We had a bit of fun a couple of weeks ago with a conundrum about a team featuring a common link so, on this dreary wintery Wednesday, here's another one in a similar vein to help you get through the day.

Again, this is a team (from the backline!) consisting of past and present VFL/AFL footballers, most of whom will be familiar to you. 

What links the players on each line?

I've deliberately tried to make this one a bit more challenging with the interchange bench in particular most devilish.  

 

B:  Mitch Robinson   Michael Ford   Andrew McLeod

H/B:  Sam Walsh   Nick Gill   Shannon Hurn

C:  Kevin Dyson   Josh Kelly   Zach Merrett

H/F:  Lynden Dunn   Barry Hall   Jack Silvagni

F:  Zac Bailey   Jonathan Hay   Stephen Milne

R:  Ben Hudson   Russell Robertson    Sam Mitchell

I/C:  Tom Hickey   Brad Miller   Steve Hoffman   Toby Greene

 

In the interests of fairness, at this early stage I'd like to limit each poster to two correct answers so as to give others a chance.  Go for it!

I'm half getting a bunch of them, like

McLeod and Robinson both winning B&Fs after being traded/delisted, but not sure how Ford fits.

Hall and Dunn not playing finals at their first club... and also they have each punched the other at least once... but don't know how Silvagni fits.

Hudson and Mitchell were both WW2 bombers... but Robertson... drawing a blank.

Yep, I'm useless. Back to work. Sigh.

 

 

I'm glad somebody has had a go after 80 views without reply but, alas, you're miles off LG.

There will be a useful clue forthcoming in a couple of hours if nobody has worked out the connection by then.

2 hours ago, demonstone said:

in the interests of fairness, at this early stage I'd like to limit each poster to two correct answers so as to give others a chance.  Go for it!

Well there’s no fear of me breaching the two answer per poster rule. I’d be thrilled to get just one, at this point. 
DS at his devilish best!

I feel like it’s got to do with cinema (?)

Or cricket, perhaps (?)
A clue would be much appreciated. ?

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by WalkingCivilWar

They've all played football and Bailey is a ladder.

Half forward line President Johnson

Back line Mixed marshal arts

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by ManDee

Something to do with .... bushrangers?

Struggling to work out whether this is two clues or two answers!

I can sort of get the LBJ reference if you're working on the assumption that "Jack" is a version of "John" and Silvagni is a well known father-son -  hence "John" and "son" equals Johnson. But Baines from Barry Hall? Or is it just the first initial? Or am I overthinking it?

All I can see with the mixed marshal arts is "MMA" which is the first initial of each name in the full back line. Surely it has to be more than that!

Nobody has come even close so far. 

I can reveal that the common link is the same for all seven lines so once the first is solved the others will probably follow more easily.   Contrary to my previous hint, there IS a footy connection. Sorry!

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by demonstone
clarity

Streuth, this one is complex. I’d like a consonant and three vowels please.

Is it better researching via Wikipedia or AFL tables?

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by Engorged Onion

Next clue:  Although there is a footy connection, there is also another, stronger link that harks back to the theme of that first conundrum posted a couple of weeks ago.

Just now, demonstone said:

Next clue:  Although there is a footy connection, there is also another, stronger link that harks back to the theme of that first conundrum posted a couple of weeks ago.

I know you’re technically giving clues, but the clues raise more questions than answers. Ie, I’m even more confused. 

Just a hunch coming through, but have they all played in or coached (not necessarily won) a grand final below AFL level?

If not, there's a whole pile of coincidence going on here. Hmm, I wonder if the line-by-line distinction is the type or timing of the grand final - before AFL career, after, or even during.

 

Bailey and Hay were members of the band “The Saints” Not sure about Milne although he played AFL for Saints 

Congratulations to reynolds46 for cracking the key!!

Chris Bailey and Ivor Hay are the two band members.

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by demonstone
more info

So logic Gill and Walsh members of Eagles?

Yes!  Vince Gill and Joe Walsh.

That's your two correct answers so no more from you!

The Rucks would be the Band of Ronnie Hawkins (the Hawks). That is, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson.

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by Tim

The Hawks (later to become The Band) had members Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson.

The floodgates are now open!

 

Er - interchange is They Might Be Giants reference?

Oooh, it all makes sense now the pattern is explained. I think I've figured out the centreline.

Dyson is a premium vacuum cleaner company.

Kelly's is an Industrial strength vacuum cleaning company.

And Merrett... plays for Essendon...

 

(So childish of me)

Correct!  They Might Be Giants have had members called Dan Hickey, Dan Miller and Kurt Hoffman.  Toby Greene might also be a Giant.

Two easy (ish) ones and one tricky one to go, thrillseekers!

The full back line reference to the Black Crowes (Robinson brothers?)

Edited June 23, 20214 yr by DemonWorshipper
spelling

Got it!  Chris and Rich Robinson and Mark Ford played in the Black Crowes.  Andrew McLeod was a Crow  but common decency precludes me from adding a descriptor!