Australian Football

After a noteworthy junior career Alan Mangels was recruited by Carlton, for whom he made his senior VFL debut in 1974. If he had a deficiency it was that he was somewhat on the slow side, but he was also extremely courageous, an attribute that is arguably much more vital to success in football at the elite level than pace. Mangels also boasted good anticipation, and typically picked up a swathe of possessions. Playing mainly as a centreman he gave good service to the Blues in 88 VFL games from 1974 to 1980. However, he was not always an automatic choice for the seniors, and in 1975 he won the Gardiner Medal for best and fairest in the VFL reserves after playing a dozen or so games at that level during the year.

After a solid start to the 1980 season Mangels was shocked to learn that Carlton wanted to trade him to Fitzroy, but he flatly refused to go. Instead, he requested, and was granted, a transfer to Geelong, where he spent the remaining three years of his league career, although because of persistent injury problems he only managed to play 13 senior games during that time. However, this did at least enabled him to pass the elusive 100 game barrier.

Author - John Devaney