Oiled, shirtless footy stars: Is it time to bring back the Men For All Seasons calendar?

A clutch of emerging ’90s footy stars posed rugged and oiled for iconic Men For All Seasons calendar, and now — 30 years on — the man behind the lens tells all, even hinting at a new edition.

Emerging footy stars of the ’90s posed oiled, shirtless and anywhere but the footy field for the beloved Men For All Seasons calendar. Pictures: Supplied

Thirty one years ago an era of shirtless, tanned, oiled Adonises was ushered in as players stepped off the footy field and into the pages of the legendary Men For All Seasons calendar.

The inaugural calendar was released in late-1993 featuring striking black and white images of a clutch of emerging stars including Anthony Koutoufides, Craig Nettlebeck, Allen Jakovich, Gavin Wanganeen, Andrew Bews and Gavin Brown.

Former Carlton player Anthony Koutoufides shirtless for the 1993/199494 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan.

Former Richmond player Matthew Richardson stands dripping in the 1995/1996 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan.

The calendar, the brainchild of Melbourne photographer Tony Ryan and former Carlton player Mil Hanna, captured the young players in a way fans had not seen before.

The moody, artfully lit shots saw the fit, muscular players sporting a notable lack of clothing in locations anywhere but on a grassy oval. Not a Sherrin was in sight.

The calendar moved the goalposts for an era of stars, giving them added personality, profile and oodles of publicity.

Many made multiple appearances over the years in the calendar with Shane Crawford and Anthony Koutoufides emerging as among the fans favourite pin ups.

Former Carlton player Anthony Koutoufides and former Hawthorn player Shane Crawfordsport Speedos for the 1995/1996 Men For All Seasons calendar Picture: Tony Ryan

The pair shared the cover of the 1995/1996 calendar, emerging from the shallows in Speedos and matching six packs.

“They were both very popular with the fans and they enjoyed shoots. They were great to work with,” Ryan said.

“In fact, everyone was great to work with because they wanted to do it and liked being a part of it (the calendar experience).”

Other notables to smoulder on the Men For All Seasons pages included Nathan Buckley, Brodie Holland, Clint Bizzell, Brad Miller, Matthew Richardson, Tony Modra, Wayne Carey, Ang Christou, Craig Ellis, Aaron Hamill, Nathan Brown, Paul Licuria, Richard Vandenberg, Trent Croad, Daniel Giansiracusa, Peter Burgoyne, Campbell Brown and David Spriggs.

Former Essendon player Matthew Lloyd looks oiled up for his 1998/1999 Men For All Seasons calendar shoot. Picture: Tony Ryan.

Former West Coast Eagle player Ben Cousins wears just a towel for the 1998/1999 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan.

Former Collingwood player Paul Licuria in the 1999/2000 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan.

Ryan said the calendar was an instant success from year one and continued to be a hit in the ensuing years, even selling in Germany, England and the US.

“It worked for a variety of reasons,” Ryan said.

“The concept of good looking young footballers was one thing, but I think the style of photography and connection the players had with the camera really made the shots compelling and memorable.

“They looked like models. It showed the players in a different way and made them known to a wider audience than just footy fans.

“They were present, authentic and real. They left their egos at the door and were just in the moment.

“It got so much publicity and attention. People really loved the calendars.”

Calendar boys, then and now

Former Carlton player Anthony Koutoufides in the 1998/1999 Men For All Seasons calendar Picture: Tony Ryan.

Anthony Koutoufides this year, running for Melbourne Lord Mayor. Picture: David Crosling

Ryan, who played with the Carlton under-19s, knew Hanna through the club and combined their respective creative and marketing skills to create Men For All Seasons.

Between them they were able to personally approach the 12 players who featured in the inaugural calendar.

Former Hawthorn player Campbell Brown poses for May in the 2003/2004 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan.

Campbell Brown in 2024.

“It was not hard to get the players involved,” Ryan said.

“In the middle years in particular it was easy because the players wanted to do it. Ricky Nixon, with his Club Ten players, was always supportive of us.

“Towards the end it got harder because there were more player managers involved.”

Former North Melbourne player Wayne Carey flexes for the 1995/1996 Men For All Seasons calendar. Picture: Tony Ryan

Wayne Carey nearly 30 years on from his calendar shoot. Picture: David Caird

The final Men For All Seasons calendar was released in 2007.

They might now be gone, but they certainly are not forgotten.

“I had a great experience and it got to a stage where I thought we had done enough,” Ryan said.

“It was the right time to end but I think it is the right time to bring it back, maybe as a special edition for a year.

“I’d love to do at least one more and I’d like to do it to raise awareness of mental health.”