News Past Players Thread

[Partridge]

we haven't been able to develop a gun ruckman for decades now. The last one was Steven King, before him it was Damien Bourke, although injured every second year and then prior to him, Mossop? Newman etc.
Barnes and Ottens we recruited from other clubs.

Bourke was as good a tap ruckman as I've ever seen, for anyone. The one knock on him (apart from a horrific injury record), was like many ruckmen he didn't get much of the ball around the ground. The one year he did do that - 1991 - he was awesome. Also possessed a vicious streak a mile wide. I still find it amusing today that ignorant supporters always call Ablett a dirty player, or perhaps Garry Hocking. For me Bourke was far worse than either. I'll never forget a young Gavin Wanganeen coming in to spoil one of his kicks, and instead of stopping the kicking motion, which most players would do when you know it's going to be smothered, Bourke just wound up and followed through as hard as possible. Wanganeen was left a crumbled heap.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Bourke was as good a tap ruckman as I've ever seen, for anyone. The one knock on him (apart from a horrific injury record), was like many ruckmen he didn't get much of the ball around the ground. The one year he did do that - 1991 - he was awesome. Also possessed a vicious streak a mile wide. I still find it amusing today that ignorant supporters always call Ablett a dirty player, or perhaps Garry Hocking. For me Bourke was far worse than either. I'll never forget a young Gavin Wanganeen coming in to spoil one of his kicks, and instead of stopping the kicking motion, which most players would do when you know it's going to be smothered, Bourke just wound up and followed through as hard as possible. Wanganeen was left a crumbled heap.

Rod Blake was on a par with Bourke as a tap ruckman who didn't get enough of the ball otherwise, Mossop was probably better than both as a ruckman, and was also versatile enough to play successfully as a CHF (as was Newman).

 

[Hello Kitty]

The following website had Clarke Senior as 184 cm and 82 kg. Also said the following about him:

"Recruited locally by the Cats from Geelong College, David Clarke made his debut in the opening round of the 1971 season, and went on to become one of the most exciting as well as arguably the most consistent of the club's stars throughout the 1970s. Perhaps best remembered as a half forward flanker, Clarke was equally effective in the centre, on the ball, or even at centre half back. A combination of a great spring, strong hands and tremendous anticipation made him one of the finest marks in the game, while his silky ball skills made him a real fan favourite. He won the first of his three club best and fairest trophies in his debut season while still aged only nineteen, making him the youngest ever recipient of the award. He was also dangerous near goal, and his 41 majors in 1979 topped the Cats' list. Selected to represent either the VFL or Victoria's state of origin team a total of 14 times, Clarke was awarded an All Australian blazer after the 1972 Perth carnival. The consistently high quality of the service he gave Geelong is emphasised by his unprecedented feat in finishing in the top two places in the best and fairest voting on no fewer than seven occasions during his ten seasons with the club...."

http://australianfootball.com/players/player/david+clarke/10443

Sttew, + everyone, who would you say is similar to DCS, in our recent era of dominance?

 

[Hello Kitty]

I'm reading from the Encyclopaedia of AFL Footballers.
Clarke David E (Geelong and Carl) Geelong 1971-74 and 76 to 81 202 games 298 goals.Carlton 1982,9 games,21 goals(b 31 Dec 1952, 187 cms, 79.5 kgs) end of quote.Then goes on with pretty much the same story you posted. One has it wrong.I can't confirm the 187cms so happy to go with 184 for now.

Why did Clarke leave Geelong?

 

[Hello Kitty]

Davis for me is no1,he was fair dinkum unbelievable,but I might be going to far back I guess most here wouldn't have seen him play.

Bobby is big on everyone's list, well I think. Would love to see him playing some games. Wonder if there's a highlights reel? Will make Google + YouTube my friend one day + search.
The thing with Bobby Davis - not only was he a terrific player, a wonderful coach who drew out players' qualities, very amusing on telly + just a sensational Club man, he had such an ability with people.
I remember the first time I went into Club Cats, I was with a friend, who strapped GAS + we popped in to have a drink. Bobby Davis came in, just as we'd sat down + being madly excited to see him in the flesh, I probably mauled him lol He was absolutely delightful, sat with us + I shouted him a lemonade. Well, my exuberance was completely avalanched + my gushing deserted me - I was struck mute! A stunned, stupid, moo-cow eyed, tongue-tied mute! Bobby was amused + my friend teased that I was struck speechless by Bobby's shear magnificence, which he shrugged off. So for once in my life + sat + listened in lovely bliss for 20 minutes, totally over-awed by the great Bobby Davis! What made him great was his ability to communicate with everyone! I don't think I've heard a bad word about him. + when he died in 2011, I just knew we'd win the GF that year!

 

[David the Cat]

Interesting to read what people thought of Clarke back then. Not many glowing endorsements!

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/david-clarke-bloody-hell.89424/

 

[FredLeDeux]

Interesting to read what people thought of Clarke back then. Not many glowing endorsements!

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/david-clarke-bloody-hell.89424/

Funny!

 

[Hello Kitty]

Opinions are just that.
What you said about him occurred in his final year at Geelong, but before then he fully deserved all the aforementioned accolades. He was classy, impeccable delivery, possession accumulator, and Gerard Healy like as a player.
He spent a whole season out of footy (1975) with a career threatening injury right at his peak, and you may have forgotten how much impact he had when ON- which was often.
Newlands was good, Clarke great. Are you letting his last 2 seasons dilute the rest of his career?

Vdubs, what do you think caused his form to decline?

 

[Sttew]

Sttew, + everyone, who would you say is similar to DCS, in our recent era of dominance?

There was a bit of Bartel (strong mark, beautiful kick), Mackie (class and attacking) and even Menzel, in Clarke. I know this makes him sound like the perfect footballer which he wasn't .....

 

[Hello Kitty]

I need to ask someone this who lived through the 70's - aren't we overrating Geelong players from this decade? I dont get why there are more players from this era in the team of the century than any other time, especially considering it was the worst decade on field in the clubs history. I have watched footage of many Geelong games from this time and I feel like many guys bieng talked about here are way overrated. I feel like people pine for the good old days too much - only remember the good times and forget the bad.

I think there are other Geelong eras, where we had sensational players, but we just didn't make it to GF, or if we did, we lost - '89 for example - some absolute Geelong legends! Yet, during those times oppo teams were better. When I think back to the 70's + proceed over the years to our current era, we've been blessed with some once in a generation champions. I believe that with telly, we see every game, if we want to. As Bobby_ said, there is little footage of Bobby Davis, which is very disappointing. Was Polly Farmer our first media superstar? I remember as a kid watching him on telly in the handball comp! Now living in Sydney it was HUGE to see Geelong players on telly. Like now, the TV stations played the games of the big popular clubs. + as I've said many times, a huge thrill for me was to attend an exhibition match at the SCG, where Geelong played. I have no idea who they played, but I was in awe of how big the players were, eyes glued to the Geelong players! It was heaven for me + probably nearly up there in highlights with the 11GF! I was used to going to suburban games with my Dad. So to see the Geelong team in action was an absolute + total sensation! Watching the likes of Polly, Ainsworth, Newman, Goggins, Nankervis, Hynes + Wade was like I'd died + gone to heaven! I really only recognised Polly Farmer, but I left the SCG that day with a massive crush on Sam Newman *stop laughing* It was better than meeting the Queen in 1970 lolz

 

[Hello Kitty]

There was a bit of Bartel (strong mark, beautiful kick), Mackie (class and attacking) and even Menzel, in Clarke. I know this makes him sound like the perfect footballer which he wasn't .....

I was thinking a bit of Menzel, but as he was in the backline, I did wonder. Well, they're all human, no one is really perfect Sttew *except Rooke *

 

[Vdubs]

Vdubs, what do you think caused his form to decline?

TMBS.
We all get afflicted with this at some stage, for a footballer it can hit early or you can be like Dustin Fletcher/Boomer Harvey.


(Too Many Birthdays Syndrome)

 

[RedmanWasHere]

For all the buffoonery that is the Foss, where would he rank among Geelong's greats?
Alongside the Ablett's, Farmer, Hagger, Ian Nankervis and Buddha?

What about the froffy loving Wilbur?

 

[Hello Kitty]

In regards to the bolded that bit shouldn't be to hard,finding some one who can remember the 70s might prove a little more difficult.

I lolled! You know the saying - "If you remember the 60s, then you weren't really there..." It was the same for the 70's *I think*

Back to SleazySimon -

ask someone this who lived through the 70's - aren't we overrating Geelong players from this decade?

I had a squiz on the trusty Australian Football website for a comparison - here are the stats based on most goals kicked from 1960* to 2014.



http://australianfootball.com/clubs/most_goals_in_a_season/Geelong/7

* Yellow Arrow denotes Statistics not available for 1958 to 1960 - Wonder why?

There are also stats for Geelong's -

1. Accurate Scoring - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/accurate_scoring/Geelong/7/138
   
2. Biggest Match Aggregate - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/biggest_match_aggregate/Geelong/7/138
   
3. Highest Scores - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/highest_scores/Geelong/7/138
   
4. Biggest Wins - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/biggest_wins/Geelong/7/138
   
5. Most Goals In A Season - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/most_goals_in_a_season/Geelong/7

The stats begin here - http://australianfootball.com/Clubs/stats/Geelong/7

Have fun, I quite looking at the stats.

Edit: I forgot to include some other valuable Geelong stats -

1. Every Player - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/every_player/Geelong/7
2. Honour Board - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/honour_board/Geelong/7
3. Player Stats by Season - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/stats/Geelong/7/2014#playerstats
4. Club Biography - http://australianfootball.com/clubs/bio/Geelong/7

 

[Hello Kitty]

70's - Ian Nankervis (?), David Clarke, Newman

80's - Ablett, Turner, Williams, may be Couch, Buddha Hocking

90's - Ablett, Couch

A bit stiff there Sttew, for Bairstow. What about Stoneham? Couch is a definite, loved to watch him play!

1989 - Couch 1st - Disposals (700), 2nd - Kicks, Average Goals p/game - 0.9, 4th - Tackles, 1st - Handballs
1989 - Bairstow - 2nd - Disposals (673), 1st - Kicks (458), Average Goals p/game - 1.0, 4th - Marks, 3rd - Handballs

Edit:

If Couch fits in so does Stoneham, Bairstow etc

Great minds there Sleazy.

 

[Hello Kitty]

For the 1980s-1990s, from what I saw, I'd go Ablett, Williams and Garry Hocking.

I think I'd swap Williams for Turner, simply because I was never much of a fan of Williams. It's a decision fraught with emotion for me, being a girl 'n all

 

[Vdubs]

I think I'd swap Williams for Turner, simply because I was never much of a fan of Williams. It's a decision fraught with emotion for me, being a girl 'n all

Williams was only there a season, Turner served this great club with loyalty and was a state rep, and at one stage , second only to Flower as the best winger in the comp.
Rex Hunt spent a season at Geelong, had a brilliant season, high in the Brownlow, but nobody talks about him as one of our greats.
Williams gets the kudos more for what we could have had.

 

[Vdubs]

Rod Blake was on a par with Bourke as a tap ruckman who didn't get enough of the ball otherwise, Mossop was probably better than both as a ruckman, and was also versatile enough to play successfully as a CHF (as was Newman).

From my humble viewpoint, and being a GFC junkie at that time- actually did some part-time work there, Blake had a few stellar seasons, polling really well in the Brownlow and B & F, which I recall well, and you can't get that recognition just from tap work.
Mossop was a good Ruck/forward, but NOT excellent at either.
Maybe time for some Rod Blake?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blake

 

[Vdubs]

Not sure about Couchy myself. He was a brilliant midfielder but there were a few of his kind. Buddha Hocking was different. He was blessed with audacious skills, both aerially and by foot and had such toughness to his game that always had players on edge.
Senior was obviously a one of a kind.

Micky Turner I never saw play.

Diesel was most definitely a once-in-a-generation footballer but we only had him for 1½ seasons.

Bartel, Johnson, Ablett, Scarlett, Chapman . . . lol, it's quite ridicolous how fortunate we were to have these guys peaking the same time during their careers.
The fact three of them are now into their 30's and still playing top line footy puts their brilliance into perspective.

Good analysis.
I think you would have liked Turner, not because I really rated him, but he had a bit of Wojo, Motlop about him. Specialist winger, great mark for his height, and super-quick long stride WITH the ball. Perhaps he didn't appear to chase as hard WITHOUT the ball, but that is just my perception.
Certainly, a self-admitted big occasion player. His best game, imho, was a Prelim v Pies, that we lost, but he kicked 5, had 30 + possessions, from a wing, and was BOG.
I'm sure the stats people will pull me up on my inaccuracies here, but that is what I (like to ) recall.
He was one of those players you would turn up to watch play.

 

[Frappe]

Rod Blake was on a par with Bourke as a tap ruckman who didn't get enough of the ball otherwise, Mossop was probably better than both as a ruckman, and was also versatile enough to play successfully as a CHF (as was Newman).

Blake kicked few bags of 6 on a few occasions. If you check Youtube - his kicking style reminded me of his son's - probable a little more coordinated.

 

[Vdubs]

Blake kicked few bags of 6 on a few occasions. If you check Youtube - his kicking style reminded me of his son's - probable a little more coordinated.

At his peak, Blake was second only to Simon Madden as a ruckman; sadly for us, Blake's peak was relatively short-lived.

 

[Bobby_]

that's some praise Vdubs, was he that good?
Simon Madden's highlights reel is simply insane! His aerial dominance and skills for such a big man appeared to be one of a kind. I'm guessing he was ahead of his time (Simon Madden)?

Just checked his stats out and he almost booted 600 goals

 

[you pick one]

Yeah I did. Big Carl was a unit and liked the biff. They were different times.

They were,and when we were leading the Saints back then one Billy Goggin would be into Ditterich with where's your tanks now Rommel,a sledge the big fella fell for every time,poor Billy would probably be sanctioned for that today.

 

[you pick one]

Interesting to read what people thought of Clarke back then. Not many glowing endorsements!

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/david-clarke-bloody-hell.89424/

How did we get on to JNR?

 

[Vdubs]

that's some praise Vdubs, was he that good?
Simon Madden's highlights reel is simply insane! His aerial dominance and skills for such a big man appeared to be one of a kind. I'm guessing he was ahead of his time (Simon Madden)?

Just checked his stats out and he almost booted 600 goals

The year or 2 that RB "made it", he was absolutely dominant, as evidenced by his B&F & runner up in the Brownlow. But Madden, imho, was the best ever ruckman (at least who I've seen), and he did it for many years. Big difference.