How good was Ray Biffin?

[Guest FaTMollY]

During the finals I heard a discussion on radio about Buddy Franklin and how it was so hard for today's defenders to stop him when one of the commentators suggested that Demon full back Ray Biffin from the 70's would have closed him down.

How good was he?

[Whispering_Jack 28,135]

During the finals I heard a discussion on radio about Buddy Franklin and how it was so hard for today's defenders to stop him when one of the commentators suggested that Demon full back Ray Biffin from the 70's would have closed him down.

How good was he?

Biff was good but he wasn't in Buddy's class. He would have been our best bet to stop him though because he was physically very strong and wasn't afraid to employ some roughhouse tactics. A strike or two (or even three) from Big Biff would have been enough to put him down for the count. Wouldn't work these days with video scrutiny and all that.

[Dreamin' Demon 10]

Wouldn't work these days with video scrutiny and all that.

I'm sure he would've made an exception in the Grand Final

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Biff was good but he wasn't in Buddy's class.

Biff made up with guts and heart and left nothing in reserve what he did not have in ability. Honest but not in Buddy's class. Biff played some good games but he also put in some ordinary ones (eg McKenna kicked 10 on him one time).

Best memory versus St Kilda when he was moved from FB to FF and as he walked down toward the MFC goals after the coin toss, Cowboy Neale got the biggest shock of his life and thought he was heading to the wrong goal. Two great stagers put on an engrossing exhibition at one of the ground that justified the admission price in itself.

I seem to recall Biff started as a forward in the U19s.

[Redleg 38,703]

During the finals I heard a discussion on radio about Buddy Franklin and how it was so hard for today's defenders to stop him when one of the commentators suggested that Demon full back Ray Biffin from the 70's would have closed him down.

How good was he?

One of my favourite players with some great initials. Forget mouthguards, Biff just removed his front teeth and went out to give his all. His final game from memory was against the Pies and he hurt several of them on the day. He could play both ends and was a fantastic competitor.

Today he would probably not get a look in as he would be considered too slow for the modern game. If played on Buddy his tactic would be to get a contest early and hurt him in the pack. He could not match Buddy for pace, reach or athletic ability and would be slaughtered unless he got that early attack in. If he did, Buddy would watch the rest of the game from the bench or later on the TV replay.

[Bay Riffin 1,434]

Biff was the greatest, hence my username.

He once threw Robbie Muir over the fence, so they don't get much tougher than Ray.

Was almost the perfect footballer, and devilishly handsome.

[nomed 107]

..............and devilishly handsome.

When he had his teeth in?

[Sir Why You Little 35,366]

Ray Biffin was playing when i was first taken to the Football. That old no 19 could certainly stand his ground. Opposition supporters hated him so i always reckon thats a sign that he wasn't too bad. He was Big i remember that alright. I think Biff enjoyed footy in the days of one field umpire!!

[joeboy 3,013]

Biff was the greatest, hence my username.

He once threw Robbie Muir over the fence, so they don't get much tougher than Ray.

Was almost the perfect footballer, and devilishly handsome.

..' devilishly handsome ' - methinks not .

You must actually be THE MAN to have made a comment like that .

[Hannabal 4]

During the finals I heard a discussion on radio about Buddy Franklin and how it was so hard for today's defenders to stop him when one of the commentators suggested that Demon full back Ray Biffin from the 70's would have closed him down.

How good was he?

The reference to Biffin was a joke. The joke being that Biffin would deck him.

He was a tough loyal servant in very bad teams.

[biggestred 4,436]

bring back the biff

[H_T 2,941]

Hypothetical Question: How would Sean Wight at his peak have gone playing on Buddy?

[Bobby McKenzie 2,269]

During the finals I heard a discussion on radio about Buddy Franklin and how it was so hard for today's defenders to stop him when one of the commentators suggested that Demon full back Ray Biffin from the 70's would have closed him down.

How good was he?

Ray Biffin was tough as nails and a feared man in football. It has been said that opposition 'hard men' were transformed into polite ball players when Biff was around. He also , like Rod Grinter, displayed good footy skills and he was named as one of our 150 Heroes.