Who has played the most senior Games of football?

[Strawb]

Out of the V.F.l/A.F.L, Sanfl, WAFL and tassie who has played the most senior games?
And i was wondering if State games would be considered in this Question.

[godoubleblues]

I am going off the AFL media guide

1 - Craig Bradley, 98 (Port), 375 (Carlton), 19 (South Aust), 9 (International), Total 501
2 - Peter Carey, 448 (Glenelg), 19 (South Aust), Total 467
3 - Russell Ebert, 391 (Port), 25 (North Melb), 35 (South Aust), Total 451
4 - Greg Phillips, 343 (Port), 84 (Collingwood), 20 (South Aust), Total 447
5 - Michael Tuck, 426 (Hawthorn), 11 (Vic), Total 437

the top 4 are from SA, with also Chris McDermott, Grantley Fielke and Sticks Kernahan all over 400 games

[rogernumber10]

I'm actually intrigued on this question.

VFL (now AFL) doesn't count pre-season games in the tallies of players in their comps (like Tuck and Bartlett) whereas the SANFL does count all the pre-season games in the overall career tallies of Carey, Ebert etc.

Does anyone know the actual list of most games played where we are just talking matches that decide the premiership?

Ie; playing minor round and then finals, but excluding any night games / other comps / state games.

Anyone?

[Dogwatcher]

Struth Rog you're a hard task master.

[rogernumber10]

Struth Rog you're a hard task master.

I know, I've just never seen the correct answer. I don't doubt that Bradley is still number one (and deservedly so) but Carey's 448 for Glenelg include a fair number of pre-season games (sometimes as many as five in a year) and I'm just interested where the truly long-serving champs actually fall in order when just counting rounds 1-22 and finals.

Bradley, Carey, Ebert, Phillips, etc are all well clear of Tuck and Bartlett (plus Madden and others) and interested just to see the REAL numbers, if anyone had them.

[spell_check]

I worked out that Carey had played somewhere between 393 and 413 matches for premiership points using his season game totals, and the total number of matches that Glenelg played that were included in the games tally.

The 393 total is based on that Glenelg played in 55 matches that were not for premiership points but were included in the games tally between 1971 and 1988.

The 413 total is based on his season totals against the total number of premiership point matches in each season. So for instance, in 1978 he is credited with 27 matches, but only 24 were premiership matches. So he definitely played in 3 out of the 4 night matches in that year.

He definitely played in every match in 1986 - he played 33 matches that season which consisted of 26 premiership matches, 6 night series matches and 1 VFL night series match.

He also played in every match in 1972 - 21 premiership matches and 1 Coca Cola Cup match; 1974 - 24 premiership matches; 1980 - 24 premiership matches and 3 VFL night series matches and 1983 - 22 premiership matches; 1 night series match and 1 VFL night series match.

[rogernumber10]

I worked out that Carey had played somewhere between 393 and 413 matches for premiership points using his season game totals, and the total number of matches that Glenelg played that were included in the games tally.

The 393 total is based on that Glenelg played in 55 matches that were not for premiership points but were included in the games tally between 1971 and 1988.

The 413 total is based on his season totals against the total number of premiership point matches in each season. So for instance, in 1978 he is credited with 27 matches, but only 24 were premiership matches. So he definitely played in 3 out of the 4 night matches in that year.

He definitely played in every match in 1986 - he played 33 matches that season which consisted of 26 premiership matches, 6 night series matches and 1 VFL night series match.

He also played in every match in 1972 - 21 premiership matches and 1 Coca Cola Cup match; 1974 - 24 premiership matches; 1980 - 24 premiership matches and 3 VFL night series matches and 1983 - 22 premiership matches; 1 night series match and 1 VFL night series match.

On those numbers, Carey and Tuck is a close call then. Ebert would have played less night games (I assume) in his 392, since he started earlier than Carey, and didn't have access to as many night games in the latter 80s.

Bradley's effort to play in a senior flag in 81 and still play in AFL in 02 is unbelievable, as is Harvey's record to play in 88 and be going around next year.

[spell_check]

I worked out that Carey had played somewhere between 393 and 413 matches for premiership points using his season game totals, and the total number of matches that Glenelg played that were included in the games tally.

The 393 total is based on that Glenelg played in 55 matches that were not for premiership points but were included in the games tally between 1971 and 1988.

The 413 total is based on his season totals against the total number of premiership point matches in each season. So for instance, in 1978 he is credited with 27 matches, but only 24 were premiership matches. So he definitely played in 3 out of the 4 night matches in that year.

He definitely played in every match in 1986 - he played 33 matches that season which consisted of 26 premiership matches, 6 night series matches and 1 VFL night series match.

He also played in every match in 1972 - 21 premiership matches and 1 Coca Cola Cup match; 1974 - 24 premiership matches; 1980 - 24 premiership matches and 3 VFL night series matches and 1983 - 22 premiership matches; 1 night series match and 1 VFL night series match.

On those numbers, Carey and Tuck is a close call then. Ebert would have played less night games (I assume) in his 392, since he started earlier than Carey, and didn't have access to as many night games in the latter 80s.

Bradley's effort to play in a senior flag in 81 and still play in AFL in 02 is unbelievable, as is Harvey's record to play in 88 and be going around next year.

That's right, there were 27 matches that weren't premiership matches during his career at Port between 1968-85, minus 1979.

There were 19 matches in Bradley's time at Port 1981-1985; 49 for Greg Phillips - 1976-82; 87-93. Others to have been credited with 400+ matches at senior level with the above info are:
Chris McDermott - 51 matches between 1981-90 and 1992
Grantley Fielke - 42 matches between 1979-86; 88-90 and 1993
Stephen Kernahan - 17 matches between 1981-85

The last match to have been credited to players outside of the premiership season was the 1994 Night Final between Eagles and Central.

[spell_check]

Bradley's effort to play in a senior flag in 81 and still play in AFL in 02 is unbelievable, as is Harvey's record to play in 88 and be going around next year.

If you include the 27 Night Series matches Bradley played for Carlton that total would be 528. That, compared to Carey is amazing. I remember in 2002 at the Docklands he was doing laps of the centre square after a goal getting away from his opponent. At 38, to me that showed just how much of an endurance athlete he was.

Include the 27 Night Series matches into Harvey's total and that would be 396.

[brod]

Amazing when you look at Michael Tuck and then the high number of reserve matches that he played for Hawthorn, over 50, not sure of an exact number.

[am Bays]

I worked out that Carey had played somewhere between 393 and 413 matches for premiership points using his season game totals, and the total number of matches that Glenelg played that were included in the games tally.

The 393 total is based on that Glenelg played in 55 matches that were not for premiership points but were included in the games tally between 1971 and 1988.

The 413 total is based on his season totals against the total number of premiership point matches in each season. So for instance, in 1978 he is credited with 27 matches, but only 24 were premiership matches. So he definitely played in 3 out of the 4 night matches in that year.

He definitely played in every match in 1986 - he played 33 matches that season which consisted of 26 premiership matches, 6 night series matches and 1 VFL night series match.

He also played in every match in 1972 - 21 premiership matches and 1 Coca Cola Cup match; 1974 - 24 premiership matches; 1980 - 24 premiership matches and 3 VFL night series matches and 1983 - 22 premiership matches; 1 night series match and 1 VFL night series match.

On those numbers, Carey and Tuck is a close call then. Ebert would have played less night games (I assume) in his 392, since he started earlier than Carey, and didn't have access to as many night games in the latter 80s.
Bradley's effort to play in a senior flag in 81 and still play in AFL in 02 is unbelievable, as is Harvey's record to play in 88 and be going around next year.

So why teh F*** isn't Carey in the Australian Football Hall of Fame when you look at relative spankers like Frank Johnson who played less than half Carey's games, was only an Australian Ruckman once compared to Carey's three and only played in one premiership once again to Carey's three????????

And don't even get me started on Wiedeman

One can only hope that anomily is corrected this year

[JamesH]

MOST SENIOR GAMES
528 by Craig Bradley (1986-2002). Port Adelaide (98), Carlton (375 premiership & 27 night Series), South Australia (15 State of Origin & 4 state league) & Australia International Rules (9).
500* (approximately) by Harry Coventry (1898-1927). Coventry played the majority of his games with Latrobe. Coventry also played with Mersey (1911-12) and Launceston (1910). It was estimated that Coventry played in excess of 500 games (Atkinson 1989), but this is questionable as Latrobe did not become a senior club until 1910. Recent research by Ross Smith (2006) estimated that Coventry’s total is below 200 games.
467 by Peter Carey (1971-1988). Glenelg (448) & South Australia (19).
467 by Barry Round (1970-91). Footscray (135), South Melbourne/Sydney (193), Williamstown (110) & Victoria (8). Also played 21 VFL night series matches.
466 by Michael Tuck (1972-1991). Hawthorn (426 premiership & 29 n/s) and Victoria (11).
455 by Greg Phillips (1976-1993). Port Adelaide (343), Collingwood (84 premiership & 8 n/s) & South Australia (20).
452 by Russell Ebert (1968-1985). Port Adelaide (391), North Melbourne (25 premiership & 1 n/s) & South Australia (35).
450* (approximately) by H.K. ‘Joe’ Littler (1897-1932). Littler played for 36 years with South Melbourne, Launceston, City and Wynyard. It is estimated that his games total was 450 (Atkinson 1989).
448 by Kevin Murray (1955-1976). Fitzroy (333 premiership & 17 night series), East Perth (44), Sandringham (24), Victoria (24) & Western Australia (6)
448 by David ‘Dolly’ Christie (1885-1911). Ballarat (102), Melbourne (110), Fremantle (11), Imperials (9), East Fremantle (196) & Interstate (20).
435 by Kevin Bartlett (1965-1983). Richmond (403 premiership & 12 n/s) and Victoria (20).
433 by Darrel Baldock (1955-74). East Davenport (71), Latrobe (184), New Norfolk (4), St Kilda (123 premiership & 6 n/s), Tasmania (15), Victoria (10). Baldock also played 20 intrastate matches in Tasmania.
431 by Chris McDermott (1981-1997). Glenelg (276), Adelaide (119 premiership & 12 n/s), North Adelaide (10) & South Australia (11 state of origin, 3 state league).
423 by Simon Madden (1974-1992). Essendon (378 premiership & 26 n/s), Victoria (17) & Australia International Rules (2)
422 by Stephen Kernahan (1981-1997). Glenelg (136), Carlton (251 premiership & 19 n/s), South Australia (13) & Australia International Rules (3).
419 by John Platten (1981-1998). Central District (113), Hawthorn (258 premiership & 25 n/s), South Australia (15 state of origin & 2 state league) & Australia International Rules (6)
418 by Grantley Fielke (1979-1997). West Adelaide (364), Collingwood (16 premiership 2 n/s), Adelaide (24 premiership & 3 n/s) & South Australia (9).
407 by Darren Jarman (1985-2001). North Adelaide (144), Hawthorn (109), Adelaide (121) & South Australia (9 State of origin & 2 state league). Also played 22 AFL night series games.
406 by John Blakey (1985-2002). Fitzroy (135), North Melbourne/Kangaroos (224), Victoria (1) & Australia International Rules (1). Blakey also played 45 night series matches.
405 by Barry Cable (1962-1979). Perth (255), North Melbourne (116), East Perth (43), Western Australia (20) and Victoria (1).
403 by Brian Peake (1972-1990). East Fremantle (304), Geelong (66 premiership & 1 n/s), Perth (10) & Western Australia (22).
403 by Paul Roos (1982-1998). Fitzroy (269), Sydney (87), Victoria (14) & Australia International Rules (6). Roos also played 27 VFL/AFL night series matches.
400* (approximately) by Peter Burns (1882-1902). Ballarat Imperials (56), South Melbourne (142), Geelong (160) & VFA/VFL (15). It is estimated that Burns played 30 games on tour with Geelong and South Melbourne.
400* (approximately) by H.V. ‘Vic’ Cumberland (1892-1920). Melbourne (50), St Kilda (120), Sturt (103). It is estimated by Atkinson that Cumberland played 19 games in WA, 103 in Tasmania, 32 in New Zealand and 27 Representative.
* incomplete or questionable record

MOST GAMES – VARIOUS COMPETITIONS
VFL/AFL: 426 by Michael Tuck (Hawthorn)
SA: 448 by Peter Carey (Glenelg)
WA: 371 by Wel Whinnen (West Perth)
VFA/VFL: 323 by Fred Cook (Yarraville/Port Melbourne/Moorabbin)
Tas: 312 by Kevin Baker (Gleneorchy)
Nth Tas: 321 by K Lette (Scottsdale)
NW Tas: 292 by H McDonald (Ulverstone)
Qld: 333 by Syd Guildford (Wilston Grange)
ACT: 281 by Keith Grigg (Manuka/Tuggeranong)
Rep: 39 by Walter Scott (South Australia)
All Competitions: 725 by Max Hardacre (Chudleigh/Spreyton/East
Devonport/Wesley Vale). 667 by Danny Clarke (Triubunna/Tunnack). 625
by Graeme Jones (Forcett/Sorell/City/Woodsdale/Copping/Dodges Ferry)

MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES
292 by H McDonald (Ulverstone) between 1903 and 1928 in Tasmania’s North West Football Union. McDonald also played in 54 consecutive representative matches during the period, which raises his total to 346 consecutive macthes.
244 by Jim Stynes (Melbourne) between 1987 and 1998 in the VFL/AFL. Stynes currently holds the AFL/VFL record for most consecutive matches. Stynes sequence came to an end in 1998 due to a broken hand.
226 by Adam Yze (Melbourne) between 1997 and 2007 in the VFL/AFL. Yze’s sequence began in round eight 1997 and ended in round one 2007 when he was dropped to VFL club Sandringham.
210 by Stephen Michael (South Fremantle) between 1975 and 1983.
204 by Jack Titus (Richmond) between 1933 and 1943. Titus played 294 games, with the last 204 being

[rogernumber10]

MOST SENIOR GAMES
528 by Craig Bradley (1986-2002). Port Adelaide (98), Carlton (375 premiership & 27 night Series), South Australia (15 State of Origin & 4 state league) & Australia International Rules (9).
500* (approximately) by Harry Coventry (1898-1927). Coventry played the majority of his games with Latrobe. Coventry also played with Mersey (1911-12) and Launceston (1910). It was estimated that Coventry played in excess of 500 games (Atkinson 1989), but this is questionable as Latrobe did not become a senior club until 1910. Recent research by Ross Smith (2006) estimated that Coventry’s total is below 200 games.
467 by Peter Carey (1971-1988). Glenelg (448) & South Australia (19).
467 by Barry Round (1970-91). Footscray (135), South Melbourne/Sydney (193), Williamstown (110) & Victoria (8). Also played 21 VFL night series matches.
466 by Michael Tuck (1972-1991). Hawthorn (426 premiership & 29 n/s) and Victoria (11).
455 by Greg Phillips (1976-1993). Port Adelaide (343), Collingwood (84 premiership & 8 n/s) & South Australia (20).
452 by Russell Ebert (1968-1985). Port Adelaide (391), North Melbourne (25 premiership & 1 n/s) & South Australia (35).
450* (approximately) by H.K. ‘Joe’ Littler (1897-1932). Littler played for 36 years with South Melbourne, Launceston, City and Wynyard. It is estimated that his games total was 450 (Atkinson 1989).
448 by Kevin Murray (1955-1976). Fitzroy (333 premiership & 17 night series), East Perth (44), Sandringham (24), Victoria (24) & Western Australia (6)
448 by David ‘Dolly’ Christie (1885-1911). Ballarat (102), Melbourne (110), Fremantle (11), Imperials (9), East Fremantle (196) & Interstate (20).
435 by Kevin Bartlett (1965-1983). Richmond (403 premiership & 12 n/s) and Victoria (20).
433 by Darrel Baldock (1955-74). East Davenport (71), Latrobe (184), New Norfolk (4), St Kilda (123 premiership & 6 n/s), Tasmania (15), Victoria (10). Baldock also played 20 intrastate matches in Tasmania.
431 by Chris McDermott (1981-1997). Glenelg (276), Adelaide (119 premiership & 12 n/s), North Adelaide (10) & South Australia (11 state of origin, 3 state league).
423 by Simon Madden (1974-1992). Essendon (378 premiership & 26 n/s), Victoria (17) & Australia International Rules (2)
422 by Stephen Kernahan (1981-1997). Glenelg (136), Carlton (251 premiership & 19 n/s), South Australia (13) & Australia International Rules (3).
419 by John Platten (1981-1998). Central District (113), Hawthorn (258 premiership & 25 n/s), South Australia (15 state of origin & 2 state league) & Australia International Rules (6)
418 by Grantley Fielke (1979-1997). West Adelaide (364), Collingwood (16 premiership 2 n/s), Adelaide (24 premiership & 3 n/s) & South Australia (9).
407 by Darren Jarman (1985-2001). North Adelaide (144), Hawthorn (109), Adelaide (121) & South Australia (9 State of origin & 2 state league). Also played 22 AFL night series games.
406 by John Blakey (1985-2002). Fitzroy (135), North Melbourne/Kangaroos (224), Victoria (1) & Australia International Rules (1). Blakey also played 45 night series matches.
405 by Barry Cable (1962-1979). Perth (255), North Melbourne (116), East Perth (43), Western Australia (20) and Victoria (1).
403 by Brian Peake (1972-1990). East Fremantle (304), Geelong (66 premiership & 1 n/s), Perth (10) & Western Australia (22).
403 by Paul Roos (1982-1998). Fitzroy (269), Sydney (87), Victoria (14) & Australia International Rules (6). Roos also played 27 VFL/AFL night series matches.
400* (approximately) by Peter Burns (1882-1902). Ballarat Imperials (56), South Melbourne (142), Geelong (160) & VFA/VFL (15). It is estimated that Burns played 30 games on tour with Geelong and South Melbourne.
400* (approximately) by H.V. ‘Vic’ Cumberland (1892-1920). Melbourne (50), St Kilda (120), Sturt (103). It is estimated by Atkinson that Cumberland played 19 games in WA, 103 in Tasmania, 32 in New Zealand and 27 Representative.
* incomplete or questionable record

Thanks. Never seen that list, so now I just pluck out all the pre-season games

[BPBRB]

Amazing when you look at Michael Tuck and then the high number of reserve matches that he played for Hawthorn, over 50, not sure of an exact number.

I was going to post about Tuck and his ressies games. I recall an interview with him not long ago and the reporter mentioned he played 70 (I think that was the number) ressies games before he made his league debut or 70 was his actual ressies total. In his first 2 years 72-73 he played 5 and 11 games respectively so he must have played a few ressies in those years.

It says in a quote by Terry Wallace when talking about Shane Tuck that "his dad played 70 odd ressies games before cracking a league spot" so that makes Tuck's record games even more amazing.

[Pseudo]

So why teh F*** isn't Carey in the Australian Football Hall of Fame
[...]
One can only hope that anomily is corrected this year

The best way to correct the anomaly is not to induct the likes of Carey - who is indeed a legend of the game in the eyes of any fair-minded observer - but to rename the AFL HOF to the Victorian Football HOF. It will never be a fair and balanced record of the legends of the game, and nor should it pretend to be. Through arguing to get Carey et al included, you attempt to give credibility to a concept where none is due.

[rossfootball]

So why teh F*** isn't Carey in the Australian Football Hall of Fame when you look at relative spankers like Frank Johnson who played less than half Carey's games, was only an Australian Ruckman once compared to Carey's three and only played in one premiership once again to Carey's three????????

And don't even get me started on Wiedeman

One can only hope that anomily is corrected this year

mmm... I thought Carey was only named twice in All Australian teams (consecutive too)
and that Johnson was also named twice in All Australian teams (consecutive as well).

[am Bays]

mmm... I thought Carey was only named twice in All Australian teams (consecutive too)
and that Johnson was also named twice in All Australian teams (consecutive as well).

Hmm rooss you may be right I'll have to go check as I'm going off my memory...

still doesn't change the facts regarding premierships and games played why Carey has made a FAR larger contribution to the game of Australian Football than Johnson and a few others who are currently in the HOF