Veteran sportswriter Rohan Connolly joined Francis Leach on SEN Afternoons, and listed his top five Tasmanian-born players.
5. Matthew Richardson | Devonport
Widely considered as one of the greatest players to pull on the yellow and black Guernsey and a cult hero of the entire AFL community, ‘Richo’ had a stellar career in the league that lasted 17 years at Punt Road Oval.
His AFL achievements speak for themselves: Three-time All-Australian, was Richmond’s leading goalkicker 13 times, Jack Dyer medallist in 2007, a member of Richmond’s hall of fame and team of the century, a member of the AFL hall of fame and still holds the record for most career goals scored at the MCG with 464.
Club: Richmond (1996-2009), Games: 282, Goals: 800
4. Royce Hart | Hobart
Regarded by most as the greatest centre half forward to ever play the game, Hart came to Richmond in 1967 to begin his VFL career which lasted 10 seasons. Known for his elite contested marking ability and his left-foot kick, Hart made defender’s lives miserable by averaging just over five marks a game.
Hart was a cornerstone of a Tigers dynasty that saw four premierships between 1967 and 1977 (two of which he was captain) and holds a place in VFL/AFL, Tasmamian and Richmond teams of the century.
Club: Richmond (1967-1977), Games: 187, Goals: 369
3. Peter Hudson | New Norfolk
Hudson is known as one of the most opportunistic and productive full forwards in the history of the game. Starting his footy career at New Norfolk in the Tasmanian Football League, Hudson decided to move to Glenferrie Oval after an eye-catching three seasons that saw him kick 378 goals in an astounding 78 games.
Hudson didn’t possess true athleticism or strength, but his brilliant footy mind led him to the right positions and became one the greatest goalkickers in the history of the league, averaging 5.64 goals per game.
Club: Hawthorn (1967-74, 1977), Games: 129, Goals: 727
2. Ian Stewart | Queenstown
Stewart will be remembered as one of the most courageous and skilful players ever to play the game. Born in the small mining town of Queenstown, Stewart made the move to the VFL in 1963 where he started his career at St Kilda which lasted seven seasons and included two Brownlows, two best and fairests and was a member of the Saints’ only premiership in 1966.
Stewart made a controversial transfer to Richmond in 1971 as he felt his St Kilda team were spiralling and jumped on the then-powerhouse at Punt Road. Stewart added another VFL premiership to his cabinet in 1973 and a third brownlow medal in 1971.
The AFL legend is one of four players in VFL/AFL history to be awarded the Brownlow Medal three times and has played with Tasmanian legends Royce Hart and Darrel Baldock throughout his career.
Clubs: St Kilda (1963-70), Richmond (1971-75), Games: 205, Goals: 80
1. Darrel Baldock | East Devonport
“The Doc” has been widely considered as St Kilda’s greatest ever player, boasting a career that lasted just seven seasons including 25 representative team honours for both Tasmania and Victoria.
Baldock was a balanced footballer with exceptional skill, with some diehard Saints fans admitting that he was a player well ahead of his time. He is St Kilda’s only premiership captain, a three-time best and fairest winner for the club and a St Kilda hall of fame legend.
Not only was Baldock a brilliant footballer but he was just as impressive a cricketer, playing two first-class matches in this lifetime.
Club: St Kilda (1962-1968), Games: 119, Goals: 237