many South Australians for his impassioned 'special comments' during SANFL match telecasts. Indeed the phrase "Comment, Wally May" (uttered by the match commentator) has passed into South Australian football folk-lore.

Bill Mayman (Mines Rovers, Sturt, New Town, Burnie)

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Bill Mayman had the unique distinction of playing carnival football with three different states. He commenced his senior football career in 1906 with West Australian Goldfields Football Association side Mines Rovers which won the flag in his first season there. In 1911 he was one of twelve goldfields-based players chosen in Western Australia's twenty-four man squad for the Adelaide carnival where he ended up playing in three of the state's four matches.

In 1913, Bill Mayman returned to Adelaide on a more permanent basis when he was signed by an ambitious Sturt side anxious to break its premiership duck. Playing at centre half forward, he attracted rave reviews, as well as the admiration and respect of his team mates. In 1914 he took over from Murray Brannigan as club captain, and later in the year was skipper of South Australia's team at the Sydney carnival. After playing superbly for most of the season he was rewarded with Sturt's best and fairest award.

The 1915 season brought the long awaited breakthrough for the Blues as they overcame a supposedly near invincible Port Adelaide side to clinch their first SAFL flag. Sturt won a tough and bruising challenge final against the Magpies by 2 goals, with Mayman best afield, but the intervention of war meant that it would be four years before the title could be defended.

With Mayman still captaining the side, Sturt successfully retained the premiership in 1919 with a 3.5 (23) to 2.6 (18) defeat of North Adelaide in a replayed challenge final. Once again, Bill Mayman's contribution was unsurpassed.

Despite this triumph, however, there were some at Unley who did not find Mayman's style of captaincy to their liking, and the following season saw him ousted as skipper in favour of Vic Richardson. After playing out the year, he decided to cut his losses, and promptly packed his bags and headed for Tasmania, where he linked up with TFL newcomers New Town. In 1923 and 1924 he served as coach of the side before coaching Burnie in 1925 in his last season of senior football.

One of Bill Mayman's proudest moments in football occurred in 1923 when he skippered a TFL combination to a famous victory over a South Australian XVIII on the Adelaide Oval (click here for a match review). The following season saw him selected as skipper of Tasmania's Hobart carnival side, thereby procuring the unique record alluded to above. Under Mayman's captaincy, Tasmania enjoyed a satisfactory carnival, thrashing New South Wales and Queensland, and performing creditably against the major states.

In all, Bill Mayman is said to have made a total of 315 senior appearances during his career, a quite incredible total for the time. He also played 28 interstate games, and was a member of three premiership sides.

Alan Maynard (Port Adelaide)

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Curly-haired defender and follower Alan Maynard was undoubtedly one of the les high profile members of Port Adelaide's formidable, unbeaten 1914 combination, but he was nevertheless no mean footballer, and might well have enjoyed a higher reputation had he played elsewhere. Moreover, he would almost certainly have played many more than the 31 senior games he managed for the Magpies in 1913 and 1914 had World War One not intervened. A member of Port's 1913 and 1914 local and national premiership-winning sides, Maynard also made 1 interstate appearance for South Australia.

Max Mayo (Norwood)

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Max Mayo was a talented key position forward who was strong overhead, and who could kick accurately from long distances. However, given his ability, his achievements in the game were somewhat limited. He commenced with Norwood in 1948, which proved to be a premiership year for the club, but was not selected to play in the grand final. After missing the entire 1949 season he resumed in 1950 and this time got to play in a premiership team as the Redlegs downed Glenelg in the grand final. Playing at centre half forward, Mayo booted 3 goals in a serviceable display. He carried on playing until 1953, saving his best for last by topping that year's SANFL goal kicking list and winning his club's best and fairest trophy. He had previously won Norwood's top goal kicking award with 34 goals in 1951. Max Mayo played a total of 61 league games and kicked 169 goals.