How about the 34-year-old who out-scored Essendon on Saturday

July 26, 2026 — 7:49pm

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

The AFL has 112 listed players in their 30s. A decade ago it was only 65.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has done it again in July.

‘F--- off’ should not be the phrase of choice between Suns teammates.

Carlton’s Lewis Young went back on his mark further than Michael Holding.

Jack Gunston’s seven-goal haul against Essendon helped the cause of veterans wanting to play on in 2027.

He is 34, has kicked 100 goals in his past 30 matches, and kicked a matchwinning behind for the Hawks on Easter Monday against Geelong. He has now kicked five bags of five goals this season.

According to @sirswampthing he became the third-oldest player to outscore the opposition with his 7.2 (44) topping the Bombers 5.9 (39) on Saturday.

His performance was a timely reminder of the increased presence and influence of older players in the competition in the same week he and 36-year-old Cat Patrick Dangerfield signed on for another season.

Unusually, the trend has become the old-timer’s friend. It’s no longer unusual to have at least half a dozen players on a club list who are 30-something.

In 2026, there were 112 listed players still getting dirty in their 30s. In 2016, there were only 65.

In 2026, eight players of the top 20 highest rating players in the competition are 30-something. In 2016, the only player was then Suns’ champion Gary Ablett jr.

Four of the top players in this year’s coaches’ votes are in their 30s right now. In 2016 there were zero.

The shift has not just occurred because the money is too good to pass up and sports science has improved player longevity.

Clubs now recognise how valuable it can be to have older players on their list as long as they fill a few preconditions.

They need to lose the grumpy pills which are allocated to everyone in greater numbers after each year after they reach 30.

That means accepting a different role which may mean playing out of the midfield, or less game time, or fewer games, or even playing VFL and accepting the importance and satisfaction of the often underappreciated teaching job.

The AFL’s oldest current players

38 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

37 Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)

36 Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)*

36 Taylor Walker (Adelaide)

36 Dane Rampe (Sydney Swans)

36 Jeremy Howe (Collingwood)

35 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)

35 Rhys Stanley (Geelong)

35 Mason Cox (Fremantle)

34 Mark Blicavs........

© Brisbane Times