Opinion
This article continues my series on some of the AFL’s famous nicknames.
20. ‘Tassie’
I am not sure why Bruce Andrew (1958) was called ‘Tassie’ as he was recruited from South Bendigo.
19. ‘Pup’
Jeff Sarau (1973) was a relentlessly tough ruckman who conceded inches to many of his opponents but more than compensated for this with his aggressive, never-say-die attitude, coupled with his prodigious leaping ability.
18. ‘Nixey’
Andrew Tasman Harold Stewart (1898) came from South Yarra with his brothers George and Walter.
17. ‘Ginty’
Alan Stevens (1948) was a half back who represented Victoria in 1948. He had previously captained Canberra in the 1947 state carnival. He was recruited from Ainslie.
16. ‘Roodie’
Alexander George Grieg MacKenzie (1911) came from Williamstown.
15. ‘Buckets’
Stewart Loewe (1986) was considered to be the man with the biggest hands in footy and in 1990 he had the remarkable average of double figures of marks in every game.
14. ‘Plugger’
Anthony Howard Lockett (1983) is considered one of the greatest full forwards in the game’s history. He is the most prolific goal kicker in VFL/AFL history, breaking Gordon Coventry’s record in 1999. He became the first full forward to be awarded the Brownlow Medal in 1987, won the Coleman Medal four times, and kicked more than 100 goals in a season on six occasions.
Tony Lockett (Photo by Getty Images)
13. ‘Nicky’
Even today, not many people realise that the controversial player who showed his skin colour to the crowd taunting him at Victoria Park in 1993 was actually named Neil Elvis Winmar (1987).
12. ‘Redda’
Ian M Synman (1958) played as a centre half back, playing 153 games (zero goals). He was a Melbourne Grammar recruit. He played 123 consecutive games.
11. ‘Chilla’
Clarrie Victor Shields (1935) was a defender who also played for Camberwell in the VFA and originally came from Riversides.
10. ‘Pongo’
Albert George Sawley (1939) spent a season at St Kilda and played 11 games, including their preliminary final loss to Collingwood.
9. ‘Doggy’
Ian Rowland played for the Saints from 1960 until 1966 and was St Kilda’s leading goal kicker in 1961. He played in St Kilda’s 1965 grand final side, which was defeated, but was dropped for their victory in 1966, despite playing 18 games during the year.
8. ‘The Tank’
Eric Arthur Guy was a tough and fearless half back flanker. He served as vice-captain for three of his six seasons, as well as representing Victoria in interstate footy.
7. ‘Tractor’
John C Durnan was a defender from Naranderra.
6. ‘The Doc’
Darrell John Baldock will always be remembered as captain of the 1966 premiership side and one of the greatest figures in the club’s history.
(Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
5. ‘Muncher’
Brian Molony was a serviceable ruckman originally recruited from St Pat’s Ballarat. He was a hard-working toiler.
4. ‘Jazz Legs’
One of the finest St Kilda footballers of the inter-war years, Cyril Gambetta (1922) eked out a VFL career for himself despite suffering from badly bowed legs, which were a legacy of an attack of polio as a youngster.
3. ‘Coconut’
Neil Roberts (1952) excelled as a centre half back, winning the Brownlow Medal in 1958. He captained the side from 1959 to 1962.
2. ‘Golden Greek’
Con A Gorozidis (1980) had tremendous skills and flair.
1. ‘Cowboy’
Kevin Neale was a burly, tough character from South Warrnambool who was one of the most popular players of all time at St Kilda. His bow legs and distinctive gait (and his high flying) led to the nickname ‘Cowboy’.
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