Opinion Best team "on paper" of Geelong footballers YOU have seen play

[Sttew]

Mods, not sure if this has been done before or in recent years? I have penned a hypothetical best Geelong team based on footballers I have actually seen over the years. I was fortunate enough as a kid to see Polly Farmer play but have no memory of him on the field so could not include him.

Only criteria is that (a) the individuals must have played for Geelong and (b) you must have seen them (Reg Hickey is therefore out for 99.9% of posters)

Here's my team:

B: Ian Nankervis - Matthew Scarlett - Gary Malarkey
HB: Corey Enright - Jack Hawkins - Mark Bos
C: Mick Turner - Greg Williams - Gary Hocking
HF: Gary Ablett Snr - John Newman - Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman - Doug Wade - Gary Ablett Jnr
R: Brad Ottens - Patrick Dangerfield - Joel Selwood
I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Paul Couch, David Clarke, Harry Taylor

Emerg: Cameron Ling, Peter Riccardi, Joel Corey

Unlucky: Tom Stewart (probably needs a few more seasons); Tom Hawkins; Peter Featherby (prolific ball winner but has stiff competition)

Greg Williams is contentious. A strong argument could be mounted that Paul Couch be selected in the middle with Williams on the bench. My view is that in his two seasons at Geelong Williams was a dynamo in the middle. He dominated both seasons and left Geelong as reigning B&F.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Mods, not sure if this has been done before or in recent years? I have penned a hypothetical best Geelong team based on footballers I have actually seen over the years. I was fortunate enough as a kid to see Polly Farmer play but have no memory of him on the field so could not include him.

Only criteria is that (a) the individuals must have played for Geelong and (b) you must have seen them (Reg Hickey is therefore out for 99.9% of posters)

Here's my team:

B: Ian Nankervis - Matthew Scarlett - Gary Malarkey
HB: Corey Enright - Jack Hawkins - Mark Bos
C: Mick Turner - Greg Williams - Gary Hocking
HF: Gary Ablett Snr - John Newman - Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman - Doug Wade - Gary Ablett Jnr
R: Brad Ottens - Patrick Dangerfield - Joel Selwood
I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Paul Couch, David Clarke, Harry Taylor

Emerg: Cameron Ling, Peter Riccardi, Joel Corey

Unlucky: Tom Stewart (probably needs a few more seasons); Tom Hawkins; Peter Featherby (prolific ball winner but has stiff competition)

Greg Williams is contentious. A strong argument could be mounted that Paul Couch be selected in the middle with Williams on the bench. My view is that in his two seasons at Geelong Williams was a dynamo in the middle. He dominated both seasons and left Geelong as reigning B&F.

Agree with that, save for:
Peter Walker for Hawkins
Marshall for Turner
Farmer for Ottens
Corey for Taylor on the Bench

The 2 FBs simply can't be avoided, and ditto Newman at CHF.

Good point you make about Hickey, you'd have to be well into your 90s to have seen him play; ditto the great teams of the 50s, you'd have to be in your 80s.
And before any damn fool asks, the answer is No.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

You beat me to it Fred

Id definitely have Denis Marshall in - did finish 2nd in a Brownlow Medal

The other one id definitely have in is John Sharrock ( for David Clarke ) - Sharrock was one of those few players - who could kick 4 goals in about 10 minutes and in big games- mercurial player - and a beautiful long kick

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Great thread - and not just because it plays to my age

Backs : Ian Nankervis Gary Malarkey M Scarlett
H Backs : Enright Peter Walker McGrath
Centres : Hocking Williams Marshall
H Forwards : Sharrock Newman SJ
Forwards : Chapman Wade Ablett Snr
Followers : Farmer Ablett Jnr Dangerfield
Interchange : Selwood , Bartel , David Clarke , Harry Taylor
Emergencies : Corey , Ling , Closter , Turner

 

[FredLeDeux]

You beat me to it Fred

Id definitely have Denis Marshall in - did finish 2nd in a Brownlow Medal

The other one id definitely have in is John Sharrock ( for David Clarke ) - Sharrock was one of those few players - who could kick 4 goals in about 10 minutes and in big games- mercurial player - and a beautiful long kick

Sharrock would make it 3 FBs.

 

[Partridge]

Mods, not sure if this has been done before or in recent years? I have penned a hypothetical best Geelong team based on footballers I have actually seen over the years. I was fortunate enough as a kid to see Polly Farmer play but have no memory of him on the field so could not include him.

Only criteria is that (a) the individuals must have played for Geelong and (b) you must have seen them (Reg Hickey is therefore out for 99.9% of posters)

Here's my team:

B: Ian Nankervis - Matthew Scarlett - Gary Malarkey
HB: Corey Enright - Jack Hawkins - Mark Bos
C: Mick Turner - Greg Williams - Gary Hocking
HF: Gary Ablett Snr - John Newman - Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman - Doug Wade - Gary Ablett Jnr
R: Brad Ottens - Patrick Dangerfield - Joel Selwood
I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Paul Couch, David Clarke, Harry Taylor

Emerg: Cameron Ling, Peter Riccardi, Joel Corey

Unlucky: Tom Stewart (probably needs a few more seasons); Tom Hawkins; Peter Featherby (prolific ball winner but has stiff competition)

Greg Williams is contentious. A strong argument could be mounted that Paul Couch be selected in the middle with Williams on the bench. My view is that in his two seasons at Geelong Williams was a dynamo in the middle. He dominated both seasons and left Geelong as reigning B&F.

It actually isn't contentious to me. Williams is up there with Gary junior as the best midfielder I've ever seen. He only had two seasons at Geelong, sure, but he won one Best and Fairest and won the league's MVP as well. He was an absolute superstar from day one. Automatic selection for me.

B: Ian Nankervis - Matthew Scarlett - Steve Hocking
HB: Corey Enright - Tom Harley (c) - Mark Bos
C: Mick Turner - Greg Williams - Gary Hocking
HF: Gary Ablett Snr - Barry Stoneham - Steve Johnson
F: Paul Chapman - Tom Hawkins - Andrew Bews
R: Brad Ottens - Garry Hocking - Gary Ablett junior
I/C: Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, David Clarke, Joel Corey

Something along those lines anyway.

 

[Max Milburn]

Surely leaving out Bruce makes Ian only half the player?
It would be like only picking one Krakouer brother.

 

[goyoucatters]

Great thread, this. And excellent teams on show. Sttew got plenty right for me in the OP.

But I'm just a little younger than some of the posters thus far. So I can't include Newman, Wade or Clarke.

So I'd end up with:

B: Ian Nankervis, Gary Malarkey, Matthew Scarlett
HB: Corey Enright, Jack Hawkins, Mark Bos
C: Mick Turner, Greg Williams, Garry Hocking
HF: Steve Johnson, Barry Stoneham, Gary Ablett Sr.
F: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Patrick Dangerfield
R: Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett Jr., Joel Selwood
I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Paul Couch, Harry Taylor

In order to include them all, you end up with players named out of position (e.g. Dangerfield). But, at their peak, I would choose Gaz in my on-ball division over Paddy.

Stoneham ahead of Moons, purely on the basis that his very best footy before the injury suggested he could have been anything. And Toma joins Jack in the side in a nod to nostalgia.

Bench is close to my four favourite players over all my time watching the Cats, so they basically selected themselves.

Other names who aren't a million miles off my team would be Dasher and Kenny in the backline, Ricco and Linga through the middle, and Billy and Terry Bright up front.

Not much accountability once you reach the centre square in this line-up. But I figure they'd have more than a few goals in them.

'We play the game as it should be played...'

 

[Larry Donohue]

On talent alone
Nankervis Scarlett Milburn
Marshall Taylor Enright
Turner Ablett snr Williams
Clarke Stoneham Chapman
Stevie J Wade Ablett jnr
Farmer Hocking Goggin
Selwood (c) Dangerfield Bartel Newman
Emerg Sharrock Riccardi Newland B.Ryan
HM Ling Closter Pollineli West Malarkey Couch Featherby Ottens Stewart

 

[Larry Donohue]

I

Surely leaving out Bruce makes Ian only half the player?
It would be like only picking one Krakouer brother.

f you had them both it would take too long to get it to the st a r studded forward line

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Sharrock would make it 3 FBs.

Yeah but Malarkey when he went and Captain/Coached Geelong West - he actually played at Centre Half Forward - ha

 

[Sttew]

Yeah but Malarkey when he went and Captain/Coached Geelong West - he actually played at Centre Half Forward - ha

Can you believe that Malarkey was only 185 cm tall, 2cm shorter than Enright. Built like a brick s#@thouse though

 

[FredLeDeux]

Can you believe that Malarkey was only 185 cm tall, 2cm shorter than Enright. Built like a brick s#@thouse though

Could run like the clappers, too.

 

[Partridge]

Can you believe that Malarkey was only 185 cm tall, 2cm shorter than Enright. Built like a brick s#@thouse though

Roach was one who always said he was his toughest opponent.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Can you believe that Malarkey was only 185 cm tall, 2cm shorter than Enright. Built like a brick s#@thouse though

Huge forehead - eyes were set back about 10cm
IIRC very seldom beaten , beast of a player.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Sharrock would make it 3 FBs.

FredLeDeux - by FB do you mean Best and Fairest?
I was only a tacker but I thought he played HFF ?

 

[Sttew]

Huge forehead - eyes were set back about 10cm
IIRC very seldom beaten , beast of a player.

Kept Hudson goalless in a SOO match

 

[FredLeDeux]

FredLeDeux - by FB do you mean Best and Fairest?
I was only a tacker but I thought he played HFF ?

Mainly HFF, but spent a very good half-season between FB and CHF, did very well in the Brownlow that year from memory.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Huge forehead - eyes were set back about 10cm
IIRC very seldom beaten , beast of a player.

Saw him and the much bigger Brian Taylor wrestle each other to a standstill one day.

 

[Max Milburn]

Saw him and the much bigger Brian Taylor wrestle each other to a standstill one day.

Sounds like a load of Malarkey to me.








AWWW, C'MON! SOMEONE HAD TO!

 

[Vdubs]

Privileged to have seen the best of Polly and the champions of the 60's.
Makes it pleasantly tough. Leaving out any triple premiership immortal feels sacreligious.
I can seriously say, I loved every one of these players.
Hence,
Team 1
FB: Ian Nankervis , Ben Graham, Matt Scarlett
HB: Denis Marshall, Peter Walker, Mark Bos
C: Mike Turner , Greg Williams, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cam Mooney, John Sharrock
FF: Gary Ablett jnr , Doug Wade, Paul Chapman
R: Polly Farmer, Garry Hocking, Billy Goggin
I/C John Newman, Cameron Ling, Neville Bruns, Ken Hinkley

Emer: Peter Featherby, Paul Lynch, Ken Newland, Jack Hawkins



Team 1A
FB: Tom Stewart, Gary Malarkey, Tom Harley
HB: Andre Mackie, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Joel Corey, Paul Couch, Peter Riccardi
HF: David Clarke, Barry Stoneham, Bruce Lindner
FF: Billy Brownless, Gary Ablett snr, Andrew Bews
R: Brad Ottens, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood
I/C: Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski, Tom Hawkins, James Kelly

Emerg: Bill Ryan, Tony Polinelli, Mark Blicavs, Larry Donohue

Which team wins?

 

[FredLeDeux]

Privileged to have seen the best of Polly and the champions of the 60's.
Makes it pleasantly tough. Leaving out any triple premiership immortal feels sacreligious.
Hence,
Team A
FB: Ian Nankervis , Ben Graham, Matt Scarlett
HB: Denis Marshall, Peter Walker, Mark Bos
C: Mike Turner , Greg Williams, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cam Mooney, John Sharrock
FF: Gary Ablett jnr , Doug Wade, Paul Chapman
R: Polly Farmer, Garry Hocking, Billy Goggin
I/C John Newman, Cameron Ling, Neville Bruns, Bruce Nankervis
Emer: Peter Featherby, Paul Lynch, Ken Newland, Mark Bairstow



Team B
FB: Tom Stewart, Gary Malarkey, Tom Harley
HB: Andre Mackie, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Joel Corey, Paul Couch, Peter Riccardi
HF: David Clarke, Barry Stoneham, Bruce Lindner
FF: Billy Brownless, Gary Ablett snr, Andrew Bews
R: Brad Ottens, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood
I/C: Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski, Tom Hawkins, James Kelly
Emerg: Wayne Closter, Tony Polinelli, Ronnie Burns, Mark Blicavs

Which team wins?

The answer to your question is:

Whichever team is first to realise that Ken Hinkley is still available.

 

[Vdubs]

The answer to your question is:

Whichever team is first to realise that Ken Hinkley is still available.

Needs an urgent amendment.
There will be a few others?

 

[FredLeDeux]

Needs an urgent amendment.
There will be a few others?

No doubt, it's always easier to do these things when someone else goes first.

 

[Sttew]

Privileged to have seen the best of Polly and the champions of the 60's.
Makes it pleasantly tough. Leaving out any triple premiership immortal feels sacreligious.
I can seriously say, I loved every one of these players.
Hence,
Team A
FB: Ian Nankervis , Ben Graham, Matt Scarlett
HB: Denis Marshall, Peter Walker, Mark Bos
C: Mike Turner , Greg Williams, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cam Mooney, John Sharrock
FF: Gary Ablett jnr , Doug Wade, Paul Chapman
R: Polly Farmer, Garry Hocking, Billy Goggin
I/C John Newman, Cameron Ling, Neville Bruns, Bruce Nankervis

Emer: Peter Featherby, Paul Lynch, Ken Newland, Mark Bairstow



Team B
FB: Tom Stewart, Gary Malarkey, Tom Harley
HB: Andre Mackie, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Joel Corey, Paul Couch, Peter Riccardi
HF: David Clarke, Barry Stoneham, Bruce Lindner
FF: Billy Brownless, Gary Ablett snr, Andrew Bews
R: Brad Ottens, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood
I/C: Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski, Tom Hawkins, James Kelly

Emerg: Bill Ryan, Tony Polinelli, Ronnie Burns, Mark Blicavs

Which team wins?

I feel for the emergencies particularly in Team A. Not good enough to be in the best 22 and ineligible for Team B