Best Cats team since 1976

[Gazzajr is god]

B: I.Nankervis M.Scarlett G.Malarkey

HB:B.Nankervis J.Hawkins K.Hinkley

C: M.Turner P.Couch P.Riccardi

HF: D.Clarke snr. B.Stoneham T.Bright

F: A.Bews G.Ablett snr. P.Featherby

R: S.King M.Bairstow G.Hocking

IC: M.Yeates M.Mansfield N.Bruns J.Mossop M.Bos.

I like this side better.
1. People forget how good Toby (Bairstow) was. Must start on the ground
2. Chappy, Gaz jr and Harls probably need another couple of years b4 they genuinely earn a spot in this side.

Only one or 2 things I would change is give Kingy the shop for Bourke. For a couple of years from 88 - 90 he was considered the best ruckman in the game. If he had of stayed injury free past 92, we would of won the flag in 92. That was by far our best year of football.
And I think Brownless probably would get a gig on the bench. Probably our most consistant finals player over the last 20 years.

 

[cats56]

I like this side better.
1. People forget how good Toby (Bairstow) was. Must start on the ground
2. Chappy, Gaz jr and Harls probably need another couple of years b4 they genuinely earn a spot in this side.

Only one or 2 things I would change is give Kingy the shop for Bourke. For a couple of years from 88 - 90 he was considered the best ruckman in the game. If he had of stayed injury free past 92, we would of won the flag in 92. That was by far our best year of football.
And I think Brownless probably would get a gig on the bench. Probably our most consistant finals player over the last 20 years.

G'day Gazzajr. Thanks for the positive and informed comments.

Bairstow is one of the greatest player's to ever pull on a Cat's guernsey. Unfairly knocked because of a couple of ordinary GF'S. Inexcusably played out of position in '92 and could hardly walk in '94 Gf after being kicked by a horse.Was very good in '89 GF and many other finals. Outstanding State player for W.A. He was virtually unstoppable when fit. Of the 3 gun m'f's of the time he was generally the one targetted most by the opposition.

It is too early for Chappy and Jnr. I did consider Harley but Scarlett, Malarkey and Hawkins definately have the edge in those positions.

The ruck position was the one i debated the most over. Like you i was a huge fan of D.Bourke, (very intimidating) and also made the comment that if he played in '92 GF, Eagles had no player capable of going with him. What swayed me to King is the fact that he did string a number of complete seasons together before his horrific injury run. All Australian, 2 B&f''s, the best ruckman going around for 3 seasons or so. Also i think he was more skilled than Bourke and the fact he could also go forward and kick goals, the versality factor also a major influence. Bourkey really struggled to put full season's together.

I think a lot of people forget how good John Mossop was before the cursed GFC ruckman's injury curse claimed him. B&f winner, 3 times Vic. rep. in an era of outstanding ruckmen, Madden's, Lee, Fitzpatrick, Purser, Rendell etc. Also could go forward and kick goals. 7 goals vs. Collingwood in a Qual. final. Rod Blake was another fine ruckman before, yep you guessed it, injury claimed him. And of course Barnes played some serviceable football as well. We've had some great but unfortunately injury prone ruckmen.

Regarding Brownless, i did consider him, but from my involvement in football i am an extremely hard marker on player's who betray their talent, but agree he could be a matchwinner on his day so i'll add him to the bench.

 

[Sttew]

Don't forget Williams won B&F in seaon 2, and went close in first season.

 

[Frappe]

I Nankervis Scarlett Bos
Mansfield Hawkins Hinkley
Turner Williams Corey
Chapman Stoneham Lindner
Brownless Ablett Ablett
Bourke Bairstow
Hocking
King Couch Bews Milburn

 

[cats56]

Don't forget Williams won B&F in seaon 2, and went close in first season.

Couchy won 3.

 

[Sttew]

Valid point. Clearly the Cats have been blessed with some brilliant centremen. In my book Williams was the consummate centreman, and he displayed those skills at Geelong from game 1.

I heard Timmy Watson tell the story - Bombers were playing Geelong, and Sheeds instructed him to go where Williams went, even if it wasn't where the ball was. Sure enough Williams anticipated where the ball would be. No surprise that Watson rated him the best he has played on.