Opinion
My series on the 100 greatest nicknames in VFL/AFL history continues with numbers 60 to 51.
AFL top 100: Nicknames 100-91
AFL top 100: Nicknames 90-81
AFL top 100: Nicknames 80-71
AFL top 100: Nicknames 70-61
60. ‘Nuts’
Arguably the greatest full forward of all time, Gordon Coventry already had the nickname ‘Nuts’ when he arrived at Collingwood from Diamond Creek just over a century ago in 1920.
As a child he apparently had a larger than normal head or ‘nut’.
Coventry went on to rewrite the VFL records in most categories.
He was the first man to kick 100 goals in a season, was the first VFL player to notch up 300 games, kicked a record 50 goals in a season for 13 successive seasons, kicked a record 17 goals in a game in 1930 – a record only bettered once (by Fred Fanning) in 1947, topped the Magpies goal kicking for 16 successive seasons, won the league goal kicking six times, kicked 100 goals for Victoria and played in five premierships.
He was also nominated as one of the ten best footballers to never win a Brownlow.
59. ‘Tomahawk’
Another current day quality forward for Geelong whose reputation continues to grow.
(Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
58. ‘Butch’
Alan Gale was a big, awkward 17-year-old kid when he played his first game for Fitzroy in 1948.
Recruited from the Fitzroy Police Boys Club, he was considered little more than a trier but his big strong body bullocked through packs for the next 14 years and during that time he finished runner up in the Lions’ best and fairest seven times, but never won it. A successful career as a football commentator ensured the nickname ‘Butch’ would continue to live on.
57. ‘Mopsy’
One of the most feared and uncontrollable Richmond players of all time, Don Fraser junior spent a good part of his career being suspended because of his fiery temper but still managed to give the Tigers good service with 124 games and 126 goals.
Still a member of Richmond’s top-100 goal scorers despite playing his last game in 1952.
56. ‘Pompey’
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus who died in 28 BC was a famous Roman General and Statesman. His name in English was ‘Pompey’ and that was the nickname bestowed on Fred Elliott, an early Carlton legend. Real-life Australian Military hero Harold Elliott was nicknamed ‘Pompey’ after Fred.
55. ‘Gubby’
The origin of the nickname is unknown, but Graeme Allan was a popular player at Fitzroy and later at Collingwood and gave both clubs good service. His place in football history is assured as he remains in 45th place on Fitzroy’s top-100 goal scorers.
54. ‘Jules’
Continuing the Roman line, what other nickname could have been given to Essendon’s Jack Caesar when he joined the club in 1938? Caesar’s football career was cut short by army service in WWII, but he managed to be a member of the Bombers’ premiership team in his last game in 1942.
53. ‘The Whale’
Weighing as much as 120 kilograms, Brian Roberts played football in South Australia and Western Australia before landing at Tigerland in 1971 and being part of the 1973 and 1974 premiership sides. Traded to South Melbourne as part of the famous John Pitura trade.
52. ‘Humphrey B’
Collingwood’s great team man Simon Prestigiacomo was an integral part of the Magpies back line from the time he debuted in 1996 until his retirement in 2010. Picked to play in the grand final that year, he ruled himself out with typical regard for the team.
Like Humphrey B. Bear on TV, it is rumoured that he often never spoke to the opposition during the game.
51. ‘Swamp Fox’
Dubbed the ‘Swamp Fox’ by Lou Richards in his press articles because every time Michael Patterson was in a pack there were bodies strewn below him. Patterson played a huge part in the Tigers’ 1967 grand final win over Geelong.
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