Even if you don't fit into any of those categories, the 2011 Guide - on sale now at newsagents and bookstores for $39.95 - is essential reading for anyone who needs to know everything about AFL football past and present.
Now in its 16th year, the Season Guide is football's equivalent of Wisden, the 'bible' for all cricket lovers.
For the first time, the Season Guide has broken the 1000-page mark (the 2011 edition is 1040 pages), and has come a long way since the first edition back in 1996 (332 pages).
But given the public's thirst for statistics and greater detail on all football matters, it's little wonder the Guide has continued to grow in content and information.
This year's Guide again features the reigning Brownlow medallist on the cover. Carlton star Chris Judd adorns the cover for the second time, having added the 2010 Brownlow Medal to his 2004 Brownlow, won as a young West Coast Eagle.
Every player from every club is extensively profiled, including the Gold Coast Suns, who are about to embark on their first season in the AFL.
The 2010 NAB AFL Draft is examined in great detail, while all previous drafts, finals, goalkicking awards and season ladders are also listed.
The Guide also features a club-by-club preview of the 2011 season plus a full fixture, as well as recapping all the key events, facts and figures of the 2010 season.
Here are some did-you-know stats that you will only find in the Guide:
• Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell became the first player to captain a premiership side having been originally drafted through the rookie draft.
• Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse became the oldest Grand Final coach in 2010. He was 57 years and 46 days when the Magpies won the Grand Final replay. The previous oldest Grand Final coach was David Parkin, who guided Carlton into the 1999 Grand Final aged 57 years and 13 days.
• Collingwood rookie Jarryd Blair became one of the most inexperienced players in AFL/VFL history to play in a premiership. In the Grand Final replay, he played just his 12th game, placing him in the top 20 of most inexperienced premiership players. Richmond’s Bill James, whose one and only League game was the Tigers’ 1920 premiership, is the least experienced premiership player.
• Last year, Western Bulldog rookie Andrew Hooper became the first AFL player to make his debut in a final since North Melbourne's Paul Spargo in 1985.
• Gold Coast-listed player Jack Hutchins competed against Eamon Sullivan in a bid to gain selection on the Australian team at the 2009 world swimming championships.
• Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher is the oldest currently listed AFL player. He will be 36 on May 7 this year. Barry Hall, who turns 34 tomorrow (February 8), is the next oldest player. The oldest player in the history of AFL/VFL football was Vic Cumberland, who was 43 years and 48 days when he played his last game for St Kilda in 1920.
• No. 1 draft pick David Swallow from the Gold Coast Suns is the youngest senior-listed player (born 19/11/1992).
• Of the 11,883 AFL/VFL premiership players, 1423 have played in at least one premiership team, 563 in two or more, 167 in three or more, 59 in four or more and 21 in five or more. Eight of those 21 who played in five premiership teams or more were part of Melbourne's dominant era in the 1950s and '60s and five of the 21 were part of Hawthorn's golden run in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
• Matthew Pavlich (currently on 236 games) will take over from Shane Parker (238) as Fremantle's games record-holder in 2011.
There are also several new tables in the 2011 Guide including players who have played finals with three clubs or more, youngest Grand Final captains, oldest Grand Final captains, youngest Grand Final coaches and oldest Grand Final coaches.
The average age and games played for every Grand Final team since 1897 has been included in this year's Guide. Interestingly, Collingwood's 2010 premiership side (average age 24) is one of the youngest in recent years - Adelaide (1997), Essendon (1993) and Carlton (1987) were about the same age.
ERRATUM
Due to an error in production, the incorrect 2011 fixture for Collingwood has been printed on page 85 of the Guide. The fixture that appears is the Brisbane Lions' version.
Those who have purchased the Guide can visit http://www.slatterymedia.com/books/seasonguide2011/pg85.pdf to download a PDF with the correct version and it can be pasted over the incorrect version.
