Opinion Top 10 favourite Geelong players of all time

[Sttew]

Out of curiosity why does scarlett fall behind ablett jnr after the past year?

Valid question. Just something I reflected on. And when I thought about my selection criteria I realised I probably had Scarlett too high as a 'favourite'. He is one of the greatest Cats, but not a Top 3 personal favourite

 

[uranium_death]

I understand. Scarlett is a great full back, but he came across as a bit of an arseclown as well
I think the Leading Teams thing really helped him, but isn't inherently part of his nature

Funny how football ability doesn't necessarily dictate how we feel about players and past-players

 

[Sttew]

I understand. Scarlett is a great full back, but he came across as a bit of an arseclown as well
I think the Leading Teams thing really helped him, but isn't inherently part of his nature

Funny how football ability doesn't necessarily dictate how we feel about players and past-players

Agree. If we had a thread about which Cats players (current & former) would I like to invite to a dinner party, Scarlett probably wouldn't be on my list. FYI, nor would either of the Abletts. I'd have Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield, Selwood and probably Bobby Davis (who I obviously never saw play but I'm sure he'd have some ripping yarns)

 

[uranium_death]

Agree. If we had a thread about which Cats players (current & former) would I like to invite to a dinner party, Scarlett probably wouldn't be on my list. FYI, nor would either of the Abletts. I'd have Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield, Selwood and probably Bobby Davis (who I obviously never saw play but I'm sure he'd have some ripping yarns)

Dennis Marshall. He's good to listen to
You want people who can spin a yarn who aren't necessarily the best. I'd also want people you don't hear from a lot
I'd want to listen to Mark Bairstow, as the way he left the club was poorly managed, and love to hear about his and Couchy's escapades
Even hearing from Neville Bruns, Mick Mansfield etc. would be good

 

[FredLeDeux]

Agree. If we had a thread about which Cats players (current & former) would I like to invite to a dinner party, Scarlett probably wouldn't be on my list. FYI, nor would either of the Abletts. I'd have Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield, Selwood and probably Bobby Davis (who I obviously never saw play but I'm sure he'd have some ripping yarns)

Smith and Tuohy would keep the conversation bubbling along.

 

[Cataholic]

Smith and Tuohy would keep the conversation bubbling along.

'Jacko' would have a bit to say too I reckon.........

 

[Commando]

Off the top of my head
Abletts, Buddha, Bartel, Chappy, Rooke, Selwood, Danger, Hawkins, SJ

Snr and Buddha at the top of the list easily
Both phenomenal players and I think when you’re younger you just idolise players in a different way

Edit: have to say in season 22 I thoroughly enjoyed watching Touhy play!

 

[catscratchfever]

1. Gazza Snr.
2. Gazza Jnr.
3. Chappy
4. Moons
5. Max
6. Doug Wade (for his bone-dry sense of humour as well as his goal-kicking)
7. Tomahawk
8. Jimmy
9. SJ
10. Damian Bourke (when he wasn't injured, one of the best ruckman I've ever seen)

 

[Seeds]

1. Gazza Snr.
2. Gazza Jnr.
3. Chappy
4. Moons
5. Max
6. Doug Wade (for his bone-dry sense of humour as well as his goal-kicking)
7. Tomahawk
8. Jimmy
9. SJ
10. Damian Bourke (when he wasn't injured, one of the best ruckman I've ever seen)

Bourke needs more love around these parts. Was a sensational tap ruckman

 

[iameviljez]

Bourke needs more love around these parts. Was a sensational tap ruckman

Now there is a dying breed, along with the fat full forward...

 

[iameviljez]

Agree. If we had a thread about which Cats players (current & former) would I like to invite to a dinner party, Scarlett probably wouldn't be on my list. FYI, nor would either of the Abletts. I'd have Hawkins, Cameron, Dangerfield, Selwood and probably Bobby Davis (who I obviously never saw play but I'm sure he'd have some ripping yarns)

Not technically a player, but Malcolm Blight would have my first invite. Ken Hinkley would be really interesting, too.

 

[catscratchfever]

Bourke needs more love around these parts. Was a sensational tap ruckman

He wasn't a bad knock ruckman either - I remember him smashing the ball 30-40 metres from a centre bounce.

+ I was at Kardinia Park the day he knocked Monkey's front teeth out with his pointy elbow at a boundary throw-in, leaving him a bloodied mess. Good times.

 

[catscratchfever]

Not technically a player, but Malcolm Blight would have my first invite. Ken Hinkley would be really interesting, too.

My #1 VFL/AFL dream dinner guest would be Brent Croswell. A rare intellectual amongst footy players and absolutely hilarious to boot. Check Youtube for the interview he did with Sam Newman on The Footy Show years back - a crack-up!

 

[allrighty]

Dennis Marshall. He's good to listen to
You want people who can spin a yarn who aren't necessarily the best. I'd also want people you don't hear from a lot
I'd want to listen to Mark Bairstow, as the way he left the club was poorly managed, and love to hear about his and Couchy's escapades
Even hearing from Neville Bruns, Mick Mansfield etc. would be good

Scratcher Neale always has a tale or two.

 

[Seeds]

He wasn't a bad knock ruckman either - I remember him smashing the ball 30-40 metres from a centre bounce.

+ I was at Kardinia Park the day he knocked Monkey's front teeth out with his pointy elbow at a boundary throw-in, leaving him a bloodied mess. Good times.

He did have a habit of smashing the ball in the ruck when he got on top. Don't know why more ruckman don't try it.

 

[uranium_death]

Scratcher Neale always has a tale or two.

Never heard him speak, but would love to hear his stories

 

[allrighty]

He did have a habit of smashing the ball in the ruck when he got on top. Don't know why more ruckman don't try it.

I've wondered the same, modern risk mitigation I suspect. Though it would seem to fit pretty well with the chaos game paln IMO.

 

[Seeds]

I've wondered the same, modern risk mitigation I suspect. Though it would seem to fit pretty well with the chaos game paln IMO.

Ive seen nic nat do it a few time. And ceglar. But not many else over the past twenty years.

 

[Vdubs]

He did have a habit of smashing the ball in the ruck when he got on top. Don't know why more ruckman don't try it.

Rod Blake was the master of smashing out the ball at ruck contests. Came high in a Brownlow count early 80's mainly for that prowess- some punches up to 40 metres.

 

[Vdubs]

Exceedingly difficult just to have 10, after being a member since 1963, so I'm going 21... FAVOURITES TO WATCH.

1. Ablett snr- self explanatory. Would go to games to just watch his gifts.
2. Ablett jnr- son of a gun and did not disappoint.
3. G. Hocking- wonderful combination of exquisite skill plus grunt.
4. Dangerfield- the most explosively brilliant player I've seen since GAS.
5. M. Turner- brilliant running up and down the wings of KP and the G, with elite speed. A star when we were bereft of much talent.
6. Goggin- the master of stab passes and gifted Wade > half his goals.
7. Wojcinski- loved watching his breakaway speed at pivotal times.
8. Varcoe- beautiful skills and vision.
9. A. Bews- elite as a BP, mid and small forward.
10. Graham- best long kick I've ever seen, weaponry.
11. James Kelly

James Kelly

Age

42

Ht

183cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.8

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

10.5

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

5.6

5star

MG

273.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

20.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

6.8

5star

- most underrated player I've seen at Geelong, great skills and so tough.
12. Sam Newman- beautifully skilled and charismatic player.
13. Joel Selwood- his GF efforts alone in 22 would get him a spot. Freak of a player
14. M. Scarlett-Sideshow Bob. Made FB look like a desirable spot to play.
15. R. Blake- loved his 2-3 years as the best ruck in the comp, ahead of Simon Madden one year, which is a huge credit.

Jeremy Cameron is very close to replacing one of these.

My biggest omission is HARRY TAYLOR. Loved his quirkiness, coolness, and effectiveness

Bartel, Hawkins, Chappy, and SJ- all brilliant players to watch, as was Peter Riccardi

We have been blessed to follow Geelong

 

[uranium_death]

9. A. Bews- elite as a BP, mid and small forward.
11. James Kelly- most underrated player I've seen at Geelong, great skills and so tough.

I forgot BEws in mine. I love the fact that despite being small, never took a backwards step. Firey, but a top bloke and honest

James Kelly was too laconic for mine, and I saw him turn over the ball too many times

 

[Vdubs]

I forgot BEws in mine. I love the fact that despite being small, never took a backwards step. Firey, but a top bloke and honest

James Kelly was too laconic for mine, and I saw him turn over the ball too many times

Fair enough about Kelly.
Just watched highlights of 07, and he was so effective.

 

[jim boy]

Scratcher Neale always has a tale or two.

Is that Shannon Neale or Scratcher Neal?

Off the top of my head:

1. Neville Bruns
2. GAS
3. Ken Hinkley
4. Bruce Lindner
5. Mark Jackson
6. Corey Enright
7. Joel Selwood
8. Max Rooke
9. Tom Stewart
10. SJ

 

[uranium_death]

Fair enough about Kelly.
Just watched highlights of 07, and he was so effective.

Yep - but they're highlights
They aren't going to show the bad kicks and handballs of anybody
Kelly could be really good, but I don't think he was as switched-on all the time as others

But it's all opinion - and my views should in no way affect or change what you feel
I just like the discussion. Feel free to tell me to sod off

 

[Cataholic]

Yep - but they're highlights
They aren't going to show the bad kicks and handballs of anybody
Kelly could be really good, but I don't think he was as switched-on all the time as others

But it's all opinion - and my views should in no way affect or change what you feel
I just like the discussion. Feel free to tell me to sod off

Well said. If only everyone here held the same sentiment as your 3rd and 2nd last sentences! Unfortunately, some seem to enjoy exercising your last sentence instead.

Anyhow, carry on........