Six Degrees of Separation

[Windy_Hill]

Help me with this please.

I am trying to establish a continous link between Essendon players going back to the beginning of the club using the fewest number of players.

For example,

Dustin FLetcher played his first game in 1993 with Tim Watson who played his first game in 1977. Thats a continuous link going back 31 years. So who was in Tim Watsons first games that started played 10 or 15 years before that, thus keeping the continuous link going??? Do you get my drift.

This is one for the bored statisticians out there but I would be interested to see the result

[Rover 7]

Dustin's dad was Captain that year.Started in '67.

[dom_105]

Jack Clarke retired in 1967. He joined the club in '51

So far,

Dustin Fletcher
Tim Watson
Ken Fletcher
Jack Clarke

[dom_105]

And of course the great Dick Reynolds retired in '51, having started in '33

[GoalSneak]

Syd Carman and Frank Nash both started in 1926 and played with Dick Reynolds in 1933. Clyde Donalson from the 1926 side started in 1913. William Griffth from 1913 started in 1899. Charles "Tracker" Forbes from 1899 started in 1889. Charlie "Commotion" Pearson (who invented the high mark) from 1889 commenced in 1881. Arch Graham was in the 1881 side and also played in our first year, 1873.

Interesting exercise; there are some great names in that lot.

[hop]

What about Anton Grbac's glorious career?

[Windy_Hill]

An Amazing Historical Legacy that Dustin Fletcher Carries

Dustin Fletcher (2008)
Tim Watson (1993)
Ken Fletcher (1977)
Jack Clarke (1967)
Dick Reynolds (1951)
Frank Nash (1933)
Clyde Donaladson (1926)
William Griffith (1913)
Charles Forbes (1899)
Charlie Pearson (1881)
Arch Graham (1873)

[robbie67]

How good a nickname is commotion? ******* brilliant.

[GoalSneak]

How good a nickname is commotion? ******* brilliant.

It was because of the effect on the crowd whenever he took a speccie. From Flying Higher:

"But the year [1886] was not completely uneventful. The club had the honour of possessing the player who was chosen as 'The Best in the Colony'. Charles 'Commotion' Pearson was the recipient of this award.

It was Pearson who, during his career, introduced a new method of marking. Until then, the marking of the ball by jumping in the air and catching it overhead was unheard of. The history books acknowledge Pearson as being the first player to 'take risks with his rocket-like leaps into the air for marks.'

Pearson would sail over the heads of his earth-bound opponents, arms outstretched in great feats of acrobatics, to the dismay of old timers, and the fears of the public.

'At East Melbourne ground [where we played before Windy Hill] on Saturday Mr. Pearson, who was the outstanding player for Essendon, gave spectators many thrilling moments with his phenomenal leaps skyward. Ladies in the pavilion screamed for fear Mr. Pearson would cause some serious injury to himself when he caught the ball high above the others but toppled down head first among the bunch.' The Argus continued: 'While Mr. Pearson takes risks with his rocket-like leaps into the air, who knows but that this may be a new revolution in high marking. What a thrill the game would become as a spectacle if all players tried out this new idea. Perhaps in years to come we will see players all over the field sailing up into the air in this Person-like fashion.'"

By the way, Clyde Donalson should, of course, have been Clyde Donaldson.

[Crazyman]

How good a nickname is commotion? ******* brilliant.

It was because of the effect on the crowd whenever he took a speccie. From Flying Higher:

"But the year [1886] was not completely uneventful. The club had the honour of possessing the player who was chosen as 'The Best in the Colony'. Charles 'Commotion' Pearson was the recipient of this award.

It was Pearson who, during his career, introduced a new method of marking. Until then, the marking of the ball by jumping in the air and catching it overhead was unheard of. The history books acknowledge Pearson as being the first player to 'take risks with his rocket-like leaps into the air for marks.'

Pearson would sail over the heads of his earth-bound opponents, arms outstretched in great feats of acrobatics, to the dismay of old timers, and the fears of the public.

'At East Melbourne ground [where we played before Windy Hill] on Saturday Mr. Pearson, who was the outstanding player for Essendon, gave spectators many thrilling moments with his phenomenal leaps skyward. Ladies in the pavilion screamed for fear Mr. Pearson would cause some serious injury to himself when he caught the ball high above the others but toppled down head first among the bunch.' The Argus continued: 'While Mr. Pearson takes risks with his rocket-like leaps into the air, who knows but that this may be a new revolution in high marking. What a thrill the game would become as a spectacle if all players tried out this new idea. Perhaps in years to come we will see players all over the field sailing up into the air in this Person-like fashion.'"

By the way, Clyde Donalson should, of course, have been Clyde Donaldson.

And the best of the current players would have to be Birdman Burton IMO...

[robbie67]

And the best of the current players would have to be Birdman Burton IMO...

Best nickname? No way. Has to be Barry "Festival" Hall.

[dom_105]

Just realised that Timmy Watson retired for that one season.

Don't know the impact that has on your list Windy.

[Windy_Hill]

Timmy Watson's one year retirement has no effect as he did play in at least one season with Dustin Fletcher (in fact it was 2 seasons 93/94). So to the link is maintained between a current day player and the past.

[rockhole]

And the best of the current players would have to be Birdman Burton IMO...

Best nickname? No way. Has to be Barry "Festival" Hall.

I know Cameron Clayton has long gone, but only found out last month that his nickname was "Rattler"
Fantastic!!

[Windy_Hill]

And the best of the current players would have to be Birdman Burton IMO...

Best nickname? No way. Has to be Barry "Festival" Hall.

I know Cameron Clayton has long gone, but only found out last month that his nickname was "Rattler"
Fantastic!!

help me with this.....

[rockhole]

Played about 18 games for us in 1983. 180 cm enforcer who also played for Richmond and Melbourne. Best known for decking "Dipper" as a square off for Dipper belting Rocky Stoneham after the half time siren at Princes Park.

I guess that "Rattler" come from "Bone Rattler"