Most Unlucky Individual in the AFL system?

[Captivating]

Rene Kink

GF played in 1977 (and replay), 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983

Misses 1984 win because of serious knee injury
Misses 1985 win after being dropped after Rd 19.

/thread

 

[Spook]

Whitecross. ACL in one prelim. Missed the entire three-peat.

And that was after doing his acl in the 2012 qualifying final.

 

[RobbieK]

After FIVE knee recos he played 9 NEAFL games last year then had groin surgery this year and missed the first half of the season. Not sure where he’s currently at.

He was listed in the bests in the NEAFL last weekend. Would be great to see him in the AFL again.

 

[Monkey King]

Rene Kink

GF played in 1977 (and replay), 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983

Misses 1984 win because of serious knee injury
Misses 1985 win after being dropped after Rd 19.

/thread

Yeah gotta feel for The Hulk. Same for Bob Murphy. Peter Motley was a tragedy.

Deledio though ... not at all. It’s a great football story IMO. Abandoned his teammates to take a shortcut to success and had his ambitions trampled on by his former team’s march to a flag. What a script.

 

[76woodenspooners]

I kind of felt bad for Ceglar back in 2013. Wasn't the unluckiest player, but it'd be like a knife in the guts to get dropped before the GF.

Given he was picked up by Hawthorn after being delisted by Collingwood after 2 seasons and 0 games he’s enjoyed some good luck along his journey too.

 

[theprospect]

Nathan '2 weeks' Freeman/thread

 

[In the Thirds]

Robbie Flower not making a grand final because a recruit from Ireland went over the mark?

Pretty sure Flower did his shoulder in this games, and couldn't have played the following week.

 

[Roobs321]

Ben McGlynn
Tony Modra (the '93 prelim comeback by Essendon, plays every '97 game except the GF, plays 8 consecutive games in '98 leading into finals but misses flag again, won 11 games in 3 seasons at Freo whilst kicking 148 goals, etc.)
Phillip Matera's career spanned the interlude between West Coast flags. Injured in 2005 QF and then retires abruptly at end of 2005. The September gods were generally nasty with him.

 

[Bad Horse]

Soon may be a guy called Lukosius

 

[Proper Gander]

Not probably the unluckiest bloke ever, but I really feel for Lynden Dunn. Okayish contributor for a truly horrible Melbourne team that then found his niche when played down back by Paul Roos and was great in that role. Great clubman for younger players, good at organising a young backline and encouraging the less experienced. Then he falls out of favour and gets dropped to the reserves so that OMac’s development can be fast tracked. So he moves to the pies and does a great job, only to do an ACL when on the cusp of finals. And after 196 games this would be the first time he has played in a final.

I was really happy for him and all of a sudden it looks like his career is over.

 

[TedDougChris]

Ron James or Neil Sachse

 

[Boomerfan99]

buckley

left for premierships and left 3 with brisbane and probably a 4th if he was in the side

Are you kidding? That's karma not unlucky.

 

[Boomerfan99]

Robbie Flower not making a grand final because a recruit from Ireland went over the mark?

Would have been flogged the next week anyway.

 

[Andre the Giant]

Ryan Fitzgerald is a bit of a clown in the media but he had God given talent and was denied a decent crack at it.

Could have been anything.

 

[ferrisb]

Matthew Primus was pretty unlucky, a star for port, was made captain, injuries plagued his career, missed the 2004 GF through injury, retired.

Then was made coach, was offered no support, no experienced assistant coaches to guide him, barely any money in the footy department, with a shocking list, and was fired 1 and a half year into his career. Then went to the Gold Coast where he is an assistant coach.

Oh, and the minor detail of being drafted by Fitzroy which at the end of his first season became the first club to fold from the VFL in over 80 years....

 

[ferrisb]

Oh, and the minor detail of being drafted by Fitzroy which at the end of his first season became the first club to fold from the VFL in over 80 years....

And... Fitzroy 'merged' with Brisbane which shortly after went on to win 3 flags.

Admittedly only 1 Fitzroy player (Chris Johnson) won flags with Brisbane, but if the Lions lacked anything..... It was a top ruckman.

Martin Pyke and Scott Clayton were other Fitzroy cast-offs to win flags.

 

[Roylion]

And... Fitzroy 'merged' with Brisbane which shortly after went on to win 3 flags. Admittedly only 1 Fitzroy player (Chris Johnson) won flags with Brisbane, but if the Lions lacked anything..... It was a top ruckman.

Clark Keating was a fair ruckman. 139 games. 39 hitouts in the 2002 Grand Final. Three time premiership player. Beau McDonald and Jamie Charman were reasonable side kicks too.

Martin Pyke and Scott Clayton were other Fitzroy cast-offs to win flags.

Shane Clayton.

 

[Macpotata]

Luke Hodge. Got done for DD. Such a good bloke should never get caught.


Poor bloke.

 

[Rusty Brookes]

NicNat fast racing up the charts.

 

[Asada Mao]

Jack Watts, being badly affected by the internet trolls and a severe lack of heart and courage

 

[damochandler]

Dean rice.

A Collingwood player in the mid 90s had long blonde hair. Did his knee 3 times. Played furs game of 97 that was the end of his career

 

[Gone Critical]

Matthew Egan is a clear number one.

Breaks his foot in round 22, 2007. Is named in the AA side three weeks later.

Not only misses playing in the 2007 premiership but another two flags in the next four years - and never plays again.

Think Mathhew Egan and then add a turbo and you have Neale Daniher. Along with John Greening would have been a superstar of the game. Had the ability to be up with James Hird as a player if not cut down by 4 knee recos in the 80's when recovery much tougher.

Debut in 1979 18 y 44d and won equivalent of Rising Star
1980 Season 2 19 yo playing for the state team
1881 Season 3 20yo State team again and Ess B&F, named captain for following season

Did 1st knee early 82

Essendon flags 84, 85 and 93 and he should have played in those. If the had him they might of also won more. Would have been their best player through that era

 

[00Stinger]

David Schwartz


1994 breaks out a have an amazing finals series. Looks destined to be the next great high flying CHF.

Then does his ACL. Comes back after 6 months months which seems like a miracle and then snap. Does his ACL again

Comes back 9 months later in the pre season and snap does it again. This time misses almost 18 more months

Finally comes back but has lost all his agility and jumping power. Also comes back with a crippling gambling addiction

 

[MisterMarcus]

Bit of a left-field one.....but Tony Modra.

Superstar player for Adelaide in the 90s, yet missed both their flags. He did his knee in the 1997 finals series, and his struggles coming back from that meant that he was left out of the 1998 flag side as well.

Then he got shunted off to Fremantle when they were terrible, and while he played very well for them, he never got close to seeing a final again.

 

[Wizard]

I would say Michael Apeness is a contender for this, however he just signed a new contract and within days ripped his hamstring tendon.

So in a bit of a sick twist of fate you would almost classify him as lucky.