Gordon Coventry

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

To paraphrase the introduction to old TV show The Naked City, there are many stories in finals history, these are a few. Every player and team strive for the ultimate prize of a premiership. Over the years, there have been many players whose teams get to the Finals or a Grand Final, but they are absent either through injury, poor form, suspension or simply being excluded from selection. These are some of those stories. [Ed. note: A "tragic" is someone for whom luck does not fall on their side and in this case, a perhaps once in a career opportunity is missed.]

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL held their annual Hall Of Fame ceremony just a few days before Round 10. Inducted were five new members and one current member, Tony Lockett, was elevated to legend status. Lockett was a legend in his own time with his prowess in front of goal, but it was unofficial. Now it is official. Lockett, the greatest goalkicker in league history, is the 26th player to be named a Legend. Inducted to the Hall in 2006, he played 281 games for St Kilda and Sydney and kicked 1,360 goals. His 1,300th goal in 1999 broke the long-standing record of Collingwood's Gordon Coventry. ironically, that goal came in match against Collingwood. He booted over 100 goals, known as a century, in six seasons: 1987, 1991 and 1992 for the Saints and 1995, 1996 and 1998 for the Swans. His biggest tally was in 1992 with 132 goals for the year, including a whopping 15 against Sydney. Also in 1987, he became the first full forward to win the Brownlow Medal. After the announcement, Lockett said he was proud of the record, but being named a legend meant more.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The 66-year coaching record of perhaps Collingwood's greatest ever coach Jock McHale will be equaled in Round Four and surpassed in Round Five. Carlton Coach Mick Malthouse will coach his 714th match, putting him equal with McHale. While McHale played and coached only at Collingwood, Mick's record includes 135 games coaching Footscray (now Western Bulldogs), 243 games coaching West Coast, 286 games with Collingwood and 50 games (through Round Four) at Carlton.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Goal-kicking great Jason Dunstall was crowned the seventh Hawk Legend when the club celebrated the 50 year anniversary of their 1988-89 Premierships. He joins John Kennedy Senior and Leigh Matthews (2003), Graham Arthur (2005), Michael Tuck (2008), Peter Hudson (2010) and David Parkin (2013) in receiving the club’s highest accolade.

Peter (241 games) and Shaun (210) Burgoyne became the 12th pair of brothers in League history to reach a combined total of 450 games. The leaders are: Madden (710 games - Simon 378, Justin 332), Nankervis (578 - Ian 325, Bruce 253), Coventry (533 - Syd 227, Gordon 306), Richardson (518 - Wayne 277, Max 241), Wakelin (513 - Darryl 252, Shane 261), Rocca (499 - Saverio 257, Anthony 242), Matthews (487 - Leigh 332, Kelvin 155), Cornes (483 - Chad 248, Kane 235), Hocking (473 - Stephen199, Garry 274), Collier (470 - Harry 253, Albert 217), Voss (459 - Michael 289, Brett 170), and the Burgoynes.