Note: This story was published following the tragic passing of Jim Stynes on March 20, 2012
Melbournefc.com.au editor Matt Burgan takes a look at Jim Stynes’ playing career - arguably the greatest football story of all-time
JIM STYNES is regarded by many as the greatest football story of all-time.
Garry Lyon and Chris Connolly - two of Melbourne’s favourite sons - have often spruiked that Stynes had no peer in the game, when assessing his story.
Recruited from Dublin, Ireland via what was later known as the ‘Irish Experiment’, Stynes’ football career was extraordinary.
Most football followers know about his career. But just consider for a moment his journey - it truly is a great sporting story.
As an 18 year-old, Stynes arrived in Melbourne from across the other side of the world, to thrive at a sport he had never played.
To ponder that notion is staggering in itself, particularly back in the early 1980s when resources and support were not as we know them today.
Not only did Stynes reach a level many Australians would’ve loved to have achieved, he was universally judged the best player in 1991 - winning the Brownlow Medal and every other major award that season.
If that wasn’t enough, Stynes smashed a VFL/AFL record, which stood for more than 50 years. By the time his consecutive games streak ended, he had made 244 appearances from 1987-98.
He also finished with four Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophies as Best and Fairest - equalling Allan La Fontaine’s club record. Although 1991 was Stynes’ absolute standout season, it’s easy to forget he was Melbourne’s best player three years in a row in 1995-96-97. He duly received a hat-trick of best and fairests.
Stynes ended his career with 264 matches - second to Robert Flower as Melbourne’s greatest games record holder. (Only David Neitz and Adem Yze have since passed Stynes, who remains fourth overall today).
Remember, these feats were accomplished by someone who did not grow up with the game, making it all the more remarkable.
Interestingly, Stynes’ career took off when another Brownlow Medallist, dual winner Peter Moore (1979 with Collingwood and 1984 with Melbourne), retired mid-season due to a hamstring injury in 1987.
From round 18 that year, when Stynes kicked an equal career-best four goals against Brisbane Bears, his career flourished. For the record, that match was the start of his consecutive streak.
Initially, his style of play was somewhat unconventional, with chip passes off the side of the boot not unheard of. And certainly by 1991, he became a prototype player in the AFL.
His ability to run all day and win possessions at will was not the norm for a ruckman. Quite simply, Stynes took the traditional ruck role to another level. He played like a ruck-rover, yet contested in the ruck. For his size, Stynes’ athleticism was outstanding - he was no dinosaur.
Stynes averaged almost 19 disposals (18.9) per match during his career.
In 1991, he amassed 614 disposals (25.58 per match) from 24 matches - not bad for a player standing 199cm and weighing 99kg.
Aside from the bookends of his career - 1987 and 1998 - Stynes claimed more than 400 disposals each season.
His durability and ability to overcome or play with injury was legendary.
In 1993, Stynes was supposed to miss six weeks with a compound rib fracture, following a collision with David Neitz, yet somehow he played the following week.
It proved a memorable day for Stynes. Not only did he collect 25 disposals, he helped Melbourne to its first win in 1993.
But to get to that stage, it wasn’t all beer and skittles for Stynes.
He endured a rigorous fitness test, which resulted in Demon tough men Rod Grinter, Martin Pike and Greg Doyle smashing into him during a 20-minute training session.
Stynes was the epitome of mental toughness.
The following year, Stynes sustained a medial ligament tear against Carlton in round 12. Yet he still played out the rest of the 1994 season - and beyond.
Coach Neil Balme later said upon Stynes playing the rest of the season: “He probably slipped one past us.”
Stynes’ ability to play with injury was made light by Geelong great John ‘Sam’ Newman on The Footy Show.
In Stynes’ 1995 autobiography, Whatever It Takes, he said he appreciated Newman’s humour in relation to these jokes.
“Jim has had his leg amputated, but he’ll be right to play this week,” was one Newman saying.
Still, it was a sign of respect from Newman - and by and large the rest of the football community.
Stynes also overcame two football obstacles to make it at the highest level.
In 1986, Stynes was told by coach John Northey to further his craft in the VFA. He was subsequently on “loan” to Prahran. It was not the pathway he expected.
In fact, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable for Stynes to return to Ireland and reignite his Gaelic football career, given he was effectively told by Melbourne that he was not good enough at the time.
Instead, he persevered and made it to the big time.
When he famously ran across the mark in the 1987 preliminary final - which resulted in a 15-metre penalty to Gary Buckenara, who then kicked the winning goal after the siren to put Hawthorn in the grand final - Stynes didn’t throw in the towel.
He suffered enormous scrutiny from the incident, but hit back to forge the career he did.
A chance encounter with someone he didn’t know on a Paris train helped drive him further.
“You’re the guy who ran across the mark in that finals match, aren’t you?” was the person’s comment to Stynes.
It left an indelible imprint on him.
“There was no running, no hiding from the mistake I make against Hawthorn. I could not blame it on this or that,” Stynes said in Whatever It Takes.
From that point, Stynes not only became a model of consistency throughout his career, he stood tall in big games.
Stynes played 19 finals for Melbourne, third to only Frank ‘Bluey’ Adams and Ron Barassi, who played in the club’s halcyon days.
Stynes was also one of the red and blue’s best players in its first finals match in 23 years, when he kicked two goals in Melbourne’s 118-point thrashing of North Melbourne - still a record winning margin in an elimination final today.
He had a knack of starring in Melbourne’s elimination finals from 1987-91.
Stynes was either Melbourne’s standout or second best performer against West Coast (1988), Collingwood (1989), Hawthorn (1990) and Essendon (1991).
He also played 10 State-of-Origin matches for Victoria and shone in several. His 1993 carnival against New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory and South Australia was among his best.
It only reinforced his ability to play at the elite level and mix it with the best.
Not surprisingly, Stynes was recognised among the greatest players when he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. He was immediately included upon eligibility - three years after retirement - in 2003.
More importantly, his legacy on the game and with the Melbourne Football Club - not to mention his off-field work and in the community, which are other chapters - will be forever told.
He was a genuine great of the game.
