Similar side for me...
I think Leunberger was a better ruckman.
No Priddis?
A very divisive character for the eagles methinks
Craig Bolton goes to the back pocket and Heath Grundy goes to CHB. LRT Out. Even though he was a 2x premiership player he was a serviceable role player. Grundy was an unheralded Club Champion who was a rock across half back marking anything that come near him.
They played a bit, but their best was definitely in the century before. McKay (like Ratten) played 3 seasons and was also AA in 2001, so I would include him and think that's fair. Great player.
I'm biased against Scotland only because I went to school with three of his nieces/nephews and was good mates with them. So always felt I had a biased opinion as to how good he was because I had that personal connection. He was very good.It's a shame we can't include Silvagni and Bradley due to the OPs stipulation
Personally for me, I think Heath Scotland is overlooked by many but was a damn fine player and a BnF winner. I have to have him in there and even though Saad would likely make this list given a few more seasons, I think we have enough of his type in this side. He might get the sub role if that's allowed?
On balance and if this team was to actually take the field, I'd remove Whitnall from the team (stiff) and have Waite as that swingman. Whitnall's best was better than Waite's and better than most TBH, but Waite was more consistant I feel. Depends what you're going for... If Whitnall is playing his absolute best footy (and is fit), he starts as CHB no question and Waite is shuffled out...
FB: A. McKay, Weitering, Docherty
HB: Lappin, Jamison, Simpson
C: Walsh, Kouta, Camporeale
HF: Walker, H. McKay, M. Murphy
FF: Betts, Fevola, Curnow
R: Kreuzer, Judd, Cripps
B: Ratten, Scotland, Waite, Gibbs,
E: Whitnall Saad Carrazzo
sorry I meant over Martin wrong quote hahaHe sure was a better ruckman - given Adcock was a 184cm pacy half back flanker that never played ruck for a minute of his life
Id be pushing Mundy on to the HBF with Roger Hayden and L Ryan the other options.For such a strong side, the half back flanks are not particularly outstanding. Daniel Rich, Darryl White and Jed Adcock were all good players but none are quite at the level of 25 year "rep side", at least compared to some of the other teams (1 AA to Rich between the 3 of them).
Geelong have Enright, Stewart and have left out Duncan and others for example.
Adelaide have McLeod, Laird, Dawson, etc.
I had to put Shaun Burgoyne at half forward (to accommodate Hodge and Birchall) with most others leaving Joel Smith (2xAA HBF) out altogether.
Even Carlton who have been mostly awful have Docherty, Saad, Simpson, Lappin, McKay, Camporaele, etc. to choose from in that position.
Then again, the Freo side above have named Roger Hayden and Paul Duffield so..it could be worse
I thought it was a gag that I didn't understand, so I pretended it didn't happen....
I know he has fallen a long way but Grundy was definitely a better ruck for us than Jolly. Jolly was amazing cause after many years since Monkhorst we finally had a decent ruck that helped get us over the line in 2010. But a young Grundy literally took Jolly's spot in the team before anyone expected.
Deserves it on accolades and merit. However for team balance and what others provide I wouldn’t have him in a best 22
