Which out of these 3 players would you have liked to see them play in the VFL/AFL before the intro of the National Competition

[Jascave]

Before the advent of the national competition in 1987, these three great players-Barrie Robran (North Adelaide), Stephen Michael (South Fremantle) and Garry McIntosh (Norwood) was always the the topic of one conversation-how would one or all three of those players have gone playing in the VFL at the height of their football careers, instead of staying and playing in the SANFL and WAFL respectively?

Discuss.

 

[Igavemyloveachicken]

I've only heard stories of Robran, he was before my time. In a State of Origin game against Victoria, Alex Jesaulenko stopped to clap Robran whilst the ball was still in play such was his amazement at a piece of Robran magic.
Plenty of VFL clubs tried to lure Garry McIntosh across the border but he was a Norwood only man, an absolute warrior on the field that genuinely played without fear.

 

[Turnover]

Steven Michael.

 

[Kwality]

I've only heard stories of Robran, he was before my time. In a State of Origin game against Victoria, Alex Jesaulenko stopped to clap Robran whilst the ball was still in play such was his amazement at a piece of Robran magic.
Plenty of VFL clubs tried to lure Garry McIntosh across the border but he was a Norwood only man, an absolute warrior on the field that genuinely played without fear.

Garry McIntosh was the best player of his time who could have played in the national comp but wasnt interested. He was drafted by North in 1982.

Stephen Michael had retired at the end of the 1985 season. Geelong tried & tried to get him.

Barrie Robran retired in 1980. He also played cricket for SA.

 

[glengowan]

Garry McIntosh would have been one of a number of great South Aussie midfielders during that era and sat comfortably with those that did have very good VFL/AFL careers - such as Mark Naley, John Platten, Tony Francis, Tony McGuiness, Chris McDermott, Andrew Jarman, Craig Bradley etc.

Barrie Robran was another level all together and would've dominated like the very best the game has seen. You don't get a Statue at the front door of Adelaide Oval unless you're the best.

Really, those State games of those eras would've been a much higher standard of play than a general VFL or AFL game and back in those days the players played quite a few. Robran and Michael both played 17. Lindsay Head, another great South Aussie player before a national competition, for example, played 37 State games. It gave a fair indication of who the very best were.

It was unfortunately a State game between SA and VIC that Leigh Matthews unnecessarily dumped Robran after play and wrecked his knee. An injury he never recovered fully from.

 

[Arr0w]

Tough choice, but it would be Michael.

Tough, quick, great leap and could play all over the park

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Back then there would of been 5-10 players at every WAFL and SANFL club that easily get a game at any VFL club, may not of been stars but would easily of held their position and done the job for their team.

 

[Dazb86]

Similar careers as Michael Barlow from Fremantle.

 

[CharlieMortdecai]

Similar careers as Michael Barlow from Fremantle.

Ha ha no. Think more Kernahan, Bradley or Polly Farmer.

 

[Kwality]

Similar careers as Michael Barlow from Fremantle.

Barlow is a Vic Country boy.

Ken McAullay is another one of the top level footballers (East Perth) that was wooed but never went. Another first class cricketer, who preferred cricket.
Not up there with Robran, but an example of why the AFL is head & shoulders above the State comps.

 

[JackFlash]

Michael is the great unknown, Geelong probably would've won the flag in 1980 or 81 if Michael had played with them?

 

[Jascave]

Michael is the great unknown, Geelong probably would've won the flag in 1980 or 81 if Michael had played with them?

Bit of a shame Stephen Michael retired in 1985, because it was 2 years before the introduction of the West Coast Eagles into the then VFL competition in 1987, and Michael would've been handy for the Eagles, alternating with Laurie Keene and Alex Ischenko as the Eagles ruck division.

 

[Jascave]

I have at home a DVD of the 1972 Grand Final (not the one between Richmond and Carlton), but the SANFL GF between North Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The reason? Wanted to see Barrie Robran in action, and for good measure Robran was playing against the late Russell Ebert, who between them won 7 Magarey Medals. If the Jack Oatey Medal had been presented that day, Robran would've won by a huge margin in the voting for the medal.

 

[Gordon Farkas]

Michael is the great unknown, Geelong probably would've won the flag in 1980 or 81 if Michael had played with them?

Yep, Geelong was THAT close to getting him.

Oh what might have been....

 

[JackFlash]

Yep, Geelong was THAT close to getting him.

Oh what might have been....

View attachment 1294811

View attachment 1294812

Geelong were heavily into Robran too, but he just never wanted to come to Victoria. Michael was signed for years and almost made the trip over, but stayed in Perth, we got "pasties" Peake instead..McIntosh was a great player in SA who just didn't want to prove himself at the top level, he felt he didn't have to. He refused to play for the Adelaide Crows in 1992 and he could've played at least 5 seasons for them. It was a different world back then.

 

[MCG-Unit]

Voted Robran..