Obscure players from the late 1990s and early 2000s

[johnnyhoward]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Johnny Gustav

Sudjai Cook - the only Vietnamese man to play AFL football, for the Crows. Sandy Roberts used to call him "the chef". An exciting youngster who only played one season, in '98. http://www.coodabeens.com.au/sudjai.html

 

[MOJOE]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Johnny Gustav

Sudjai Cook - the only Vietnamese man to play AFL football, for the Crows. Sandy Roberts used to call him "the chef". An exciting youngster who only played one season, in '98. http://www.coodabeens.com.au/sudjai.html

I remember at the '98 GF - Cook was sitting in the stands near me. When they won, he ran down and jumped the fence to join in the celebrations. Of course, he was quickly nabbed by the cops. He pleaded but was led away - until an official spotted them and got him through.

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Got a bit more on Chris Groom from coodabeens.com.au

Few things are worse than a curse. The pyramid of Tutankamen. The Porsche Spyder that killed several people including James Dean. The Kennedy clan. But none of these cruel hexes can compare with the knees of triple clubbalist Chris Groom.

His early career suggested Groom was set for a mansion on Lucky Street. He was a key forward with SANFL team South Adelaide, a club without a lot of flags but a tradition of spirit and enthusiasm. The Panthers have produced champions such as Mark Naley and Mark Bickley and Nigel Smart. Groom was a big mobile kid. 194 centimetres tall and 95 kilograms. The G man was drafted as as a priority by the Crows in 1992. He alternated between the seniors and South Adelaide during his first season. But he showed promise in the 1993 round 5 Anzac Day game versus Melbourne at the MCG. Big Chris provided a moving target at centre half forward and over the second and third terms moved forward into the goal square to provide a tall marking option. He took a monster one grab clamper 20 minutes into the third. He calmly booted a 45 metre goal. Although the Crows lost 9.14 to 10.17, Groom was among Adelaide's five best.

There was an evil portent when Groom jarred his knee a fortnight later. The joint took a long time to be unjarred. However he did return to play some good footy in his six other starts for the season. The following year, CG had what they like to call a big pre season. Probably beats a small one. Round 4 against Geelong at Westlakes. The Crows won 15.14 to 11.11. Groom had something written in the stars that day. Collected 15 possessions, took 7 marks and booted 2 stylish snags. Yet his knees continued to give trouble. It was as though they had smashed a mirror. Christo made five senior appearances through 1994. When fitness allowed, he played a solid brand of football for South Adelaide.

At the end of '94, the Dockers stepped forward and secured Chris Groom by trading Andrew McLeod and Matthew Collins to the Crows. It was a calculated risk until the Dockers faced Essendon in a practice game, February 1995. Christopher marked and kicked well and revealed he could keep the ball in his area. Plus he slotted two majors. The curse of the killer knees finally seemed to have been lifted. In round 8, the Dockers were thrown into the compactor of Victoria Park. The Magpies won by 38 points but Groom sparkled. Took a huge mark and recorded 2 goals. Round 14 Melbourne at Subiaco. The G boy went between half forward and the forward pocket. Because of his height and agility, the Demons found him more difficult to accommodate than a noisy tenant. Two contested marks. Two majors in a total of 7.8 to the Demons 15.12. The big forward battled the knee hoodoo through the year. In 1995, the Kangaroos used national pick 26 thinking they could Groom Chris into a handy tall. He injured his knee at training early in 1996. Came back later in the season and and damaged it again. Yet the bloke bounced back to play well in the sensational 1998 round 1 game against the Eagles at the MGC. Contested all night and snapped a great goal under pressure. Roos home by 2 points with the last kick of the night.

Groom was always going to be a top back up in case one of the gun key position players fell over.

He performed with distiction in the twos the rest of the year.

Chris G finished up at the end of 1998. 12 games with Adelaide, 7 at Freo and 5 at Rooland. Add to that handy football in the rezzies and with local teams in two states.

Unfortunately the harsh jinx on those knees.

In fact - there are some good reads in their 'dukes of depth' and 'pharoahs of fate' sections.

http://www.coodabeens.com.au/dukes.asp

 

[scmods]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

(Turley) was fairly old at that time, however, wasn't he? I thought he had back problems or something like that. Still, a good footballer. Fits the thread beautifully as I've got no bloody idea where he is now.

Turley left Perth to escape the media spotlight - he was the first real West Coast star player, got second in a Brownlow. I thought he did play some games for Melbourne before he came back west, and was playing/coaching down at Albany.

I seem to recall something in the last 12 months or so that he was getting involved with the Eagles again in some capacity or other. Or maybe he just wanted to be involved again...

But whatever happened to Daniel Metropolis? Kicked five goals on debut for the Eagles. Did ********-all else, and got traded to the Dockers where he did even less.

 

[hirthy]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Doc Weildon - Fitzroy, he was a classic!!!

 

[Jimmy]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

toia is still fat and running around with the eagles in the SANFL, he played 2's on the weekend..

 

[bogan4life]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Big Illija Gregic was about 206cm tall and the reason he first came to the dogs was to see if they could get him a size 15 pair of soccer boots cause he was a goalie. they asked him if hed ever played footy and the next year he was drafted. I rember seeing him with his girlfriend at the dogs social club and i thoung huys not human. He was a very handy player kicked some real big bags and then went to west coast where he did nothing and ended up at essendon for 1 season

id like to add James Cook bulldogs full forward in 1997 1998 kicked 70 or 80 in 97 and 60 in 1998 and did nothing ever since quick raise and fall from grace

 

[fusion]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I always wondered what happened to McAdam who was an opportunist forward for North (say about 1993)

This guy was so skilled... Used to be able to land a football into a garbage bin from 40-50 metres. Was one of the fastest players to ever get to 50 goals, and just loved kicking bags against the Pies (in preseason and H&A matches).

He was a bit timid when it came to physical contact, and used to crumb at the feet of Carey/McKernan. Fell out of favour, and was traded to Collingwood, as they had seem him dominate so many times. I don't think he ever ended up at Collingwood training.

His brother was Gilbert (Brisbane Bears I think).

McAdam was traded for Olarenshaw from Collingwood, or some other guy who made little impact at North.

Last I heard of him was he was the opening bowler for an Aboriginal team in the NT... meant to be quite lively.

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Doc Weildon - Fitzroy, he was a classic!!!

The Doc!!!!!

Ended up at Essendon, IIRC.

Whatta gun.

 

[johnnyhoward]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Listening to James Cook that brings to mind Jason Heatley. In '97 he moved to the Saints after two years doing nothing at the Eagles, and had a great season as our full forward, booting 75 goals. He was a great kick, but ever since then he did nothing, got about 40 or 50 in '98 and then just completely faded from then. Disappointing.

Simon Minton Connell is worth a mention, kicked a fair few goals and played for, I think it was four teams (Blues, Swans, Bulldogs and Hawks). Last I heard of him was in the Diamond Valley League playing for Moonee Valley.

 

[fusion]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Listening to James Cook that brings to mind Jason Heatley.

This guy would destroy us (North) everytime he played us. I was rapt when he retired, but since then Gehrig dominates us...

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Listening to James Cook that brings to mind Jason Heatley. In '97 he moved to the Saints after two years doing nothing at the Eagles, and had a great season as our full forward, booting 75 goals. He was a great kick, but ever since then he did nothing, got about 40 or 50 in '98 and then just completely faded from then. Disappointing.

Simon Minton Connell is worth a mention, kicked a fair few goals and played for, I think it was four teams (Blues, Swans, Bulldogs and Hawks). Last I heard of him was in the Diamond Valley League playing for Moonee Valley.

Minton Connell was a very soft footballer. Looked promising at times for Sydney, but never stood up under pressure. Cook is an interesting one - had all the 'star' qualities, looked the goods but then fell off the face of the earth.

What about Alex McDonald and Scotty Crow? Two former Hawks both drafted by the Magpies. McDonald was also a #1 draft pick, I think. Brings back memories of the old number 28 anyway.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Don Pyke - was a good player for West Coast in his time, might've played in 2 GFs actually, but another one nobody has heard a whimper from in some time. Many nights I have lay in bed wondering....where in the world is Don Pyke??

Paul Peos - bald little mongrel who played for the Bears. Can't remember much else, he was probably delisted when I was about seven. Still, I remember watching him on TV.

Don Pyke was a hugely under rated player - got more of the ball than anyone in the league in 1994 if I remember right, had a huge 1993 and 94 (won the B&F with Jakovich in 93, runner up to him in 94). Was stiff not to go All-Australian in these seasons, probably missing due to his very low profile 'way out West' back then. Often forgotten, but was one of our best players when we were the best team. Mick Malthouse turned him from a goal kicking front runner to a tough as nails, highly accountable tagger - but also a prolific ball winner - a real pioneer and a vital part of Malthouse's ultra accountable Eagles, guys like Brett Kirk play the game like Don Pyke mastered. Cut down by injury and retired at just 28, which was a real shame and one of the reasons the Eagles couldn't really kick on with it as a legit threat beyond 1996. Still regarded by many Eagles fans (the ones with good memories) as a definite for our best ever 22. Good to see him still involved in the AFL.

Paul Peos was an Eagles original who played for the club from 1987-1992, he struggled to cement a place in the team and was traded to Brisbane, where he played 1993 and 1994 (as a full forward) with some success before deciding to return to Perth and finish his career with the Eagles in 1995. Was a good ordinary player who played some great games but never quite cracked it.

 

[CrowEater888]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

This guy was so skilled... Used to be able to land a football into a garbage bin from 40-50 metres. Was one of the fastest players to ever get to 50 goals, and just loved kicking bags against the Pies (in preseason and H&A matches).

He was a bit timid when it came to physical contact, and used to crumb at the feet of Carey/McKernan. Fell out of favour, and was traded to Collingwood, as they had seem him dominate so many times. I don't think he ever ended up at Collingwood training.

His brother was Gilbert (Brisbane Bears I think).

McAdam was traded for Olarenshaw from Collingwood, or some other guy who made little impact at North.

Last I heard of him was he was the opening bowler for an Aboriginal team in the NT... meant to be quite lively.

I always wondered where he went, I certainly did enjoy watching him play Cheers for that info!

 

[CrowEater888]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I always wondered where he went, I certainly did enjoy watching him play Cheers for that info!

By the way Gilbert won a Magarey Medal for Central Districts, talented family

 

[HighRoller]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

What about those 2 giant imports at North

Alex Ishenko
and someone Danilchenko

lol dunno how many games each played im pretty sure Alex was around awhile

 

[Altum Volantes]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I remember reading that along with Footy and Cricket, Adrian McAdam had also represented NT amatuers in a few other sports.

Can anyone verify this?

 

[Benevolent Ert]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I thought it was a bit harsh referring to Don Pyke and Ian Fairley as "obscure players"

Both were very good players and had long and distinguished careers

 

[FootyJunkie]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

WEHT:
Simon Tragenza (Adelaide)?
Mil Hanna (Carlton)?
Damien Monkhorst (Collingwood)?
Craig Starcevich (Collingwood)?
Mick McGuane (Collingwood)?
Simon Atkins (Footscray)?
Scott Wynd (Footscray)?
Tim McGraw (Geelong)?
Alan Jackovich (Melbourne)?
Craig Lambert (Richmond)?
Richard Osbourne (Fitzroy/Sydney)?
Dean Kemp (West Coast)?
Chris Lewis (West COast)?

Some players that I remember from around 1993 (year I left for the US). Also, can someone clarify something. Did the two Rocca brothers both start out at Collingwood in around '94/'95. I could have sworn there was a Rocca that played for the Kangaroos in '93 also.

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I thought it was a bit harsh referring to Don Pyke and Ian Fairley as "obscure players"

Both were very good players and had long and distinguished careers

And I stated that they were in the initial post.

I meant 'obscure' as it pertains to these players in the sense that they're not recognised these days - this topic is meant to cover a wide range of players and as such it's very difficult to incorporate them under one banner.


FootyJunkie - Sav began his career at the Pies and played with them until he was recently traded to the Kangaroos, as you know. Anthony, however, had a season or two with the Sydney Swans until he came back to Melbourne to play with his brother. I'm not aware of any other Rocca's (there was Anthony Rock though) playing for North, unless there is an infamous third brother (a la Dean Waugh).

Also, with respect to Damien Monkhorst - I heard on the grapevine that he is a *huge* bloke these days. Both height (well he always was) and weight-wise.

 

[Grendel]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

What about those 2 giant imports at North

Alex Ishenko
and someone Danilchenko

lol dunno how many games each played im pretty sure Alex was around awhile

Danilchenko (sp?) did his knee in his first pre-season game for Hawthorn and never played again (at least not AFL level).

Shame, thought he'd of been handy back then.

No mention of Austin McCrabb?? Knew the day he first played for us that was the end of the goalden era. Talk about living up to your name (tad harsh as he did battle on but geez.. he was a shocker).

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

Ischenko retired in 1996, I think. I remember watching him play in a reserves Grand Final, which was his last game of football. Could well have been in 1996 actually, before Sydney and North played off in the seniors GF.

There is a good piece of Jason Danilchenko(sp) at www.coodabeens.com.au under one of the sections on their site. Good player struck down by crippling knee injuries.

Lee Walker anyone?

 

[Poison]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

No mention of Austin McCrabb?? Knew the day he first played for us that was the end of the goalden era. Talk about living up to your name (tad harsh as he did battle on but geez.. he was a shocker).

Haha....Grendel, I'm only seventeen. I can't remember much back beyond 1993/94. McCrabb was earlier than that.

Highlight of his career was undoubtedly his ten second cameo on Plays of the Years Volume II where he did a bit of the hot shoe shuffle on his way into goal. Probably a good indication of where his footballing career was at.

 

[LongBomb]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

No mention of Austin McCrabb?? Knew the day he first played for us that was the end of the goalden era. Talk about living up to your name (tad harsh as he did battle on but geez.. he was a shocker).

Grendel, I was just thinking about Austin McCrabb.

I'll never forget the day he stuffed up so bad playing against Hawthorn, that Blightly would not let him stand in the 3/4 time huddle. He made him go and stand on his own about 30 metres away.

 

[FootyJunkie]

Re: The 'obscure footballers of the 1990s' thread.

I'm not aware of any other Rocca's (there was Anthony Rock though) playing for North, unless there is an infamous third brother (a la Dean Waugh).

[\QUOTE]

Yes, was Anthony Rock who I was thinking of. Thanks mate.