Alan Stoneham

Alan Stoneham (born 20 August 1955) is a former Australian rules football player, in the VFL/AFL.

Footscray career

He was recruited by Footscray from Sunshine in the VFA at just 16 years of age, in 1972. Cited as a prodigy, great things were expected of him and he was rewarded with Ted Whitten's number 3 guernsey. Playing as a versatile centreman or occasionally up forward, he was a highly talented player yet his career never seemed to reach the heights some needlessly predicted upon the young player. During the mid 70's the Bulldogs made the finals only twice yet failed to win on either occasion, the club also endured numerous departures of highly talented players in this period. Also, in 1976, Stoneham kicked the match-winning goal after the siren in a dreary hard-scoring match where just 7 goals (and 27 behinds) were kicked. Stoneham marked on the boundary and somehow slotted it through.

Essendon career

It was in 1979 he left the Bulldogs for Essendon, securing a solid spot as a defender under the coaching both Barry Davis and later Kevin Sheedy. During the 1983 season, he was involved in a controversial incident against Hawthorn involving Robert DiPierdomenico where he was concussed after the half time siren, only to be assisted from the field with a black eye. He ended his career later that year, captaining a victorious Essendon reserves side to a premiership.

He played 128 games with Footscray and a further 78 with Essendon, for a total of 200 senior games, kicking 62 goals.

References

* [http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/sn-sz.htm#Alan%20Stoneham%20(Sunshine,%20Footscray,%20Essendon) Alan Stoneham (Sunshine, Footscray, Essendon)] at www.fullpointsfooty.net