Opinion VERSUS' Bout 9 Michael Long vs David Zaharakis

[daffo]

Longy is an absolute champ. I wish he didn't hurt his knees. He could have been the best player in the comp.

 

[boncer34]

He still managed to get pretty close one year in amongst all of the injuries!

Finished 5 off in 95.

Now I'm only looking at stats here but he had a 27 and 3, 22 and 2, 23 and 3, 24 and 2, 20 and 3, 25 and 4 and a 20 and 3 without polling a vote. Imagine those sort of consistent figures and no votes these days.

 

[DapperJong]

Who voted Zaka lol

 

[Howard Moon]

Who voted Zaka lol

Does David have 4 accounts?

 

[Mad Bomber Sean]

Does the knowledge that it's a two year old thread clarify the rationale a little?

Yeah I get it. Zaha can still get passed him. I hope he does. It will take some premiership winning heroics to do so, and that is both awesome and welcome

 

[Howard Moon]

Yeah I get it. Zaha can still get passed him. I hope he does. It will take some premiership winning heroics to do so, and that is both awesome and welcome

Winning goal in the gf, Anzac style.

 

[Doss]

Long wasn’t overrated.

 

[Blind Turn]

Now I like Zaka and think he is often unfairly maligned but he is nowhere near Longy. Long is one of our all-time greats and could do the truly special things that stats and awards could only touch the surface of.

 

[Albertross]

When Long got the ball on the wing and went for a run, the Essendon faithful would rise as one in anticipation of some Longy magic.

Would never happen with Zaka.

 

[Alfred E Neuman]

Finished 5 off in 95.

Now I'm only looking at stats here but he had a 27 and 3, 22 and 2, 23 and 3, 24 and 2, 20 and 3, 25 and 4 and a 20 and 3 without polling a vote. Imagine those sort of consistent figures and no votes these days.

 

[Blind Turn]

I think longs career has grown legs over time, the myth of the man has enhanced everything

I recall a star that burned bright but was in then out as quick as he came... he was unsure and flakey early days, had a boom few years, them was decimated and a shadow of a player thru injury after that. Its a shame, pose the 93 finals series the footy world was his for the taking, next minute, blows a knee.

everyone loves longy, and so do I, hes like a club mascot or something, but his career may be looked at thru rose glasses, imho

In 1990 we were possibly the best side for the H&A season. Our centreline was considered the key ingredient and much of the talk was about the comparison of

Anderson Kickett Long (which is what Anderson did best tbh)
Vs
Millane Shaw Wright

All 6 players had great years that year and were pivotal to their team’s performance. This was just Long’s second year. He had the ability to cut through the opposition right from the start but something really clicked in 93 that made him believe that he was untouchable. There aren’t too many players you will ever be able to say that about.

 

[Doss]

No possibly about it; we were absolutely the best side in the home and away 1990 season.

 

[brutus76]

Longy was awesome in full flight.

Speed, vision, creativity, goal nous, great tackler, evasive skills and left burn marks on the grass through acceleration.