Dane Swan never took himself seriously and became one of footy’s biggest cult figures
WHETHER it’s their off-field persona, on-field antics or unusual hair, footy has had its share of characters. Today we celebrate the men who have most struck a chord with fans.
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IT’S the ultimate tribute to 21st century footy.
Herald Sun football reporters Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have worked through every jaw-dropping, fist-pumping moment of the past 17 seasons — from 2001 to 2017.
WOW: COACH DEPARTURES THAT SHOCKED US ALL
17 IN 17: THE BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES OF THE PAST 17 YEARS
MASTER COACHES: THE BEST COACHES OF THE 21ST CENTURY
BAD BLOOD: FOOTY’S BIGGEST FEUDS
They have come up with the definitive list of the 21st century so far ... the good, the bad, and the exceedingly ugly.
Today, they look at the men who struck a chord with fans, and developed cult followings be that by their look, manner in which they played or some other unique trait.
Stay tuned throughout the week as Ralphy and Macca rate the grand finals, dud deals and more — including their ultimate starting 22.
21ST CENTURY FOOTY — THE CULT FIGURES
1. DANE SWAN
One of the biggest cult figures of all-time, let alone the past 17 years. Swanny refused to follow the sanitised scripts footballers safely stick to and never took himself too seriously. Built like a part-time suburban footballer, but became one of the AFL’s greats. Partied hard (alcohol and at times, by his own admission, illicit drugs), yet always delivered on the field. Went from a clean skin (his arms and legs at least) to a tattoo artist’s dream. Adored by Magpie fans, but had a rare quality of being admired by opposition fans.
2. JASON AKERMANIS
One of the most colourful footballers of his generation, Aker was capable of making the most outrageous of statements and backing it up with his actions on the field. Perfected the post-game handstand (much better than Jacko used to do) and kicked goals from impossible angles. Fell out of favour with his two clubs, Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs, because he wouldn’t toe the party line, but stuck to his brutally honest approach. A delight to watch on the field.
3. BRENDAN FEVOLA
Any footballer whose pre-game fare was two McChicken burgers — his staple in his first few seasons — had to stand out from the crowd. “The Fevolution” was a walking headline — think ‘pressure points’, trouble in Ireland, gambling issues and a host of other off-field misdemeanours. Somehow the public stuck with him, even when clubs didn’t, as he has owned up to mistakes and reinvented himself off the back of reality TV, radio and as a gun-for-hire in suburban and country leagues.
4. MAX GAWN
Maxy is the everyday bloke almost everyone can relate to. Known for his trademark beard as much as his considerable football ability (he is an All-Australian ruckman), the tales about Gawn are legendary — he doesn’t mind an occasional smoke, he used to eat a pizza a day when working as a teenager at Dominos, and he was hand-picked by Jim Stynes to wear his No.11 jumper.
5. EDDIE BETTS
Eddie is the biggest cult figure from Adelaide since the days of Tony Modra and, dare we say it, Wayne Weidemann. Who else has a pocket named after him? The sense of anticipation whenever he goes near the ball is palpable, regardless of who the fans barrack for — unless you happen to be a long-suffering Blues supporter. Even his baggy shorts have been a part of the Betts’ story.
6. FRASER GEHRIG
”The G Train” was almost an unstoppable force for the Saints, with his nickname suitable given his capacity to make long, searching leads, knocking over anything in his path. Starting with the Eagles, he reached his high point with two Coleman Medals with the Saints. His mullet — sometimes with a rat’s tail — seemingly had a life of its own. A different cat on and off the field, and that’s why he was so popular with the fans.
7. RELTON ROBERTS
How does a two-game AFL footballer become a cult figure? Easy, if your name is Relton Roberts. The man known as the Barunga Bullet came from the Northern Territory, but fired only two AFL shots as a 24-year-old mature-age recruit in 2010. Became a social media phenomenon, partly because he was warned by the club for eating a hamburger before a VFL game. Homesickness meant he didn’t stay at Punt Rd for long. But his popularity hasn’t waned as seen when he drew big crowds when he played for Ouyen earlier this year.
8. ANTHONY McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI
One of the heartwarming stories of Essendon’s bleak 2016 season, and one of the big hopes for the future, “Walla” is one of the game’s most exciting talents. His impressive backstory — born and raised in the Tiwi Islands before coming to Victoria in the hope of an AFL career — has only added to the package. Just does the things that excites the crowd and brings people to the football.
9. IVAN MARIC
Big-hearted Tiger ruckman whose mullet mane became almost as sizeable as his impact on the club. The hair, which started as a bet with Taylor Walker (who almost deserves a spot in this cult figure section), even featured on a Toyota ad. Even took to cleaning the Punt Rd dressing rooms as part of his bid to lift standards around the place.
10. ALAN TOOVEY
One of the more unlikely of cult figures. Early in his career, Toovey thought he was being booed by the crowd. It took him awhile to find out the Magpie masses were screaming out “Toovs” instead. His popularity rose when Triple M’s James Brayshaw nicknamed him “Possum” because he looked like a possum in the headlights. Became a celebrated premiership player.
11. MATT SPANGHER
The ultimate football journeyman who become a premiership player. Matt Spangher’s shaggy hair and beard (he said he was too lazy to shave) earned him the nickname “Jesus” from Hawks fans in the latter years of an injury-plagued career that took him to West Coast, Sydney and finally Hawthorn. The crowd cheered him almost as much as Hodge, Mitchell and Roughead after he played his role in the 2014 premiership.
12. BRIAN LAKE
Changed his name from Brian Harris to Brian Lake, which perhaps only enhanced the legend of this three-time premiership player. From Brian’s Bargains to being a bargain pick-up himself after crossing to the Hawks from the Bulldogs, Lake had the ability to infuriate coaches and fans — but to also deliver on the game’s biggest stage of all. Whatever he did was worth watching.
13. “RAZOR” RAY CHAMBERLAIN
Has there ever been an umpire more willing to put himself into the contest — and the game — than “Razor” Ray? Not universally loved, but he has been the biggest cult figure in the umpiring department since Glenn James in the 1980s. Always chatty, always willing to make the tough call, Ray promised to keep things low-key when he returned a few years ago from a career-threatening injury. Let’s just say that hasn’t happened.
Originally published as Dane Swan never took himself seriously and became one of footy’s biggest cult figures
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