I love a good stat. I love a good obscure stat, even more.
With that in mind, and given that I am due to release a free article, I have trawled through some record books to provide you with some of the lesser known AFL records and streaks.
Enjoy.
BEST WIN PERCENTAGE
The overall best win percentage for any player rests with Norm McLeod, who played for Collingwood in the 1920s and 30s. His record of 51 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses gives him a win percentage of 88.79%.
More recently, Mark Blake of Geelong amassed a record of 78.79% over his 99 games for the Cats, whilst of the current crop of players, James Jordon boasts a winning percentage of 74.18% over his 101 games for the Dees and Swans. Right behind him is Mitch Duncan, who has won 208 of his 296 games.
Bloody Geelong.
WORST WIN PERCENTAGE
The worst of all time goes to a bloke named Ted Hall, who played for the Saints from 1897 until 1902. He played in just one win from 73 games in what must have been a pretty shitty team. That’s a 1.37% win percentage.
Of the current crop, we look to Paul Curtis of the Kangaroos, who has suffered 52 losses in his 59 games, for a win percentage of 11.86%.
The next worst is also a Kangaroo, with Bailey Scott managing 12 wins from 101 games. That’s a winning percentage of 12.38%
Throw in Tom Powell (13.97%) and North actually has three of the 17 worst win records of any players in history. Time to start working some magic there, Clarko.
MOST WINS AND MOST LOSSES
Michael Tuck played in the most wins in V/AFL history, with 302, whilst Kade Simpson had a tough time whilst at the Blues, notching the most losses in history, with 215.
Only three players have ever notched 200+ losses. Simpson, Kevin Murray, and Doug Hawkins.
DRAWS
Jack Riewoldt is the standalone leader in this category, having played in eight draws over the course of his career.
Shane Edwards, Bill Hutchison, Barry Davis, and Brad Johnson all played in seven.
GREAT DEBUT STREAKS
Jake Bowey went 17 wins with the Dees before he tasted defeat. Not a bad way to start a career.
Still, it is not a patch on Albert Lauder from the Pies, who went 18-0 from 1926-31.
Other modern players to start well are Dylan Williams at Port, who went 14-0, and both Jake Lloyd and Francis Evans, who went 12-0.
TERRIBLE DEBUT STREAKS
Old mate Ted Hall reigns supreme again, with 62 straight losses for the Saints back in the 1890s-1900s.
As for current players, Adam Tomlinson and Eddie Ford both played in 21 losses before recording a win.
CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Jim Stynes still reigns supreme, but we may see this come to an end in the first third of the 2025 season, with Jack Crisp now sitting on 237 games, reeling in the big Irishman, who had 244.
The next best current player is Charlie Cameron, on 145. Cal Wilkie is on 132.
OLDEST ON DEBUT
There is hope for some of you. Not for me, sadly.
The oldest player to debut is Charlie Hardy, who was 34 years and 100 days. He played for the Bombers, who were obviously setting the example for Geelong to adopt many years later.
OLDEST TO DO IT
Only two players have ever played a game in the V/AFL after turning forty.
Dustin Fletcher is the obvious one. He was 40 years and 23 days when he last trotted out for the Bombers. However, he is spritely compared to Vic Cumberland of the Saints, who put down his walking frame to get out there for the Saints at 43 years and 50 days.
FINALS SPECIALIST
Just one player has ever competed in 40 or more finals. That man is Joel Selwood, who played his 40th final in a winning Grand Final team in 2022.
Michael Tuck, despite seven lazy flags, had 39.
Of players still in the league, Scott Pendlebury has 31.
NON-SEPTEMBER SPECIALIST
Gold Coast’s inability to make finals has an unfortunate victim.
Former captain, David Swallow has now amassed 240 games without playing one final. He surpassed Trevor Barker earlier in 2024, with the St Kilda Legend sitting on 230.
The Suns actually have the top four in the most games played without finals for active players, with Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts, and Alex Sexton joining Swallow.
TIGHT TEAMMATES
Well, the first pair… maybe not so tight.
Four pairs have played 300+ games together.
Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards lined up in the same team 307 times, whilst Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom look set to pass that early in 2025, on 305. Also on 305 are Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins, whilst Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton had 301 games as teammates.
And that might do me… got my two-year-old yelling at me because… well, because he likes yelling, it seems. Massive thanks to those at afltables.com for providing such a great, free resource for footy lovers. Doing what the AFL should. Cheers.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. It is a labour of love for me, and having you guys as members of the site basically keeps me going. So sincerely… thank you – HB
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