Opinion Best players you've seen in each position

[courtjester]

As a variation on the greatest team of all time debate, who do you think are the best players of all time in individual positions.

Back Pocket (small)- Gavin Wanganeen

Back Pocket (med)- Glenn Archer

Full Back- Matthew Scarlett

Half Back Flank (defender)- Guy McKenna

Half Back Flank (attacking/rebound)- Andrew McLeod

Centre Half Back- Paul Roos

Wing- Peter Matera

Centre- Greg Williams

Half Forward Flank (taller marking)- James Hird

Half Forward Flank (pace, pushing to mid)- Jason Akermanis

Centre Half Forward- Dermott Brereton

Forward Pocket- Peter Daicos

Full Forward- Garry Ablett Sr.

Ruck- Simon Madden

Ruck Rover- Tim Watson

Rover- Garry Ablett Jr.

Tagger- Cameron Ling


As I watched Geelong on the weekend, I realised how bloody good Scarlett is, and I reckon he has overtaken Silvagni as the best FB i've seen. Hence the thread!

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

A pretty good selection of players, I agree Scarlett is a better player than Silvagni (which takes some doing),

I disagree with Brereton, a good player no doubt but there have been better players at CHF. Wayne Carey comes to mind.

I would also suggest that Leigh Matthews would be an excellent choice for a Forward Pocket, he kicked a stack of goals playing in that position.

Has Gary Ablett Jnr done enough yet?

Just my thoughts! Good team though!

 

[GrandBlue]

Matthew Scarlett played one good game and he's already being called the best ever. Hell, I don't even think it was that great, he was playing on Welsh for starters and he was just doing what Lake does all the time. From all the 90s football I've seen, SOS is much much better than Scarlett.

Also, looking at your list, it seems you haven't watched any Football from the 80s or 70s apart from a few inclusions. Leigh Matthews shits on Ablett Jnr. Wayne Carey or Ted Whitten would easily be the CHF ahead of Dermott. Also, thinking Ling is the best tagger ever is laughable.

 

[watermelonslice]

Matthew Scarlett played one good game and he's already being called the best ever. Hell, I don't even think it was that great, he was playing on Welsh for starters and he was just doing what Lake does all the time. From all the 90s football I've seen, SOS is much much better than Scarlett.

Have you watched much footy in the last decade? One good game?

Also, looking at your list, it seems you haven't watched any Football from the 80s or 70s apart from a few inclusions. Leigh Matthews shits on Ablett Jnr. Wayne Carey or Ted Whitten would easily be the CHF ahead of Dermott. Also, thinking Ling is the best tagger ever is laughable.

Compile your own list then. Obviously there will be posters here who are pretty young and won't have seen much footy from the 70s and 80s. There's no need to be condescending. The purpose of this thread is to create discussion on the matter.

 

[invinciBlues]

CHB - Glen Jackovich
Centre - Kouta
Wing - Peter Matera
FB - SOS
FF - Lockett
Rover - Greg Williams

You can't compare Scarlett to SOS as Scarlett hasn't been playing on some the greatest all-time leading goal-kickers.

SOS nearly always got the job done on Ablett Snr, Dunstall, and Lockett. The reason Scarlett stands out is because of the lack of freakish full forwards. Wind back the clock 20 years and we'd really get a measure of Scarlett.

But seeing as we can't do that, you can't rightly say that Scarlett is better than Silvagni because only one has proven himself against the best.

 

[courtjester]

Matthew Scarlett played one good game and he's already being called the best ever. Hell, I don't even think it was that great, he was playing on Welsh for starters and he was just doing what Lake does all the time. From all the 90s football I've seen, SOS is much much better than Scarlett.

Also, looking at your list, it seems you haven't watched any Football from the 80s or 70s apart from a few inclusions. Leigh Matthews shits on Ablett Jnr. Wayne Carey or Ted Whitten would easily be the CHF ahead of Dermott. Also, thinking Ling is the best tagger ever is laughable.

I think Scarlett's played a few more good games than one.

I started watching footy in the mid 80s. And I know a fair bit of footy history. But like I said, players i've seen. I never saw Matthews play, but Ablett has been bloody unbelievable in consistency and skill for 3-4 years now. Don't know that Matthews "shits on him".

I agree that Silvagni played on better forwards, but he didn't have Scarlett's drive.

I'd rate Brereton and Carey about on par. Brereton may have the edge in big games.

Who would you say is the best tagger then? Ling is pretty handy. Basically completely shuts down a gun midfielder a week, while getting 25 touches himself. And he's played on Buckley, Riccuito, Voss etc.

 

[WildRover]

interesting thread....having only started watching footy in '92, i can't comment on players from the 80's, but for me some differences are :

CHB : Glen Jakovich, no competition in my book

Centre : Buckley - his long kicking has to have him in the team...imagine Buckley pupming it 60m onto the chest of Ablett (or Lockett or Dunstall).

Ruck : Cox - never saw anythin of Madden, but Cox is a freak, he becomes another midfielder.

Ruck Rover : R Harvey, hard to argue with back to back brownlows, altho he may have been a centre by position?

Centre Half Forward : Surely Wayne Carey? Ok, he's a bit of a tool, but could play footy!

 

[tonynotte]

You can't compare Scarlett to SOS as Scarlett hasn't been playing on some the greatest all-time leading goal-kickers.

SOS nearly always got the job done on Ablett Snr, Dunstall, and Lockett. The reason Scarlett stands out is because of the lack of freakish full forwards. Wind back the clock 20 years and we'd really get a measure of Scarlett.

But seeing as we can't do that, you can't rightly say that Scarlett is better than Silvagni because only one has proven himself against the best.

I can't agree with this any more. Fev and Buddy and a few others that Scarlett has played on are very good players, but not in the same leage as Ablett, Dunstall and Locket.

Plus 20 years ago it was very much a one on one game esp deep forward. Much harder for the full back back then.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

I can't agree with this any more. Fev and Buddy and a few others that Scarlett has played on are very good players, but not in the same leage as Ablett, Dunstall and Locket.

Plus 20 years ago it was very much a one on one game esp deep forward. Much harder for the full back back then.

Yes but they didn't concede a free kick everytime they touched their opponent. SOS really wrestled with his players and didn't give them any space.

They are both superb players. Scarlett is the best FB of the last decade, without a doubt! SOS the decade before that!

 

[clad idiout]

Chris Jonhson as back pocket over Wanganeen easily!

What about Utility - Kouta or Goodes?

 

[ripitup27]

You can't compare Scarlett to SOS as Scarlett hasn't been playing on some the greatest all-time leading goal-kickers.

SOS nearly always got the job done on Ablett Snr, Dunstall, and Lockett. The reason Scarlett stands out is because of the lack of freakish full forwards. Wind back the clock 20 years and we'd really get a measure of Scarlett.

But seeing as we can't do that, you can't rightly say that Scarlett is better than Silvagni because only one has proven himself against the best.

Silvagni could also chop the arms, hold the jumper etc. and get away with it.

I think you would also be doing Lloyd a disservice to not consider him one of the best of all time, and Scarlett had his measure.

 

[Asty]

CHB - Glen Jackovich
Centre - Kouta
Wing - Peter Matera
FB - SOS
FF - Lockett
Rover - Greg Williams

You can't compare Scarlett to SOS as Scarlett hasn't been playing on some the greatest all-time leading goal-kickers.

SOS nearly always got the job done on Ablett Snr, Dunstall, and Lockett. The reason Scarlett stands out is because of the lack of freakish full forwards. Wind back the clock 20 years and we'd really get a measure of Scarlett.

But seeing as we can't do that, you can't rightly say that Scarlett is better than Silvagni because only one has proven himself against the best.

Comparing different eras is hard but the arguments seem to be applied just to justify the posters own opinion what about ...

You cant compare williams to Ablett Jnr as williams played on muddy tracks when his speed and height wasn't exposed. If he played in todays game he wouldn't get a touch as everyone would just run past him and he wouldn't keep up

That said how would Dunstall, Lockett, Ablett Snr go in the 2nd half of a game after chasing scarlett up the field 30-40 times? Times change and so does the style of play required in each position.

 

[psychobrown]

I'd probably have Brett Kirk over Ling as tagger. I think it was 03/04 when he was just finishing games holding his opponents' scalps.

 

[Butts_JZZ30]

Back Pocket (small)- Gavin Wanganeen/Chris Johnson (so hard to separate)

Back Pocket (med)- Ben Hart/Glen Archer

Full Back- Matthew Scarlett

Half Back Flank (defender)- Guy McKenna

Half Back Flank (attacking/rebound)- Andrew McLeod

Centre Half Back- Glen Jackovich (although Roos was great)

Wing (fast/skillful/wingman)- Peter Matera

Wing (Tall/athletic/marking) - Adam Goodes/Matthew Richardson

Centre- Micheal Voss/Mark Riccuito/Nathan Buckley (hard to split)

Half Forward Flank (taller marking)- James Hird

Half Forward Flank (pace, pushing to mid)- Jason Akermanis

Centre Half Forward- Wayne Carey

Forward Pocket (crumbing/goal sneek)- Brad Johnson

Forward Pocket (tall marking option)- Garry Ablett Sr.

Full Forward (leading)- Jason Dunstall/Tony Modra/Tony Lockett

Ruck- Shaun Rehn/Dean Cox (don't need option of going forward with Lock/Ablett in side)

Ruck Rover- Robert Harvey

Rover- Ben Cousins (still giving Ablett time)

Tagger- Cameron Ling

I've picked these players to compliment eachother! This is a team from more recent era obviously! These are just the best in my experience! I'm only 20!

 

[Swampfox]

Back Pocket - John Beckwith
Full Back - Geoff Southby
Half Back Flank - John Rantall
Centre Half Back - Ted Whitten
Wing - Robert Flower
Centre - Ian Stewart
Half Forward Flank - Alex Jesaulenko
Centre Half Forward - Wayne Carey
Full Forward - Tony Lockett
Ruck - Polly Farmer
Rover Bob Skilton

Other Positions

Ruck Rover - Leigh Mathews
Follower - Jim Stynes
Utility - Ron Barassi

 

[GrandBlue]

SOS is a better Full-Back than Scarlett and it'll stay that way. It doesn't matter how much the game has changed, if the question asks 'Best ever', then you have to compare each player by their respective era and in the end, SOS was a much better defender in the 90s than Scarlett was in the 00s, given the fact that he pretty much always shut down the likes of Lockett, Ablett, Sumich etc whilst the competition isn't as tough nowadays with not as many champion forwards.

Oh, and again, if we're talking 'best ever', Whitten is a better center-half back than Jakovich, Madden or Graham Farmer are much better Rucks than anyone you can think of (from Stynes to Cox etc).

 

[ripitup27]

SOS is a better Full-Back than Scarlett and it'll stay that way. It doesn't matter how much the game has changed, if the question asks 'Best ever', then you have to compare each player by their respective era and in the end, SOS was a much better defender in the 90s than Scarlett was in the 00s, given the fact that he pretty much always shut down the likes of Lockett, Ablett, Sumich etc whilst the competition isn't as tough nowadays with not as many champion forwards.

Oh, and again, if we're talking 'best ever', Whitten is a better center-half back than Jakovich, Madden or Graham Farmer are much better Rucks than anyone you can think of (from Stynes to Cox etc).

I don't understand your theory...so basically the oldest player is the greatest?

The Silvagni v Scarlett argument has legs, it's not cut and clear. Both had 5 AA selections in their respective decades, and while AA isn't the best indicator, it's certainly a good indicator

And while agree Ablett, Lockett and Dunstall were some of the best ever, you can't seriously argue that Sumich was a better player than the likes of Lloyd and Fevola, two players Scarlett consistently shut down.

Not to mention the rule changes that clearly favour the forwards these days...Ablett, Dunstall and Lockett would have kicked at least 200 more goals in their careers if they couldn't have their jumper held, their arms chopped and no slight touch of a hand in the back.

 

[GrandBlue]

I don't understand your theory...so basically the oldest player is the greatest?

The Silvagni v Scarlett argument has legs, it's not cut and clear. Both had 5 AA selections in their respective decades, and while AA isn't the best indicator, it's certainly a good indicator

And while agree Ablett, Lockett and Dunstall were some of the best ever, you can't seriously argue that Sumich was a better player than the likes of Lloyd and Fevola, two players Scarlett consistently shut down.

Not to mention the rule changes that clearly favour the forwards these days...Ablett, Dunstall and Lockett would have kicked at least 200 more goals in their careers if they couldn't have their jumper held, their arms chopped and no slight touch of a hand in the back.

This is why SOS will remain a better Full-Back than Scarlett. While the rule changes favour Silvagni, it's part of what makes him a better player. Sure, it may be harder to compare each era but having watched both play, Silvagni simply did a better job for his time.

Also, I know Sumich isn't exactaly the highest quality forward but he's just an example of a player who Silvagni was capable of consistantly shutting down. The 90s was a decade stacked with quality forwards, unlike the 00s where some teams don't even have any good power/tall forwards (I still remember the Qualifying Final of 2009 where Scarlett tore us up and people called it one one of the best ever FB performances... But really, it's not that hard when your opponent is Scott Welsh or Will Minson surrounded by some short stacks)

 

[courtjester]

Scarlett has had to play on the following players in his career:

Brown
Tredrea
Lloyd
Fevola
Pavlich
Riewoldt/Kosi
Richo
Hall

He's played on some decent forwards!

 

[Big Nasty]

Scarlett has had to play on the following players in his career:

Brown
Tredrea
Lloyd
Fevola
Pavlich
Riewoldt/Kosi
Richo
Hall

He's played on some decent forwards!

Exactly, and even though some of those names aren't that impressive now, Lloyd, Tredrea, Hall & Richo were once champion players, especially Lloyd & Tredrea in thier prime. Silvagni had the luxury of not having todays limitations as a defender. With todays rules he would'nt be able to get away with half the things he used to. And don't tell me he would've adapted because the grappling, hanging off his opponents & chopping arms was his bread and butter, and it's what made him successful on those players. With todays tiggy touchwood free kicks he would've been eaten alive by the likes of Ablett,Locket & Dunstall.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Exactly, and even though some of those names aren't that impressive now, Lloyd, Tredrea, Hall & Richo were once champion players, especially Lloyd & Tredrea in thier prime. Silvagni had the luxury of not having todays limitations as a defender. With todays rules he would'nt be able to get away with half the things he used to. And don't tell me he would've adapted because the grappling, hanging off his opponents & chopping arms was his bread and butter, and it's what made him successful on those players. With todays tiggy touchwood free kicks he would've been eaten alive by the likes of Ablett,Locket & Dunstall.

reverse the situation and let Scarlett hold and chop arms, IMO he would be twice as good.
Cousins equal to any midfielder I have seen.

 

[SaintsManMat]

Back Pocket (small)- Gavin Wanganeen/Chris Johnson (so hard to separate)

Back Pocket (med)- Ben Hart/Glen Archer

Full Back- Matthew Scarlett

Half Back Flank (defender)- Guy McKenna

Half Back Flank (attacking/rebound)- Andrew McLeod

Centre Half Back- Glen Jackovich (although Roos was great)

Wing (fast/skillful/wingman)- Peter Matera

Wing (Tall/athletic/marking) - Adam Goodes/Matthew Richardson

Centre- Micheal Voss/Mark Riccuito/Nathan Buckley (hard to split)

Half Forward Flank (taller marking)- James Hird

Half Forward Flank (pace, pushing to mid)- Jason Akermanis

Centre Half Forward- Wayne Carey

Forward Pocket (crumbing/goal sneek)- Brad Johnson

Forward Pocket (tall marking option)- Garry Ablett Sr.

Full Forward (leading)- Jason Dunstall/Tony Modra/Tony Lockett

Ruck- Shaun Rehn/Dean Cox (don't need option of going forward with Lock/Ablett in side)

Ruck Rover- Robert Harvey

Rover- Ben Cousins (still giving Ablett time)

Tagger- Cameron Ling

I've picked these players to compliment eachother! This is a team from more recent era obviously! These are just the best in my experience! I'm only 20!

LOL @ including Modra in the same sentance as Lockett and Dunstall...Thats just funny

 

[Rioli magic]

Southby, Langford and Moore before Silvagni or Scarlett. Dunstall, Lockett and Ablett would have field days on Scarlett.

 

[Jascave]

Back Pocket: Gary Ayres
Full Back: Kelvin Moore
Back Pocket: Geoff Southby
Half Back Pocket: John Rantall
Centre-Half Back: Ted Whitten snr
Wing: Craig Bradley
Centre: Russell Ebert
Wing: Robbie Flower
Centre-Half Forward: Royce Hart
Full-Forward: Tony Lockett
Ruck: Simon Madden
Ruck-Rover: Barrie Robran
Rover: Leigh Matthews
Utility: Malcolm Blight
Tagger: Shane Heard (anyone remember the time the then Victorian coach Kevin Sheedy picked Heard for a State of Origin game against SA in the mid '80s at Football Park?)

 

[Mario the Lothario]

Back Pocket - Glenn Archer

Full Back- Matthew Scarlett

Half Back Flank - Bruce Doull

Centre Half Back- Ross Glendinning

Wing- Keith Greig

Centre- Greg Williams

Half Forward Flank - Wayne Schimmelbusch

Centre Half Forward- Wayne Carey

Forward Pocket-Leigh Matthews

Full Forward- Jason Dunstall

Ruck- Simon Madden

Ruck Rover- Garry Hocking

Rover - Garry Wilson/Barry Cable/Leigh Matthews (too hard to split)

Utility - Malcolm Blight/James Hird (too hard to split)

Tagger- Shane Heard