Sleeve Tattoo Team of the Century
When a sleeve tattoo or any tattoo is seen on the body of a person, some people straight away identify them as a thug. However after doing some research on AFL players sleeves, the graphics of roses (signifying love, respect and happiness) and relatives seem to be a recurring symbol the players' arms. There are some players who just get a tattoo because of the addiction, but before judging a player by the tattoo on the arm, try finding out what it signifies. It could really change your opinion of the sleeve tattoo.
(Scroll down below the picture for player profiles.)
Coach: 'Bones' McGhie
Robert 'Bones' McGhie played in the VFL between 1969 and 1972 and again in 1979 for Footscray, from 1973 to 1978 for Richmond and in 1980 and 1981 for South Melbourne. He played a total of 146 games. After retirement McGhie went into coaching; some say he was the scariest coach they've ever come across with his loud booming voice, allegedly dirty tactics and sleeve tattoo. Whether you agree or disagree with his methods, he is a two-time premiership coach from St. Albans and West Footscray, which is why he is selected as the coach of the ‘Sleeve Tattoo Team’.
Back Pocket: Zach Tuohy
Zach Tuohy of Carlton has a nice sleeve tattoo on his left arm. The sleeve has some meaning to it - the words ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ are written with an angel touching the names. On the bicep a long motto that Tuohy goes by is written. On the football field Tuohy is promising running defender who has already made his name in the big league and has been named in the back pocket.
Full Back: Ash McGrath
Ash McGrath from the Brisbane Lions is a utility in the side and is selected as Full Back. He adds experience to the team and has a nice set of tattoos on both arms. His left arm consists of roses and butterflies in a type of pattern up his whole arm. His right arm, however, looks to be more religious: at the top of his arm he has a figure of Jesus, and on the biceps around to the triceps are pictures and names of possibly deceased relatives or people who mean a lot to Ash. Below the elbow are skulls and birds, which could be a religious symbol also.
Back Pocket: Ash Smith
Ash Smith is a promising defender, selected as the other back pocket who gives a lot of run and carry to the side. He is quick and can size up on opponents bigger than himself. His sleeve is down his right arm. He states that they are just pictures of things he likes and that he is “addicted to tattoos!”
Half Back Flank: Clancee Pearce
Clancee Pearce is an on-baller Fremantle, although he is selected as a half back flanker in this side because of his run and carry, and his big body. Pearce would give captain Swanny a run for his money in the tattoo department. Both arms are covered in tattoos, some with meaning, some without. After being delisted by Freo he got some ink work done and was later selected by Fremantle in the rookie draft. The sleeve-tattoo of a tiger is on his left arm; he admits that it could be seen as a symbolic reflection of the new Clancee, but stated “I like the tiger, it symbolises strength and courage.” The recent sleeve on his right arm is just a joke with pictures of Spiderman up and down his whole arm.
Centre Half Back: Courtenay Dempsey
Essendon Bombers half back Courtney Dempsey is selected centre half back as he is the only man with some height on the backline and who could match up on a big forward. His tattoo on his left arm only cover three quarters but is growing, however. The artwork that is there so far is indigenous work, showing traditional handprints.
Half Back Flank: Harry Lumumba
Lumumba is a classy running half back who can also play on the wing. He is an obvious selection in the team, starting at half back. Of all the tattoos in the team, Lumumuba has the most intriguing, a map of Africa covering his back with the words, “I am a golden negro of mother Africa.” On his left arm is the statue of Christ, which dominates Brazil’s skyline. Lumumba says “My whole life people have tried to label me, they say, ‘Oh, you are Brazilian, or you are this and you are that. But labels just don’t stick because I am multi-dimensional. I am everything. I am Australian. I am Brazilian. I am African. I am and AFL player.”
Wing: Brent Moloney
Brisbane's Brent Moloney is an obvious selection in the team. An in-and-under player who is selected on the wing. The sleeve on Moloney started with a tattoo on forearm which was a crest, until after several years he decided to add to it and went with a religious theme along his whole arm. Jesus holding the cross is spotted and also a picture of someone with the words ‘walk alone’ on his bicep.
Centre: Nathan Jones
Melbourne’s back to back best and fairest winner makes the team easily. Jones is a hard at it inside midfielder, starting at centre in the team. Jones' artwork, which has some interesting meaning behind it, covers both arms. On his right arm are roses and faces of people close to him who have died. On his left arm is a picture of his wife and an angel.
Wing: Chris Masten
West Coast star Chris Masten is selected on the wing for the team, for his versatility and speed. He has tattoos everywhere and admits that he’s addicted to tattoos. He got his first on the day he turned 17, he told PERTHNOW news. “Sometimes there’s a reason to ‘slap on a stamp’, other times it’s just an impulse.” He also states that if he loves a picture, he will put it somewhere on his body. On his forearm is a picture of his grandmother on his mother's side, Cecilia. Masten says that, because she had 12 kids and all kids went to private school, she is a legend and someone who inspires him. On his other forearm is Adele, his Nan (dad’s mum). She came from Croatia, and she is also a legend, Masten said. He says it all fits in well together with the roses underneath both grandmothers. “That whole sleeve down my arm is a good versus evil theme. He named the images ‘St Michael, The Archangel’. Michael is the name of his Dad. Masten's sleeve also includes a possessed girl with devil horns.
Half Forward Flank: Jamie Elliott
The improving young forward from Collingwood, Jamie Elliott is a smart kicking forward with ink work along his entire left arm. Elliott's tattoo is a patterned floral arrangement with stars and roses - a pretty basic and plain sleeve.
Centre Half Forward: Mitch Clark
Mitch Clark of the Melbourne Demons, is an exciting, hard-at-it tall forward, and is one of the most accurate goal kickers in the competition. The sleeve down his right arm is religious with a tattoo of Jesus, angels and a hallway with a skull in the middle of it. On his elbow is a rose with the name, "Deborah", most likely to be someone close to him.
Half Forward Flank: Jeff Gartlett
Jeff Gartlett is a classy indigenous small forward who knows where the goals are. In the team he is named on the half forward flank. It is questionable whether Gartlett has a sleeve or just a few tattoos up his arm, but he has made the side, regardless. The tattoos on his arm are symbols of indigenous culture, and his latest tattoo honours his inspiration, his one-year-old son Nason. Gartlett does not quite have a full sleeve but it is on the cusp of becoming one.
Forward Pocket: Jake King
The "Pushup King", a hard nuggetty forward pocket player with some aggression, fits the team very well. King has sleeves on both arms, consisting fascinating patterns with an interesting looking face on his right shoulder.
Full Forward: Lance Franklin
Lance "Buddy" Franklin, the powerful forward and a Coleman medallist makes the team as the full forward. After a move from Hawthorn across to Sydney, speculation is mounting over what he will get tattooed on his right arm. On his left arm is meaningful indigenous art, such as a man playing a didgeridoo and a snake which is symbolic to Aboriginal people.
Forward Pocket: Michael Walters
Michael Walters adds some flare to the forward line. When he gets up and about he can dominate teams. Selected in the forward pocket, the tattoo on his right arm works its way up to his neck and includes his name written on his bicep and some stars, dragons and crosses. His intentions are to have his left arm done next. Watch that space.
Ruck: Jesse White
Jesse White who recently just made the move from Sydney to Collingwood, can play forward and also have a run in the ruck. Because of limited tattoo ruck stock, White is named as the team's only ruckman. His sleeve tattoo on the right arm is of a lady surrounded by flowers. White says of the tattoo, “It’s just a few personal things off the field and is the new beginning in my life and it also can relate to my footy. It’s a new beginning settling into the side and trying to make a mark in the AFL for myself.”
Ruck Rover: Dane Swan
2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan makes the team easily. He is a footballing a gun and also has the best set of tatts in the whole AFL. He has them on his arm, legs, chest, and hands, and because of this he is selected as the captain. Swan says that his tattoos include, “his family motto, an ominous blue dragon, skulls and scripts, just to name a few.” Swan also went on to explain that he is not finished yet, “there are a few other I’d like to get. I want to get one inside my ear.”
Rover: Dayne Beams
Dayne Beams is a hard running midfielder of Collingwood, who can go forward and kick goals. In this team he is selected as a rover. The artwork on his left arm has a dragon breathing fire down his arm, and there is also a kangaroo holding an Australian flag in its mouth. At his wrist is a deck of cards. There is not a lot to the sleeve, just a lot of colour and pictures. On the meaningful side of things ‘Fortius Quo Fidelius’ is also written somewhere along his sleeve, which means strength through loyalty. Beams stated that “Some people get tattoos to tell a story. Me and ‘Swanny’ are the same, we’ve just got an interest in tattoos.”
Bench: Claye Beams
Younger brother of Dayne Beams, Claye is a young developing midfielder who looks to have some real potential. Currently in and out of the Lions team but has the skill to play a vital role in their future. He is selected on the bench for the team just because he has some crazy tattoos. Both arms are filled with dragons, trees and other wacky things. Beams says he is just addicted and that the meaningful tattoos are across his chest.
Bench: Marley Williams
Young Collingwood rookie Marley Williams is selected on the bench. He is a promising midfielder with some express pace. The work-in-progress tattoo down his right arm looks to be a type of New Zealand sleeve. The background behind it is unknown. Perhaps he has some "Kiwi" in his blood, or he may just be joining in on the craze down at Collingwood.
Bench: Aaron Edwards
On the left arm of Aaron Edwards is a tattoo with "Samoa" written on it; it looks to be a tribe tattoo. On his right arm is a sleeve which also looks to be more Samoan art. Edwards, a former Kangaroo now Tiger, is a good asset to the team with his experience and goal kicking.
Substitute: Josh Hunt
A sleeve that spent 13 seasons at Geelong that has headed north to GWS for the 2014 winter.
Future sleeves to watch out for:
Dustin Martin's ink
Lance Franklin's right arm
Michael Walters' left arm
Jesse White's right arm
Comments
Chris Tetaz 10 July 2014
IN: Dustin Martin OUT: Aaron Edwards
Mickey Conaty 7 August 2014
Peter "Spida" Everitt is my first choice in the ruck department. He had a celebrated career and has extremely distinctive ink. Jesse White to the bench.
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