Who is the most unique player in the AFL?

[brisbane13]

Oooh, I don't know, how about multiple 40 possession games year in year out? Multiple 30 + possession games with 4 goals or more? Freakish goals from the midfield? The most complete player in the game? That sort of thing.

he isn't overly quick, big or strong which makes what he has achieved even better

 

[D-N-R]

I thought Judd's ability to change direction at speed and burn off players made him unique. He didn't really balk around players, he just seemed to be able to change direction and leave them flat-footed.

2.15 in there are a couple of examples against Brisbane. He showed a bit towards the end of this year - it would be nice if he could finish his career like he started as I don't think he gets the credit he is due.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Oooh, I don't know, how about multiple 40 possession games year in year out? Multiple 30 + possession games with 4 goals or more?

Dane Swan does these things too, it's certainly more than repeatable . . .

Also Ablett had one 40 possession game this year, that's not multiple. It's also the same as Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, etc.

Did you also mean multiple 30 possession 4 goal games in a year? He had two of those this year, that doesn't really qualify as multiple. It's also not a unique feat. Steve Johnson, for example did this in the Preliminary Final.

 

[Sherrinator]

Pendles - no one else plays like him.

Plenty play bruise-free footy?

 

[Sherrinator]

Adam Goodes has to be one of the most unique players to ever have played the game. He has played pretty much every position on the field including Ruck.

Not many gorillas win brownlows and premierships, that's for sure.

 

[Righteo]

Can we not do this again HP? Your thoughts on Ablett are well known by now and it's tedious to pot him every time he's mentioned.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Can we not do this again HP? Your thoughts on Ablett are well known by now and it's tedious to pot him every time he's mentioned.

I just don't think high possession games are unique, particularly in our era.

 

[Happy Daze]

Dane Swan does these things too, it's certainly more than repeatable . . .

Also Ablett had one 40 possession game this year, that's not multiple. It's also the same as Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, etc.

Did you also mean multiple 30 possession 4 goal games in a year? He had two of those this year, that doesn't really qualify as multiple. It's also not a unique feat. Steve Johnson, for example did this in the Preliminary Final.

The fact that you have to cite 3 players shows just how unique Jnr is. Also comparing Ablett to Swan is absurd - how good a user of the ball is Swan? Great possession gatherer, butchers the ball a great deal of the time. As for Pendles - he's the opposite - amazing user of the ball, but doesn't rack up as many possessions and not as dangerous in front of goal. If Steve Johnson was half as consistent as Jnr he would be an all-time player - Johnson has only been in the midfield basically the last 18 months or so. Super player, but up to Jnrs standard? Dont think so.

How many 40 plus possessions has Ablett had across his entire career, how many 30 plus? How many goals? There's no one around like him - there may be others who can match small parts of his performance for a short time, but not the full package. He's a phenomenon - and easily the most unique player in the AFL.

 

[TyHawk]

Ablett Jr is equivelant of Shawshank Redemption.
All males have nothing bad to say about them.

 

[Hodgepodge]

The fact that you have to cite 3 players shows just how unique Jnr is.

I could pick just one.

Also comparing Ablett to Swan is absurd

I'm not comparing the two. But in terms of feats, then high disposals is not something 'unique', and in fact Swan averages more disposals than Ablett both over his career and over the last few years.

How many 40 plus possessions has Ablett had across his entire career, how many 30 plus?

Again, he's neck and neck with Swan, although I think Swan has pulled slightly ahead now.

How many goals? There's no one around like him

In the last 3 years Dane swan has 78 goals, and Ablett 72 . . .

You said that Ablett's feats were unrepeatable in amassing disposals and goals, but it seems to me that this is clearly not the case, and in fact he's been trumped by Dane Swan.

 

[Freomaniac]

Justin Westoff and Nic Nat. Both are the eqivalent of Dennis Rodman as Tall freaks.

In the past... I thought Glen Manton was unique.

 

[Royce Hafey]

How can you have degrees of uniqueness?

 

[matty_hawk]

Hanley
Cyril
Nic Nat

Cyril isn't even the most unique player in his family

 

[Pie eyed]

Who would be the most unique footballer in the leave? A toss up Between Buddy, and Ablett for me. Don't think we will ever see anyone like either of them ever again.

Majak Dawe on a dozen different levels.

 

[Pie eyed]

How can you have degrees of uniqueness?

Most of us are only of average uniqueness....

 

[loki04]

Oooh, I don't know, how about multiple 40 possession games year in year out? Multiple 30 + possession games with 4 goals or more? Freakish goals from the midfield? The most complete player in the game? That sort of thing.

You talking about Dane Swan? or maybe older N.Buckley who also has done that.

 

[Moist Biscuit]

You talking about Dane Swan? or maybe older N.Buckley who also has done that.

Buckley and Swan at there best, is still a rung below Abletts best.

 

[matty_hawk]

Most of us are only of average uniqueness....

By that logic they ate all as unique as eachother.
Yay everyone gets a competed award

 

[Dylan8]

The discussion isn't who is the best, it's unique. Ablett is a tier above the rest midfielder. Hardly unique, just a lot better than the rest.

 

[ZEV]

Roughead.

- Rucks at centre bounces.
- Ruck rover and wins clearances at centre bounces too.
- Very capable in the back half of the ground.
- Sells hotdogs in the grandstands at half-time.

Does it all.

Oh yeah, won the Coleman Medal for good measure too.

Ultimate Leigh brown role player!

 

[Damon_3388]

Didn't he keep sharks as pets? Unique in my book.

No, he had a pet snake.

 

[Natho]

K.Hunt?

Stevie J is up there. 40 metres out from goal and he will just snap it off one step.

There probably isnt a position on the field roughead cant play in.

 

[edgie]

K.Hunt?

Stevie J is up there. 40 metres out from goal and he will just snap it off one step.

There probably isnt a position on the field roughead cant play in.

Daniel Motlop could do this but also had the added skill of being able to drop punt set shot extremely well too

 

[edgie]

Chad Cornes says hi. Played CHF, CHB, Midfield and have seen him play stints in the ruck. Definitely AA in some of those positions (not ruck obviously).

Add FF to that too

 

[tribey]

Longevity: Dustin Fletcher

Craig Bradley has him covered.

1981-2002: Port Adelaide/Carlton/SA/Australia - 501 games of senior football, with 4 games of Shield cricket for two states for shits'n'giggs.