Australian Football

Rudi Mandemaker joined Central District from Hawthorn as part of the deal which saw champion Bulldogs rover and firm fan favourite John Platten move in the opposite direction. While Mandemaker, a big, burly, bullocking full forward, was in no way a direct replacement for Platten, in a strange way he did almost come to occupy a similar place in supporters’ affections. 

A tally of 40 goals from 11 matches in his debut season was good enough to head Centrals’ list, an achievement Mandemaker repeated in each of the subsequent five seasons. His best haul during that time was 94 in 1987, while he topped the SANFL’s goal kicking ladder with one goal fewer in 1989. Mandemaker, who had not managed a single senior game during his time Hawthorn, kicked a Central District club record 475 goals in 141 games between 1986 and 1992. He also bagged six goals in three interstate appearances for South Australia.

Author - John Devaney