The random thoughts one has before falling asleep. 2006 grand final team vs 2018 grand final team. Ultimately, who wins? Different styles of play and all aside, lets break down the 22 on the respective days.
The midfields;
Cousins, Judd, Kerr, R. Jones, Cox, Seaby, Braun, Fletcher, Chick (rotation), Embley, Stenglein
Vs
Shuey, Yeo, Lycett, Vardy, Masten, Sheed, Hutchings, Redden
That 2006 midfield is a clear winner. Clesrneces for days.
The forward line;
Armstrong, Lynch, Hansen, Hunter (rotation). The rest of our forward line was made up of midfield rotations.
Vs
Lecras, Kennedy, Rioli, Ryan, Venables, Darling, Cripps
This time 2018 by so much it isn't funny.
So with that out of the way, the real difference, in my opinion, comes down to the defences. The toughest to seperate out of the two teams.
Wirrpanda, Glass, B. Jones, Selwood, Banfield, Waters, Butler
Vs
Cole, Duggan, Jetta, McGovern, Schofield, Barrass, Hurn
Tough to seperate. Glass was a one on one beast, easily the best of the players here. McGovern however is the intercept beast. A result of zone defences rather than one on ones everywhere in Glass' day. As good as Schofield and Barrass were, Glass has them covered. Bones, Wirrpanda, Waters, Selwood & Butler vs Jetta, Cole, Duggan & Hurn is tough. Wirra was more damaging than anyone else here with his run, but Hurn's kicking is miles ahead of the rest. Selwood was playing shut down roles more often than not. Banfield was probably the equivalent to a loose man, so it comes down to the youngsters. Cole & Duggan vs Bones, Waters & Butler (remember, this is their 2006 form, not career form).
Who wins? Game styles have changed but it's not like it's 1992 vs 2018. A 2006 game style could still hold up in today's world, just less effectively. I had a hard time deciding, but ultimately our 2018 forward line is just so much better than 2006. I mean, Fletcher was named in the forward pocket on the team sheet.
The midfields;
Cousins, Judd, Kerr, R. Jones, Cox, Seaby, Braun, Fletcher, Chick (rotation), Embley, Stenglein
Vs
Shuey, Yeo, Lycett, Vardy, Masten, Sheed, Hutchings, Redden
That 2006 midfield is a clear winner. Clesrneces for days.
The forward line;
Armstrong, Lynch, Hansen, Hunter (rotation). The rest of our forward line was made up of midfield rotations.
Vs
Lecras, Kennedy, Rioli, Ryan, Venables, Darling, Cripps
This time 2018 by so much it isn't funny.
So with that out of the way, the real difference, in my opinion, comes down to the defences. The toughest to seperate out of the two teams.
Wirrpanda, Glass, B. Jones, Selwood, Banfield, Waters, Butler
Vs
Cole, Duggan, Jetta, McGovern, Schofield, Barrass, Hurn
Tough to seperate. Glass was a one on one beast, easily the best of the players here. McGovern however is the intercept beast. A result of zone defences rather than one on ones everywhere in Glass' day. As good as Schofield and Barrass were, Glass has them covered. Bones, Wirrpanda, Waters, Selwood & Butler vs Jetta, Cole, Duggan & Hurn is tough. Wirra was more damaging than anyone else here with his run, but Hurn's kicking is miles ahead of the rest. Selwood was playing shut down roles more often than not. Banfield was probably the equivalent to a loose man, so it comes down to the youngsters. Cole & Duggan vs Bones, Waters & Butler (remember, this is their 2006 form, not career form).
Who wins? Game styles have changed but it's not like it's 1992 vs 2018. A 2006 game style could still hold up in today's world, just less effectively. I had a hard time deciding, but ultimately our 2018 forward line is just so much better than 2006. I mean, Fletcher was named in the forward pocket on the team sheet.
