Prediction North Melbourne’s 10 best players ever - IN ORDER

Dec 27, 2017
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The problem with compiling these lists is that I didn't see anyone prior to about 1996, and even then I wasn't actually able to form reasonable judgements on footy until I was about 14 or 15, so about 2005-ish. It makes it hard then to judge players from before that time against players I've actually seen.

Personally, I just go with players in my lifetime, so from about 1991 because at least then I have some sort of frame of reference. On that basis:

1. Carey
2. Harvey
3. Archer
4. Stevens
5. McKernan
6. Grant
7. Schwass
8. Higgins
9. Swallow
10. Cunnington

Even then I'm not particularly happy with that list because, while I idolised most of that 90s team, I don't really know how good they actually were, if that makes sense. There are probably those who were able to judge footy from that time who might laugh at some of the order I have that in, or players who I've excluded, especially the likes of Bell and Simpson.

This is why I haven’t contributed. I was born in 81 so I missed most of our greats.
 
Personal list:

Carey
Blight
Schimma
Greig
Glendinning
The Krakouers
Cable
Schwass

That's nine. I'm strongly tempted to put Ben Cunnington on the assumption his career follows the same trajectory it has so far, slight improvements every season. The only one of the players I'd pick that I didn't see (apart from Cable who I saw on tv a lot as a young kid,) would be Aylett based on what other people said.

Schimma is on there at three cos of the '85 elimination final. First North final I ever went to that we won. After 3 years/4 seasons of living in Melbourne. (I missed the 82 EF at VFL park.)

The Krakouers are on there as a pair because of what they did. We take it for granted now but they changed the game and the way players use space.
 

kangaspurs

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The first list of the greatest 150 of all time has been released. 41 players from the years 1869-1949.

 

Kimbo

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1. Carey
2. Blight
3. Greig
4. Cable
5. Schimma
6. Aylett
7. Dench
8. Foote
9. Harvey
10. Dwyer
11. L. Anthony
 
Apr 24, 2013
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Some great names there.

Joe Tankard was credited with being the originator of the overhead mark.

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kangaroo7

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A few players who were stiff to miss out from the 1950-79 group:

Barry Cheatley 1959-64 (81) One of our great full-backs
John Jenkins 1957-64 (71) Reliable ruckman
Maurie Wood 1963-71 (97) Can't be too bad if he managed nearly 100 games
Arthur Karaniolas 1964-68 (69) Great little rover who made the Greek T.O.C.
Ray Johnston 1966-70 (60) Tall defender who took a lot of saving marks for North.
Robert Peterson 1968-74 (79) North's top rover in his time.
Roy Ramsay 1976-81,83-86 (123) Couldn't believe he was left out. A great back pocket player.

Still the line must be drawn somewhere.
 
Apr 24, 2013
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A few players who were stiff to miss out from the 1950-79 group:

Barry Cheatley 1959-64 (81) One of our great full-backs
John Jenkins 1957-64 (71) Reliable ruckman
Maurie Wood 1963-71 (97) Can't be too bad if he managed nearly 100 games
Arthur Karaniolas 1964-68 (69) Great little rover who made the Greek T.O.C.
Ray Johnston 1966-70 (60) Tall defender who took a lot of saving marks for North.
Robert Peterson 1968-74 (79) North's top rover in his time.
Roy Ramsay 1976-81,83-86 (123) Couldn't believe he was left out. A great back pocket player.

Still the line must be drawn somewhere.

Barry Cheatley is certainly an eye raising omission.
 
Apr 24, 2013
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For some reason I never liked him. To me he seemed like a sniper and a typical "outside" player. Just not North material.

He was alright, but was he really any better than John Holt?
 
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