Ranking the four power forwards of 80s and 90s

[X_box_X]

Wayne Carey (1989-2004): a champion Shinboner, two time premiership player who played the majority of his career at CHF. Wasn't quite the same at Adelaide, but that's irrelevant considering it's about the 1980s and 1990s, not the 2000s. His career goal tally of 727 places him at 13th all-time, which isn't bad for a player who spent parts of the game in defence. He had a 61% conversion rate in front of the big sticks, and averaged 2.7 goals per game. Then there are his seven All-Australian jumpers he received in eight seasons.

Tony Lockett (1983-1999): a champion Saint and Swan, who surpassed Gordon Coventry's long standing record of 1299 goals in 1999 at the SCG, fittingly against Coventry's team, Collingwood. A career goals tally of 1360. He has four Coleman Medals next to his name. Has an overall goal kicking accuracy of 70%, and an average of 4.88 goals per game. If you think that's not enough, he also has a Brownlow Medal to wear around his neck. Six All-Australian jumpers don't go bad, either.

Jason Dunstall (1985-1998): a champion Hawk who was unfortunately plagued by numerous knee injuries throughout his career. He sits third on the all-time goal kicking list with 1254. He has three Coleman Medals next to his name. Has an overall goal kicking accuracy of 66%, and an average of 4.66 goals per game. Just to add to an already impressive record, he has four All-Australian jumpers hanging up in his room.

Gary Ablett (1982-1996): one of the most incredible small forwards ever. His mercurial displays were a delight for the fans to watch. A Norm Smith Medal in a losing side, and his tally of nine goals in the Grand Final remains a record. He has three Coleman Medals next to his name and a career tally of 1030 goals, with a conversion rate at 60%. An average of 4.15 goals per game. Just to add icing on the cake, he has an incredible nine All-Australian jumpers. To add a cherry on top, he's the only one of the four players named in the AFL Team of the Century.

[X_box_X]

I need 24 options in order to have a poll that allows me to rank each power forward from 1-4, so that's why I have only included the 12 options that allow you to rank the best of the four, and the worst of the four.

My order would be: Carey > Lockett > Ablett > Dunstall

[SaintsSupporter]

Lockett > Carey > Ablett > Dunstall.

[tigerT]

ablett, daylight, carey,lockett,dunstall

[Bloods]

Lockett, Ablett, Dunstall, Carey

[Choota]

Carey > Dunstall > Ablett > Lockett.

The first two were genuine team players. The latter two played for themselves. Guess which two won premierships and captained their side?

[gandaal]

Carey>Ablett>Lockett>Dunstall

That said Dunstall was one of the greatest full forwards of all time.

[Nightwolf]

Dunstall > all of them

[The Magenius]

Summmmaaaa

[LukeHodge15]

carey-best player i have seen to play the game
dunstall/lockett- who can split these 2
ablett-freak freak, imagine if he applied himself 2 footy

[missionpossible]

carey-best player i have seen to play the game
dunstall/lockett- who can split these 2
ablett-freak freak, imagine if he applied himself 2 footy

Carey - agree
ablett - agree

what if these two could kick straight?

dunstall and lockett how can these two be split. Well on stats it would seem be be hard to split the two. However Lockett acheived very similar stats to dunstall and lockett had to acheive that whilst playing in crap to average teams and therefore the supply was often rare and not lace out. Dunstall did his whilst playing for a powerhouse club and continually had the ball delivered to him on a string. Based on that lockett in front of dunstall quite easily, I dread the thought of what lockett would have kicked if he played for the hawks.

This no way means that dunstall couldn't play just that I think lockett was a grade better

[Kapow!!!]

Carey > Lockett > Ablett > Dunstall

[superstar]

Carey - agree
ablett - agree

what if these two could kick straight?

dunstall and lockett how can these two be split. Well on stats it would seem be be hard to split the two. However Lockett acheived very similar stats to dunstall and lockett had to acheive that whilst playing in crap to average teams and therefore the supply was often rare and not lace out. Dunstall did his whilst playing for a powerhouse club and continually had the ball delivered to him on a string. Based on that lockett in front of dunstall quite easily, I dread the thought of what lockett would have kicked if he played for the hawks.

This no way means that dunstall couldn't play just that I think lockett was a grade better


Except for the fact that, as Choota pointed out, Dunstall was the most unselfish full forward to ever play the game. Full-forwards are often solely judged on how many goals they kick. On that alone, Lockett has Dunstall narrowly covered. But if you were to include the ability to set up goals, defensive pressure and onfield leadership, you'd take JD any day of the week.

[apollo_creed]

Carey, Ablett, Lockett, Dunstall

[Bloods]

Carey > Dunstall > Ablett > Lockett.

The first two were genuine team players. The latter two played for themselves. Guess which two won premierships and captained their side?

That's the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. Carey and Dunstall played in flags because they played in great sides. Ablett and particularly Lockett played with hacks for the majority of their careers. They both played with a few good players in each season, but not the quality that Carey and Dunstall did. Watch the '96 preliminary final and tell me if you still think 'Lockett played for himself' he used to create goals all the time. He was great at ground level for his size (never saw him fumble) and used to give off on a regular basis.

[Reveler]

ablett cary lockett dunstall

[Choota]

That's the most ignorant statement I've ever heard. Carey and Dunstall played in flags because they played in great sides. Ablett and particularly Lockett played with hacks for the majority of their careers. They both played with a few good players in each season, but not the quality that Carey and Dunstall did. Watch the '96 preliminary final and tell me if you still think 'Lockett played for himself' he used to create goals all the time. He was great at ground level for his size (never saw him fumble) and used to give off on a regular basis.
Lockett and Ablett were selfish footballers. Brilliant, but selfish. Moreso Ablett than Lockett, of course, who did redeem himself in the latter part of his career at Sydney. Was a very selfish footballer at St Kilda though. Why do you think they never captained their football clubs?

Carey and Dunstall were team players and leaders. Dunstall, in particular, was revered as much at Hawthorn for his defensive pressure inside forward 50 as he was for his goalkicking ability. It's an aspect of a player's game that is overlooked after retirement when they are judged purely on stats. Both men were club captains and champion team players, not just champion footballers.

[Bloods]

Lockett and Ablett were selfish footballers. Brilliant, but selfish. Moreso Ablett than Lockett, of course, who did redeem himself in the latter part of his career at Sydney. Was a very selfish footballer at St Kilda though. Why do you think they never captained their football clubs?

They never captained their respective sides, because they were both shy footballers who didn't like the spotlight on them. That is even more evident now, as we never hear of either of them, whilst Carey and Dunstall are both in the media. The fact that neither of them captained, doesn't make them any less of a "team player". The captain part of it is just a title, you can lead without having that. I would definitely say Lockett led by the way he played from about 90-onwards. Ablett maybe not so much, but selfish I think is a bit over the top. The other thing is, both Lockett and Ablett didn't have quality players around them to give off to. There was always a lot more pressure on them to perform, because if they didn't play well, their side didn't win too often.

[Pie 4 Life]

Lockett > Carey > Ablett > Dunstall.
100% correct.

Lockett > Carey > Ablett > Dunstall. :)

[somocca]

I thought Jason Dunstall was the greatest full forward ever, not only did he kick 100s of goals, he gave 100s away too! Brilliant mark, great kick and perfect temperament. Always got on with the job, didn't go on with the crap that Matthew Lloyd does today.

[Pessimistic]

I don't think kangas or hawks fans would have swapped their forward for anyone.

Would the saints, swans or cats have ? If it meant premierships ?

[sussy128]

lockett>dunstall>carey>ablett
such a tough choice but as stated earlier lockett had such limited supply and was the only FF eva 2 win a b/low and will msot likely stay that way with the current b/low system not rewarding key position players but that aside lockett was unparalleled in his talent and although all these players are gods of the game he was the zues