Opinion
My series on the 100 greatest nicknames in VFL/AFL history continues with numbers 50 to 41.
AFL top 100: Nicknames 100-91
AFL top 100: Nicknames 90-81
AFL top 100: Nicknames 80-71
AFL top 100: Nicknames 70-61
AFL top 100: Nicknames 60-51
50. ‘Swan’
Anyone who saw Carlton’s David McKay swoop in to take an effortless high mark would appreciate where the nickname came from.
Despite retiring 40 years ago, ‘Swan’ McKay is still a top ten game player at the Blues, and a top 20 goal scorer.
49. ‘Hooker’
Barry Harrison, in his first season at Collingwood, became part of the club’s folklore when he and Murray Weideman systematically roughed up the Melbourne star players in the 1958 grand final and prevented the Demons from equalling Collingwood’s proud record of four premiership in a row.
48. ‘Ragsy’
Healesville recruit John Goold cut a dashing figure both on and off the field after he arrived at Carlton in 1963.
The dapper dresser – befitting a man in the fashion business – played his football with a similar amount of flair and was described as wiry and tenacious with a great reserve of speed and energy.
He retired from football to concentrate on his business interests. He later represented Australia at polo.
47. ‘Stormy’
With the surname Fairweather, what else would an aussie call him except ‘Stormy’? Mind you, Fred Fairweather would have given the fans plenty of options with his unconventional entry into the VFL.
1. He was a Pom. 2. He was ex-AIF. 3. He was 32 years old on debut 4. He was heavyweight boxing champion in the AIF. 5. Within two years of his debut, he was North Melbourne’s captain.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
46. ‘Kookaburra’
Essendon’s Alex Epis earned the nickname because of his non-stop talking on the football field.
Originally from Boulder in Western Australia, this player had to stand out of football for two years before being able to play in Victoria. He served the club in various roles after retiring in 1968.
45. ‘Twiggy’
English model ‘Twiggy’ gained world wide fame in the late 1960s for her thin build so what better nickname could they have for Ross Dunne at Collingwood when he commenced playing there in 1967.
44. ‘Tilt’
The familiar tilt of the head was a sight that distinguished Rod Carter from other back men and he was described as mean, tough and desperate.
He started his career at Fitzroy in 1974 and played 76 games for the club. After almost a season at VFA club Port Melbourne, he was picked up by the Swans.
In total, he played 293 games and scored only one goal. He retired in 1990.
43. ‘The Geelong Flier’
Bob Davis was a legend at Geelong during his playing career from 1948 to 1958. He had electrifying pace and was considered the fastest player in the competition.
After his retirement he became a commentator on Channel Seven, forming a popular team with Lou Richards and Jack Dyer.
42. ‘Snake’
Phil Baker was a high marking forward who started his career at North Melbourne in 1971.
Five games into the 1975 season he was transferred to Geelong by Allen Aylett due to financial reasons. His loyalty to North was never questioned after his time away and in 1977 he proved to be an integral part of the North Melbourne forward line.
This was evident as he played a major role in a premiership year with 35 goals. He kicked six of the club’s nine goals in the drawn 1977 grand final against Collingwood and three in the following weekend’s grand final replay, which North Melbourne won.
41. ‘Sockeye’
Ian ‘Sockeye’ Salmon played his first game for Footscray as a 17-year-old, but by 23 he had returned to Leongatha.
He continued to play with Leongatha for several more years, winning a league best and fairest award, the Rodda Medal, in 1980.
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