Tasmania’s top 20 AFL/VFL players in 50 years: 10-6

WE continue to count down the top 20 AFL/VFL Tasmanian footballers to have played in the past 50 years. Today’s players include a couple of big forwards, a skilful wingman and a big-game star. SEE THE VIDEOS

Alistair Lynch takes on Tony Lockett in 1999. Picture: PHIL HILLYARD

WE continue to count down the top 20 AFL/VFL Tasmanian footballers to have played in the past 50 years. Today’s players include a couple of big forwards, a skilful wingman and a big-game star.

10 Darrin Pritchard: Sandy Bay, Hawthorn. 211 games, 97 goals. Three-time premiership player with Hawthorn, Tasmanian State of Origin captain, Tasmanian Team of the Century.

Darrin Pritchard drives the ball forward for the Hawks. Picture: ANDREW BROWNBILL

Recruited by Hawthorn in 1986 from Sandy Bay, Pritchard’s sublime skills and line-breaking speed allowed him to break into a star-studded Hawks line-up at the peak of its powers. He debuted mid season in 1987 and was at the centre of some cloak and dagger ahead of the 1987 Grand Final against Carlton. Pritchard had been told he would be playing the game, replacing star forward Jason Dunstall, who had an injured ankle. Wanting to keep the Blues guessing, the Hawks swore Pritchard to secrecy. He was unable to even tell his parents who were at the game.

In 11 seasons at the Hawks, Pritchard became a key member of the midfield with silky skills on both sides of his body allowing pinpoint delivery to key forwards Dunstall and Dermott Brereton. He is best remembered for stepping up in the 1989 Grand Final against Geelong after John Platten was knocked out early in the game.

Pritchard played in three winning premierships and captained Tasmania three times in State of Origin games, including a win against Victoria in 1990.

Robert “Tassie” Johnson' marks over Murray Weideman in 1960.

9 Robert “Tassie” Johnson: North Launceston, Melbourne, Waverley. 202 games, 20 goals. Three-time premiership player with Melbourne, Melbourne captain 1969. Melbourne and Tasmanian Teams of the Century. Melbourne Hall of Fame.

Robert “Tassie” Johnson won his nickname after he was recruited to Melbourne because of the number of other Johnsons in the team. The Demons signed Johnson from North Launceston but had to wait a year until North Launceston granted a clearance.

While he played most of his football in Tasmania as a forward, at Melbourne Johnson became one of the VFL’s best defenders. Known for his calmness under pressure, he was regarded as one of the best exponents of the drop kick, a technique he had developed as a youngster by kicking a beach ball against a wall.

He played in three winning premierships with the Dees, in 1959, 1960 and 1964.

In 1969, Johnson became the first Tasmanian to play 200 VFL games and he retired at the end of that year.

8 Matthew Richardson: Devonport, Richmond. 282 games, 800 goals. Three times All-Australian. Leading Richmond goalkicker for 13 seasons. In 1996 he kicked 91 goals. Richmond best and fairest 2007.

Matthew Richardson screams after missing a goal.

Richardson made his senior debut with Devonport at 16 and was drafted to the Tigers under the father-son rule as son of former Richmond and South Melbourne player Alan “Bull” Richardson. Matthew Richardson was an athletic, exciting, dynamic forward who could be influential much further up the field.

Despite often being an unreliable shot who accumulated a high behinds count through his career, Richardson’s tally of 800 goals places him among the top dozen goalkickers of all time.

Richardson wore his heart in his sleeve and was often criticised for his on-field body language where he would express his frustrations towards teammates and umpires. Despite this, he was a well-respected player. In the 2008 season he spent much of the season playing on a wing. His form was so good, he won All-Australian selection and finished third in the Brownlow Medal.

Alastair Lynch marks for Brisbane Lions in 2003.

7 Alastair Lynch: Wynyard, Hobart, Fitzroy, Brisbane. 306 games, 633 goals. Fitzroy Best and Fairest, Fitzroy and Tasmania Teams of the Century. Joint Brisbane captain from 1997 to 2000.

Selected by Fitzroy in the 1986 draft, the former Hobart star quickly made a name for himself as a high-flying backman who could control big forwards. In 1993 Lynch was moved to full forward where led the Lions goalkicking and won the best and fairest. He became the poster-boy recruit of the Brisbane Bears in 1994, signing a 10-year contract with the club. His long career was affected by chronic fatigue illness and injuries but he still managed to play full-forward in three consecutive premierships for Brisbane and won All-Australian honours.

He ended his career in controversial fashion after trading blows with Port Adelaide fullback Darryl Wakelin in the 2004 Grand Final, won by the Power.

6 Brent Crosswell: Campbell Town, Carlton, North Melbourne, Melbourne. 222 games, 257 goals. Four-time premiership player (two with Carlton, two with North Melbourne). Tasmanian Hall of Fame.

Brent Crosswell won a reputation as a big-game player.

Crosswell excelled as a junior at football and high jump and his athletic prowess won him a contract to play at the Blues in 1967. He won a premiership at Carlton in his first year and also earned the “best first-year player award”. He won another flag with the Blues in the famous 1972 showdown against Collingwood.

In 1975 he left Carlton and went to North Melbourne and played a crucial role during the club’s golden period, adding two more premierships to his resume. Crosswell was a spectacular big-occasion player with speed, dash and flair. He could handle most positions including key forward, on-ball and checking at the back. Adrian Gallagher said he was his most talented Blue teammate.