The Concept of a “Journeyman” in AFL
The term “journeyman” is used to identify sports stars who can’t seem to stay in one spot and have played in stints with multiple teams or clubs across their careers. In the context of the Australian Football League (AFL), there haven’t been many players who have played for more than three clubs throughout their careers. This article aims to rank the current players in today’s game based on the “journeyman” criteria of three clubs or more.
The list considers the players’ current form, but it also takes into account their past performances, as some of the players listed may not be playing much or at all this season. Here are some of the most notable journeyman players in the AFL.
Adam Saad – Gold Coast, Essendon, Carlton
One of the fastest players in the league and definitely one of the more exciting players to watch bounce the ball up the field, Saad is an electric half-back who has provided great service to Carlton in his 110 games there. Starting his career at the Suns, he made his name at the Bombers shortly after before Carlton snatched him up during their years of contention.
Mabior Chol – Richmond, Gold Coast, Hawthorn
Defenders hate to see him leaping, a defining physique that puts him body-to-body against most defenders in the league. With 30 game stints at Richmond and Gold Coast, Chol showed signs of promise before taking the Hawks by storm when he joined and became part of one of the AFL’s best forward lines.
Tyson Stengle – Richmond, Adelaide, Geelong
One of the luckier players on the list to make the criteria. Stengle’s brief time at Richmond and Adelaide resulted in 16 games across four seasons before a career resurgence at Geelong. His silky, staggering kick has fit in like a glove at the cattery in how creative he is at creating scoring opportunities, setting up a premiership medal and All-Australian blazer in 2022.
Jaeger O’Meara – Gold Coast, Hawthorn, Fremantle
Beloved Hawk and a young gun at the Suns, the midfielder had a lot of promise coming into the league, which simmered but didn’t entirely squander throughout his career. These days, O’Meara gives Fremantle a veteran presence in the midfield passage and is still a good body to have in a contest. His form was even rewarded this year with a State of Origin selection in the Western Australia team.
Adam Treloar – GWS, Collingwood, Western Bulldogs
The All-Australian is one of the few players on the list to have left a significant impact on all three clubs that he’s played for, with around 80 each between them. A pure magnet when it comes to finding the footy and a brilliant kick out of clearance, Treloar would be higher up on the list if it wasn’t for soft-tissue injuries that have plagued his career.
Jake Stringer – Western Bulldogs, Essendon, GWS
Electricity, explosiveness and tenacity are terms that come to mind when it comes to describing ‘The Package’ on the field. Stringer cemented his legacy as a Western Bulldogs premiership player and provided some good moments to a struggling Bombers side before only recently moving to the Giants. He’s disruptive in contests and a great on-field kick at goal while being infectious in his playstyle.
Bradley Hill – Hawthorn, Fremantle, St Kilda
Quick and silky for his age, the three-time premiership player has made an impact at every club he has stopped by at. Hill has stepped up in his role for the Saints this season and is playing some composed, solid footy. His ranking here helps after averaging the second-most disposals of his career (22.0) during his time helping fill the gap of an injured Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Jesse Hogan – Melbourne, Fremantle, GWS
Having the capability to win a Coleman Medal will get you the right amount of praise and respect. Hogan this year has been one of the more surprising players in how he has dropped off, and in some big games at that. Though without taking too much away, the 31-year-old can still change games with his leading ability and accuracy, making him a scary threat up forward.
Jack Gunston – Adelaide, Brisbane, Hawthorn
A premier forward in the competition and a chance for the Coleman Medal this year, the three-time premiership Hawk started with 14 games at Adelaide before lifting trophies and had a brief stint in Brisbane before heading back to the gold and brown. He’s the spearhead target at one of the highest scoring teams in the league and has plenty more left in the tank to have another crack at flag No.4.
Brodie Grundy – Collingwood, Melbourne, Sydney
When you talk about the resurgences of players this season, there are far fewer who have gotten back to their best than Brodie Grundy. Becoming one of the staple ruckmen in the league during his years at Collingwood, Grundy’s role drastically changed when he went to ruck alongside Max Gawn at Melbourne and has now found his place at Sydney, where he has been playing some of the best footy of his career.
