Barry Stoneham

Barry Stoneham (born 9 February 1968) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club between 1986 and 2000.

Stoneham appeared 241 times for Geelong in the AFL and kicked 223 goals.[1]

Stoneham developed into one of the top flight centre half forwards in the game. He was a strong overhead mark and reliable kick on both sides of his body, He knew how to play his position and was considered by many as the hardest on the field.

Recruited from local football nursery St Joseph's, Stoneham had a very good career, playing 241 matches from 1986-2000 and captaining the club in 1996 (co-captain with Gary Ablett) and 1997–1998. He played at centre-half forward, in the ruck and sometimes at centre-half back. He was arguably at the peak of his powers from 1989 to 1992 as a mobile centre-half forward and relief ruckman, playing several State games in this period, winning the Geelong best and fairest in 1990 and All-Australian selection in 1992. Off the field, Stoneham made forays into the food industry, in 1993 operating the short-lived Kebazza's on Shannon Avenue, Geelong West, a stall that served kebabs and Middle Eastern cuisine, and going into business with Billy Brownless in 1994 with Geelong CBD cafe/restaurant Players on Malop.

Stoneham also had a rivalry with West Coast Eagles All-Australian centre half-back Glen Jakovich- Along with Carey's rivalry with Jakovich this rivalry was highly anticipated when West Coast met Geelong

Stoneham suffered a shocking injury in August 1994, breaking his leg after landing awkwardly from a marking contest in a game against Fitzroy at Princes Park. The injury and complications kept Stoneham out of action for the whole of the 1995 season. He made his comeback in round 1, 1996 and gradually improved his form. Stoneham was never the same after his leg injury, although his performances were of a sound standard and his leadership on the ground was well respected. He called it a day after Geelong's narrow loss to Hawthorn at the Docklands in the 2000 Elimination Final, the first finals match played at the Docklands.

Stoneham has again joined forces with Brownless to form the Brownless Stoneham Club in 2012, a club that will hold functions for Geelong supporters.