Mega Thread The Former Player Thread: Part 2

[Kiama Chris]

Former Swan reveals how knee infection nearly took over his whole body

"They rushed me to hospital because it was the angriest it had ever looked. my knee was the size of a footy."

www.zerohanger.com

Outlines primarily the physical battles Alex Johnson went through.
If anything I'd imagine the constant setbacks would have made the mental struggles an even bigger issue.

Unbelievably hard luck story, but also one of determination and fortitude and at least, hopefully it gives him some pride and happiness he'll always be a Swans premiership player.

He's currently the owner of Infinite Cycle, an indoor Cycling Studio in Melbourne.

This is the podcast on which the article is based;

Just finished Brandon Jack's book. He reckons Alex was (maybe still is!) the most driven individual he ever encountered. Felt that at 19yo he had a huge role organising the 2012 backline and would definitely be skipper one day.
Alex himself also gave great credit to the friendship and support of Rhyce Shaw.

 

[Kolah]

Just finished Brandon Jack's book. He reckons Alex was (maybe still is!) the most driven individual he ever encountered. Felt that at 19yo he had a huge role organising the 2012 backline and would definitely be skipper one day.
Alex himself also gave great credit to the friendship and support of Rhyce Shaw.

I really enjoyed Brandon’s book too. The chapter giving a stream of consciousness view of match play is riveting. The closing passage in which he clutches Shaw and sobs his apology for not being able to kick is terribly sad. What a powerful insight into the experience of young men who just fall short no matter the extreme effort they make.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Kiama Chris]

I really enjoyed Brandon’s book too. The chapter giving a stream of consciousness view of match play is riveting. The closing passage in which he clutches Shaw and sobs his apology for not being able to kick is terribly sad. What a powerful insight into the experience of young men who just fall short no matter the extreme effort they make.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yes. Terrific writing full of insight. I forget the exact wording but describing Horse's job of keeping 40 young men believing they are good enough to play seniors when only 22 will get picked was so spot on. Even the uncertainty of what the coaches want from you from week to week. Tough stuff!

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

These stories reminded me of the bllokes at the other end of the spectrum.

Taylor and Sinkers are at the end of their careers. Both got on lists the hard way.

Taylor had a pretty tough upbringing and force of will got him drafted. His efforts as a teen arguably saw him more than ready to go in his First Year at the Brions. Most kids have untapped talent, Taylor had reached his at 19.

sinkers was a bit slow to be a KPF and a fraction short so undrafted he trundled around for the mighty Port Melbourne and then got picked by the Weasels and then us. Sinkers is the definition of the honest footballer.

Both are near retirement and know they will be selected only in emergency. I expect their role will be to mentor kids in the Magoo's. Maybe both want to stay in footy beyond AFL and hopefully quasi on-field coaching will help their careers post Bloods.

 

[bedford]

Well done to Toby Nankervis

25

Toby Nankervis

Age

31

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.2

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

7.0

4star

CL

2.9

4star

HO

21.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

5.7

2star

HB

6.3

4star

CL

3.0

4star

HO

17.0

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

4.4

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

8.4

5star

should still be with us

 

[Millky95]

Well done to Toby Nankervis should still be with us

Skipper shock: Tigers announce co-captains for first time in history

Richmond has appointed Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes as co-captains

www.afl.com.au

Nank for Richmond captain for context

Didn't he get dropped a lot last year from memory?

 

[Bonz]

Skipper shock: Tigers announce co-captains for first time in history

Richmond has appointed Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes as co-captains

www.afl.com.au

Nank for Richmond captain for context

Didn't he get dropped a lot last year from memory?

Hasn't been dropped since 2019, had a few injury issues last year though.

 

[Millky95]

Hasn't been dropped since 2019, had a few injury issues last year though.

Must have been confusing the 2. Thanks

 

[BloodySwan]

Snippet from a Jetta interview

He was running late for an elimination final because he was too busy playing Call of Duty

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

groan

George had 32 possies with 7 clearances. Did not waste the ball.

 

[Kosmo19]

Just finished Brandon Jack's book. He reckons Alex was (maybe still is!) the most driven individual he ever encountered. Felt that at 19yo he had a huge role organising the 2012 backline and would definitely be skipper one day.
Alex himself also gave great credit to the friendship and support of Rhyce Shaw.

Was the book any good? I flicked through it in a book store and really felt it'd be a good read. Didn't grab it as I was in a rush, but you've reminded me about it

 

[dosser]

Was the book any good? I flicked through it in a book store and really felt it'd be a good read. Didn't grab it as I was in a rush, but you've reminded me about it

It's a great book and one that I have loaned out to others on a number of occasions.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Was the book any good? I flicked through it in a book store and really felt it'd be a good read. Didn't grab it as I was in a rush, but you've reminded me about it

It's excellent. Very personal.

 

[hairy biker]

Saints midfielder granted leave of absence

"He will be given as much time as he needs."

www.sen.com.au

St Kilda Chief Operating Officer Simon Lethlean said in a club statement: “Zak Jones

3

Zak Jones

Age

30

Ht

182cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.8

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.7

4star

D

19.1

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

8.6

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.1

4star

CL

4.9

5star

D

7.0

2star

K

2.8

1star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.6

4star

CL

1.0

3star

has been granted a leave of absence to focus on his personal health and wellbeing.
“Zak’s welfare is the number one priority, and he will be given as much time as he needs, with the full support of the club.
“On behalf of the Jones family, we request their privacy is respected at this time.”

Times have changed, for the better.

Best wishes to Zak.

 

[Ticky009]

Some old Bloods catching up. Teddy, Ed (The Cheese) Barlow, Spangher and Armstrong

 

[Bonz]

Saints midfielder facing delayed start to 2022 season

“The Saints are hopeful that he trains fully this week.”

www.sen.com.au

(Proud of this one)

 

[brad cooper]

Saints midfielder facing delayed start to 2022 season

“The Saints are hopeful that he trains fully this week.”

www.sen.com.au

View attachment 1340156


(Proud of this one)

One of my all time favourite swans so not knocking him here, but St Kilda have really stuffed themselves recruiting both him and Brad Hill on long-term deals.

 

[Nool Carpenna]

One of my all time favourite swans so not knocking him here, but St Kilda have really stuffed themselves recruiting both him and Brad Hill on long-term deals.

Yep. As much as it broke my heart, we certainly did well out of it

 

[HighReeve]

Yep. As much as it broke my heart, we certainly did well out of it

Hows that?

6 years and near -100 games development into a continually best22 young mid from our first round pick that leaves to play out his career in his hometown
again

 

[Nool Carpenna]

Hows that?

6 years and near -100 games development into a continually best22 young mid from our first round pick that leaves to play out his career in his hometown
again

Is that a trick question ‘cos I’m lost?

 

[HighReeve]

Is that a trick question ‘cos I’m lost?

Yep. we certainly did well out of it

In what way did we do well out of it??

 

[Millky95]

Is that a trick question ‘cos I’m lost?

In 2018 we traded Dan Hannebery and 28 for 39 and a 2019 2nd round pick

That trade allowed us to do draft shenanigans to get Blakey at 10, Rowbottom at 25, McInerney at 44

That pick from the Saints got us E.Taylor

So we lost a 200 game player who has played 15 games since joining the Saints in 2019 on a lot of money to allow us to get 3 best 22 players and 1 draft miss

 

[Nool Carpenna]

Thank you Millky95

 

[HighReeve]

Bizarre.

So grateful when other clubs take our best22 players

pick 8 for Saad.. not for Dawson..

We didn't even get pick 32 for Jones. With context, two bonus picks plus our player for one pick.
GC got a second and third rounder for Ah Chee.

Pick 14 for the brownlow medalist, sweet as.

Hannebery isn't Jones?

Trade pick 48 for Lewis Taylor

28

Lewis Taylor

Age

30

Ht

174cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.6

4star

K

9.5

4star

HB

8.1

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

9.6

2star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.8

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.2

3star

CL

0.2

2star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

1.2

4star

to play reserves
Pick 48, Jake Riccardi, plays more footy straight out of VFL

 

[Kiama Chris]

In 2018 we traded Dan Hannebery and 28 for 39 and a 2019 2nd round pick

That trade allowed us to do draft shenanigans to get Blakey at 10, Rowbottom at 25, McInerney at 44

That pick from the Saints got us E.Taylor

So we lost a 200 game player who has played 15 games since joining the Saints in 2019 on a lot of money to allow us to get 3 best 22 players and 1 draft miss

McInerney looking like the steal of the century, except Papley and a few others now I come to think of it.