Flower was a Champion because he performed at a very high standard over a long period of time in all company. He was State captain and was an automatic State selection. He was brilliant overhead, could win his own ball, kick equally well on both feet and had evasive skills rarely seen. Had he played in a dominant team he'd be far more highly recognized but he stands comfortably on the same stage with the greats of his era.

Davey has had one or two good seasons, never won AA selection and is very limited in what he can do on a footy field compared to Flower. Whilst Davey is a good player he isn't in the same league as Flower and I doubt many who saw Flower in the 70's and early 80's would disagree.

the 1980 All-Australian side would get absolutely smashed by the 2009 All-Australian side

Your point.

If you kicked the ball 100 times out so a prime Davey and prime Flower could dual one on one.....who would win more often ?

My point exactly. It can't be done.

PS. But I'd know who would win that contest more often.

the 1980 All-Australian side would get absolutely smashed by the 2009 All-Australian side

I have NO DOUBT that you are correct- however that does not make a player, playing under all conditions of the 1980's better or worse than one currently. My opinion is that things change. I raced standardbreds(pacers) in both Australia and America during the 1990,s ans in the 2000's and the conditions changed during that period significantly. Tracks were maintained better, equipment was better, training was significantly better but that does not show the horses were inferior. One basically cannot compare eras with eras. One can only summise.Great players are great players in any era.However they can only be compared in the era that they compete in.

Your point.

If you kicked the ball 100 times out so a prime Davey and prime Flower could dual one on one.....who would win more often ?

My point exactly. It can't be done.

PS. But I'd know who would win that contest more often.

your point?

Alistair Nicholson would smash Flower in that scenario but that doesn't make him better...

anyway, I agree, you can't compare eras. Just pointing out that the person who said that wasn't wrong

Edited February 12, 201015 yr by Curry & Beer

Flower was a Champion because he performed at a very high standard over a long period of time in all company. He was State captain and was an automatic State selection. He was brilliant overhead, could win his own ball, kick equally well on both feet and had evasive skills rarely seen. Had he played in a dominant team he'd be far more highly recognized but he stands comfortably on the same stage with the greats of his era.

Davey has had one or two good seasons, never won AA selection and is very limited in what he can do on a footy field compared to Flower. Whilst Davey is a good player he isn't in the same league as Flower and I doubt many who saw Flower in the 70's and early 80's would disagree.

bit before my time, but if he was as good as you blokes all recollect, the blokes around him must have been deadset awful because we have an appalling win-loss ratio in Flower's time

time does sometimes colour things a bit

bit before my time, but if he was as good as you blokes all recollect, the blokes around him must have been deadset awful because we have an appalling win-loss ratio in Flower's time

time does sometimes colour things a bit

The Melbourne teams of that era were terrible although we had some good players during that time like Alves, Hardeman and Wells. As you know one champion player doesn't take a team from last to finals and Flower couldn't either.

You might be right about Flower appearing greater in hindsight but I've some footage of Flower and I reckon the nearest player I can liken him to is Hird. Few would argue Davey is in Hird's class.

The other thing about Davey is at present he hasn't performed over a sustained period which I think is a non negotiable part of being labeled a "champion". If Davey plays like he did last year for the next 4 his stocks will rise immeasurably. Nobody is knocking Davey, it's just recognizing Flower's unique talent and ability.

You might be right about Flower appearing greater in hindsight but I've some footage of Flower and I reckon the nearest player I can liken him to is Hird. Few would argue Davey is in Hird's class.

The other thing about Davey is at present he hasn't performed over a sustained period which I think is a non negotiable part of being labeled a "champion". If Davey plays like he did last year for the next 4 his stocks will rise immeasurably. Nobody is knocking Davey, it's just recognizing Flower's unique talent and ability.

My point was, last year - imo he was in that class and that he just needs to keep it up and even keep progressing.. -the last part we definately agree on-

I got reminded of it last night, watching Dees v Nth on ch.7(two)..

Daveys examples of Forward-line pressure, while not brand new to the game, were the best ever seen. He took it to a new and exciting level.. and while others try its a standard yet matched. He even 'implied' pressure.. probably the 1st to do so.

It'll be important for MFC to have a freed up Davey, one that can spend a quarter /third(?) of the time across HF again..

maybe next year and beyond, maybe a bit this year?

Good point too, whoever it was that mentioned Flowers vision.

Poor little bugger was blind as a bat, but on the field he could see all!

Imagine kicking to a blur on the lead -50 metres away-

Edited February 12, 201015 yr by DemonDan...

My point was, last year - imo he was in that class and that he just needs to keep it up and even keep progressing.. -the last part we definately agree on-

I got reminded of it last night, watching Dees v Nth on ch.7(two)..

Daveys examples of Forward-line pressure, while not brand new to the game, were the best ever seen. He took it to a new and exciting level.. and while others try its a standard yet matched. He even 'implied' pressure.. probably the 1st to do so.

It'll be important for MFC to have a freed up Davey, one that can spend a quarter /third(?) of the time across HF again..

maybe next year and beyond, maybe a bit this year?

Good point too, whoever it was that mentioned Flowers vision.

Poor little bugger was blind as a bat, but on the field he could see all!

Imagine kicking to a blur on the lead -50 metres away-

He wore contacts when playing

your point?

Alistair Nicholson would smash Flower in that scenario but that doesn't make him better...

anyway, I agree, you can't compare eras. Just pointing out that the person who said that wasn't wrong

Alistair Nicholson would be lucky to win 1 out of 100. Flower consistently beat bigger and stronger opponents throughout his entire career, I'm guessing by that comment you never saw him play. i suggest you hire some video's, it'll make you weep that you missed it.