Opinion
This article continues my series of articles on nicknames in the AFL.
40. ‘Joey’
Raymond Pearce (1944) enlisted in the Australian Army in February 1944, playing two games for St Kilda while serving in the Australian Supply Depot Platoon.
39. ‘Bill’
This is not an impressive nickname, but the one given to Wilbur T Mohr (1929). Mohr became one of the league’s greatest full forwards. He kicked 101 goals in 1936.
38. ‘Mick’
Even at the end of his career (which started in 1986) it is doubtful many supporters knew his given name was Mark Dwyer.
37. ‘Harry’
His real name was Henry Brown (1922).
36. ‘Nick’
This is a nickname for Norman Bloom (1951), an ex-Port Melbourne rover.
35. ‘Barney’
Charles Oliver Carr (1921) was a classy and extremely effective centreman who played briefly for Prahran before joining St Kilda in 1921. His use of the ball was impeccable, and he was universally regarded as one of the finest players of his era. He played 130 VFL games for the Saints between 1921 and 1929, and was a VFL representative player on nine occasions.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)
34. ‘Ike’
Robert Ilsey (1962) was an ex-Eaglehawk ruckman.
33. ‘Chick’
Frank Stuart Hutchesson (1927) was recruited from Oakleigh and used as a half forward flank, winger, half back flank and back pocket.
32. ‘Bomber’
William George Wells was injured during the war and told he was expected to spend the remainder of his life in a wheelchair, but made a successful comeback.
31. ‘Gillie’
Charles Geldart Wilson (1897) had played football with St Kilda since 1887, when they were competing in the VFA. Recruited from Hawksburn originally, while at St Kilda player he made three first-class cricket appearances for his state, as a right-handed batsman, all in the 1890s against Tasmania.
30. ‘Noofa’
Kevin Neilson Roberts was a left footer. He became a half forward flanker at St Kilda and kicked three goals in a narrow semi-final loss to Melbourne at the MCG in 1963.
29. ‘Bunny’
This nickname belongs to Charles Raff (1899).
28. ‘Flops’
Fred Rowden Phillips (1924) was a highly skilled and stylish footballer, and was said to be a strong overhead mark. Standing at 183 centimetres, Fred could hold down key positions in defence or attack. He had an added advantage over many footballers of that era because he could kick proficiently with both feet.
27. ‘Snowy’
As you would expect, Ron McLeod (1936) was a small, fair-headed winger and forward. His career was disrupted by war to the extent that he only managed 12 games in seven years.
26. ‘Curly’
Jack Kenyon Holden (1931) was a defender who was a renowned long kick.
25. ‘Algy’
Alexander Gosse Hay (1897) played ten games in the inaugural VFL season in 1897 and kicked one goal. His debut match was the Round 1 clash with Collingwood at Victoria Park and he was said to be the smallest player in the VFL at the time.
24. ‘Spud’
Daniel Patrick Frawley (1984) was a renowned full back. He captained the Saints for nine seasons over his 240-game playing career, and won the club’s best and fairest in 1988. Later he was a coach and popular commentator.
Danny Frawley. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
23. ‘Nifty’
Arthur S Cairns (1942). Ex Eaglehawk.
22. ‘Tiger’
Royal Robert Bence (1922) was nicknamed ‘Tiger’ because of his ferocity in attacking the ball. From Koroit, Bence was a rover and occasional forward pocket.
21. ‘Bud’
Baden-Powell Annand (1956) was a reliable follower who played from 1956 to 1962, amassing 106 games and 11 goals. Annand, a policeman, joined the Saints from Castlemaine.
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