One-season wonders

[Mr Ripper]

Been watching a video of Fitzroy's 1986 season. A few things really stood out, like the miniscule crowds the Roys attracted to Vic Park, how outstanding Paul Roos was when he played as a set CHB rather than as a 'floating' backman; and the subject of this post: one Mark 'Smirky' Dwyer.

Dwyer was a 5 foot not much, 10 stone wringing wet, scraggy haired wingman who arrived from the western district town of Koroit half-way through the '86 season. He was given the less-than-glamorous number 58 guernsey and after a couple of reserves games, was in the seniors by round 15.

He played the remainder of the season in the 'ones' (including 3 finals), polling 10 Brownlow votes along the way (much to Paul Roos' chagrin

).

Alas, the magic never returned and after only 2 games in 1987 he was shipped off to the Saints where he played a further game in 1988 before heading to Sandringham in the VFA and then into football oblivion.

All hail Mark Dwyer! Halley's Comet wasn't the only shooting star to flash across the firmament in 1986!

Anyhow...anyone else got a 'one-season wonder' worth writing about?

 

[Dan26]

1.) The Adelaide Crows in 1997-98

Two season wonders. Either side of those two years, they did nothing.

2.) Richmond in 1995.

 

[Max Power]

Adrian McAdam would be right up there for 'one-season' wonders.

Darren Cuthbertson, Gavin Exell & Allan Jakovich honourable mentions off the top of my head.

And that guy from Footscray who kicked a truckload in his 1st game at Princes Park (and then was compared to Coleman) a few years back and didn't get a kick for the rest of his career. Can't even recall his name.

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[walshy1993]

what about barry young
had one good season at essendon in 99
wanted more money, essendon couldnt give it to him and then had to leave
did nothing for hawthorn and did nothing

willie dick was supposed to be special
at essendon

was the bloke at the bulldogs johnny balentine (sp?)

 

[Spunjy]

Sean Charles, in his first game, kicked 7 or 8 coals for Melbourne.
Since then he has had a broken wrist about 3 times, has been and gone at Carlton and is still on St Kilda's list, where he struggled to get a game in the seniors despite their very ordinary year.
Still, give him some credit for perseverence!

 

[Mr Ripper]

Originally posted by Max Power:
And that guy from Footscray who kicked a truckload in his 1st game at Princes Park (and then was compared to Coleman) a few years back and didn't get a kick for the rest of his career. Can't even recall his name.

John Georgiades

 

[Max Power]

Few more I've thought up.

Ian McMullin (84 finals series)
Spiro Malakellis (89)
Greg Healy (1 good year and they make him captain)
Neale Daniher (injury I know but ...)

The Footscary name rings a bell their Ripper, good get.

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[Denno]

Corey McKernan

 

[Denno]

"Chopper" Handley, and some Elliott bloke that played for St.K in the late 80's, early 90's I think

 

[JUBJUB]

David Calthorpe at Essendon.Actually he was a one minute wonder.
Brett Spinks ,David Cameron and Shane Hamilton at Geelong.

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"He is a loathsome offensive brute,yet I can't look away".

 

[Mr Ripper]

Frank Marchesani's 1980 season is another.

 

[CJH]

Not Happy Dan

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[CrowsOK]

Originally posted by Dan24:
1.) The Adelaide Crows in 1997-98

Two season wonders. Either side of those two years, they did nothing.

2.) Richmond in 1995.

Dan24 is very confused. The title of this topic is ONE season wonders. Here Dan, I'll help you out and correct it for you.

1.) The Bombers in 1993.

2.) Carlton in 1995.

There, thats better. Either side of those years, they did nothing.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Um, at that time CrowsOk or should I abbreviate that COK, there that's better, saves on space, concise and accurate. Oh yes, at that time Carlton's 1995 season was the best in the history of the VFL/AFL. We had made the finals in 1993, 94, and then 96.
One season wonder? Sorry. I'm always happy to help out the intellectually stunted!

Geez, what's happening to me. three weeks in this site and I am turning into one of the regular angry fans. can not suffer fools lightly anymore.

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mens sana in corpore sano - a sound mind in a sound body

 

[Grendel]

Larry Donahue, a ton one year and looked like being the new best full forward of the late seventies. Was of the scene about two years later.

Brad Pearce in 95, hope he made enough to support his alleged of field lifestyle for awhile on that years performance.

Chopper Handley was a good get, thought hed be forgotten about by now, same with Smirky Dwyer. McAdam was one hell of a season though.

 

[Shinboners]

Sorry to be pedantic guys, but Adrian McAdam was a "half-season wonder", and thus, doesn't qualify for this topic.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Ian Aitken - 1987 Rookie of the year. Part of the premiership side. Struggled from that point on.

Warren Ralph - Burst on to the scene in 1984 with strong marking and beautiful long kicking. Kicked 54 goals that year and hardly played the next two seasons before heading home.

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mens sana in corpore sano - a sound mind in a sound body

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Jason Heatley (St Kilda) 1997

his recent delisting makes the riches to rags story complete for this guy.

another one

Aaron Keating (Adelaide) 1997

at least he has a premiership medal to show for his 15 minutes of fame.

and

Wade Chapman (Sydney) 1996

Played like there was no tomorrow, unfortunately there was and he never recovered from multiple groin and tendon injuries.

 

[Max Power]

Didn't Warren Ralph win a squillion in Tattslotto and then footy didn't seem to matter much to him.

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[Arch]

what ever happened to Mark West from the Bullies ????

 

[Olmy]

Brendan "Fat Cat" McCormack.

Set the midfield on fire in his first year or so with the Roys (89 or 90), and despite showing a bit at the start of 92, never fulfilled the potential he showed early in his career. Was shipped off (or shipped out) to the Bears in 93 and I believe since then has had a few coaching gigs at regional level.

Steve, you also have Craig McGrath (Roys), who showed a bit in 86. Looked like being a decent CHF, but only put in one-game efforts after that year.

 

[OldLion]

On Mark Dwyer - for some strange reason he had a haircut before the finals in 86 and was never the same ( he also played on Dipper which may explain a few things ).

The Lions have had any number of 'next club champions' over the years - Kevin Caton, Chris Duthey and Roger Delaney spring to mind. It's a shame that the Bears changed their coats 'cause that was definately a happy home for the under-achievers - Brad Hardie etc etc

 

[Olmy]

Hardie wasn't that bad was he?

 

[Grave Danger]

Scott Cummings and Adam Heuskes in 1997 - and again in 1999. Yes, I know that's two seasons, but you get what I mean.

 

[Pessimistic]

Carlton had a few one year players in 1995 - but they got them all to fire together in the same year !

What about Paul Dear and Stevie Lawrence (or Paul Hudson to a lesser extent) - Had a great 1991 (Dear was Norm smith medallist) but had 'good ordinary' years after that.