What Does Joel Amartey Have in Common with Past Football Legends?
At first glance, it seems improbable that 24-year-old Swans forward Joel Amartey could share anything with players from the early 20th century like Warwick Capper, Roy Moore, Harold Robertson, and Lindsay White. However, statistics tell a different story.
After Amartey’s outstanding nine-goal performance in the Swans’ 42-point win over the Crows in Adelaide, he joins an elite group of only five Swans players out of 1,452 all-time to kick nine goals within their first 41 AFL games for the club.
Here’s a deeper look at this exclusive “Amartey Alliance”:
1. **Roy Moore**: The first member, Moore, kicked nine goals in his 40th game in 1937. His remarkable performance saw him score nine of South Melbourne’s 10 goals against Fitzroy.
2. **Harold Robertson**: In Round 12, 1941, Robertson, with a previous best of three goals in 40 games, kicked 14 goals in a massive win against St Kilda. His record held until 1929.
3. **Lindsay White**: An “accidental” Swan due to World War II travel restrictions, White kicked 10 goals in his third game for South Melbourne in 1942. He later scored 12 and 11 goals in subsequent games that season.
4. **Warwick Capper**: In 1986, Capper became the next member, kicking 10 goals against Richmond in his 38th game.
Amartey completed this group, becoming the 16th Swans player ever to kick nine or more goals in a game.
**Additional Members**:
– **Larry Spokes**: Nearly made the group with nine goals in his 45th game in 1949.
– **Bob Pratt**: Achieved nine goals in his 57th game.
– **Bob Kingston**: Reached the milestone in his 68th game.
Other notable Swans goal-kickers include Laurie Nash, Fred Goldsmith, Ted Johnson, Bernie Evans, Jack Graham, Richard Osborne, Tony Lockett, and Lance Franklin.
Amartey’s leap from a previous best of four goals to nine is surpassed only by Robertson and Spokes, who had lower previous bests before their breakout games. Amartey, originally drafted at pick #28 in 2017, has shown significant growth, delivering on his potential.
Before turning to Australian football, Amartey played soccer and basketball, showcasing his diverse athletic talents.
Amartey’s performance not only cements his place in Swans’ history but also highlights his incredible potential and the bright future ahead.
