Best Individual Games

[Vdubs]

Has this ever been done?. Apart from G Ablett snr who has the monopoly on standout games, which individual performance springs to mind?. Will never forget a Barry Stoneham game during the 92 finals against Bulldogs. Possibly the most complete and inspiring performance I've ever seen. We were down at 1/2 time and he was already starring, then 2nd 1/2, he seemed to play ruck, ruck-rover, FB, CHB, CHF and FF. Wherever we needed him he was there. Ended up winning easily due only to Bazza. He truly should have been an all time great.
Mooney's performance against Melbourne in a final 5-6 years ago was unreal as a mop up attacking defender-his best game ever?
Love to read some other gems.

 

[kicksome]

i cant remember many from ages ago, but for some reason bradley ottons 07 pre lim springs to mind, thought he was enormous that night

 

[Catsace]

A unique feat separated by 17 seasons....to the round no less was the respective 150th's of Gary Ablett Sr and Jr. Dazzling games, Gary Sr's 150th was awesome. 30+ disposals, 5 goals and he destroyed the Eagles in Perth that day, while Gary Jr's 46 possession 3 goal exhibition against the Crows was equally fantastic. Surely the only father/son double milestone BOG's, and possibly best in career!!

Peter Featherby had 43 kicks against the Dees in 1981 from memory also, and Michael Turner had a dazzler against Richmond in 1980 at the 'G'.

 

[pinion]

yeah i remember stoneham being an absolute superstar at one stage before he broke his leg. we used to dream of having 5 of him to play every key position and in the ruck

 

[Vdubs]

A unique feat separated by 17 seasons....to the round no less was the respective 150th's of Gary Ablett Sr and Jr. Dazzling games, Gary Sr's 150th was awesome. 30+ disposals, 5 goals and he destroyed the Eagles in Perth that day, while Gary Jr's 46 possession 3 goal exhibition against the Crows was equally fantastic. Surely the only father/son double milestone BOG's, and possibly best in career!!

Peter Featherby had 43 kicks against the Dees in 1981 from memory also, and Michael Turner had a dazzler against Richmond in 1980 at the 'G'.

There was another amazing Turner game vs Pies in a ? prelim final in ? 1980, nearly won the game solo, but probably compared to any of Ablett's top games maybe not so great.

 

[manboob]

Three that spring to mind. Ablett Snr's against Essendon (1993). Selwood against Fremantle last year, when we were 40 odd points down in round 6. Lastly Ablett Jnr pantsing North last year. (and a smokey... Scarlett in this years G.F.)

 

[maximus steel]

CHAPMANNN
the two g. ablett's have played the best losing games ive ever seen
snr - 1989 g.f and 1993 v essendon
jnr - 2008. g.f - was harsh not to get norm smith there

 

[CatTricks]

James Kelly had a blinder this year..can't remember which game though..

 

[Junk Time]

yeah i remember stoneham being an absolute superstar at one stage before he broke his leg. we used to dream of having 5 of him to play every key position and in the ruck

At one point in time I would have picked him every day of the week over Carey

 

[MontyMensch]

Stoneham in his prime could play back and hold carey and go foward to beat Jakovitch..

Also i loved game (Living in Perth at the time) When the monster carved the Eagles with 6 goals in 2000 at KP..

Also considering his injury he pulled in game and the Crows strong fightback Chappy's 6 at KP this year into the Terrace from the wing was pretty inspirational.

I also remember another time briefly when Micky Mansfield got placed at full-forward due to injuries agianst the Roys and kicked a suprising six goals at Victoria Park, a real decent effort for the future All Australian backman.

Then their was that fateful day Billy tortured the Bear so badly he made them turn of their Koala Bear Scoreboard Sign. He then missed his chance to make it 12 yet gained for the Club the record score in VFL/AFL history regardless. (Should made it greater in 2007 agianst Richmond mind you).

 

[winty]

yeah i remember stoneham being an absolute superstar at one stage before he broke his leg. we used to dream of having 5 of him to play every key position and in the ruck

I've always been of the belief that if Bazza's career wasn't so riddled with injury, he'd have been on a par with Carey as one of the best CHFs ever.

Back on topic, SJ's game against Essendon this year was pretty amazing. I think he was on level pegging with the Bombers at 3/4 time until we put the cue in the rack in the last term.

Then there was Harry's game in the grand final this year. Most people have said he had a lot of help from Harley and co, but watching the DVD, a great deal of the one-on-one contests, and there were quite a few, were won handsomely by Harry. He was easily BOG for mine.

 

[CatTricks]

Back on topic, SJ's game against Essendon this year was pretty amazing. I think he was on level pegging with the Bombers at 3/4 time until we put the cue in the rack in the last term.
quote]
I was at this game. SJ abolsutley smashed them.

 

[Belisarius]

I know that Gary Snr. is not supposed to be mentioned on this thread - but I just have to say that the game he played in the '89 Prelim against Ess. was better than the Norm Smith effort he put in 1 week later. I was at both games - and it was just incredible to watch.

In keeping with the spirit of the thread - I cannot recall the individual game/s - but Buddha Hocking had quite a few pearlers in his illustrious career for Geelong. It seems to me a few people on this website forget how good he was. So good he would still walk into this current Geelong midfield IMO. Hard to say who he would replace - but he would get selected in the 22.

 

[Vdubs]

I know that Gary Snr. is not supposed to be mentioned on this thread - but I just have to say that the game he played in the '89 Prelim against Ess. was better than the Norm Smith effort he put in 1 week later. I was at both games - and it was just incredible to watch.

In keeping with the spirit of the thread - I cannot recall the individual game/s - but Buddha Hocking had quite a few pearlers in his illustrious career for Geelong. It seems to me a few people on this website forget how good he was. So good he would still walk into this current Geelong midfield IMO. Hard to say who he would replace - but he would get selected in the 22.

Agree totally with your comments about both Gary's. Buddha used to play some pearlers against North particularly. I'd put him as better than or as good as Selwood-better disposer, but a little hot headed. Must have the record for reports during seasons and Barownlow votes, or close to Diesel.

 

[Jef Costello]

Ignoring Snr p) l think the games of Jnr against Nth in the "corralling" game and against Adelaide in his 150th were outstanding.

Selwoods sheer willpower against the Hawks in R17 in 09.

Bartel against Port (l think or maybe Crows) away and in the wet in 07. Brilliant game.

SJ against the Bombers and against the Swans in 09. He was electric and probably the best player in the comp across a few weeks there.

Otto in the prelim 07.

Scarlo in so many...Loved his final against the Dogs this year. l was there and seeing it live there was a period in the 3rd quarter when he completely imposed himself on the game.

And l'm pretty fond of some gutsy gutsy individual performances in the 2009 GF!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Belisarius]

Agree totally with your comments about both Gary's. Buddha used to play some pearlers against North particularly. I'd put him as better than or as good as Selwood-better disposer, but a little hot headed. Must have the record for reports during seasons and Barownlow votes, or close to Diesel.

I am not totally sure - but I believe that Buddha Hocking did hold the record at the Cats for the player receiving the most Brownlow votes in total over his career (as suggested by VeeDubs). He might still be ? Can anyone tell me who holds that record at GFC ?

 

[Big Nasty]

Jnr - Nth Melb '08, Sydney rd5 '08, Adelaide '09.

Scarlett - I still remember a really tight game against Adelaide at skilled stadium only a few years ago, we won that game mainly because of him. The best game by a defender i think i've ever seen.

 

[Pivo]

Back on topic, SJ's game against Essendon this year was pretty amazing. I think he was on level pegging with the Bombers at 3/4 time until we put the cue in the rack in the last term.

+1 - this is without a doubt the best game I have seen SJ play and one of the better individual games I have seen recently.

 

[Hoffy95]

Two Cats played their best games for mine this year.

Selwood against the Hawks in R.17

Bartel against the Saints in Rd.14

 

[runmatty]

Scarlo in so many...Loved his final against the Dogs this year. l was there and seeing it live there was a period in the 3rd quarter when he completely imposed himself on the game.

I remember sitting behind the goals watching Scarlett take apart the Dogs in that 3rd quarter, amazing stuff. For a 10min period he single handedly turned away everyone of their attacks at goal and set us up for rebound attack.

 

[SmothOperRaider]

One of the best I've seen in recent times (because I'm waaaaaaaaay too hungover to be thinking much further back) was Jnr's performance against the Swans on Golden Slipper day last year. I think he scored around a million on supercoach in what was one of the most awesome "I'm grabbing this game by the neck" kinda games you'll ever see from a midfielder. Probably the closest he's ever looked like his old man that day.

 

[Shmoses]

Ablett Jr's had three massive performances for mine - the Swans game at KP last year when he scored like 150 SC points in the last quarter, the game against North where he had 39 touches and beat them almost singlehandedly, and at AAMI v the Crows this year. The Crows game was the single best performance I've ever seen by one player, he had about a trillion touches and was kicking goals from wherever he pleased.
Also worth a mention was Selwood's game v the Hawks in r 17 this year - the young bloke was just immense.

 

[Frappe]

I've taken Junior and Selwood out of this because you could pick a few...

1. Scarlett vs Crows in 2005 (Cats won by 3pts) - Scarlett had over 30 touches and took 18 marks on Scott Welsh

2. Bairstow vs Hawks at PP in 1991 - Cats broke their Hawks hoodoo at the time by 38 points - Bairstow kicked 6 goals and had 30+ possessions on the ball.

3. Didn't go to this game but Andrew Bews kicked 6 goals in the last quarter at VFL Park against the Tigers in 1985 - we'd kicked 7 goals to 3/4 time and kicked 11 in the last.

 

[thejester]

One of the best I've seen in recent times (because I'm waaaaaaaaay too hungover to be thinking much further back) was Jnr's performance against the Swans on Golden Slipper day last year. I think he scored around a million on supercoach in what was one of the most awesome "I'm grabbing this game by the neck" kinda games you'll ever see from a midfielder. Probably the closest he's ever looked like his old man that day.

Seconded. He played those games against North and the Crows after that, IIRC, but the game against the Swans last year was just unbelievable. We went in just ahead at 3/4 time and then Junior turned it into an absolute blowout. Magnificent.

 

[Partridge]

I've taken Junior and Selwood out of this because you could pick a few...

1. Scarlett vs Crows in 2005 (Cats won by 3pts) - Scarlett had over 30 touches and took 18 marks on Scott Welsh

2. Bairstow vs Hawks at PP in 1991 - Cats broke their Hawks hoodoo at the time by 38 points - Bairstow kicked 6 goals and had 30+ possessions on the ball.

3. Didn't go to this game but Andrew Bews kicked 6 goals in the last quarter at VFL Park against the Tigers in 1985 - we'd kicked 7 goals to 3/4 time and kicked 11 in the last.

Remember the first two vividly (especially the Bairstow game in 1991, best game he ever played for us I believe). Some others that come to mind:

1. Garry Hocking v North Melbourne, Preliminary Final 1994. Was shaded by Anthony Stevens to quarter time then tore him to shreds with something like 15 touches to 1 in the second quarter. Carey was amazing that game - no doubt - but Buddha was right behind him.

2. Gary Ablett snr v Essendon, MCG 1993. A few of us were there I'm sure, and it was jaw-dropping from start to finish. Had very little help either.

3. Gary Ablett snr v North Melbourne, MCG 1993. Celebrated his first century in a season early in the first quarter, then proceeded to tear Mick Martyn to pieces kicking 10.6 (missed some absolute sitters too), as we belted them by 94 points.

4. Matthew Scarlett v Richmond, MCG 2004. A much lesser known game, but this was the week after we beat St.Kilda at Geelong in a terrific contest. Scarlett annihilated Shane Morrison (ex-Brisbane) to such an extent I don't think he played another game. Unbelievable performance.

5. Gary Ablett snr v Eagles, Geelong 1995. This was the return bout after the 1994 Grand Final. One of the most bruising games I've ever seen early, when Gazza decided any defender dropping into his space was fair game (which in my opinion is fair enough too). Then to take the game to the next level he kicked 5 goals in the third quarter, finishing with 8 for the match as we smacked them by around 10 goals. Brilliant performance.

And some lesser well-known ones.......

6. Paul Lynch v North Melbourne, MCG 1997. From memory he kicked 4 or 5, but played a brilliant game from half forward that oozed class and we knocked off the reigning premiers. If only this guy's hamstrings could have stood up to playing league football, he could have been anything.

7. Bruce Lindner v Melbourne, MCG 1988. It wasn't often Lindner put it all together, but on this day he kicked 9 and was just magnificent. Did it all and looked a champion.

That'll do for now.