Jim Stynes the resilient pioneer who paved the way Down Under

On the 20th anniversary of Dubliner Jim Stynes’ retirement from the AFL, Jack Anderson looks back at a remarkable career.

The AFL season is reaching its climax. Tomorrow night, an expected crowd of 90,000 will pack out the MCG, for a knockout quarter-final clash between Hawthorn and Melbourne.

The teams have had some memorable play-off games, most notably in the 1987 AFL preliminary (or semi) final. At the three-quarters break, Melbourne led by 22 points. Hawthorn mounted a late comeback. Four points down with a minute to play, Hawthorn’s key forward, Gary Buckenara, was tripped outside the 50-metre mark.