The recent release of a video of John Coleman during his playing days brings back memories of the passion he brings to the game. Expect young fans to ask Elite Kick bands AFL merchandise outlets to produce more old. And new AFL jerseys such as those of GOAT and HOF players.

Fans would certainly love to likewise get hold of the jersey of John Douglas Coleman of Essendon. A prodigy of the game, he played in a local under-18 Australian football team at a tender age of 12. He was a varsity player in high school while also playing for a local team that competed in the Mornington Peninsula League.

He joined the Same Olds in 1949 and, in his first match. Kicked a record 12 goals in the first home-and-away match of a season. His first goal of the game was also his very first kick.

Coleman was not physically imposing, but he was a gifted athlete with the capability to switch to burst mode anytime he wants to. With his long-sleeved number 10 jersey often rolled up to the elbow like a blue-collar worker. He was the footie’s pioneer aerialist and would often leap out of a pack for an unopposed mark. An excellent kicker, he often scored on flat punt kicks. His drop kicks were also to behold and were often made against the wind.

To this day, Coleman is the only player to have notched 100 goals in a rookie season. In a relatively short playing time – he suffered a career-ending knee injury at the age 25. He has compiled the second highest goal average in the history of both the VFL and AFL. His total career goals stand at 537. In one game, he scored 14 goals once, 13 twice, 12 once, 11 twice, 10 six times, 9 three times, and 8 five times.

Coleman, well-know for his fiery temper, never back down even when he was pitted against two or three backmen. He was many times call for excessive physical contact, often as retaliation against needless thuggery from the opposing side and niggling from spectators. Once he hit a fan who spat on him during halftime and almost didn’t come out for the closing half. He played the rest of the game full of fire and made a series of highlight marks.