View Full Version : Farewell a champ Andy McLeod - was he better than Longy?
Sad to see McLeod bow out after this weekend - one of the true greats of the game.
I ran some stats and they come out very similar to one M.Long. Who do you think was a better footballer? Try not to be biased... :)
Long 190 games from 89 - 2001
2 premierships, 1 norm smith medal
averages per game - 18 disposals, 3 marks, 0.8 goals, 2 tackles
McLeod 340 games 95 - 2010
2 premierships, 2 norm smiths
averages per game - 19.8 disposals, 3 marks, 0.8 goals, 2.2 tackles
McLeod has played 150 more games than Long and has a slightly higher disposal average plus 1 more norm smith. Long was cut down by injury in his prime, and along with Winmar a real pioneer for aboriginal footballers and his averages are very comparible to McLeod.
2 great champs - who would you choose??
Mr Mojo Risin
24 Aug 2010, 10:29
As much as I love Longy, McLeod has him covered.
Longy was a great player though and a political trailblazer for indigenous awareness and rights.
stugots
24 Aug 2010, 10:44
equal as far as ability goes, longy savaged by injury which was a tragedy
both stars of highest order
Minimum Chips
24 Aug 2010, 10:56
Even though Longy is a massively underrated footballer, McLeod still has him covered
TheDon35
24 Aug 2010, 10:57
Longy's best was better, but McLeod's overall career was clearly better.
A champion of the game.
table tennis
24 Aug 2010, 11:24
Both Great. Mcleod gets my nod, as he played 300 games.
Stats were similar, but Mcleod did it for a lot longer.
stugots
24 Aug 2010, 11:27
Even though Longy is a massively underrated footballer, McLeod still has him covered
:confused:by who?
Mumbo Jumbo
24 Aug 2010, 12:16
Macleod for sheer longevity.
Long's best was more influential IMO.
The Donners
24 Aug 2010, 12:18
I loved Michael Long but he was the most overrated player in the league. McLeod is hands down one of the greatest indigenous players the game has seen.
Very one sided, I voted McLeod as well. Both are champs of the game.
Has anyone seen Longy lately??? Boy, has he put on a few.
table tennis
24 Aug 2010, 15:55
been on the turtle with Dean Rioli and Derek Kickett
If Longy had've had the continuity in his career that McLeod did I reckon we'd speak about them in the same breath, no doubt about it. Because Longy didn't, McLeod wins.
I always look back with a smile at the 93 prelim when he and an old man called Tim Watson sparked us in the 2nd half against the Cows, then Long's dominance in the GF (who can forget Ian Robertson's call "take me on, take me on, take me on he says, and still gets away with it" when he made Mil Hannah look like a rabbit in a spotlight. That is what we missed more of, as the injury rot set in during the 94 season.
stugots
24 Aug 2010, 17:53
been on the turtle with Dean Rioli and Derek Kickett
i giggled
Donakebab
24 Aug 2010, 18:02
No diss to Long, but McLeod by a fair margin.
Why the thread? Their only similarities are that they won Norm Smiths and are indigenous, completely different players.
Darealrath
24 Aug 2010, 18:22
McLeod. But if Long didn't have those injuries...
Ludwig van Bertstare
24 Aug 2010, 19:01
McLeod. But if Long didn't have those injuries...
....
If you look at their best/top, Long was more talented than McLeod.
I loved Michael Long but he was the most overrated player in the league. McLeod is hands down one of the greatest indigenous players the game has seen.I actually think both players were pretty overrated.
Don't flame me.
Both pretty good players, but not as good as most make out. IMO of course.
yodellinhank
25 Aug 2010, 16:03
Surprised by this.
The obvious point being that Long was cut down in his prime, but in regards to averages, Long played in an era when 30+ possessions by a player in a game was probably equivalent to todays 40+. McLeod less of an on baller i suppose.
I imagine that the same people who say Long was overrated would say the same about Cyril Rioli?
I just remember him being so clever and with such great awareness and vision.
windyhill
25 Aug 2010, 20:57
Give Long the 90 games he missed through 3 knee reconstructions and he would be level pegging with McLeod. Alot of Longys greatest work was not covered by television while McLeods whole career was captured on t.v.
For someone so light and small Longy had to do alot of bullocking work and played in a different era to McCleod where it was way more physical.
It annoys me that people always bring up the Simmonds incident, Micheal Long was used a punching bag throughout his career but just got on with it.
I love McLeod, I Backed him to win the `97 N.Smith and had a very good collect, just didn`t believe he could go back to back the next year ! Unbelievable perofrmance.
Dead heat for me.
stugots
26 Aug 2010, 16:33
Albert Thurgood
Barry Davis
Bill Hutchison
Dick Reynolds (captain)
Frank Maher
Fred Baring
Gavin Wanganeen
Harold Lambert
Jack Clarke
James Hird
John Coleman
Keith Forbes
Ken Fraser
Mark Thompson
Michael Long
Reg Burgess
Simon Madden
Terry Daniher
Tim Watson
Tom Fitzmaurice
Wally Buttsworth
William Griffith
he aint in that list for nothing..