Simple question but I actually think surprisingly difficult.
This is not a "who do you think is the best player of all time" question. This is a "take any player from history and be able to draft them at 18 years old to your club for the 2023 season, who do you pick" question and I think it is different in some important ways as it requires more consideration in terms of how said player would handle the modern game compared to what the game was when they themselves played.
So for instance a popular answer could be Tony Lockett, but at 191cm and an almost non-existent tank would he be as successful in 2023 and beyond as he was in the 80's and 90's.
What about Simon Madden, the greatest ruckman of all time, he would be a good choice, but at 198cm he would definitely be on the shorter side for ruckmen of the modern game, would that hurt his chances?
Perhaps Wayne Carey, great player, but again a bit on the short side and knowing what we know would you want his personality at your club, possibly de-stablising the playing group?
What about Gary Ablett Snr? Athletic, can do freakish things and kicks a lot of goals but is only 185cm, which may have been fine a few decades ago but how many 185cm or lower Colemen medal winners have there been in the last 20 years. Would he be able to bring what made him great to the modern game as well?
What about Stephen Silvagni? Great player but again a bit undersided for a key defender in the modern game at 191cm and also what made him great are things that key defenders are not allowed to do anymore, so would that make him less influential?
So you have free choice to draft any player from history as an 18 year old into your team for the 2023 season? Who do you pick and why?
Also mods can you please not move this to the draft board as this is not a genuine draft discussion given this can't happen, but rather a best player of all time with a twist discussion.
This is not a "who do you think is the best player of all time" question. This is a "take any player from history and be able to draft them at 18 years old to your club for the 2023 season, who do you pick" question and I think it is different in some important ways as it requires more consideration in terms of how said player would handle the modern game compared to what the game was when they themselves played.
So for instance a popular answer could be Tony Lockett, but at 191cm and an almost non-existent tank would he be as successful in 2023 and beyond as he was in the 80's and 90's.
What about Simon Madden, the greatest ruckman of all time, he would be a good choice, but at 198cm he would definitely be on the shorter side for ruckmen of the modern game, would that hurt his chances?
Perhaps Wayne Carey, great player, but again a bit on the short side and knowing what we know would you want his personality at your club, possibly de-stablising the playing group?
What about Gary Ablett Snr? Athletic, can do freakish things and kicks a lot of goals but is only 185cm, which may have been fine a few decades ago but how many 185cm or lower Colemen medal winners have there been in the last 20 years. Would he be able to bring what made him great to the modern game as well?
What about Stephen Silvagni? Great player but again a bit undersided for a key defender in the modern game at 191cm and also what made him great are things that key defenders are not allowed to do anymore, so would that make him less influential?
So you have free choice to draft any player from history as an 18 year old into your team for the 2023 season? Who do you pick and why?
Also mods can you please not move this to the draft board as this is not a genuine draft discussion given this can't happen, but rather a best player of all time with a twist discussion.
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