Bigeasy
I'm here for the buffet
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2008
- Posts
- 27,134
- Reaction score
- 28,486
- Location
- The Ponderosa
- AFL Club
- North Melbourne
- Other Teams
- Hammers & Steelers
Over the years I have seen my fair share of "nuts" who have donned the blue and white. I started going to games in the late seventies and I can recall players like Crosswell, Kekovich, Dench, Cassin etc throw the odd elbow or two. I remember Breidis giving Glen Hawker one right on the mouth after Hawker kicked him on the ankle.
We have had some mean hombres play for us throughout our existence from Jerrard, McCorkell and Mantello to Archer, Pickett and Martyn so I decided to rate my 5 toughest meanest hombres to wear the blue and white verticles. My top 5 only contains players I watched.
1. Jimmy Krakouer
This may surprise some but he was as hard as nails and never backed down to anybody and that included Plugger. Gave him a whack so safe to say he is one mean hombre. He was the complete package with his pace, ball skills, play reading and toughness. Thank god he was only a little bloke because otherwise he could have killed someone on the field.
2. Byron Pickett
What a tough mofo. This bloke went into every contest with an intent to hurt someone, didn't matter who just as long he was in the opposition jumper. Byron was simply tough, went when it was his turn and made others pay when it was theirs. Career ender was our Byron.
3. Glen Archer
Shinboner of the century who teamed up with Picket to form one mean and tough defence in the late 90's. Archer was a kamikaze who had little regard for his own safety. He would hit packs or opponents like a freight train, no slight pulling up for Archer, he put the foot down when the opportunity rose. All of his opponents finished the game hurt.
4. Sam Kekovich.
Who says size doesn't matter! Slamming Sam was a 6 foot 2, 100 kg wrecking machine. Be it with his shoulders, arms, elbows, knees or fists if Slamming Sam was coming after you, it was going to hurt. A brilliant footballer who could intimidate with his pace, mobility and intent.
5. Arnold Briedis
The crazy Latvian was part football part loose cannon. Arnie was capable of anything from kicking a bag of goals in finals to clocking someone right on the moosh for as much as gesturing for a pre game handshake. One of my all time favourites who had the Hollywood looks with a street fighters mentality.
I'm interested in other views, especially those that may have seen some of our older legendary shinboners play or who knows some stories about them.
We have had some mean hombres play for us throughout our existence from Jerrard, McCorkell and Mantello to Archer, Pickett and Martyn so I decided to rate my 5 toughest meanest hombres to wear the blue and white verticles. My top 5 only contains players I watched.
1. Jimmy Krakouer
This may surprise some but he was as hard as nails and never backed down to anybody and that included Plugger. Gave him a whack so safe to say he is one mean hombre. He was the complete package with his pace, ball skills, play reading and toughness. Thank god he was only a little bloke because otherwise he could have killed someone on the field.
2. Byron Pickett
What a tough mofo. This bloke went into every contest with an intent to hurt someone, didn't matter who just as long he was in the opposition jumper. Byron was simply tough, went when it was his turn and made others pay when it was theirs. Career ender was our Byron.
3. Glen Archer
Shinboner of the century who teamed up with Picket to form one mean and tough defence in the late 90's. Archer was a kamikaze who had little regard for his own safety. He would hit packs or opponents like a freight train, no slight pulling up for Archer, he put the foot down when the opportunity rose. All of his opponents finished the game hurt.
4. Sam Kekovich.
Who says size doesn't matter! Slamming Sam was a 6 foot 2, 100 kg wrecking machine. Be it with his shoulders, arms, elbows, knees or fists if Slamming Sam was coming after you, it was going to hurt. A brilliant footballer who could intimidate with his pace, mobility and intent.
5. Arnold Briedis
The crazy Latvian was part football part loose cannon. Arnie was capable of anything from kicking a bag of goals in finals to clocking someone right on the moosh for as much as gesturing for a pre game handshake. One of my all time favourites who had the Hollywood looks with a street fighters mentality.
I'm interested in other views, especially those that may have seen some of our older legendary shinboners play or who knows some stories about them.
