Moved Thread Pick a Player: Jesaulenko/Blight/Quinlan

[Cursed Cat]

Perhaps this may seem an odd trio of players to compare but for mine there are sufficient similarities to pose the question as to who was the best of these Hall of Famers.

- All 3 started their careers in the late 60s and spanned the duration of the 70s.

- All 3 topped the ton (Quinlan and Jesaulenko), two won Coleman Medals (Quinlan and Blight).

- Blight and Quinlan have a Brownlow apiece; Jezza and Blight have multiple flags (Jesaulenko 4, Blight 2).

There's some overlap in that each started their career further up the ground and ended closer to goal very effectively; also none of them were one-club players as such.

Is it a dumb comparison?

Bonus point to any posters who recall Bernie Quinlan's time at the Bulldogs; sub-question, did Quinlan win a Brownlow as a CHF or as an on-baller with the Lions?

* Edited to reflect that Blight also kicked 100 goals in a season as corrected by Wallaby

 

[Wallaby]

Blight actually topped the ton as well (just beating the North fans to the punch). Quinlan won his Brownlow as a forward/on-baller.

That's very hard - all out-and-out champions. If I had first pick in the schoolyard, I'd go - I honestly don't know.

Put a gun to my head - Jezza. Ask me tomorrow, and I'll change my mind.

 

[HAPPY BUDDHA]

Tough question but Blight, simply because he was the last player to have a cigarette on the interchange bench.

 

[werdna78]

I'd take Quinlan, played more games and kicked more goals.

Quinlan: 366 games, 6049 disposals, 817 goals - Disposals per goal 7.4
Jezza: 279 games, 4315 disposals, 444 goals - Disposals per goal 9.7
Blight: 178 games, 3177 disposals, 444 goals - Disposals per goal 7.2

 

[Osho]

A good fun question, but after a few seconds contemplation, its Alex, clearly. The big time player, turned it on in the very biggest of games in front of the very biggest crowds, and whose brilliance was indescribable. The Worm, indeed.

I believe Alex ended his career as a champion defender, rather than up front.

 

[Robertio]

I'd take Quinlan, played more games and kicked more goals.

Quinlan: 366 games, 6049 disposals, 817 goals - Disposals per goal 7.4
Jezza: 279 games, 4315 disposals, 444 goals - Disposals per goal 9.7
Blight: 178 games, 3177 disposals, 444 goals - Disposals per goal 7.2

Quinlan was a full forward, the other two played in multiple positions.

 

[dktm]

Jesaulenko by a mile, he could and did dominate in multiple positions throughout his career.
He also did all of the hard things you would expect of a true champion.
Blight whilst very good, should not even be in the same conversation as Jezza.
Quinlan was great to watch an gave everything.

 

[HairyO]

I dont remember Jesa but Bernie seemed to always lift against us.

 

[Trav 20]

The answer to this question is pretty easy. Jezza. The most consistent and brilliant.

More versatile than Quinlan and more consistent than Blight, who could go missing.

 

[Cursed Cat]

The answer to this question is pretty easy. Jezza. The most consistent and brilliant.

More versatile than Quinlan and more consistent than Blight, who could go missing.

Jesaulenko certainly getting the majority of the love thus far; would like to hear from North or old Lions supporters in support of their champs.

Personally I only ever saw the tail end of Superboot's career, he was the full-forward when I was a kid.

Jesaulenko obviously played in the most big games, but Blight also a strong premiership contributor x2.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Didn't see Jezza at his best but Blight was in the top bracket of players I've seen.

 

[Turnover]

Hopefully a certain granddaughter notices this thread.

 

[Robertio]

Jesaulenko certainly getting the majority of the love thus far; would like to hear from North or old Lions supporters in support of their champs.

Personally I only ever saw the tail end of Superboot's career, he was the full-forward when I was a kid.

Jesaulenko obviously played in the most big games, but Blight also a strong premiership contributor x2.

Jezza kicked 7 in one premiership, took mark of the century in another and was one of the best on ground from half forward in another, aaaand went on to captain coach from half back in another premiership.

 

[Aphrodite]

 

[Gazza Greatness]

The answer to this question is pretty easy. Jezza. The most consistent and brilliant.

More versatile than Quinlan and more consistent than Blight, who could go missing.

Jezza at his top had freakish cat-like ability, could take a screamer and hit the ground running not to dissimilar to Cyril Rioli or Gavin Wanganeen but he was just better again, as for not a big man he could play key position including kicking over 100 goals at full forward. You could almost have him in the same conversation as Gary Ablett Snr in regards to the freakish ability and talents he had, that's how good he was at his best. Blight and Quinlan (Superboot) were wonderful players and champions in their own right but not as good as Jezza in his prime.

 

[Blind Turn]

Great comparative. I have never easily separated Blight and Quinlan. They are 13th and 14th in my list of best players I’ve seen (Jezza was at St Kilda when I started following footy closely and wasn’t the player he once was). I chose to put Quinlan ahead of Blight based on the greater exposure due to him retiring a number years later.

The only fair comparison I can give between the 3 of them is in relation to their moustaches. I think Jezza wins the moustache battle. I know this will infuriate Roos and Lions fans, but it’s the luxurious exotic Ukrainian upper lip fur that wins this one.

 

[Power Raid]

Blight by a mile

A w***er but what a talented w***er

 

[The Final Word]

 

[Grrr]

Jezza, marginally over Blight marginally over Quinlan. All 3 mercurial. Jezza could just do it all a bit easier if that is possible. Blight on his day was one of the best players I ever saw, Quinlan so smooth and probably the best kick of a football ever. Well thought out thread.

 

[My Tilly]

lol, can only imagine how many goals Superboot would have managed in today's game, perfect ground conditions, under the roof and having pot shots anywhere forward of center.

 

[Broken]

Pick a Coach: Jesaulenko/Blight/Quinlan , may be easier to decide.

 

[The Final Word]

Should probably include Blight's Magarey Medal in the list of honours.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Should probably include Blight's Magarey Medal in the list of honours.

I only really skimmed each player's recognised achievements, mainly to focus on the similarities - all three had a list of honours as long as your arm

 

[Hojuman]

North supporter and lucky to see all three, but yeh;
1. Jesaulenko
2. Blight
3. Quinlan

Betcha un_eggs got bumfluff on his chin too.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Does anyone remember Bernie Quinlan as a Footscray player?