They become the stuff of schoolyard legend. Theirs are the numbers adorning the backs of the fawning faithful. The true rockstars of our great game.
The high flyers.
It's part of the fabric of the code, is the hanger. There's nothing quite like the roar of a crowd when one of the men in the arena sits on the shoulders of another, and with velcro-like hands, plucks the Sherrin from the skies.
Take a look at some of those who have forged a reputation for themselves as artists among the clouds.
8. Russell "Robbo" Robertson
Few took hangers with the frequency of Russell “Robbo” Robertson.
His journey to the big time was truly unique. A home video of him taking a screamer at local level in Tasmania made it to air on the Footy Show's ‘Almost Footy Legends' segment.
Melbourne recruiters were hooked, and placed him on the club's rookie list.
He would reward that faith, leading the Demons' goalkicking four times in his career - one of just six men in the storied history of the club to achieve that feat. He was a Bluey Truscott Medallist as the club's best and fairest in 2003, but will most notably be remembered for giving Demons fans and neutrals alike reason to watch the side play in some seriously lean years for those of a red and blue persuasion.
