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Who are your five all-time Aussie rules heroes?

Roar Guru
19th May, 2014
45

How do you define a sporting hero? The answer is unique to every individual, with players exuding characteristics that you personally laud in the game.

Here are my top five Victoria Football League and Australian Football League heroes.

Michael Tuck – Hawthorn
They say if you want guaranteed disappointment, then meet your hero. Michael Tuck defied this notion for me, with the legendary Hawthorn player and games record holder exceeding all thoughts I ever had of him, both on, and off the ground.

On the ground, his ability was there for all to see, but he gained acclaim through his sheer persistence and determination to succeed. During his tenure at the top, he always endeared with his self-effacing charm and charismatic nature that allowed him such longevity. During his remarkable 426-game career, he would have played, and excelled, in roles on every line of the ground.

As a leader, he exuded a pride in the guernsey that was imbibed in all. Completing his appeal was how real he was off the ground. He always gave back to the public so liberally. Unparalleled.

Lou Richards – Broadcaster
There is a pervasive magic about a great storyteller in how they colour their words and make you feel like you are part of every scene. The great commentator Lou Richards was one of a kind

He always pleased your rational and analytical side through his descriptions of the game, while at the same time wet your emotional side. He hypnotised you with his expert tone of voice to build the tension in the game until it had you waiting and waiting… until he erupted in a crescendo of excitability. The real blind side of this was he always wrapped it in sincerity.

That was one side that had you hooked, but his unique coverage of the game in the print media through his iconic Louie the Lip column impacted on your life too. You could be having a sod of a day, and then you would read his offerings and a smile always graced your face. Whether it be one of his outrageous dares or ordaining a player a nickname that fitted like a glove, there will only ever be one Lou Richards

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Glenn James – Umpire
With such a fan frustration against anything umpiring, I feel like I am going against the grain in listing one as a hero. But Glenn James touched me in such a profound manner.

He was an Indigenous umpire from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, in a time when racial abuse was like a torrent, both on the ground from players and over the fence from fans.

His only response was to do the job better than anyone, with his assertive and common sense umpiring gaining begrudging respect from even the haters. He took it a step further with his combination masterful on-field communication married with a quick wit.

I view him as the real trail blazer for greater acceptance of Indigenous talents in our game that has been largely attributed to the likes of Nicky Winmar and Michael Long. The courage he showed was at a level rarely seen in the game’s history, and as such would have compelled others to instigate change through its inspiration.

Robert Flower – Melbourne
The brilliant Melbourne wingman was a thing of pristine beauty, with how he used to glide over the turf and besot all with his pristine skills, either by foot or hand.

But, it was his awareness of the game, and being able to read it better than all others, that made me worship him. He was truly uncanny in how he could find space better than others or get out of a hospital hand pass situation, where all else would have been decapitated. He had such unparalleled knowledge of all around him.

I loved his deceptive nature, having an almost frail look about him, but he was so adept in his body use and ability overhead. It was almost impossible to beat him with his genius against you, but he was also a player that had such heart and mental strength. He was a challenge few could overcome.

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Bernie Quinlan – Fitzroy
There has always been a hysteria over the great goal kickers, with all of them having a charisma that was uniquely theirs. In the case of the aptly named ‘super boot’, Bernie Quinlan, it was his lethal right foot that made him a goal kicking threat.

When he used to pick up the ball on the wing and go for a gallop, the crowd used to go into a captivated hush, waiting, and wanting him to unfurl a trade mark torpedo on the run. He never disappointed either, letting it rip and rocketing the ball through the big sticks. He was loved for his uncanny genius, but he was held in respect for being a sincere gentleman.

So, Roarers, they are my Australian Football heroes. Who are yours?

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