Could Carey have been the GOAT CHB/FB?

[3051]

Saw the photo of Carey/Ablett/Dunstall/Lockett and a comment about Carey being the best of the lot due to how many ways he could turn a game - he could be thrown into the backline or in midfield and dominate. Pagan used to throw Carey into the backline when North needed his influence down there, and I didn't ever see Carey lose a contest. We all remember the 99 grand final when Carey collected 8 or so class touches in the space of 15 minutes in the midfield.

My question - if Carey had been a permanent key position defender, how would he have ranked with the all-time great defenders?
Bonus question - how would Carey have ranked if he was a permanent midfielder?

 

[Val Keating]

Saw the photo of Carey/Ablett/Dunstall/Lockett and a comment about Carey being the best of the lot due to how many ways he could turn a game - he could be thrown into the backline or in midfield and dominate. Pagan used to throw Carey into the backline when North needed his influence down there, and I didn't ever see Carey lose a contest. We all remember the 99 grand final when Carey collected 8 or so class touches in the space of 15 minutes in the midfield.

My question - if Carey had been a permanent key position defender, how would he have ranked with the all-time great defenders?
Bonus question - how would Carey have ranked if he was a permanent midfielder?

It’s harder to mark the ball then spoil it. You don’t waste players like Carey at CHB. Sure give him a stint back there to stop the bleeding or shut the game down.

How would he go as a mid? Considering the amount of possessions he got as a CHF he’d probably still be the GOAT

 

[La Flama Blanca]

It’s harder to mark the ball then spoil it. You don’t waste players like Carey at CHB. Sure give him a stint back there to stop the bleeding or shut the game down.

Yep, it's much more difficult to make the play than to stop the play - even more so back in the day when free kicks were harder to come by for forwards. So if he was one of the greatest key forwards of all time you would suspect he would've had a similar impact down back.

Of course this would've been a total waste of his talent and probably cost us silverware, but it's a valid thought to go through your head 20 years later while a pandemic is sweeping the world.

 

[Gasometer]

No

 

[Val Keating]

Yep, it's much more difficult to make the play than to stop the play - even more so back in the day when free kicks were harder to come by for forwards. So if he was one of the greatest key forwards of all time you would suspect he would've had a similar impact down back.

Of course this would've been a total waste of his talent and probably cost us silverware, but it's a valid thought to go through your head 20 years later while a pandemic is sweeping the world.

It drives me crazy when I hear defender X kept Carey quiet. Oh yeah? How would they go if the roles were reversed? Carey would’ve intercepted a lot and probably kicked a couple from CHB

 

[Val Keating]

No

You don’t think Carey could’ve been a champion full back?

 

[Gasometer]

You don’t think Carey could’ve been a champion full back?

No

 

[Val Keating]

No

Why?

 

[year of the roo]

Cos he's a thicko.

 

[Cookiemon]

Cos he's a thicko.

Had some good defensive attributes/psych-outs back in the day
Carey would be the goat wherever he played

 

[Kanga Glory]

Ummmm best or second best player of all time as a forward.
Sorry but that answers your question,
Gee’s he was good

 

[JD-Roo]

I recall North crowds abusing Schimma for playing Carey at CHB..........

Never happy.........

 

[hilly]

He was an excellent CHB when deployed there. Fortunately that wasn't all that often.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Gasometer]

Why?

Because he wouldn’t have been prepared to sacrifice his ego to be a backman

It was lights action Wayne and that’s wat made him great as a forward

His physical attributes had nothing to do with forward or back

Like Dermie, it was between the ears

 

[Snake_Baker]

There's zero chance he ever would have stayed in defence.

 

[gokangas]

Had some good defensive attributes/psych-outs back in the day
Carey would be the goat wherever he played
View attachment 855655

The four * having a crack at Carey is just about my favourite photo of the King.

 

[Gumble Frankieton]

Interesting hypothetical
He could have played regularly at CHB, or as a mid, and probably have done really well but he was such a star in his natural position that you’d only play him elsewhere if you could clone him first.

 

[3051]

Completely agree that Carey's maximum potential played out as a CHF - the most important position in the game. Agree that Carey's ego would not allow him to be too removed from being the one that kicked the match winning goals. But, it's absolutely fascinating to me that Carey could have been an extraordinary defender or midfielder.

With Carey's attacking flair and arrogance, I could totally see him as a rich man's Rance who would dominate 1-on-1s, be the best intercept mark, and launch attack from the backline. Would kick a few too when Pagan would swing him forward when North needed.

As a permanent midfielder, Carey would be like a more powerful Bont or Kouta with more class/skill. Would be an insane match up problem especially if he went forward. I think he would have had the tank to play in the middle - I could see him moving across the ground like Goodes did. Man I feel bad for the mids getting tackled by Carey over and over again..

If CHF Carey was a perfect 10/10, then midfielder Carey would have been 9.5/10, backman Carey a 9/10. What a player.

 

[Cookiemon]

Ummmm best or second best player of all time as a forward.
Sorry but that answers your question,
Gee’s he was good

Lock in A thanks - Best

Totally unbiased view

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Completely agree that Carey's maximum potential played out as a CHF - the most important position in the game. Agree that Carey's ego would not allow him to be too removed from being the one that kicked the match winning goals. But, it's absolutely fascinating to me that Carey could have been an extraordinary defender or midfielder.

With Carey's attacking flair and arrogance, I could totally see him as a rich man's Rance who would dominate 1-on-1s, be the best intercept mark, and launch attack from the backline. Would kick a few too when Pagan would swing him forward when North needed.

As a permanent midfielder, Carey would be like a more powerful Bont or Kouta with more class/skill. Would be an insane match up problem especially if he went forward. I think he would have had the tank to play in the middle - I could see him moving across the ground like Goodes did. Man I feel bad for the mids getting tackled by Carey over and over again..

If CHF Carey was a perfect 10/10, then midfielder Carey would have been 9.5/10, backman Carey a 9/10. What a player.

You nailed it.

 

[Uber Roo]

Played plenty of games at CHB at under 19 level.

Was a gun back there, a weapon

That team was not short on KPP talent, Lissenden, Lumsden, Christie, playing as the key forwards...but everyone knew that Duck would be special

I have no doubt he would have become a brilliant defender, for the purpose of this exercise


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Thewlis Dish]

Best on ground in the third quarter of the '99 GF after being moved behind the ball.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

Completely agree that Carey's maximum potential played out as a CHF - the most important position in the game. Agree that Carey's ego would not allow him to be too removed from being the one that kicked the match winning goals. But, it's absolutely fascinating to me that Carey could have been an extraordinary defender or midfielder.

With Carey's attacking flair and arrogance, I could totally see him as a rich man's Rance who would dominate 1-on-1s, be the best intercept mark, and launch attack from the backline. Would kick a few too when Pagan would swing him forward when North needed.

As a permanent midfielder, Carey would be like a more powerful Bont or Kouta with more class/skill. Would be an insane match up problem especially if he went forward. I think he would have had the tank to play in the middle - I could see him moving across the ground like Goodes did. Man I feel bad for the mids getting tackled by Carey over and over again..

If CHF Carey was a perfect 10/10, then midfielder Carey would have been 9.5/10, backman Carey a 9/10. What a player.

Please do not mention The King and “Rance” in the same sentence. That’s like comparing Grace Kelly to The Wicked Witch of The West.

 

[Kimbo]

Please do not mention The King and “Rance” in the same sentence. That’s like comparing Grace Kelly to The Wicked Witch of The West.

Although Rance’s exit was more graceful, Carey’s more wicked.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

Although Rance’s exit was more graceful, Carey’s more wicked.

Well, I’m sure the rumours regarding Rance and a certain teammates girlfriend are just mere fabrications.