Each Club's Best Teams Since 1980

[Blind Turn]

In conjunction with the thread I created on the top 100 players I have seen since 1980, this is the best teams from that era.

It is purely based on their careers at that club. Selection was based on who I would play in my teams rather than best in a position. An example is Tony Shaw in the back pocket for Collingwood, a position I believe he was well suited to.

I have finished with a combined side for the era. This team is not filled by the order I rated the players but is instead based on balance and versatility when choosing from a squad of 100.

Anyhoo, I thought I'd put it out there. Those who have watched footy over the same period would know their teams better than me and I'd be interested to know how close my selections are to theirs.

New player additions at the end of each season are in bold type.

Adelaide
Bickley(c) Rutten Hart
Laird Bock McLeod
Goodwin Ricciuto Sloane
Lynch Walker Dangerfield
Betts Modra D Jarman
Rehn Thompson McGuiness
Edwards Smart Jacobs Douglas
Emerg: McDermott Talia Burton M Crouch
(5 players in top 100)

Brisbane/Fitzroy
Johnson Michael Pert
C Scott Leppitsch Roos
Lappin Black Neale
Conlan Brown Osborne
Akermanis Quinlan Lynch
Martin Voss(c) Wilson
White R Merrett Power Zorko
Emerg: Andrews McRae Bradshaw M Ashcroft
(9 players in top 100)

Carlton
Hunter Silvagni Harmes
Simpson Doull A McKay
Bradley Williams Camporeale
Johnston Kernahan(c) Koutafides
Betts Fevola Bosustow
J Madden Judd Cripps
Ashman Murphy Fitzpatrick Ratten
Emerg: C Curnow Gibbs S Walsh MacLure
(8 players in top 100)

Collingwood
T Shaw(c) D Moore Clement
H Shaw Reid G Brown
Sidebottom Swan Millane
Beams T Cloke De Goey
P Daicos S Rocca A Rocca
Grundy Buckley Pendlebury
N Daicos P Moore McGuane Burns
Emerg: P Williams D Cloke Crisp M Williams
(4 players in top 100)

Essendon
Fletcher Hooker Wanganeen
Harvey Hurley Thompson
Long J Watson Z Merrett
Mercuri R Merrett T Daniher(c)
Bewick Lloyd Salmon
S Madden T Watson Hird
Neagle Vander Haar Lucas Baker
Emerg: Wellman J Johnson Misiti N Daniher
(12 players in top 100)

Footscray
Hardie Lake Morris
Murphy(c) Grant R Smith
Hawkins West MacRae
Bontempelli Templeton B Johnson
N Brown Beasley Hall
Wynd Boyd Tony Liberatore

Tony Liberatore

Age

58

Ht

163cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.1

5star

K

10.5

4star

HB

9.6

5star

M

1.5

2star

T

4.3

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.0

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

1.0

1star

T

0.0

1star

Cooney L Darcy Griffen Giansiracusa
Emerg: Cross Johannisen Cameron Tom Liberatore
(4 players in top 100)

Fremantle
Hayden Tarrant Pearce
Mi Johnson McPharlin Ryan
B Hill Fyfe Serong
Barlow Pavlich(c) Walters
Farmer Modra Ballantyne
Sandilands Mundy Neale
Bell Hasleby S Hill Brayshaw
Emerg: Allan Darcy McManus Mayne
(4 players in top 100)

Geelong
Enright Scarlett Milburn
Stewart Taylor Bos
Dangerfield Selwood(c) I Smith
S Johnson T Hawkins Bartel
Chapman Ablett Sr Cameron
Ottens G Hocking Ablett Jr
Ling Couch Barnes Turner
Emerg: Brownless Stoneham G Williams Corey
(13 players in top 100)

GOLD COAST
Harbrow Collins Ballard
Hanley May Saad
Anderson Miller Swallow
Lukosius King Bennell
Dixon Lynch Sexton
Witts Rowell Ablett(c)
Prestia Day Rischitelli Thompson
Emerg: Fiorini Ainsworth Lemmens Powell
(1 player in the top 100)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Idun Davis Tomlinson
Haynes Taylor Shaw
Whitfield Green Taranto
Greene Hogan Coniglio
Himmelberg Cameron Johnson
Mumford Kelly Ward(c)
Shiel Scully Treloar Finlayson
Kennedy Hopper Smith Cumming
(2 players in the top 100)

Hawthorn
Ayres Langford Burgoyne
Hodge(c) Mew Tuck
Crawford S Mitchell Dipierdominico
Franklin Brereton Buckenara
Matthews Dunstall Rioli
Salmon D Jarman Platten
Lewis Gibson Knights Roughead
Emerg: I Smith Wallace Gunston T Mitchell
(15 players in top 100)

Melbourne
S Febey May Lever
Bruce Neitz Yze
Flower Oliver Langdon
Lyon(c) Schwarz Petracca
Farmer Jakovich Robertson
Gawn Ge Healy J Viney
Davey T Viney B Wilson Stynes
Emerg: Moore Fritsch N Jones Brayshaw
(4 players in top 100)

Nth Melbourne
Dench Martyn Simpson
Archer Glendinning King
Greig Stevens Schwass
Blight Carey(c) Grant
Harvey Longmire McKernan
Dempsey Schimmelbusch J Krakouer
Blakey Petrie Bell Larkin
Emerg: Goldstein P Krakouer Allison Cunnington
(7 players in top 100)

Port Adelaide
Wilson Wakelin Pickett
P Burgoyne C Cornes Wanganeen
S Burgoyne Wines Butters
R Gray Tredrea Boak
Wingard Schultz Westhoff
Primus(c) K Cornes Francou
Hardwick Dew Lade
Bra Ebert
Emerg: Ryder J Carr Byrne-Jones Rozee
(4 players in top 100)

Richmond
Vlaustin Rance Grimes
Campbell Jess Houli
Knights M Rioli G Raines
Bartlett Richardson Martin
Edwards Roach Riewoldt
Lee Cotchin(c) Weightman
Cloke Prestia B Gale Free
Emerg: Wiley K Johnson T Lynch S Bolton
(4 players in top 100)

St Kilda
Barker Frawley Burke
Goddard S Fisher A Jones
Dal Santo Hayes Montagna
Winmar Loewe Riewoldt(c)
Milne Lockett Gehrig
Everitt Harvey J Steven
Ball Burns Koschitzke Steele
Emerg: Ross Gram Marshall Sinclair
(6 players in top 100)

Sydney/Sth Melbourne
Lloyd Dunkley Barry
Kennelly C Bolton Roos
Healy G Williams Goodes
O'Keefe Hall Parker
O'Loughlin Lockett Franklin
Round J Kennedy Kelly(c)
McVeigh Hannebery J Bolton Kirk
Emerg: B Mitchell P Williams Cresswell Schwass
(8 players in top 100)

West Coast
Wirrpunda Glass McGovern
McKenna Jakovich Worsfold(c)
Pe Matera Kemp Mainwaring
Kerr Kennedy Heady
Ph Matera Sumich Lewis
Cox Judd Cousins
Shuey Naitanui Priddis Hurn
Emerg: Embley Yeo McIntosh Gaff
(7 players in top 100)

Best Combined Team since 1980
Wanganeen Scarlett Fletcher
McLeod G Jakovich Roos
Pe Matera Williams Voss
Martin Carey(c) Ablett Sr
Matthews Lockett Franklin
S Madden Hird Ablett Jr
T Watson Quinlan Salmon Dangerfield

Emerg: Blight Pendlebury Judd Dunstall



2nd XXII
Enright Silvagni Archer
Doull Glendinning Hodge
Flower Buckley Goodes
Blight Kernahan N Riewoldt
P Daicos Dunstall D Jarman
Cox Judd R Harvey
Brereton Bartlett Pavlich Ricciuto

Emerg: Akermanis Lloyd Selwood Fyfe

 

[Wild Bill]

Good effort on the Roos team.

 

[AtomicBlonde]

Re: Bombers. I'd swap Neagle with Misiti but great effort overall.

 

[NorthernLights]

Top effort. I would have thought Dunstall would make at least the emergencies in the combined side though.

 

[Wild Bill]

Top effort. I would have thought Dunstall would make the at least the emergencies in the combined side though.

Maybe Lloyd so half the side would then be essendon.

 

[krisholio14]

Overall you've chosen some good teams there.

Not too many changes i'd make to any of them, but here are the changes I would make.

Brisbane/Fitzroy: IN: Rendell OUT: Keating (I'd also prefer Laurie Serafini at full back but that's just me)

Carlton: IN: Alvin, Hanna OUT: Scotland, Carrazzo

Footscray: IN: McPherson OUT: Hall (I know Baz had a couple of very good years for the Dogs, But 'Super' was a Doggie through and through, and was a fan favorite during his 188 games) Royal to the FP.

Hawthorn: IN: Pritchard OUT: S Burgoyne (Darrin Pritchard was one of the most underrated players of his era)

North Melbourne: IN: Larkin OUT: Any one of the players on the bench. Peter Bell also has to be in the selected 22 for mine. Ross Smith also a bit stiff to not make the squad.

St Kilda: IN: Burns OUT: Schneider

Sydney/South: IN: D.Carroll OUT: Toughy but I'd probably have to leave Keneally out. Swans had a few blokes stiff to miss out. I could have had Rod Carter ahead of Dunkley, and while I'm not sure at who's expense - Steve Wright and Bernie Evans are worthy of places.

West Coast: IN: Pyke OUT: Any one of the more recent players, or that prick Hunter.

 

[Blind Turn]

Re: Bombers. I'd swap Neagle with Misiti but great effort overall.

I really rate Neagle's Essendon career. Tough, skilled and quick. Runner-up in 1980 Brownlow and one of only a few who could do inspirational acts that lifted the team. Misiti had moments of brilliance but was essentially an accumulator/ball-magnet. For a wingman, Neagle has him covered.

 

[Blind Turn]

Top effort. I would have thought Dunstall would make the at least the emergencies in the combined side though.

Misses out purely on balance. As an emergency he'd be covering for Lockett whereas the guys I chose could cover a number of players.

 

[Blind Turn]

Maybe Lloyd so half the side would then be essendon.

Yeah I won't deny Bomber players are prevalent. I was expecting you'd have prodded me with that stick in your first post. I'll stand by my selections though. As justification;
- Wanganeen and Salmon would not make it on their Essendon career alone. They proved to be the versatile players at their new clubs that I'd prefer in my team.
- No player I've seen has done the role I'd want of my third tall better than Fletcher. Kick-ins, third man up in contests, takes talls and smalls, defensive general, rarely misses a target with long kicks, peeling off for intercept marks, goal-keeper saves. Silvagni didn't have this versatility although he could play forward which I did consider.
- I've already said enough about how highly I rate Watson in my previous thread.
- Madden and Hird are givens.
- And Lloyd wasn't even considered. Kerry Good was considered though.

 

[Blind Turn]

Overall you've chosen some good teams there.

Not too many changes i'd make to any of them, but here are the changes I would make.

Brisbane/Fitzroy: IN: Rendell OUT: Keating (I'd also prefer Laurie Serafini at full back but that's just me)

Carlton: IN: Alvin, Hanna OUT: Scotland, Carrazzo

Footscray: IN: McPherson OUT: Hall (I know Baz had a couple of very good years for the Dogs, But 'Super' was a Doggie through and through, and was a fan favorite during his 188 games) Royal to the FP.

Hawthorn: IN: Pritchard OUT: S Burgoyne (Darrin Pritchard was one of the most underrated players of his era)

North Melbourne: IN: Larkin OUT: Any one of the players on the bench. Peter Bell also has to be in the selected 22 for mine. Ross Smith also a bit stiff to not make the squad.

St Kilda: IN: Burns OUT: Schneider

Sydney/South: IN: D.Carroll OUT: Toughy but I'd probably have to leave Keneally out. Swans had a few blokes stiff to miss out. I could have had Rod Carter ahead of Dunkley, and while I'm not sure at who's expense - Steve Wright and Bernie Evans are worthy of places.

West Coast: IN: Pyke OUT: Any one of the more recent players, or that prick Hunter.

Great post!

Rendell is unlucky but Keating nailed it in finals which is the swayer for me. Serafini... not ahead of Michael or Pert.

I'll give you Hanna but not Alvin. I toyed with including Hanna but as much as I dislike both Scotland and Carazzo I have to concede that their careers have been very good in a poor side. Carazzo is your smother-the-dangerous-forward type that you need but can also do damage with the ball. Scotland beats Hanna due to his consistent rebounding career off HB.

Royal or Hall could justify a forward pocket but McPherson would be behind Steve Wallis in the queue.

I think you might be right about Pritchard. I'll consider it for sure. Jencke unlucky too.

Ross Smith was unlucky but Larkin isn't there for mine.

It took me a while to choose between Burns and Joffa Cunningham but I went with Joffa due to my memories of him dashing down the wing or cleaning someone up. I like what Schneider has done at the Saints during their most successful period. He added real polish and i'd be reluctant to remove him. But, yes, Burns is stiff.

I'm happy with my Swans selections. Carroll and Browning were next in line but have been surpassed by recent midfielders such as Jack.

Pyke just misses and while Hunter is easy to dislike he's the perfect versatile bench player to call upon.

 

[Donakebab]

Surely that's Aussie Jones on the half back for St Kilda. One of my favourite wingers of the 90's. Shame he pulled the pine when he did as he was still easily in the Saints best 22 and had a few more good years left in his legs.

 

[Blind Turn]

Surely that's Aussie Jones on the half back for St Kilda. One of my favourite wingers of the 90's. Shame he pulled the pine when he did as he was still easily in the Saints best 22 and had a few more good years left in his legs.

Yep, that's Aussie Jones. Played, I believe, his best footy late in his career as a rebounding HBF. Had another 2 years to give for sure.

 

[Chrizzt]

Port Adelaide
Out: Motlop, Brett Ebert
In: Wingard, Roger James
Roger James to replace Wanganeen on ball, with Wanganeen going HFF and Wingard FP.
Brett Ebert to replace Wingard as an emergency. Motlop just plain gone.

 

[Blind Turn]

Port Adelaide
Out: Motlop, Brett Ebert
In: Wingard, Roger James
Roger James to replace Wanganeen on ball, with Wanganeen going HFF and Wingard FP.
Brett Ebert to replace Wingard as an emergency. Motlop just plain gone.

I completely forgot about James (which probably says something about his no-fuss, unspectacular style). He warrants a spot but was he really good enough to be in the first 3 on-ballers chosen? I doubt it.

Ebert and Motlop were much maligned which sours them in the eyes of Port supporters. Both produced good footy for your club. Motlop kicked around 50 in a season twice. I really wanted a goal sneak in the side and he did some incredible things. There is no doubt that Wingard and probably Monfries will replace them but one season of excellent footy is not enough IMO.

 

[krisholio14]

Great post!

Rendell is unlucky but Keating nailed it in finals which is the swayer for me. Serafini... not ahead of Michael or Pert.

I'll give you Hanna but not Alvin. I toyed with including Hanna but as much as I dislike both Scotland and Carazzo I have to concede that their careers have been very good in a poor side. Carazzo is your smother-the-dangerous-forward type that you need but can also do damage with the ball. Scotland beats Hanna due to his consistent rebounding career off HB.

Royal or Hall could justify a forward pocket but McPherson would be behind Steve Wallis in the queue.

I think you might be right about Pritchard. I'll consider it for sure. Jencke unlucky too.

Ross Smith was unlucky but Larkin isn't there for mine.

It took me a while to choose between Burns and Joffa Cunningham but I went with Joffa due to my memories of him dashing down the wing or cleaning someone up. I like what Schneider has done at the Saints during their most successful period. He added real polish and i'd be reluctant to remove him. But, yes, Burns is stiff.

I'm happy with my Swans selections. Carroll and Browning were next in line but have been surpassed by recent midfielders such as Jack.

Pyke just misses and while Hunter is easy to dislike he's the perfect versatile bench player to call upon.

I'll go into the others later, but Larkin is an absolute monty for North. Go over to their board and ask them if they think he should be in the side. There are more than a few who thought he should have been in their TOC, let alone a team from 1980 onwards. 3 B&F's in 4 years, state rep and AA selection, captain for 3 seasons during which time his hammies started packing it in. I think his record speaks for itself. Records aside, he was a very tough and skilled footballer. Could use both sides of the body, clean usage by hand and foot, knew how to get his hands on it, and knew where the goals were. Was one of my favorite non Geelong players at the peak of his powers.

 

[Bailey01]

Richie Douglas should be in there for the crows

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

For the Crows:
In: Douglas
Out: VB

Douglas is a B&F winner which is enough to get him in.

Great effort otherwise.

 

[Bailey01]

For the Crows:
In: Douglas
Out: VB

Douglas is a dual B&F winner which is enough to get him in.

Great effort otherwise.

He's not a dual B&F winner but he should have been last year

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

He's not a dual B&F winner but he should have been last year

No need for the angry face emoticon, Sloane has a ripping year as well and was a more than worthy recipient. Any of him, Danger or Douglas deserved it in a three-horse race.

 

[Bailey01]

No need for the angry face emoticon, Sloane has a ripping year as well and was a more than worthy recipient. Any of him, Danger or Douglas deserved it in a three-horse race.

Douglas didn't have the standout performances but played week in week out did his role but Sloane is a worthy recipient, love the way he plays. Hope Danger can get one this year.

 

[Bailey01]

By the end of his career I think Talia will move in front of Bock

 

[Blind Turn]

For the Crows:
In: Douglas
Out: VB

Douglas is a B&F winner which is enough to get him in.

Great effort otherwise.

I'll watch Douglas a bit more closely as I haven't really rated him as much more than a serviceable player in the past. A B&F says a lot about his perception within a club but it needs to be remembered that McPhee and Denham are Chrichton medallists at Essendon but would be lucky to make a second 25.

 

[Blind Turn]

I'll go into the others later, but Larkin is an absolute monty for North. Go over to their board and ask them if they think he should be in the side. There are more than a few who thought he should have been in their TOC, let alone a team from 1980 onwards. 3 B&F's in 4 years, state rep and AA selection, captain for 3 seasons during which time his hammies started packing it in. I think his record speaks for itself. Records aside, he was a very tough and skilled footballer. Could use both sides of the body, clean usage by hand and foot, knew how to get his hands on it, and knew where the goals were. Was one of my favorite non Geelong players at the peak of his powers.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on Larkin but I'm struggling to see whom he replaces in a strong North line-up. Would Allison be the unlucky one? He was a real spark in a successful team. Maybe you can convince me that I'm overrating Swallow and Wells but they've now been producing consistently damaging footy for a number of years. Swallow has 3 B&Fs, Wells has 2. I remember Larkin well as a player and I know he was very good but I have never rated him as highly as you obviously do.

 

[scotty13]

Port Adelaide
Out: Motlop, Brett Ebert
In: Wingard, Roger James
Roger James to replace Wanganeen on ball, with Wanganeen going HFF and Wingard FP.
Brett Ebert to replace Wingard as an emergency. Motlop just plain gone.

Id also drop Primus and put in either Lade or Brogan, but maybe Lade.

 

[Chrizzt]

Id also drop Primus and put in either Lade or Brogan, but maybe Lade.

Lade's already in the team. Brogan was great, but Primus was much better. They had to create the centre circle rule just to curb his influence at centre bounces.