Footy rewind: Take a look back at 10 unlikely Anzac Day heroes

Damian Cupido never fulfilled his AFL potential, but he did dominate one Anzac Day blockbuster and is now kicking bags of goals in local footy. He’s one our 10 unlikely Anzac footy heroes.

Paul Medhurst receives the ANZAC Medal.

Anzac Day has long been the regarded as the domain of James Hird and Scott Pendlebury.

With six of the 25 Anzac medals between them, the ex-Essendon skipper and current-day Collingwood captain have made the historic stage their own.

While Hird and Pendlebury have helped shape the April 25 rivalry into one of the biggest days on the football calendar, it has presented an opportunity for some lesser lights to announce themselves.

Midfielder Mark McGough is perhaps the best remembered for being awarded best afield as a 17-year-old in a game played in torrid conditions.

But the likes of Damian Cupido, Paddy Ryder and Paul Seedsman have also soared on the Anzac Day stage.

Here’s 10 memorable Anzac Day performances you might have forgotten.

Relive classic AFL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Mark McGough leaves the MCG after winning the Anzac Medal.

1. MARK MCGOUGH (2002)

The combative on-baller was 17 and playing his second AFL game when he rocketed to prominence by winning the Anzac Day medal. In a match played largely in torrential rain, McGough relished the trying conditions. He finished with a team-high 24 possessions, including 12 contested, as Collingwood kicked six goals to two after halftime to clinch a 33-point victory. It was the only time in McGough’s 49-game AFL career he polled three Brownlow Medal votes. He’s still celebrated as one of the AFL’s best wet-weather players based on his Anzac Day heroics. In 2012, on the 10-year anniversary of his Anzac Day recognition, he told the Herald Sun: “I guess looking back I can see how people thought I was going to be the next Nathan Buckley or whatever.”

Forward Damian Cupido starred for Essendon in the 2003 Anzac Day match.

2. DAMIAN CUPIDO (2003)

McGough one year, Cupido the next. Essendon had plenty of heroes as it romped to a 66-point victory in 2003 as Matthew Lloyd, James Hird and a 20-year-old Cupido combined for 16 majors. The Round 5 performance was part of the ex-Bomber and Lion’s best AFL season, during which he booted 39.23 and played 23 matches. He also had eight marks and 16 disposals. Cupido has been a prolific goalkicker in Victorian country football since his AFL career came to an end in 2005, booting 81 goals in 18 games for Hume Football League club Henty last year at the age of 37.

Andrew Lovett carved up the Anzac Day game in his third match.

3. ANDREW LOVETT (2005)

Speedster Andrew Lovett joined stars such as James Hird, Saverio Rocca and Mark Mercuri on the Anzac Day Medal honour roll in his third AFL game. With number 41 on his back, Lovett had 20 disposals and kicked two goals to help Essendon withstand a last-quarter fightback and secure a 14-point victory. His second goal came with the match still in the balance with three minutes left in the last quarter, swooping on a long kick from Hird and leaving three defenders in his wake to give the Bombers an unassailable 19-point lead.

A shocked Paul Medhurst after claiming the Anzac Day Medal in 2008.

4. PAUL MEDHURST (2008)

The small forward was awarded three of his 20 career Brownlow votes after kicking 6.2 from 17 disposals in a 73-point demolition. Travis Cloke (5.4) would likely have been the Anzac medallist had he kicked straighter, although it mattered little to the outcome of a game where Collingwood piled on 23.16 to 12.9. Medhurst finished the campaign with 50.27, the best of his four seasons as a Magpie. In 2018, Medhurst told the club website: “Great memories. I had family that made the special trip over. It was my first Anzac Day as well.”

Paddy Ryder and Nathan Lovett-Murray celebrate a goal in 2009.

5. PADDY RYDER (2009)

Ryder wasn’t exactly an unknown in the mould of McGough and Lovett when he entered himself into Anzac Day folklore. Playing his 57th career game, the 21-year-old rucked unassisted for most of the match after first-choice big man David Hille went down with a knee injury. Up against the experienced Josh Fraser, Ryder matched his opponent with 27 hit outs, laid 13 tackles and had 16 disposals. He was recognised with the Anzac Day Medal after a performance he rated the best of his 170 games in red and black.

Marty Clarke put the clamps on Brent Stanton in the 2012 Anzac Day game.

6. MARTY CLARKE (2012)

Brent Stanton was one of the form midfielders in the league after one month of 2012 and had a target on his back after amassing 36 possessions against Carlton in Round 4. The Magpies gave Irishman Marty Clarke the job of quelling Stanton’s influence and he performed the role with aplomb. After averaging 29 possessions in the opening four rounds, Stanton was restricted to 13 disposals in a one-point thriller. Dane Swan (42 possessions) claimed the medal, but Clarke’s defensive duties did not go unnoticed. He later told the club website: “That game was such a big game and I was really proud to have played an important role in it.”

Paul Seedsman played the best game of his AFL career on Anzac Day.

7. PAUL SEEDSMAN (2015)

The highlight of Seedsman’s career-best game was a 65-metre bomb which broke the shackles during the third quarter, giving Collingwood the impetus for a 20-point win. Post-match, the childhood Magpies fan reflected on his breakout 31-disposal game: “You don’t go out there to try and win medals but it’s always nice to get some reward for your effort.” With 14 inside-50s, he edged Anzac Day specialist and Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury for best afield.

Essendon ruckman Simon Eastaugh delivered the ball on a platter on Anzac Day in 1999.

8. SIMON EASTAUGH (1999)

Essendon was without a win on Anzac Day after four matches but ended its hoodoo thanks to standout efforts from Mark Mercuri (29 disposals, two goals), Scott Lucas (three goals) and Matthew Lloyd (six goals). In his first game of the year and 13th for the Bombers, ruckman Simon Eastaugh had 30 hit outs, giving Essendon’s midfield an armchair ride. Mark Richardson, Michael Gardiner and Anthony Rocca combined for 18 hit-outs for the Magpies. Eastaugh’s 30 hit outs was the most he recorded during his 29-game AFL career, which included a stint with Fremantle.

MORE AFL:

The MCG is gaining support as a potential quarantine hub as several hubs could be introduced in Victoria

AFLPA to ask its full player body of 840 players on the merits of playing in quarantine hubs

Western Bulldogs suspend Lachie Hunter for four AFL games and fine him $5000

Magpie Brad Fuller handballs against Essendon in 1998.

9. BRAD FULLER (1998)

Saverio Rocca rightfully took the plaudits for his haul of 7.4, but little-known Brad Fuller was his sidekick in a team which included his brother Anthony and Chris Tarrant. From his 11 possessions, Fuller kicked three of his 12 career majors to help the Magpies overcome a 12-point halftime deficit and triumph by 20 points.

Small forward Josh Green jumps for joy after kicking an Anzac Day goal.

10. JOSH GREEN (2017)

Delisted by Brisbane Lions at the end of 2016, small forward Green was playing his third game as a Bomber on Anzac Day the next year. After going goalless against Hawthorn and Adelaide, Green logged three goals including a crucial snap in the last term which gave Essendon a 19-point buffer. The Bombers held on for an 18-point win with Cale Hooker (three goals), Joe Daniher (three) and Orazio Fantasia (four) also prominent.

Originally published as Footy rewind: Take a look back at 10 unlikely Anzac Day heroes