Multi sports talented SANFL footballers

There are many SANFL footballers who were and are good enough to play other sports
Some have been able to combine dual or more sports successfully
Some would have been more successful had they not played in the SANFL and concentrated on another sport/sports

SANFL and cricket are sports where dual sporting participation is in some abundance
Some of the very great SANFL footballers did both, and could easily have become more proficient if they played one or the other

The defining thing is these guys were born with a talent , and were good enough to harness that tremendous talent
They probably could have excelled in any sport , for example
Barrie Robran might have been able to play very well in Hockey
Gary Mcintosh might have been able to play very well in Gridiron
Gavin Wanganeen might have been very good at Gymnastics
Russell Ebert might have been able to be a strong Weightlifter

So this thread is to list dual SANFL sportsmen
Some of them in common sports
Some in lesser watched or attended sports

NEIL BUTTON

Neil the bear Button was a powerful ruckman/centre half forward for the Norwood Football Club
He was a bit of a cult figure at the parade , not hard to miss him, with his physique and his handlebar mustache
He was good enough to make the Norwood Team Of The Century

The bear was also a rower in the Kings Cup for South Australia
I reckon he combined SANFL football and Rowing at some stages

I guess the more obvious ones are Barrie Robran, who played state cricket, and Craig Bradley who I think played in Australia's under-age cricket team.
Peter Whiting (Glenelg) played A Grade district cricket, as I think did John Paynter.
Sam Fisher is also an outstanding golfer.
Geoff Sara (Westies wingman from the 60s and 70s) also played high-level tennis.

Bob Lee (West Adelaide) played State cricket - not for long.

NORMAN CLAXTON

When anyone discusses the multi talented of them all, Norman Claxton must be considered one of the best at several sports

North Adelaide footballer, played in their first Premiership team in 1900 on the half back flank

1900 was a good year for Norman, he won the Bay Sheffield race

Played cricket for South Australia, had the distinction of a highest score of 199 not out against Victoria as an opening batsman

Captained the North Adelaide Cycling team

Norman also played baseball for North Adelaide and represented South Australia
This great sportsman has a great recognition
They named the Claxton Shield competition after him

I think Ken McGregor played for Westies in the 50's (No.31?) and also played Davis Cup tennis for Australia.

Gil Langley played test cricket & football for Sturt, i have vague recollections reading that he played in the VFL too....then went into politics

Eric Freeman, Neil Hawke, Ernie Jones, Jack Reedman, Barry Jarman and Merv Waite all played test cricket and league football.
Martin McCague is the last SANFL player to play test cricket.
Lindsay Head, John Halbert and Barrie Robran all won Magarey Medals and played first class cricket.

ERNIE Jonah JONES

Was listed as playing Centre Half Back in the NA first flag of 1900
On one of the back flanks was Norman Claxton, who I have previously posted about
Jonah also played for South Adelaide and Port Adelaide in the SANFL
Why he left NA to eventually play with PA has remained a mystery

Ernie 'Jonah' Jones is reported to have once bowled a short one at WG Grace that went through WGs beard

Jones was the first cricketer to be called for chucking in Test cricket

Sometimes ability is passed on to the offspring of dual sportsmen
Jones grandson Kevin Medley played Claxton Shield baseball for South Australia

bayman wrote:Gil Langley played test cricket & football for Sturt, i have vague recollections reading that he played in the VFL too....then went into politics

Gil Langley and Victor Richardson have some things in common
Both played SS cricket
Both played Test Cricket
Both played for Sturt
Both captained Sturt

did Victor play over the border too ?

GEOFF PARKER

Some of the  southees on this site might remember Geoff Parker
He played SS cricket for Victoria
He played 3 games of AFL football with Essendon
He came over and played for South Adelaide in the SANFL
He played SS cricket for South Australia

He played cricket for Victoria until1991
5 years later in 1996 he debuted for SA V VI at the MCG
VI...345...Dean Jones 152...Joe Scuderi 3/49
SA...84....Joe Scuderi 34....David Saker 4/22...Warrrrrrrrrrrrney 3/25
SA 298....Geoff Parker 112...Ian the freak Harvey 7/44
VI 1/38....Warren Ayres 24*...Mark Harrity 1/14

Geoff debuted for SA as a 28 year old
I remember following that match, and was happy we had him playing for SA
He defied a strong VI attack that consisted of Paul Reiffel, David Saker , Brad Williams, Ian the freak Harvey and that great leg spinner Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrney
Geoffs 112 was made off 315 balls in 398 minutes
Warrrrrrrney 0/61 off 40 overs , arguably Australias greatest ever leg spinner, could not get Geoff Parker out

Geoff Parker continues his sporting association
He is currently a recruiting manager at Port Power

Legendary Australian cricketer Clem Hill played league footy for South Adelaide along with Reedman and Ernie Jones.
Neil Hawke and Eric Freeman were Australian test cricketers.
I believe Barry Robran and Lindsay Head also played shield cricket for SA.