Those we let go

[Vdubs]

We have had some amazing success stories with "rejects" from other clubs, none better than G ABLETT, & there are many others. What about those who left us for whatever reason. I've been almost able to form 2 excellent teams of ex Cats. Who is our best ever that got away? My pick is Greg Williams. In fact, all 3 that followed Hafey that year, Williams, Toohey, Bolton were guns.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Don't think Hawthorn really "dumped" Ablett, more that he walked away from the VFL, and was talked into playing for Geelong with Hawthorn getting a clearance fee. It should be noted that Hawthorn tried to get him back several times.

 

[Rosso]

Diesel is an interesting one. I remember reading that after both starring in their first few years for the cats, Williams and Ablett were looking for a little more money. Fair enough considering Ablett was reportadly on a 1 year $15,000 contract!!

Gaz was accomodated but Diesel, who had been approached by the Swans and offered $100,000 per season, wanted to stay and would have for $50,000. So after winning the club B&F in his second year the club came in with a final offer of $45,000. As a result, Diesel left and I would suggest that the $5,000 that we held onto probably cost us a bare minimum of 2 Premierships

Can't remember too many more that haunted us apart from the Sydney ones (Toohey, Williams & Bolton). Stephen O'Rielly left a big hole when he went to Freo but stunk it up from the minute he walked out the door. Bruce Lindner and Shayne Bruer were more than handy types that struggled when they left us.

Then there were our former captains that were treated a little on the ordinary side. Bews, Bourke and King were all virtually shown the door despite wanting to continue where Colbert wanted out in ugly times.

 

[Vdubs]

I always rated Adrian Hickmott & don't know why he left, just moments after losing to Carlton in the 95 GF. Hickmott, IICR, was one of our best.

 

[jim boy]

Diesel aside, most the good players who left us turned to crud afterwards. Couple of exceptions here and there, Robert Scott did well at North and Adrian Fletcher did fairly well. Its hard to recall that Andrew Bews even played for another team, but he clocked quite a large number of games at the Bears.

 

[CF]

I had been told by a bloke who was an insider at the time Diesel was at the club that he wanted to stay with Tommy Hafey who was shafted from the club by the then Geelong Hierarchy. Hafey went to Sydney and Diesel followed.

Michael Mansfield was a decent backman who had success at Carltank.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Sean Denham did well with Essendon, won a flag in 1993 with them and played through to I think 2000 or 2001

 

[PremiersAtLast]

Barnsey......I was happy for big Johnny to win a Premiership after he went back to the bombers. I still hate the bombers though. As a matter of fact my favourite call at the footy was a raucous 'Go Baaaaaarnsey' before center ball ups. I actually stopped my membership the year that he left the club in disgust (and coz I found it hard to make ends meet as a Uni student)....but I still love the Mighty Cats...

 

[rocker_oz33]

Sean Denham did well with Essendon, won a flag in 1993 with them and played through to I think 2000 or 2001

wasn't denham a straight swap for Barnes

 

[rocker_oz33]

Mansfield and hickmott were solid players hickmott was washing windows at the Gordon when l was there he seemed like a good bloke..and l didn't mind Bruce "the press" linder he took some hangers at the cats seaking about hangers what ever happened to paul brown..?

 

[JUBJUB]

what ever happened to paul brown..?

He worked at the club for a few years after retiring in the welfare department [?].He then then returned home to the Shepparton area and played or coached for a couple of years.Last I read he'd become a 'Mr Mom' when his wife went back to work.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

He worked at the club for a few years after retiring in the welfare department [?].He then then returned home to the Shepparton area and played or coached for a couple of years.Last I read he'd become a 'Mr Mom' when his wife went back to work.

no-one can hear your hamstrings tear over the sound of a crying child

 

[JUBJUB]

no-one can hear your hamstrings tear over the sound of a crying child

Brown didn't have hammy problems did he ?
You might be thinking of Paul Lynch.

 

[Mark Harvey]

Diesel aside, most the good players who left us turned to crud afterwards. Couple of exceptions here and there, Robert Scott did well at North and Adrian Fletcher did fairly well. Its hard to recall that Andrew Bews even played for another team, but he clocked quite a large number of games at the Bears.

sean denham did well at Essondon but we did john barnes in the trade

 

[AM]

I had been told by a bloke who was an insider at the time Diesel was at the club that he wanted to stay with Tommy Hafey who was shafted from the club by the then Geelong Hierarchy. Hafey went to Sydney and Diesel followed.

Michael Mansfield was a decent backman who had success at Carltank.

I've heard Greg say more than once that he did not want to leave. He was about to marry Mary, who is a Geelong chick, and they didn't want to move. It's true he would have signed for half what Sydney offered but we reputedly concluded it upset the player pay scale and the club said nyet. Also, apparently the club reckoned he wouldn't go because of his impending marriage.

I believe Michael Turner went in hard to convince the club to retain him as he recognised his value but to no avail. In my book our biggest player manager bungle.

 

[Go Cats!!]

I always rated Adrian Hickmott & don't know why he left, just moments after losing to Carlton in the 95 GF. Hickmott, IICR, was one of our best.

Hickmont was traded. IIRC he didnt actually want to leave.

 

[Vdubs]

Hickmont was traded. IIRC he didnt actually want to leave.

That's what I queried--why would he have been traded judging by his form in the 95 GF & his potential??

 

[Go Cats!!]

That's what I queried--why would he have been traded judging by his form in the 95 GF & his potential??

I dont have an answer to that. Confuses me really.

 

[turbo0010]

Let's not forget about King, whose bright idea was that. One of the best in the 07 gf. Could've been very helpful in 08. I still think that was a terrible decision.

 

[ripitup27]

Aaron Lord had a pretty good dig at Hawthorn didn't he? Leading goalkicker one year IIRC? Then he came back and didn't really do much for us.

 

[OldStyle2007]

I always rated Adrian Hickmott & don't know why he left, just moments after losing to Carlton in the 95 GF. Hickmott, IICR, was one of our best.

He left because Gary Ayres is a MORON

Ayres traded Hickers for Martin McKinnon which was another fine Ayres disaster (3 way trade - Hickers to Blues (win); Troy Bond to Crows (win); McKinnon to Cats (big lose))

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Agree with catman forever

 

[SAAndy]

Carrazzo??

 

[longy123]

Yep, nice call. Primus to Port? Hopefully Prismall won't be on this list in a few years.

 

[Vdubs]

Didn't mention Adrian Fletcher, who was a gun but we had lots like him, if not better, yes he has been mentioned