Australian Football

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Key Facts

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

Albert Mantello

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
North MelbourneV/AFL1954-1962107250.2338%10.505.5019
Total1954-1962107250.2338%10.505.5019

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 6,454th player to appear, 2,233rd most games played, 3,288th most goals kickedNorth Melbourne: 446th player to appear, 118th most games played, 229th 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

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.