VFL Rewind Radio Program

Week 2 VFL Finals dates and times have been released

Stephen Kernahan 251 games 738 goals. 2 Time Premiership Captain. 11-time Carlton Leading Goalkicker, two AFL Premierships. Carlton Star.

Sticks is one of the great forwards of the AFL of the last 40 years. Stephen arrived at Carlton in 1986, along with Craig Bradley and Peter Motley, and had an instant impact, kicking 62 goals in his first year.

In 1987, Carlton won the premiership, and Stephen kicked 73 goals, also winning the Carlton Best and Fairest award.
He famously sang 'Stand by Your Man' during the Carlton premiership celebrations. After just one year, Stephen was made captain and captained both AFL premierships he played in. Between 1988 and 1991, Stephen kicked over 200 goals.
In 1992, he had a great individual year, kicking 83 goals and being named in the All-Australian team.

In 1993, Stephen kicked another 68 goals from just 18 games, including seven in the 1993 Grand Final. He also kicked 82 goals in 1994 before captaining the club to the 1995 Premiership. The 1995 team was one of the great teams, losing only two games. Stephen kicked five goals in the premiership. He played in three AFL Grand Finals and averaged five goals a game. Stephen retired as a player at the end of 1997.

He finished as a two-time All-Australian. Before arriving at Carlton, Stephen played 116 games for Glenelg and won the SANFL premiership in 1985. He was named in the Carlton Team of the Century at centre half-forward and in the Australian Football Hall of Fame and Carlton Hall of Fame as a legend. Stephen Kernahan will go down as one of the greats.
His brother, David, came to Carlton in 1988 and played 53 games. Being an 11-time Carlton Leading Goalkicker is a phenomenal achievement. When reflecting on the 80s and 90s, it's sometimes forgotten how many freakish forwards there were during that time, and Stephen Kernahan was right up there as one of the most consistent centre half-forwards of that time.

Well done on a great career, Stephen.

The Werribee V Port Melbourne rivalry is a strong one. Ever since that famous 1993 Grand final there’s always been a strong rivalry and another chapter will happen next weekend when the two teams meet for the first time ever for a final at Chirnside Park in week 2 of the 2026 VFL Finals Series.

It’s going to be a huge game with everything to play for from both sides. Port & Werribee have played each other this year with both clubs getting a win & it will give some optimism for both sides they can replicate that.

The rivalry was strong in the 90’s when we seen players and coaches like Damian Drum and Jack love represent both clubs to the modern day Rivalry with Charlie Lazzaro, Harry Maguire & Ajang Kuol Man crossed from Port to Werribee in 2026.

It’s set to be a great game & hopefully another exciting instalment of this rivalry is going to be witnessed

Tasmania to host week 2 of the VFL finals vs Essendon next weekend.
A sell out crowd will be expected with dates and times TBC

It will be one of the biggest games the state has seen in 20 years.

Peter Bedford - 186 AFL Games. Brownlow Medalist. South/Sydney & Port Melbourne Champion. He played Cricket and footy for Victoria on the MCG. 5 time Swans bnf winner. Peter was a star at both sports.

Peter Bedford was talented with a Sherrin and a cricket ball. Back in the era when you could play both at the same time Peter played for South Melbourne/Sydney in winter and for Victoria in the summer in cricket.

Peter grew up in Port Melbourne and played VFA for Port Melbourne before South signed him up and he made the move to play now AFL.
Peter kicked 4 goals on debut vs Hawthorn and averaged 21 disposals in his first season.

In 1970 Peter had a great individual year winning the Brownlow medal averaging 24 disposals a game

In 1973 Peter kicked 53 goals and won his 4th best and fairest. He would go on to win one more in 1975.
Peter was South captain until he crossed to Carlton in 1977. Peter played a few games in 1978 for Carlton but moved back to Port Melbourne and finished with 52 senior games for Port

Peter the cricketer is a unique story. He played from 1966-1973. Peter was a spinner bowler but was also a handy batsmen.
Peter took 45 wickets for Victoria and scored 1,602 runs at an average of 28. To play both sports at the same time is phenomenal.

Peter is in both the Sydney and Port Melbourne team of the centuries.

Well done on a great career Peter

Sam Switkowski has announced he’s retiring at just 29. From the VFL to the AFL & 126 AFL games with one more chapter to write Sams career he’s been a great one.
By Brad Mullens

In 2017 Sam was running around for Box Hill in the VFL enjoying his footy and playing well.

As one career had started for Sam VFL champion Toby Pinwill was playing his 200th VFL game one sunny afternoon vs Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval.

A man there that day who was there to give a pre game inspirational speech for Toby’s 200th game and was keeping one eye on His Beloved Port Melbourne and one eye on Sam Switkowski.

Neil Ross is former Port Melbourne coach and Fremantle AFL recruiter.

As he was there to speak for Toby’s 200th he was there to watch a player with similar attributes and they are the things talent can’t buy.

Work rate and determination.

He seen something in Sam others maybe didn’t see and his name shot up the ranks of the Fremantle recruiting whiteboard.

Eventually Fremantle selected Sam with pick 73 in the AFL draft.

Sam made his AFL debut in 2018 and became a regular player in 2019 since then he’s been a valuable asset to the Fremantle team

What Neil seen that day was what would get Sam to 120+ AFL games. Work rate & defensive pressure that made his selflessness willing to be a two way runner with good defensive attributes to do what was needed for his team.

As Sam ran out for his 100th AFL game vs Collingwood at the MCG it was a reminder he’d made it as an important player of the Fremantle team.

There’s still potentially one fairytale to end this great footy story and that’s going out as a AFL premiership player.

With Fremantle on top of the ladder his teammates will be doing everything they can to get him to go out on top.

Well done on a great career in the AFL Sam.

Matthew Richardson - 282 games. 800 goals. 3 Time All Australian. 13 Time Richmond Leading Goalkicker. Most goals at the MCG of all time.
Hall of Famer.

Richo arrived from Devonport as a father son selection in the draft. He made his debut in 1993 and finished his debut season with 31 goals. In 94 he would go even better kicking 54 goals. Richo started 95 really strong before he injured his knee and missed the next 13 games of the season.

He was big in height but he was very athletic. Many will remember Richo as a forward but he had a tank to play as a mid/winger when required.

1996 was one richos best years. 91 goals and he made the All Australian team.

Richo was named All Australian again in 1999.
2000-2006 Richo kicked 250+ goals

In 2007 Richo won Richmond’s best and fairest and also kicked 53 goals

2008 was a great individual year for Richo playing on the wing. He also came 2nd the Brownlow medal, losing by just two votes in a memorable count where the whole room was cheering for Richo to win.

Richo retired at the end of 2009 on 282 games.
Admired by Richmond fans and non Richmond fans for his genuine personality and funny personality Richo holds the record for most goals at the MCG. A record that will take some beating.

Richo is in the Richmond team of the century and the Australian Football Hall of Famd

Well done on a great career Richo