AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game
Full name
Albert Joseph Mantello
Known as
Albert Mantello
Born
30 April 1934
Died
26 September 2021 (aged 87)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 20y 22d
Last game: 27y 358d
Height and weight
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 91 kg
Senior clubs
North Melbourne
Jumper numbers
North Melbourne: 32, 7
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Melbourne | V/AFL | 1954-1962 | 107 | 25 | 0.23 | 38% | 10.50 | — | 5.50 | 19 |
Total | 1954-1962 | 107 | 25 | 0.23 | 38% | 10.50 | — | 5.50 | 19 |
Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only
AFL: 6,454th player to appear, 2,270th most games played, 3,317th most goals kickedNorth Melbourne: 446th player to appear, 121st most games played, 230th most goals kicked
Although he had a reputation as one of the toughest men in football, North Melbourne's Albert Mantello was careful never to stray outside the laws of the game - unless he thought he could get away with it. On one occasion, prior to a night match, he was mischievously told by his coach that players could not be reported in games of this sort, whereupon he merrily set about the task of settling a succession of old scores, in the misguided belief that he could do so with impunity. Needless to say, he ended up being reported - for the one and only time in his nine-season league career. In retrospect, one is torn between feeling dumbfounded at Mantello's naivety in believing his coach, and full of admiration over his restraint in other games.
The Kangaroos used Mantello mainly as a half back flanker, but he was quite versatile, and could play more than serviceably in the centre or at half forward. Solidly built, he was nevertheless both quick and agile, and his superb long drop kicks brought delight to the connoisseurs. He captained North in 1960, and was a Big V representative against Tasmania the previous year. He retired at the end of the 1962 season after 107 VFL games.
Author - John Devaney