CONSIDER this. There have been 12,581 footballers over 121 seasons of AFL/VFL football. Of those, 4353 have played at least one final. And of that group, 1487 have played in a premiership team.

But there's a group of players for whom the finals were their family business. Part of their mission as players was not to book holidays in September.

We have not covered all the family combinations to play finals, because there are loads of them. But there are some that featured regularly and have multiple premierships – some shared, some not – to reminisce about at family gatherings for the rest of their lives.

THE DYNASTIES

The Pannams and Richards

A huge part of Collingwood, it started with Charles Pannam, who played 14 finals for the Magpies and in the 1902-03 premierships, the first won by the famous club. One son, Charlie, played in 13 finals, including the 1917 and '19 premiership sides, while another, Alby, won flags in 1935 and '36 and played in 10 finals. Charlie and Alby had a sister, Irene, who produced two sons, Lou and Ron Richards. Lou, who became one of the biggest names in the game's history, played 14 finals for the Pies and was their 1953 premiership skipper. Younger brother Ron was a nine-time finals player and also a '53 premiership hero. That's 60 finals and eight premierships out of the one family. 

Ron and Lou Richards with one of the Magpies' premiership cups. Picture: AFL Photos

The Twomeys

What is it with Collingwood and great football families? The Twomey connection with the Magpies started with Bill snr, a 1919 premiership player who played 11 finals in his 64 games for the club. Then came three sons. Bill jnr played in the 1953 flag and 17 finals, Mick took part in 15 finals and was part of the 1953 and '58 premierships, while Pat played in six finals and the '53 flag. David Twomey, grandson of Bill snr, played in eight finals for the Pies in the 1980s. 

The Twomey name featured at Collingwood for decades. Picture: AFL Photos

The Strangs

Doug Strang played six finals for Richmond, including the 1932 premiership, and his brother Gordon played in the 1932 and '34 flags among his 11 finals. Doug's son, Geoff, played in five finals for the Tigers and was a dual premiership player, in 1967 and '69. 

The Kennedys

A three-generation finals family. Patriarch John Kennedy snr played in only two finals for Hawthorn, in 1957, but was a regular participant as a coach, leading the Hawks to their first three flags, in 1961, '71 and '76. He coached the Hawks in 15 finals and later North Melbourne in three. His son, John jnr, played 20 finals for Hawthorn and in four flags – 1983, '86, '88 and '89. The family's September tradition is being carried by his son Josh, who with the Sydney Swans has played in 20 finals and one premiership (2012).

John Kennedy snr and jnr with Josh when he was initially drafted by the Hawks. Picture: AFL Photos

The Abletts and Tuck

Supporters of five clubs hold members of the Ablett family close to their heart, especially for finals exploits at four of those clubs. Len Ablett played five finals for Richmond including the 1943 premiership, but the dynasty really started with his nephew Geoff, who played in 17 finals for Hawthorn, including the 1976 and '78 premierships. Geoff's younger brother Kevin played in three finals for the Hawks, while Gary snr, the best brother of the lot, played in 16 finals for Geelong, many of them brilliant – including kicking a record-equalling nine goals in the losing '89 Grand Final side – but without a flag. The next generation of Abletts have been pretty special too. Kevin's son, Luke, played in 13 finals for the Sydney Swans, including the famous 2005 flag, while Gary jnr played 17 finals for the Cats – one more than his father – and was a superstar of the 2007 and '09 premierships. His brother, Nathan, played only 34 games, but they included four finals and the 2007 premiership. And, of course, Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck, married to Fay Ablett – the sister of Geoff, Kevin and Gary snr – played 39 finals, the most in League history, and in seven Hawk premiership teams (1976, '78, '83, '86, '88, '89 and '91), the last four of those as captain.

Gary Ablett snr and his son embrace after the 2009 premiership. Picture: AFL Photos

BROTHERS

The Graces

Perhaps the first truly great football family, at least since the VFL came into existence. Mick Grace was a member
of the Fitzroy premiership teams of 1898-99 and Carlton's in 1906-07. He played in 14 finals all up for the Roys, Blues and St Kilda. Older brother Jim played in three finals, two of which were in Fitzroy's 1898-99 Grand Final wins. 

The Coventrys

Syd Coventry was captain of the best Collingwood team of all, 'The Machine', that won four straight premierships from 1927 to 1930. The Magpies were in the finals in nine of the 13 seasons he played there and he featured in 21 finals games. Younger brother Gordon had him beaten, however, with five premierships (1927-30 and '35) and 31 finals. The pair were among the greatest to play under eight-time premiership coach Jock McHale. Syd won the 1927 Brownlow Medal and Gordon kicked 1299 goals – a record that stood formore than 60 years.

The Colliers

The Colliers, Harry and Albert, were synonymous with success at Collingwood, playing together in six flags – 1927-30 and 1935-36. Harry's body of work at the business end of seasons included 27 finals. There were only three years in which he did not play in the finals. The younger Albert made his senior debut at just 15 and played only one fewer final. The Colliers are the only brothers to have won Brownlow Medals – Albert in 1929 and Harry in 1930, retrospectively.

The Lamberts

Great and successful servants of Essendon, Chris Lambert logged 12 finals and the 1946 and '50 premierships, while 21 of Harold's 99 games for the club were finals and included the 1946, '49 and '50 premierships. 

The Cordners

Don Cordner played in 10 finals for Melbourne over his 10-year, 166-game career, including the 1941 and '48 premiership teams. Denis also played in 10 finals but three flags – 1948, '55 and '56. Ted played in the 1941 premiership, alongside Don, among his five finals. In the eyes of many, the Cordners are the first family of Melbourne and Don was later president of the Melbourne Cricket Club.

The Roses

One of the most beloved players in Collingwood history, Bob Rose played in 16 finals, including the 1953 premiership. He later coached the Magpies in 13 finals (as well as one with Footscray) but was on the wrong end of three Grand Finals, all decided by 10 points or less – 1964, '66 and '70. After a short second stint as Collingwood coach in the mid-1980s, he handed over to assistant Leigh Matthews, who broke the club's 32-year flag drought in 1990. Rose's younger brother Kevin played in 14 finals for the Magpies. He enjoyed premiership success in 1958, but missed out in '60, '64 and '66. 

The Maddens

Two flags apiece for the premier ruckmen of their time. Simon Madden played – and dominated – in the 1984 and '85 Essendon premiership teams, while Justin, who crossed to Carlton early in his career because Simon was preventing him getting a game with the Bombers, played in the 1987 and 1995 flags with the Blues. Simon, who played 20 finals for Essendon, won the 1985 Norm Smith Medal. Justin played 23 finals, all but two with Carlton. He also kicked one of the memorable finals goals – his winding, bouncing effort on the run against Adelaide at Waverley in 1993.

The Matthews

Leigh Matthews, rated by many as the greatest player of the 20th Century, saved some of his best work for September, with 29 finals appearances and 72 goals. He played in four Hawthorn premierships – 1971, '76, '78 and '83, the last as captain. But lost in the ether a bit was his younger brother Kelvin, who played in eight finals for the Hawks, including alongside Leigh in the '76 flag. He later crossed to Geelong and played another two finals, while Leigh turned to coaching, taking Collingwood to its 1990 premiership and then the Brisbane Lions to a hat-trick in 2001-2003.

The Danihers

There is no more adored Essendon family than the Danihers of Ungarie. It starts with Terry, who played 20 finals for the Bombers (and one for the old South Melbourne). He captained the 1984 and '85 Essendon flags. The family's other premiership player was Chris, whose eight finals included the 1993 flag. Anthony played in two finals for the Swans and seven for the Bombers, while the luckless Neale played just one final for Essendon in 1979. Neale enjoyed much more September action as a coach, overseeing Melbourne in 12 finals – including the 2000 Grand Final. He is now the inspirational face of fundraising to cure motor neurone disease (MND). All up, the Daniher family has played 41 finals, with Joe (Anthony's son) playing his second with the Bombers last Saturday.

Chris, Terry, Neale and Anthony Daniher at Essendon's round six game this year. Picture: AFL Photos

The Reynolds 

Probably the greatest Bomber of all, Dick Reynolds played in 27 finals between 1933 and 1950 and kicked 51 goals. He was captain-coach of Essendon's 1942, '46, '49 and '50 premierships and all up played in 10 Grand Finals. Younger brother Tom gets overlooked, but he was a premiership player too in 1942 among his eight finals.

The Burgoynes

A foundation player at Port Adelaide, Peter Burgoyne played 17 finals, including the famous 2004 premiership that denied the Lions four in a row. It was an outstanding return, but it pales compared with younger brother Shaun, whose 33 finals matches (14 for the Power, 19 for Hawthorn) is the second most of any player in AFL history. He played in the '04 flag for Port and in the Hawthorn three-peat from 2013-15.

The Scotts

Twin brothers Chris and Brad Scott played in the 2001 and 2002 premiership teams for the Brisbane Lions but missed the hat-trick flag in 2003 because of fitness concerns. Chris had joined the then Brisbane Bears in 1994 and all up played in 16 finals. Brad arrived later from Hawthorn and played in 10 finals. As coaches, Chris led Geelong to the 2011 flag in his first season and has been in charge of the Cats in 12 finals, while Brad has had North Melbourne in eight finals. 

Chris and Brad Scott with family, and Kieren Perkins, after the 2001 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos

The Dears

In a team laden with stars, Greg Dear was the highly capable, low-profile ruckman in Hawthorn's 1986, '88 and  '89 premiership teams. He played in 14 finals for the Hawks and three more for Richmond. Younger brother Paul played in 10 finals for the Hawks, including the 1991 Grand Final, in which he won the Norm Smith Medal.

The Selwoods

Joel Selwood and Geelong finals go hand in hand. His arrival at the club coincided with the start of the Cats' most glorious era. In 11 seasons, he has played in 24 finals, including the 2007, '09 and '11 premierships. Older brother Adam played in 14 finals for West Coast and was a premiership player in 2006. Scott has played in six finals for the Eagles and three for the Cats.

Joel and Scott Selwood have spent the past two seasons together at the Cats. Picture: AFL Photos

FATHER-SONS

Barassi

The legend of Ron Barassi is known to all in football. Six premierships as a player (1955-57, 1959-60 and 1964) and 23 finals all up. He coached Carlton in nine finals with flags in 1968 and '70, and North Melbourne in 24 finals, including the club's first premiership in 1975 and another in '77. Ronald snr played in three finals for Melbourne, including the 1940 premiership, before being killed on active duty the next year.

Johnson

'Big Bob' Johnson spent eight years with the Demons and played finals – 18 of them in total – in every season. He was a member of the 1955-57 and 1959-60 premiership teams. Bob snr's five finals for the Demons included the 1926 premiership.

May

Charlie May played in 10 finals for Essendon and was a member of the 1923-24 premierships. Wally played in 12 finals and was in back-to-back flags in the red and black, in 1949-50.

Silvagni

It started with Sergio, who played 15 finals for Carlton over a 13-year career, including the 1968 and '70 premierships. Then came Stephen, named full-back in the AFL's Team of the Century and who played in 26 finals over 16 years, also including a pair of premierships – in 1987 and '95. Stephen's son Jack is the third generation to play at Carlton but has yet to figure in a final.

Stephen Silvagni gives son Jack a kiss after his 300th game in 2001. Picture: AFL Photos

Langford

Chris Langford got over the disappointment of being a last-minute omission from the 1984 Grand Final to play 25 finals over 15 years for the Hawks and was full-back in the 1986, '88-'89 and '91 premiership teams. His son Will has played in four Hawthorn finals and was a premiership player in 2014, capping off a brilliant finals series.

Cloke

David Cloke is a giant figure at both Richmond and Collingwood. He played in 10 finals for the Tigers and was a member of the 1974 and '80 premierships. He played in three finals at Collingwood after his controversial move there at the end of '82. Youngest son Travis was a 2010 premiership player with the Magpies among his 19 finals, eldest son Jason played five finals for Collingwood in the early 2000s, while Cameron played a final for Carlton in 2009.