I'm feeling in a retro mood this morning so here's a resurrection of my risible timewasters for those who wish to accept the challenge.

Below is a team of contemporary Melbourne players in position. It's a great team with a forward line we'd love to have out there nowadays.

What is the common link between the 22?

As ever, answers in a PM only please.

Prizes shall be awarded for the first three correct answers.

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B: Matthew Whelan Sean Wight Neville Jetta

H/B: Angus Brayshaw Jared Rivers Brett Lovett

C: Travis Johnstone Christian Petracca Stephen Tingay

H/F: Adem Yze Garry Lyon Aaron Davey

F: Russell Robertson David Neitz Brad Green

R: Jeff White Todd Viney Nathan Jones

I/C: Jim Stynes Alex Neal-Bullen Cameron Bruce James McDonald

Edited September 12, 2025Sep 12 by Demonstone

For a wordsmith that's a pretty loose use of the term "contemporary"

Hey, I'm a pretty loose sort of bloke. Have a great day and keep being a positive little ray of sunshine, Franky.

All their family names start with consonant letters. Not a vowel amongst them.

Indisputably correct, but indubitably not the solution.

Serious answers by PM only please! 😁

9 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Indisputably correct, but indubitably not the solution.

Serious answers by PM only please! 😁

Sorry, rookie attempt.

17 minutes ago, John Crow Batty said:

Sorry, rookie attempt.

Welcome, rookie, to these rabbit holes.

Welcome back, Mr Rabbit (aka @Demonstone )

Rookie @John Crow Batty has correctly observed that all played at least 150 games and all played finals, but that is not the answer..

There's a bit of a clue among those facts, however.

2 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Hey, I'm a pretty loose sort of bloke. Have a great day and keep being a positive little ray of sunshine, Franky.

Aw gee what a care bear you are Demonstone 😍😍

@rodney_g_resurrected has suggested a finals link, but the answer is not related to finals in any way.

Are there other players this could apply to that aren't in the team eg Clayton Oliver or Max Gawn?

There are other players who could have been selected, but neither Oliver nor Gawn would qualify.

I have it on good authority that all these players listed The Shawshank Redemption as their favourite film in The Record.

That would apply to every player from every club!

Jack Viney would qualify, but Jake Lever would not.

The Febey twins would qualify, but the Cockatoo-Collins twins would not.

Gosh this thread has gone quiet. I don't know why, it's not as if we've had anything else going on to distract us this afternoon.

For those still pondering the answer, concentrate less on the players themselves and more on what they were wearing.

5 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

For those still pondering the answer, concentrate less on the players themselves and more on what they were wearing.

Joop!

Edited September 12, 2025Sep 12 by Ethan Tremblay

Their surnames are featured in Stven King novels?

Love your suggestion, @Neil Crompton !

I've had to abandon about five theories that each covered about 80% of the group, so not contributing except the sound of my own brain fizzing out.

I'd forgotten how much I missed/ dud not miss these!

One day I'll get one, and it'll be something ridiculous Ike they all did an internship at a sponsor.

A couple of incorrect entries have trickled in, but the common link is not that they all kicked goals in their first final nor did they all wear headbands nor wear long sleeves at some point of their career. The last suggestion is getting more than just lukewarm, however.

Seeing as I've supplied hints to one player, it's only fair that I share those with all of you.

The key to the answer is the jumper (what they were wearing), regardless of which colour combination/design we've worn over the journey.

Look for and think about the constant feature.

33 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

Seeing as I've supplied hints to one player, it's only fair that I share those with all of you.

The key to the answer is the jumper (what they were wearing), regardless of which colour combination/design we've worn over the journey.

Look for and think about the constant feature.

Thanks D - the answer is obvious now - they all had a number on their backs!

You're almost there, Froggy! What is about their numbers that unites the 22 players?

(We need to move this on because there's an important game on TV tonight that I want to watch. Go Storm!)

Ding ding ding! We have a winner.

Congratulations to @Witches Hat who takes out first prize and may select ANY player in the league to come to Melbourne in exchange for our fifth round pick.