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I also had wondered if Ryan Lonie would go - As outside as they come but one of our best on in the 2002 Grand Final against one of the hardest units you’ll ever come across.

I get the feeling he was twenty years too early and that the game’s evolution now would have played right into his hands. Imagine him off half back with that penetrating kick of his. You’d think Mason Cox in particular would be a huge beneficiary of a Lonie type in the team, where the deluge of players within fifty metres of the ball would be mitigated by his kicking prowess.
 
Tarkyn_24 said:
I also had wondered if Ryan Lonie would go - As outside as they come but one of our best on in the 2002 Grand Final against one of the hardest units you’ll ever come across.

I get the feeling he was twenty years too early and that the game’s evolution now would have played right into his hands. Imagine him off half back with that penetrating kick of his. You’d think Mason Cox in particular would be a huge beneficiary of a Lonie type in the team, where the deluge of players within fifty metres of the ball would be mitigated by his kicking prowess.
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Very true. He was a very impactful type given his short comings…
 
magpies42 said:
Very true. He was a very impactful type given his short comings…
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His 2002 Finals series was very, very good. Not sure who won our best finals player that year (probably Pebbles) but I suggest he would’ve been close.

Just don’t look at 2003 😛
 
Tarkyn_24 said:
I also had wondered if Ryan Lonie would go - As outside as they come but one of our best on in the 2002 Grand Final against one of the hardest units you’ll ever come across.

I get the feeling he was twenty years too early and that the game’s evolution now would have played right into his hands. Imagine him off half back with that penetrating kick of his. You’d think Mason Cox in particular would be a huge beneficiary of a Lonie type in the team, where the deluge of players within fifty metres of the ball would be mitigated by his kicking prowess.
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Not dissimilar to Isaac Smith.
 

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Tarkyn_24 said:
I also had wondered if Ryan Lonie would go - As outside as they come but one of our best on in the 2002 Grand Final against one of the hardest units you’ll ever come across.

I get the feeling he was twenty years too early and that the game’s evolution now would have played right into his hands. Imagine him off half back with that penetrating kick of his. You’d think Mason Cox in particular would be a huge beneficiary of a Lonie type in the team, where the deluge of players within fifty metres of the ball would be mitigated by his kicking prowess.
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I considered him, for one of my last picks, just couldn’t realistically fit him in for the role he played.
 
Trickster said:
And in terms of players not selected...

I think there was only 1 B&F winner not chosen (Robert Hyde) and below is a list of players who weren't selected that played over 100 games.

I was close to selecting Jamie Turner, maybe Mark Richardson or Ron McKeown at CHB if Ron Kingston wasn't available and maybe even Kerro in the back pocket if all my other options had gone.

View attachment 1275270

In terms of leading goalkickers not selected, a few more mostly from the start of the 20th century but from the 1950s onwards some notables were Maurie Dunstan (40 and 43 goals in 51 and 52), Ken Smale (47 and 33 in 55 and 56) and who was labelled as the best forward hope since Ron Todd when he arrived (no pressure there) and Jack Anthony (50 goals in 2009).

Sure there are other players in general who some may have wanted to pull the trigger on but didn't not on this list also.
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Of those names the one I really think unlucky is Andrew Ireland who was a fine tall running half back who retired quite prematurely IIRC - Im surprised he only managed 110 games. Very good player

My memories of Britt, Heard and O'Callaghan are vague, I was pretty young; but FWIW:

Britt was a pretty good player, a similar type to Tuddy though not quite as good. Tough, ginger HFF who could kick a goal.

O'Callaghan was a solid back pocket, - a lockdown no frills defender

Big Bod Heard was the tallest player in the league back then. So he had a massive advantage in an era when a lot of VFL rucks were small by todays standards (eg Don Scott, Don McKenzie, John Nichols). He was unlucky to be around at the same time as Thommo, a good competent VFL ruckman, and IIRC he replaced Jerker Jenkins as 2nd ruck around 72-73. He then went to Richmond and played as first ruck (?) a few seasons for them. He was a very good tap ruckman, but not so great and a little unco around the ground.
 
One who I thought might have been a late selection as a small forward or rover was 'Wee' Georgie Bisset. He only played 2 seasons for us in '73 and '74, coming across from the Dogs under the short-lived '10 year' rule. He gave us great service, particularly in his first season -playing 23 games, kicking 34 goals and averaging 24 possessions per game. He won our 'Most Determined Player' at the Copeland Awards. He looked anything but a footballer, short and a bit stocky, but he could certainly find the ball and knew where the goals were. A cheeky personality to go with it. He should have won the Brownlow in '69. He finished 1 vote behind Kevin Murray, but missed getting votes in a game against Carlton where he got over 30 possies and kicked 6 goals. He got reported, so umps didn't give him a vote, but he then was cleared at the tribunal!
 
half_back_flank said:
What’s everyone’s opinions?

Is it worth having a public vote or just let Michael give his thoughts and leave it at that?
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I think a public one would be good. Started writing about my team but then gotten busy but will try and finish it tomorrow. Still keen on it if everyone else is?...
 
Been a fantastic read following this thread. Being able to get insights and opinions on names I've only heard or read about through books or my father's memories from yesteryear.

Some cracking teams selected, though it's a shame a certain "Humble Penguin" didn't make a team hahaha
 
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Trickster FC - Est 2021

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The Summary - aka the Sales Pitch not that this team needs it:)

Prior to going into some depth on my players, I’ll provide a high level summary of the team. Most would know the big name players but those lesser known are still brilliant and worthy champions in their own right.

This is a seasoned team which averaged 177 games per player. Collectively, they won 35 flags, 10 Copeland trophies (would have been more if this was in existence prior to 1927) and 5 Coventry Leading Goalkicker awards. It oozes leadership with McHale, Kyne and Buckley all having captained and coached the club while Wilson was also a premiership captain. It also contains big game players who excelled in Finals and Grand Finals which I gave higher weightings when selecting the team.

With champions across every line, the team contains a brilliant but miserly backline underpinned by 5 time premiership Full Back Charlie Dibbs, penetrating kicks and toughness off the half back line and an elite midfield containing legends Buckley, Beveridge and Percy Wilson who’d feed off Lofty Harris and Fraser as second ruck. Elite mids has meant champions such as McHale and Bowyer will line up in the backline where they began their careers then rotate through the middle.

The potent multi-dimensional forward line would feast on the sublime delivery of the midfield. Anything rare enough not to be lace-out for Collingwood Legend Kyne, Craig Davis and co would be cleaned up by Dids and Edmonds who was good enough to kick 5 goals in a premiership in his first year.

The Detailed Breakdown

The Back Line

Charlie Dibbs - 5 time premiership full back who played 216 games and was good enough to hold the position ahead of Jack Regan who played at CHB. Ron Reeves - a dashing back pocket who was a big game player, credited with helping hold back the Melbourne tide in the 1958 GF and was named best finals player in 1959. Percy Bowyer - played over 150 games and won 4 premierships. A true utility, he started in the backline, moved to the wing and excelled as a ruck rover. A dependable Mr Fix it type of guy.

The Half Backs

Jock (Mr.) McHale - not much to say. Coaching overshadows playing career where he played 191 games in a row and 259 of 275 in his full seasons. Started at half back, but moved into the middle and thrived even more. Leadership through the roof. Ron Kingston - played 173 games, using his nous to lock down opposition (best football brain said teammate Sullivan) and drop kicks to clear the defence which were described as the best in the league. Durable and played in 53 flag, but missed 58 via injury. Len Murphy 3 premierships in his first 3 years and an enforcer who would knock you down as soon as look at you. Another penetrating kick from defence, played 173 games and unlucky to miss 35 and 36 flags due to injury and suspension after being so durable. Not just tough, but skilful enough to represent the Vics as well.

The Centreline

Robert Dean – Super talented big game player who should have played more than 7 seasons with the Pies. Kicked 6 goals as an 18 year old but was your typical utility who played mostly wing. Best Finals Player in 72 and 73 and kicked 8 and 6 goals in first 2 games for S.M when he left Pies. What could have been? Jack Beveridge – Sublimely skilled player who won Austral Cup in his first season and named in the Centre in the 4 Machine Premierships. Brilliant ball user by hand and foot and a huge loss when he left at 27, after 148 games, to take up a job in WA in midst of Depression. The Rolls Royce before Pendles. Percy Gibb – Absolute racehorse on the wing playing 157 games from 1905-14. Key player in 1910 premiership and was said to be the best player in the game in 1912.

The Half-Forwards

Bob Makeham – Lesser known but also a big game player in 4 Machine Premierships. One of best in 1927 GF, played well in 28 and 29 GFs but in 30 was rated BOG as he turned the game in our favour when we were trailing by over 3 goals at Half Time. Kicked 2 and set up others in 8 goal 3rd term to seal the game. Played 78 of 82 games over those 4 years, missing 3 of those games to represent Vic. Befitting of higher status in our history. Phonse Kyne – 3 time Copeland Trophy winner at Centre Half Forward winning 3 in succession after returning as a 30 year old in new position after war. Cemented legend status as a dual premiership coach by stopping Melbourne from equalling Machine record in 1958. Alan Didak – Scything left foot kick who won Copeland in 2006 and kicked most goals in Premiership year. Brilliant damaging forward-mid with a great Shimmy and a memorable smother and right foot goal in GF replay.

The Forwards

Josh Fraser – Under-rated despite playing 200 games for the Pies. Shouldered ruck burden as a youngster but good enough to kick 38 goals as a ruck-forward in 2002 including 3 in a GF. Would be dangerous with the delivery of this side and would thrive as second ruck. Craig Davis – 5 years for 250 goals for the Pies which included 88 majors in his first season in 1979. Remains one of only 7 players to kick more than 80 goals in a season for Collingwood. Would feast on midfield supply. Horrie Edmonds - Tubby kicked 124 goals from 79 games which included 5 goals in GF in debut year as a 20 yo when Coventry was a decoy. Would crash through packs and pick up any loose balls while also applying forward pressure.

The Followers

Les Hughes – Another lesser-known star despite playing 225 games for the Pies and kicking 175 goals. Champion ruckman who could run all day but good enough to win 2 leading goalkicker awards too. Played up until the age of 38 and played in the 10, 17 and 19 premierships. Hidden gem. Nathan Buckley – 6 time best and fairest winner, Norm Smith and Brownlow Medallist who carried the load for a number of years. Stayed loyal when he was expected to move to Port and enjoyed playing in finals despite ultimate success eluding him. An AFL legend. Percy Wilson – 183 games tough and skilful in the mould of many Collingwood rovers. He was a Premiership captain who combined with Les Hughes and McHale to be a formidable on ball unit for the Pies. Was widely seen as the best player in the League in 1917.
 
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Backs: Harold Rumney, Jack Hamilton, Al Dummett
Half Back: Denis Banks, Albert Collier, Shane Morwood
Centre: Graeme Wright, Des Fothergill, Bruce Abernathy
Half Forward: Bill Twomey Sr, Frank Murphy, T Lockwood
Forward: H Curtis, Brian Taylor, Mick Twomey
Followers: Darren Jolly, Ronnie Wearmouth, Billy Libbis

Ok it is time for my sales pitch. This team is a combination of both skill, freakish ability and extreme toughness. It is built to win Premierships. The backline is as tough as you get and would strike fear into any forward line. Opposition would be shaking in their boots facing Albert Collier and the fire breathing dragon Jack Hamilton. 15 of the 18 players were named in the best 125 Collingwood players ever and no other team can boast those numbers. 32 Premierships, 7 Copeland Trophies, 3 Team of the Century Players (HOW MANY TEAMS CAN BOAST THIS?) and to top it off the team boasts two Brownlow Medalists.

Back Pocket Harold Rumney

Bang !!!!! Lets just start in the Back Pocket with a 5 time Premiership player, a Copeland Trophy winner and a man who sits proudly in our Hall of Fame and Team of the Century. Our greatest back pocket ever. A dashing defender who was so tough that he was one of the survivors when the HMAS Canberra was sunk by the Germans in the Indian Ocean. Has rights to be considered the greatest Back Pocket of all time.

At Full Back Jack Hamilton.

The man they called the fire breathing dragon who was both tough and relentless. Was also known amongst our supporters as the Coleman Killer for the unbelievable record he had against John Coleman. There was a stage where he was regarded as the best Full Back in the game Enough said. If you can beat Coleman, you can beat anyone.

Back Pocket i-

Alf Dummett. An unknown to many but one of the great defenders of his time. 'The Herald once described him as “one of the soundest Magpie defenders of this period”. Markwell, in the Australasian, wrote that: “Dummett was quick on the ground, clever in the air and resourceful under every emergency. He was clean in picking up the ball and very effective in dashing out from the back line.”
This combination of pace and aerial skills made him a valuable team member. But even more important was his consistency. He rarely put in a bad game, and even more rarely missed one through injury. Collingwood learned early that it could always rely on ‘Rosie’ when the chips were down.' This man did not play bad footballer and was up there with the best defenders of his time.


Half Bang Flank- Our beloved Dennis Banks.

Tough, Courageous and skilled. this man inspired team mates with his raw courage. 'Inspiring teammates was something that came easily to Banks. The players had enormous respect for him, and coaches were keen to have him in the side. Part of the reason was that he was Collingwood through and through. His loyalty was as intense as it was unquestioned, and the players understood what he had gone through just to make it on to the field. He was part of the soul of the side. He was also a genuinely good bloke, easygoing and likeable, with a mischievous side that enjoyed practical jokes.'

CHB- Albert Collier (CAPTAIN)

Is this man our greatest Magpie ever? They called him the God who walked amongst men. Revered by team mates, feared by opposition this man was Collingwood. A Brownlow Medalist, 6 times Premiership player and 3 Copeland Trophies in our greatest era.
Albert Collier would be the greatest Centre Half Back ever. Jack Dyer who as we know was an avid Collingwood hater said that Collier was the toughest and most ruthless player to ever play the game. He also said that Collier was the most skilled player of his era. An era that included Reg Hickey, Gordon Coventry, Harry Collier, Syd Coventry, Hayden Bunton and Bob Pratt. The following is a quote from Jack Dyer.
'Albert Collier was one hell of a player and one hell of a man. The toughest footballer to walk the face of this earth. Albert was a GOD, a God amongst men, the most outstanding young player the game has ever seen. He won a brownlow as a teenager and mastered every facet of the game. A beautiful high mark, a thumping kick and a fine mover around the field. He was a thumping backman, a fierce competitor , a colossus as a team player and the first protector to stalk the field. I respected him more then any other player in history. Once he praised me, and that was the ultimate in my football career. I will cherish that for ever' Jack Dyer.

Our biggest hater was his greatest supporter. Great Centre Half Backs win Premierships and Albert Collier was the greatest and most feared of them all.

Half Back Flank- Shane Morwood

Absolute class, adds poise skill and calmness to an already great backline. This man had ice in his veins. An All Australian and one of the great defenders of his time. Was also incredible tough.

The question is not how many goals a team would score against this backline it is whether they would score at all.

Wing Graham Wright

This man could break lines, kick goals and run relentlessly all day. A runner up in the Brownlow, All Australian and Premiership player. Wrighty was an absolute gun.

Centre - Des Fothergill

Stands alongside Daicos, Bill Twomey Snr and Greening as our most skilled magpie of all time. When the great man Peter Daicos burst onto the scene in the late 70s and early 80s those old diehard supporters around me said this kid reminds us of Fothergill. The man they called the magician, maestro or ‘wunderkind’. Could play in the middle or on a HFF. Incredibly kicked 50 or more goals 5 years in a row including 15 goals in 3 Finals in 1938. He won a Brownlow, Team of the Century, 3 x Copelands, was our leading goal kicker 3 times and the league leading goal kicker in 1946. Only war, injury and the lure of the VFA stopped him becoming our greatest player ever. I will allow Fothergill to drift forward and kick a bag

Wing- Bruce Abernathy
Could break lines, run, kick long and would be ideal for BT to isolate him one out. Finished only 3 votes off a Brownlow medal.

HFF- Bill Twomey Snr
Playing mostly as a wingman – in a famed centerline combination with Charlie Pannam Jnr and Tom Drummond – Twomey thrilled fans, commentators and his own teammates with his rare combination of electrifying speed and spectacular skills.

Years later, Gordon Coventry would recall that Collingwood players would wait for Twomey to get a break on his man, then would “bang the ball out in front of him”. (Coventry ruefully described chasing Twomey at practice as “the most futile thing I ever attempted at Collingwood”). Magpie president Jim Sharp said in 1919 that he had never seen a better quick man. Ten years later, with his VFL career long over, Twomey was still being billed as the fastest footballer of his generation.

“Leander”, in the Herald, said: “As a sprinter there are very few men in the League who can stay near him, but it is his dashes to the ball and his quick turns with it that thrill the spectators. He crouches low when running, but at the same time preserves a remarkable freedom in his limbs that enables him to get away with the ball in decisive fashion. Add to this a quick intelligence and a capacity for long, low, well-directed kicks, and you have all the essentials for a first class wing or centre man.”As Leander noted, Twomey’s game wasn’t only about speed. He was also a spectacular mark, a brilliant ball-handler (especially in the wet) and a fine kick. Coventry said his drop kick passes were “like cannon balls”. And incredibly, he performed many of his earliest feats in an old pair of army boots. Those early observations were confirmed over the next three years, as Twomey stamped himself as one of the most exciting footballers of his time. Then, with his future seemingly assured, he walked away from VFL football.

ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED MAGPIES OF ALL TIME

CHF- Frank Murphy
My next one is a hidden Gem and I believe the greatest CHF to ever play for Collingwood. Unfortunately his name has been lost in time amongst the Coventry's and Colliers and other greats of The Machine. This man was CHF in 4 Premierships and incredibly was named in the Best in 3 of those 4 Grand Finals. Both my Grandparents said he was better than the Weid by a walk and they rated Weideman highly. I will leave it to Gordon and Jock to sum it up better than me.Gordon Coventry, who played at full-forward throughout Murphy’s career, is unequivocal: “In that position (centre half-forward) he was a champion,” Coventry wrote in The Sporting Globe in 1938. “For ten years he played in front of me, and could take credit for hundreds of the goals I scored. Murphy helped me in all the games when I scored a big bag of goals.“Frank had great pace, while his marking was excellent,” Coventry commented. “He could kick with either foot, passing with a deadly accuracy. Whenever I saw he had a chance of getting the ball, I tore into the open and Murphy did the rest. His grand marking was followed up by a quick get-away that left opponents yards behind. He always seemed to be able to get balanced before he kicked, and I could always rely on the ball going to a position that would allow me to take it with ease.”Jock McHale 'He was to our forward line what Collier was to our Back Line. No finer Centre Half Forward has been on the field. The players knew that if they kicked it to Frank the ball would be ours'.
It is a shame we do not know him as one of our greats, hopefully we will now. He should be celebrated more.

If a great CHB wins Premierships then a great CHF combing with that CHB wins multiple Premierships. I have Collier and Murphy who were the Machine key position players and won 4 flags together.

HFF- Teddy Lockwood-
A man that won the Coleman medal twice (before it was called that). He represented Victoria and was a dual Premiership player for the Pies. As I said won the league goal kicking twice (one in a winning Premiership year) and finished top 10 several times. Went at 1.5 goal a game. Welcome Teddy Lockwood
A busy forward who was a slippery customer and always dangerous around goal, Lockwood was said to be a level headed player, but in 1901 he and his twin brother were dropped from the Geelong side because of irregular attendance at training.

In 1902, while playing for Collingwood, he was said to have played a better game against his old club than he ever had for it.

With 35 goals he topped the League goalkicking in 1903 and was a member of the premiership side for the second successive year.

He represented Victoria in 1902.

FP- Harry Curtis
A club Captain, Collingwood Hall of Fame Member, dual Premiership player and five times he kicked over 20 goals which in the era he played was remarkable. Several years finished top 5 or 10 in the league goalkicking. Worked brilliantly with Dick Lee and averaged over a goal a game a game, again remarkable in those days. At one stage held the record for the most goals in finals. Was a brilliant mark and will compliment Taylor and Murphy. Went on to shape the 'Machine' years as President and ruled our great club for 6 Premierships. Puts some icing on the forward line.
'In 1917, for example, Lee missed the first two finals through injury: Curtis kicked four goals in the first and five in the second and was virtually unstoppable in both. He kicked another three to go with the returning Lee’s four in the Grand Final. His 12 goals were a record finals series performance to that point.

FF- Brian Taylor
A man who kicked 100 goals in a season, won a Coleman and was our club leading goal kicker 5 times. Unstoppable on his day.

FP- Mick Twomey
One of our greatest high flyers ever and at times one of the best players in the comp in the 50s. 153 games, Twice Premiership player, Collingwood Hall of Fame Member and top 3 finish in the Copeland. Kicked 94 goals resting as a ruckman in the pocket.

Ruck - Darren Jolly
I honestly believe this man brought us a Premiership and was the difference between ‘almost’ and a flag.’Proof that ruckmen get better with age, Jolly’s career took the scenic route, spending time as a second-string ruckman at Melbourne, rising to prominence in Sydney before confirming his status as one of the best ruckmen of the 2000s at Collingwood.
A man who covered the ground well for his size and was adept at switching to full forward to cause opposition coaches headaches with his height and overhead prowess. Jolly was a model of durability, playing 142 matches in a row between 2005 and 2011 and is best remembered by Collingwood fans as one of the keys to the 2010 premiership triumph.’

Ruck Rover- Ronnie Wearmouth

This bloke held his own with some of the greatest rovers ever. He had flare, dash and was a cult hero who loved a goal. Came up against Cable, Matthews, Wilson, Ashman, Bartlett etc. Also played some ripper finals.

Rover- Billy Libbis
Is he our greatest rover ever?
We all know the great Harry Collier but not many of us know that he did not start as first rover in any of our four flags in a row.
'Asked to name Collingwood’s number one rover in its salad days of the late 1920s, many supporters would nominate Harry Collier. Collier is acknowledged as one of the club’s greatest-ever rovers. He won two Copeland Trophies and (jointly) the 1930 Brownlow Medal. But so strong was the team in those days that Harry could not win selection as first rover in any of the four-in-a-row Premiership teams. Instead, the honour fell year by year to the quietly spoken Billy Libbis. That achievement in itself speaks volumes for Libbis’ ability.'

Billy Libbis first rover in 4 Collingwood Premierships, Best on Ground in one of those, Hall of Fame Member and averaged a goal a game is my rover and selection for Pick 64
 
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loki04 said:
I feel like this should be 2 drafts VFL era and AFL era.

Even then how can anyone be realistic and say if all were alive today that X player from 1902 would even get a game for your local a grade side let alone be placed above a freak like Nathan Buckley.
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I can't believe it took this long.
 
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Obese Arachnid said:
I can't believe it took this long & I'm shocked it wasn't Kappa .
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Well its true.

Yes you can't compare eras and respect that they were dominant in their time vs that opposition, but that further leads to why it shouldn't be a draft covering that far back.
 

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Obese Arachnid said:
I can't believe it took this long & I'm shocked it wasn't ***** .
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Now you've really done it! I think he somehow just hasn't spotted this thread (or perhaps he was warned off posting in it)! What has made this thread so enjoyable for mine is the respect shown to our outstanding players from all eras, and the lack of people coming here with stupid, disrespectful comments.
 
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35Daicos said:
Now you've really done it! I think he somehow just hasn't spotted this thread (or perhaps he was warned off posting in it)! What has made this thread so enjoyable for mine is the respect shown to our outstanding players from all eras, and the lack of people coming here with stupid, disrespectful comments.
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Its called being realistic.
 
35Daicos said:
Now you've really done it! I think he somehow just hasn't spotted this thread (or perhaps he was warned off posting in it)! What has made this thread so enjoyable for mine is the respect shown to our outstanding players from all eras, and the lack of people coming here with stupid, disrespectful comments.
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Edited his name out.
 
Obese Arachnid said:
I can't believe it took this long.
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I get that people love to reminisce, embrace nostalgia and feel that their "era" was the best... I only stepped in when people were talking up the past so much it got to a point where modern players were being ridiculously disrespected for the incredible talent they have.
 

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