Who got the most out of himself?

[Mero]

OK, in my on-going series, which I hadn't planned, but the success of each gave me another idea each time.

Which Essendon player do you think came to the club with limited talent or reputation, but made a name for himself through whatever means.
I am not looking for James Hird or Gavin Wanganeen, who were highly rated form first glimpse, rather, the blokes who slipped under the guard and performed.

I'll kick things off :
2000's
Mark Johnson - Rookie Lister who is now a DVC.
He's short, not a great kick, but busts his guts every week and has become one of our most valuable players.

Gary Moorcroft - I was sorry to see him go as he always had a crack. Took the Mark of the EVER and was never the same after coming back to earth at 300kph abd doing his hip. He's a fat little bloke with a penchant for the speccy which was exactly what Essendon did not want him to do. He changed his game and became a valuable premiership player.

1990's
David Grenvold - Never going to be regarded as a champion, but had a go every time he played. Premiership player in 93.

Garry O'Donnell - Couldn't kick right foot, was mid height, not tall, not small. Wasn't very quick. Looked like a Chinese tennis player. Yet went on to captain the club, including a Night Premieship. He also played for Victoria

1980's
Neil Clarke - Dual Premiership player, who died tragically last year.
He is who M Johnson reminds me off, so I'll slot him in.

Kevin Walsh - We all bagged him, but by the time he finished we wondered how we'd replace him. He made many mistakes, he didn't appear footy smart, yet also is a dual Premieship player.

 

[Runk]

Some of these blokes were more fringe players than those who became superstars, but they were superstars in my opinion. These guys "gave their all for the ball."

80's: Dean Bailey: I loved Bails and thought it was rough that he didn't get more of a regular spot week in week out. Far too much reserve work, but he was probably a little too short to play a key position but too bulky to play on the ball. He was just a hard worker who hit his targets.

Stephen Clarke: A good quick small player who gave as good as he got before being traded to Melbourne. He was a tough little nut who could kick a goal when he wanted to turn it on. Didn't care about getting hit either and was stretchered from the ground more times than I care to remember.

90's: Barry Young: Very average at Richmond, but came to Essendon and developed a hard nosed attitude that won him a lot of the ball and respect amongst the Bomberland faithful.

Shane Heard V.2: I loved Heard during the 80's but when he came out of retirement he was fitter than ever before. We got a backline player with plenty of experience and some great form. So good he was selected to play for the Big V against Tassie his first year back. Not a bad effort from a bloke who was supposedly past it.

00's: Mark Johnson. Agreed with everything you said. Rookie list come good. Excellent player now.

 

[Stealth bomber]

I'd put Damien Peverill on the list. Came completely out of left-field in 2001 from the rookie list; had absolutely no hype about him whatsoever.

Quietly finishes high in the Best & Fairest every year, even last year after a form slump that came as a result of that forearm injury.

Wasn't a natural footballer. My wife went to primary school with him and says he was a runt; always getting knocked around by bigger blokes and looked a bit out of his league. Must have toughened him up.

 

[Cooldude]

Gazza Moorcroft

Very small, almost a midget, doesn't have the greatest of natural football talent, but yet got himself to kick goals, took the mark of the century, be in a premiership team (one of the greatest teams of all time), and now with his form dropping and his weakness exposed, he's nothing but a very average footballer, when Essendon dumped him (rightly so), he went to Melbourne, and was hopeless there, and at present he can't even get a game in the reserves.

I don't believe the likes of MJ and Pevers deserve to be in this category, I think both of the are pretty damn talented players

 

[bozza]

Paul Barnard. By a mile.

 

[windyhill]

The majority of these boys could play, so Kevin Walsh for me. Still amazed at his final game total.

 

[Vulcan]

Has anybody heard of Geoff Leeke?

 

[pazza]

Leek was incredible as a ruckman, looking and reading about him.

For me, Peter Bradbury seemed to be able to do more than even he realised.

He was probably in the right spot at the right time and it paid dividends.

 

[Runk]

I think Peter Bradbury was very, very lucky to get the nod ahead of certain players at the time. Still, he was a utility type of player and Sheeds just threw him in anywhere as a gap sealer.
I thougt he was pretty average in all honesty.

 

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by pazza
Leek was incredible as a ruckman, looking and reading about him.

For me, Peter Bradbury seemed to be able to do more than even he realised.

He was probably in the right spot at the right time and it paid dividends.

Leek[e] was very tall for his time,but couldn't kick and I really mean couldn't,lucky to get a decent boot on it,was taken off frequently [no interchange] but persevered,persisted and amazingly even kicked a goal on the the run with his left foot which he was incapable of doing with his right,his supposed natural foot.

The abuse Kevin Walsh received never equelled what Leek received for years.

But like Walsh he came good,but could never kick a footy to the end.

Like most people like that they need character to keep going.

He had it in spades.

 

[Napier_Street]

Interesting thread....


You would have to say that most guys who reach the AFL have managed to get the most out of their ability.

I actually wonder whether there is a case for players who got by without fully realising their potential.

You suspect that guys like Van Der Haar could have been so much better if they had the work ethic of Terry Daniher.

 

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Napier_Street
Interesting thread....


You would have to say that most guys who reach the AFL have managed to get the most out of their ability.

I actually wonder whether there is a case for players who got by without fully realising their potential.

You suspect that guys like Van Der Haar could have been so much better if they had the work ethic of Terry Daniher.

Yeah,well Leek and and another ruckman [John Gill,I think] were so tall for their time that was seen as the advantage.
And they did their best with limited ability.

The champion players the club have always had were supported and respected by them.

In principal you are quite right,Essendon has had many of the underachievers like most clubs.

Ron Barassi is still quoted today he has little respect for talented people who have huge talent and are underperfoming.

I suspect Kevin Sheedy has similar views.

In my own life I will have to confess to adopting Barassi's view too often.

Before anyone says anything,simply admitting still not achieving potential.