Opinion Team of the Decade

[Boris the Contradiction]

B: James Clement, Matthew Scarlett, Glenn Archer
HB: Andrew McLeod, Dustin Fletcher, Chad Cornes
C: Gary Ablett, Chris Judd, Ben Cousins
HF: Paul Chapman, Jonathon Brown, Nick Riewoldt
F: Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd, Matthew Pavlich
R: Jeff White, Nathan Buckley, James Hird (c)
Int: Jason Akermanis, Michael Voss, Robert Harvey, Simon Black
Emerg: Nigel Lappin, Shane Crawford, Adam Goodes

Good to see a neutral rate Clement. Absolute freak and the best talls/smalls combination defender of the last decade whilst also being an elite kick and providing heaps of chopout/run. He was also an excellent leader and an intelligent man to boot. I remember N Brown saying once that Clement was the best defender he saw play in his time in the game.

Such a shame he had to retire early but it proved his character and that he had his priorities right.


PS I'd have Chris Johnson ahead of Archer who I thought was better in the last decade but nowhere near it this. I'd go Ablett OUT Goodes IN, Lloyd OUT FEVOLA IN and I'd have Hird to Riewoldt's spot on the flank with Black in Hird's midfield spot.

I don't think Rob Harvey should be in the team and I'd have Cox or Everitt as the Ruckman ahead of White. Matty Richardson should be in the team as well.

 

[Simmonds2Hislop]

Yeah, you would say.

4 x AA and 4 x B&F's, the same as Boomer.

There's nothing between them.

Except maybe a Brownlow, MVP and leading his side to a flag.

Lenny Hayes or Brett Kirk would be ahead of Ablett for mine.

Ablett was terrific for three years. These blokes have been solid to sensational all ten..

Disagree with Voss as captain.... I'd have Hird captain and Black vice.

Why Black ahead of Voss may I ask?

Especially considering Voss captained Black and is probably the best leader of the last 10 years.

Lloyd was incredible in the 2000 season, but really that was his peak and really in the late 00s did nothing particularly special.

Even after his peak he still managed:

59 goals in 20 games in 05
13 goals in 3 games in 06
62 goals in 19 games in 07
62 goals in 21 games in 08
35 goals in 18 games in 09

That stacks up against most other forwards in the league.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Why Black ahead of Voss may I ask?

Especially considering Voss captained Black and is probably the best leader of the last 10 years.

It might just be down to personal preference as to styles of leadership. I like the blokes that lead with a minimum of fuss, and do their best to get their teammates over the line. Blokes that epitomised this sort of leadership where blokes like Kirk, Black and Clement who lifted the team by example. I'm not saying players like Buckley and Voss are precluded from this, and hey certainly were sensational, both as players and leaders. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but it's more a gut feel about players than anything else... and my gut instincts have held me in pretty good stead in picking favourite players (debatable, but then again, what I look for in a player probably doesn't match most people's criteria).

Simply put, I'd have Black as the best player of the decade, and a sensational leader, regardless of whether or not he has formal recognition.

 

[tigerfan12]

Nathan brown anyone?

 

[Brad Roo]

Except maybe a Brownlow,

An umpires award won by Shane Woewodin.

The Lou Richards medal has more credibility (2007/2008).

Boomer was runner up in the Brownlow in 2007.

He won the Herald Sun player of the year in 2008.

MVP

Boomer was named player of the series when his country won the championship in 2003.

and leading his side to a flag.

The number one idiotic irrelevant bigfooty statistic when comparing players.


Brent Harvey captained his country in 2008.

 

[Simmonds2Hislop]

An umpires award won by Shane Woewodin.

The Lou Richards medal has more credibility (2007/2008).

No it doesn't.

The voting system is just as flawed, in fact more flawed.

The 4th best player on the ground can get 7/8 votes whereas the 5th can get zero.

And Cuz won in 05, the first year I can find records for.

Boomer was runner up in the Brownlow in 2007.

He won the Herald Sun player of the year in 2008.

Cuz actually won the brownlow in 05.

The Herald sun player of the year is so prestigious that I can't even find a complete list of winners.

Only have results for 98,04,07-09.

Dane Swan won last year, ahead of Ablett, Brown and Riewoldt.

Boomer was named player of the series when his country won the championship in 2003.

So Boomer was player of the series in a completely different sport? And that is somehow better than being judged the best player of an entire season by your peers.

The number one idiotic irrelevant bigfooty statistic when comparing players.

But player of the series in an different sport is relevent?

Ussually I would agree with you on this point but Judd, Cousins and Kerr basically won that premiership on their own.

Brent Harvey captained his country in 2008.

In a different sport. Where players weren't selected on AFL ability. And lost.

 

[Puddy]

Nathan Buckley on a half forward flank

 

[The_Eagles]

Wanganeen Scarlett Clement
Goodwin Leppitsch McLeod
Buckley Voss Ricciuto
Hird Tredrea Riewoldt
Akermanis Lloyd B Johnson

Cox Judd Ablett

Cousins, Pavlich, Black, Goodes

 

[Godzke]

There could also be strong arguments to place Johnson or Archer in for Fletcher.

Yeah but Fletcher is ahead of Wanganeen. Has played 4 extra years of the decade as well (3, I guess, if not including 2010).

For a FB to win B&F in Essendon's 2000 team was a monumental effort. He's been a reliable rock ever since. He's a lock for a BP position.

FB: Dustin Flecture Matthew Scarlett Gavin Wanganeen
HB: Andrew McLeod Chad Cornes Luke Hodge
CEN: Adam Goodes Nathan Buckley Gary Ablett JR
HF: Mark Ricciuto Nick Riewoldt James Hird
F: Paul Chapman Jonathan Brown Brad Johnson
FOLL: Dean Cox Michael Voss Chris Judd
BENCH: Ben Cousins Brent Harvey Simon Black Shane Crawford
EMG: Jason Akermanis Matthew Pavlich Brendan Fevola
EMG 2: Nigel Lappin Matthew Lloyd Simon Goodwin
EMG 3: Warren Treadrea Matthew Richardson Justin Leppitsch

*Notes:
Lloyd was incredible in the 2000 season, but really that was his peak and really in the late 00s did nothing particularly special.

LOL! Couldn't fit in Ricciuto in the midfield so you have him a forward position at the expense of Lloyd. Good one

Matthew Lloyd is a lock. 3 Colemans, 3 AAs and very respectable record in the second half of the season as has already been posted by someone else.

Wanganeen Scarlett Clement
Goodwin Leppitsch McLeod
Buckley Voss Ricciuto
Hird Tredrea Riewoldt
Akermanis Lloyd B Johnson

Cox Judd Ablett

Cousins, Pavlich, Black, Goodes

Clement... ahead of Fletcher?

Geeeeeeez.

 

[robertg22]

C Johnson Scarlett Fletcher
Hodge Clement McLeod
Buckley Black Judd
Riccuito (vc) Tredrea Hird
Akermanis Lloyd B Harvey
Cox Voss (c) Cousins
Goodes Ablett Pavlich Hall

E:
Wanganeen
Riewoldt
B Johnson

Not enough Chris Johnson love in here. Was the best back pocket going around for years.
Tredrea the best performing CHF of the decade for me.
Not enough love for Barry Hall here either. He was absolutly dominant and very consistent throughout the decade. Kicked 548 goals for the decade and was the major reason why the Swans won in 05 and almost went back to back IMO.
Pavlich gets a gig due to consistency and versatility. Wanganeen is close, but can't select him in the BP because he really only played about 3 top quality years there in the decade.

 

[PAFC_1870]

Players I’d look at…. I’d want atleast 5 good years in them,

Adelaide: Roo, Goodwin, Edwards
Brisbane: Voss, Brown, Black
Carlton: none, maybe Kouta – but his best was probably earlier on
Coll: Buckley, Clement
Dogs: Johnson, West
Essendon: Hird, Fletcher, Lloyd
Fremantle: Pavlich
Geelong: Scarlett, Ottens, Ablett
Hawks: maybe Crawford
Melbourne: None
North: Harvey
Port: Tredrea, Cornes, Lade, (Wanganeen Primus) not enough years
Richmond: Richo
St Kilda: Harvey, Riewoldt
Sydney: Goodes, Hall
WCE: Cousins, Judd, Cox

 

[UpForGrabs]

B: James Clement, Matthew Scarlett, Glenn Archer
HB: Andrew McLeod, Dustin Fletcher, Chad Cornes
C: Gary Ablett, Chris Judd, Ben Cousins
HF: Paul Chapman, Jonathon Brown, Nick Riewoldt
F: Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd, Matthew Pavlich
R: Jeff White, Nathan Buckley, James Hird (c)
Int: Jason Akermanis, Michael Voss, Robert Harvey, Simon Black
Emerg: Nigel Lappin, Shane Crawford, Adam Goodes

Excuse my attempt to do my best to not be one-eyed, but I honestly can't see how any rational follower of football wouldn't have Dean Cox as the ruckman in a team of the decade.

4 x AAs, Premiership ruckman.

No contest.

 

[Gyroscope_182]

B: Chris Johnson (BL), Matthew Scarlett (Geel), James Clement (Coll)
HB: Andrew McLeod (Adel), Justin Leppitsch (BL), Simon Goodwin (Adel)
C: Nathan Buckley (Coll), Chris Judd (WC, Carl), Ben Cousins (WC)
HF: Mark Ricciuto (Adel), Warren Tredrea (PA), James Hird (Ess) (vc)
F: Brad Johnson (WB), Matthew Lloyd (Ess), Barry Hall (StK, Syd)
Foll: Dean Cox (WC), Michael Voss (BL) (c), Simon Black (BL)
Int (from): Gary Ablett (Geel), Jason Akermanis (BL, WB), Adam Goodes (Syd), Matthew Pavlich (Frem), Chad Cornes (PA), Dustin Fletcher (Ess), Jonathan Brown (BL)

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Coach: Mick Malthouse
Assistant: Leigh Matthews

F: Lance Franklin Matthew Pavlich Cyril Rioli
HF: Gary Ablett Jonathan Brown Nick Riewoldt
CEN: James Hird Nathan Buckley (C) Dane Swan
HB: Andrew McLeod Adam Goodes Luke Hodge
B: Matthew Scarlett Brian Lake Gavin Wanganeen
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands Michael Voss (VC) Chris Judd
BENCH: Ben Cousins Mark Ricciuto Brendan Goddard Dean Cox



This isn't so much for those who had the longest impact but an out and out totally dominant team of super stars.


There are allot of talls but the rotations with this team could work out pretty interestingly. Pavlich can play forward, back or midfield. Goodes same. Goddard and Hodge are others who can just move to wherever they are most needed. Buckley has the versatility to play mid, forward or back. With so many players with the ability to play anywhere opposition teams would consistantly have matchup nightmares.



There are allot of players who have been simply outstanding over the 00s but I make no apologies to those left out, this team is simply so dominant there is no player I could conceivably bring in to make it more frightening frankly.

 

[knightwheelrqr]

LOL! Couldn't fit in Ricciuto in the midfield so you have him a forward position at the expense of Lloyd. Good one

Matthew Lloyd is a lock. 3 Colemans, 3 AAs and very respectable record in the second half of the season as has already been posted by someone else.

No chance I would include Lloyd. As full forward I rate Barry Hall and Brendan Fevola for their contributions over the 00s ahead of Lloyd. Lloyd in the early 00s was a sensational player, but at their best I rate J.Brown, N.Riewoldt, M.Pavlich, L.Franklin, B.Hall, B.Fevola and W.Treadrea all ahead of Lloyd personally.

And you wouldn't include Ricciuto? He can play forward or midfield comfortably. It any team it is not practical to include 5/6 KPFs...

I made a new team which is far superior to that initial team I made, but certainly wouldn't include Lloyd in my team personally. Many forwards

 

[knightwheelrqr]

Even after his peak he still managed:

59 goals in 20 games in 05
13 goals in 3 games in 06
62 goals in 19 games in 07
62 goals in 21 games in 08
35 goals in 18 games in 09

That stacks up against most other forwards in the league.

For a pure leading full forward who didn't case or tackle or have much of an impact on games other than goal kicking (which was amongst the best of all time for set shots), but I don't believe he had anywhere close to the impact of Brown, Riewoldt or Pavlich. Even Franklin, Treadrea and Fevola I rate ahead of Lloyd at their best frankly.

Great player who had 2-3 great season. But ahead of these players? No from me.

 

[Godzke]

It's not like Riu didn't deserve a spot, but there's definitely 6 blokes ahead of him for a spot in the forward line. Lloyd is definitely one of them.

edit*: just realised he included Cyril in team of the decade, my bad for not picking up on the troll.

 

[Spudregus_87]

B: Fletcher - Scarlett - Clement
HB: McLeod - Leppitsch - Buckley
C: Akermanis - Black - Goodes
HF: Chapman - Tredrea - Riewoldt
F: Boomer - Lloyd - Franklin
R: Cox - Judd - Ablett
I: Hodge - J.Brown - Pavlich - Hird

Very stiff: Hayes, Cousins, Riccutio & Richardson ​

 

[Knightmare]

It's not like Riu didn't deserve a spot, but there's definitely 6 blokes ahead of him for a spot in the forward line. Lloyd is definitely one of them.

edit*: just realised he included Cyril in team of the decade, my bad for not picking up on the troll.

As a forward pocket most certainly. There are a fair number of capable key position forwards and with such a number of bigs it would be an oversight not to include a crumbing forward.

Has Cyril's contribution been as long and sustained as some other players from this period? No. He has not played that long. Would he fit into this side? Absolutely. His pressure game is fantastic and he is the perfect fit for mine into a forward pocket in an otherwise midfield loaded and key position loaded team because he is a specialist in that position and his best is better than any other crumbing forwards best for mine.

Same could be said about Franklin. His best is far superior to the best of Lloyd even in his outstanding 2000 season. Franklin is an absolute monster who can cover ground and has just versatility where Lloyd is far more 1 dimensional and is just a leading forward. I think Lloyd in this current day even at his best would struggle simply because of the way the game is played and how there is far less space to work into these days with modern day zoning.

Lloyd at his best was a great player and any player to achieve a 100 goal season is a great player, but I certainly wouldn't be loading any more key position forwards into this team for team symetry reasons. Simply not enough room for all these to lead into. Lloyd as a direct swap would struggle if he replaced Cyril in the forward pocket of this team and the team would be missing a quality crumbing forward.

If you did a 2000-2005 team Lloyd would be my starting full forward. Period. No other full forward in that period was close to his best, but there are better players now with greater versatility and ability to turn games from a number of positions as all of Pavlich, Riewoldt, J.Brown and Franklin have demonstrated at their best.

 

[geelong12]

It's funny that we have been on of the dominate teams of the decade yet Scarlett would be our only lock for a team of the decade. I'd have Ablett as well but he only came good for 07.

 

[Strangled Cat]

It's funny that we have been on of the dominate teams of the decade yet Scarlett would be our only lock for a team of the decade. I'd have Ablett as well but he only came good for 07.

We dominated at a time when Ablett dominated. I think Jimmy Bartel has been consistently better than Ablett over the duration of the decade as he developed a lot earlier than Ablett. He's also a Brownlow medalist, and did so in a year where Ablett had a stellar year too. You'd have to say though, that the only consistent player we've had over a full 10 year period, who has been an absolute superstar well and truly before this era at Geelong began, was Matthew Scarlett.

 

[Wargreymon90]

im glad to see that people rate tredrae even though i know a lot of you think hes a w***er lol as i port supporter i love him.

im surprised that fev didnt get a mention. hes an idiot but dont forget that he got the coleman when carlton were at the bottom and won again in 2009. he also got 99 in 2008. one of the most dangerous full fowards iv ever seen