AFL all-time goal kickers

AFL all-time goal kickers

AFL all-time goal kickers. It’ll be the sixth time a Sydney star has reached the milestone, and he’ll join a select group of players who have done so, cementing his place in history as one of the game’s all-time greats.

1031 – GARY ABLETT SNR

‘God’ played one season and six games for Hawthorn, but he established his name at Geelong. In 1996, Ablett became the last AFL/VFL player to score 1000 goals. Ablett’s last season came after his three finest. He was unstoppable throughout 1993-1995. He scored 375 goals in three years, won three Coleman Medals, and averaged 120 goals per season. Ablett’s brilliance powered the Cats to the 1995 Grand Final and helped him become Geelong’s greatest player.

He became a fan favorite for his aerial prowess. In 1989, 1993, and 1994, he scored 14 goals against Richmond, Essendon, and Sydney. Ablett never won a championship, but he helped Geelong beat Hawthorn in 1989. Ablett hit nine goals despite the Cats losing by six points in a thriller, becoming one of only four players to win the Norm Smith Medal in a losing team, along with Maurice Rioli, Nathan Buckley, and Chris Judd.

Ablett’s 1000th goal against Fremantle at Kardinia Park in 1996 sparked an emotional outburst. Last time this happened. Lance Franklin will soon join these greats and rewrite history.

1057 – DOUG WADE

Wade scored nine goals in his first two games with Geelong in 1961, launching a career that saw him become the first player after WWII to score 1000 goals. Wade was a consistent goal scorer in the 1960s, but it took him nine seasons to score 100 goals. In his greatest season, he kicked 127 goals and won one of four Coleman Medals and Geelong’s Carji Greeves Medal.

Wade won premierships with the Cats and Kangaroos and had his greatest years later in his career. Wade scored 90-plus goals in four of his final seven seasons after only one in his first eight. In 1974, he kicked 103 goals and earned his last Coleman Medal. Wade scored 13 goals against South Melbourne in 1967 and North Melbourne in 1971. Wade’s performances earned him a spot in the club’s Century Team.

1254 – JASON DUNSTALL

In the 1980s and ’90s, Dunstall was one of the top goalkickers. Dunstall tied Lockett’s AFL/VFL record with six 100-goal seasons for Hawthorn between 1986 and 1991. Dunstall won one of three Coleman Medals, seven All-Australian selections, and four Hawthorn best and fairest in 1992 with 145 goals and 84 behinds. In that season, Richmond scored 17 and Geelong, Essendon, and Richmond each scored 12.

Dunstall earned 1000 goals at the Gabba in the penultimate game of the 1994 season when Hawthorn defeated Brisbane. Dunstall’s ability to succeed under duress ranks him among the top AFL/VFL players ever. In 1986, he kicked six goals against Carlton, seven against Melbourne, four against Geelong, and six against West Coast. These performances helped the Hawks win the championship.

1299 – GORDON COVENTRY

In the 1920s and 1930s Collingwood champion achieved many firsts. Coventry was the first player to reach 1000 VFL goals and 300 games, establishing the bar for future greats.

Coventry was Collingwood’s leading goalkicker in 16 of 18 seasons, including 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1935. Four times, he scored 100 goals. Coventry’s 17 goals against Fitzroy in 1930 was his career high point. He retains Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend status and is in Collingwood’s Team of the Century.

His nine-goal Grand Final performance against Richmond was undoubtedly his best. His 72-goal season in 1937 wasn’t enough to pass Lockett’s 1300-goal mark.

1360 – TONY LOCKETT

‘Plugger’ is considered the game’s greatest goalkicker. Lockett scored 1360 goals across 12 years at St Kilda and six at Sydney. He scored 100 goals in six AFL/VFL seasons, including 1987 when he won the Brownlow and Coleman Medals.

Lockett is a five-time All-Australian, four-time League leading goalkicker, and Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend. Lockett scored 10 goals in 22 games, with his 16 versus Fitzroy in 1995 standing out. Lockett eclipsed Gordon Coventry’s all-time goals record and became the first player to reach 1300 majors with one shot against Collingwood in 1999.

LEGENDARY MAN Plugger’s 8 defining moments

Lockett’s after-siren goal helped Sydney to the 1996 Grand Final. Lockett’s 4.84 goals per game will make his 1360 goals hard to top.