John Barnes (Australian rules footballer)

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John Barnes (born June 1, 1969) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

[edit] Playing career

Barnes had a long and successful VFLAFL career, which included 2 State of Origin games for Victoria.

[edit] Early career - from Essendon to Geelong

The young Barnes was a ruckman/forward recruited by Essendon in 1986 from Cobram, Victoria. With an abundance of tall timber at Windy Hill, he was traded after five fairly anonymous seasons, to the Geelong Football Club for Sean Denham. During this period, he even turned up to training on one occasion with dyed pink hair. It was under the coaching of Malcolm Blight and later Gary Ayres that the young larrikin, country boy would mature and flourish as one of the league's best players during the mid 90's. Deveopling into a vocal, hard working tap ruckman he would go on to feature prominently in the losing 1994, and '95 Grand Final sides. Despite these bitter displays by the Cats, he had earned a reputation as a domineering, workhorse ruckman who could be relied upon consistently and for the big occasion. It was during a round five encounter at Princes Park against Carlton in 1997, after a marking duel he landed awkwardly on his left elbow, dislocating it. The injury did not hamper his career however and he resumed ten weeks later. Despite the poor fortunes and lack of success for the Cats during the late 90's, he was delisted by the club in 1999. Barnes played a total of 144 games with 65 goals to his credit with the Cats. Barnes level of skill has being compared to the great James Allen, one of the all time greats of the game.

[edit] Return to Essendon

It was Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy however who tempted Barnes back to Windy Hill, and he was promptly selected at number #59 in the 1999 AFL Draft. Ironically a shortage of ruckmen at the club lead Sheedy to reacquaint the much-needed Barnes with his former club. He would eventually prove instrumental in becoming the final piece in the 2000 premiership side. A season later after defeat to the Brisbane Lions in the 2001 Grand Final, Barnes decided he'd had enough after a serviceable, yet slower season. Barnes totalled 58 games and 25 goals with the Bombers during his original tenure and return to the club.

[edit] Post-playing career

These days he figures as a runner for Essendon and during the 2005 season, was controversially suspended for two matches by the AFL for interfering with play. He participated in the 2006 AFL Legends Match, playing for Victoria.

In 2004, he played for the East Keilor Football Club in the Essendon District Football League, however he only played for one season. At 2007, he is one of the assistant coach's for his sons Under 12 football team in the EDFL. John is now the ruck coach for the Western Bulldogs in the 2008 season.

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