View Full Version : Greatest NM Full Back
Rooboy 96
1 Feb 2001, 11:01
So here we go Mick or Denchie... I am gunna give my vote to Mick because we look so bad when Micck does not play... he is an old time footballer Rough and Tough and you get 110% from Mick all the time... and Denchie would never stop and give you an autograph... had to nearly get run over by him in the old bookie shed one day to get an autograph and I was only 11 years old.
Denchie will find a spot even if it is on the Bench.
Shinboners
1 Feb 2001, 11:20
Mick for me. This is the hardest position to pick because Dench, along with Geoff Southby, changed the way the full back position was played. I did see the end of the Dench career, but I wonder how good he must have been back in the 70s. Remember, he was captain of the club at something like 20 years old.
They are two totally different fullbacks though. Dench was the athlete and the playmaker while Mick is a ruthless negater with a deceptive turn of pace. Both have played on great full forwards....Dench would have taken on McKenna, Hudson, and Wade while Mick has contested against Ablett, Lockett, and Dunstall. So both have done the business against quality opponents.
In the end though, I go with my heart. I'm sure that Dench would probably edge it if we all could see their entire careers, but there's one image of Mick that does it for me. It was against Hawthorn at Arctic Park, we were 10 goals up. A Hawks player bombed the ball forward, and Mick and a Hawks player turned around to chase it, but the ball bobbled in for a goal. Mick just lay there slamming his fists into the ground in anger that the goal was conceeded. That's all you need to know about Mick.
Shinboners
1 Feb 2001, 11:24
p.s. There is a truism that society's true icons are the ones that are known by one name, better still if it's a Christian name. Madonna is one. So is Elvis and Diana. Whenever you say Mick to any footy fan, they know who you're talking about. Mick, cult hero, icon, legend, and North Melbourne's greatest full back.
I knew this was probably going to be a tough one. Afraid I can only really go on vague memories of Denchie - so I'll have to go with what I know and pick Mick - and the fact that the guy averages a bit over 2 goals a game against him in the era of Dunstall, Lockett and Abblett.
Whenever other teams played Hawthorn, Stkilda/Sydney or Geelong the fullforwards were always a huge threat.
When I walked to the ground to face these teams it was always with a quiet confidence that you know Mick WAS going to do the job!
However sincere apologies to Denchie!
Cheers
Gonzo
i wold have to say d.dench a dashing full back, m.martyn a close second very defensive guards his man well and safety is his first option but will have a dash once in a while and dont we love it.from past eras j.dugdale a high flyer.
As stated before, got to go with the best full back ive seen. Dench (as Shinners pointed out) turned full back into an offensive posistion, yet could also shut his full forward down as well. Micks been a very good footballer, but Dench was imho the one that should have been named full back of the century.
Shinboners
1 Feb 2001, 13:04
Just wanted to say CHEERS to Grendel for his thoughtful contribution to the discussions here. He's a Roo in spirit if not in name. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif
Having seen both at their best I believe Dench is the best.
warrior http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif
Aussie_Roo
1 Feb 2001, 14:05
One word - Micky.
Carey_is_King
1 Feb 2001, 15:24
Dench...no doubt in my mind at all on this one.
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Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.
Dench probably the better all-round player. Martyn concedes less goals than anyone I've seen on average but when he gets beaten he gets flogged. That's by no means a put-dwon of an all-time great and a personal favourite, just an unfortunate observation.
Either way the two are almost impossibly difficult to separate for the FB spot.
While Mick is my favourite current day player, I've got to go with David Dench as the best Roo FB. His dashes from defence were thrilling to watch and ahead of it's time.
As a footy fan who lived in Nth. Melb in the 70's and went to many games at Arden St. ... no doubt David Dench. There was a Finals game ( can't exactly remember which one - was it 77 ) where he was switched to the forward line and came thru'. North's backline in that era had many 'personalities' ( i.e.loonies ) - in fact the whole team, including the coach, was 'out there' - and Dench lead them superbly. His battles with the Tiger heavies, hairy Hawks and mad Magpies were always epic. Remember there were many more thugs in those days - no M. Lloyd types. He liberated the position and made forwards accountable for the first time.
The invisible mullet
2 Feb 2001, 10:48
David Dench for mine although Micky Martyn would still be in a first XVIII. How Silvagni beat out Dench for the fullback of the century is beyond me (although having a gameshow hostess wife might have helped)
Shinboners
2 Feb 2001, 10:57
Originally posted by The invisible mullet:
David Dench for mine although Micky Martyn would still be in a first XVIII. How Silvagni beat out Dench for the fullback of the century is beyond me (although having a gameshow hostess wife might have helped)
Even if Dench didn't get full back of the century, how did Silvagni get past Geoff Southby?????
kymhodgemansmo
2 Feb 2001, 12:22
Dench without question
Carey_is_King
2 Feb 2001, 15:43
How many of you who are voting for Mick actually saw Dench play ?
I cannot believe you would have any doubts if you saw both.
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Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.
hawkfan5
2 Feb 2001, 16:40
Who cares about North Melbourne?.
amazonstud
2 Feb 2001, 17:49
Having seen both play a lot of games I'd say Dench was the better footballer and fullback. Comparing the two Dench was also at home playing centre half back and had more pace and a better kicking style than Mick.
Dench wasn't into wrestling with his opponent the way Mick is and would have struggled but he was fast determined and the pillar of North's defence.
Two very different styles of players but in my opinion a quick leading forward has always caused Mick trouble.He prefers close checking and niggling.
I believe Dench also won North's best and fairest 4 times including the premiership year of 1977. I could be wrong but I think Mick has only won the North B&F once.
Rooboy 96
3 Feb 2001, 03:44
I saw both... and have made a judgement... don't get so upset CIK... I can hardly wait to vote for greatest HFF... does a Norm Smith count for anything???
Rooboy 96
3 Feb 2001, 03:57
So are you going to seperate them???
Originally posted by Darky:
Dench probably the better all-round player. Martyn concedes less goals than anyone I've seen on average but when he gets beaten he gets flogged. That's by no means a put-dwon of an all-time great and a personal favourite, just an unfortunate observation.
Either way the two are almost impossibly difficult to separate for the FB spot.
Rooboy 96
3 Feb 2001, 04:00
Voting so far
Dench..... 9
Martyn.... 5
Mine was a vote for Dench, sorry if it came out a little vague. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif
Carey_is_King
3 Feb 2001, 14:53
Originally posted by Rooboy 96:
I saw both... and have made a judgement... don't get so upset CIK... I can hardly wait to vote for greatest HFF... does a Norm Smith count for anything???
Not upset, just questioning whether some folk are being swayed by Mick's likeable character and his currency in the game. And the answer to your other question is ....not one little bit !
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Trample the Weak,
Hurdle the Dead.
I`v seen both Dench and Martyn and my vote is Dench ...no dobt1
creator
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light dispels the gloom of night
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Apologies to Mick who epitomises the spirit of North Melbourne, but David Dench was a superstar. Dench should have clearly been the fullback of the century in front of the scragger, puller and groper from Carlton. Dench changed the way that full back was played, and deserves to be acknowledged as one of the greatest ever.
Cheers, ArdenSt
Rooboy 96
6 Feb 2001, 03:35
Originally posted by Carey_is_King:
not one little bit !
I should have expected that... anyway see ya on the half forward flank in a couple of days...
Rooboy 96
6 Feb 2001, 03:37
Voting so far
Dench..... 12
Martyn.... 5
The vote for leadership roles will be very interesting... if Dench commands this much respect and he did Captain the 1977 Premiership Team...
Rooboy 96
8 Feb 2001, 08:38
Voting Closes Monday the 12 of February 2001 at Midnight....
Paulkanga2000
9 Feb 2001, 13:46
David Dench
Rooboy 96
10 Feb 2001, 06:13
Voting so far
Dench..... 13
Martyn.... 5
THE ICON
13 Feb 2001, 15:29
DENCH by a mile.
THE ICON
Rooboy 96
14 Feb 2001, 06:00
so voting has closed and the Full Back is...
David Dench..... 15
M Martyn.... 5