If Jeff Farmer wasn't a headcase

[pitchfork 181]

...no doubt Hall of Famer

With the exception of maybe 1994 David Schwarz, The Wiz may just be the best (by this I mean most devastating) footballer Melbourne had between 1988-2009.

Melbourne 118 (259) at 2.2 Goals Per Game

Fremantle 131 (224) at 1.7 Goals Per Game

Career 1.94 Goals Per Game

Leigh Matthews had 2.75 Goals Per Game

Here's a list from last month

Davis*: 194 Games, 250 Goals (1.3 goals per game)

Medhurst*: 166 Games, 274 Goals (1.6 goals per game)

Farmer: 249 Games, 483 Goals (1.9 goals per game)

Matera: 179 Games, 389 Goals (2.2 goals per game)

Johnson*: 352 Games, 549 Goals (1.6 goals per game)

Milne*: 200 Games, 408 Goals (2.0 goals per game)

So no one gets anywhere near Lethal in the modern era, but i'd argue no contemporaries really got all that close - Rod Ashman 1.6 goals per game.

Imagine if Farmer had stuck at the 'G, played 200 games. I really reckon he would have stayed around the 2.1 gpg level. (rather than 131 rather "bleh" games for Freo he could have got 80 more? games in for the dees)

Unlike Milne Farmer rarely scored "cheap" goals from teammates gift wrapping easy goals, and unlike Milne had the ability to just kick an absolute bag.

The guy could blow hot or cold, but he stood up when it counted and was the kind of match winner that literally won the match not just kicked the sealer.

It's a pity that this guy couldn't seem to keep it together...absolute class Jeff.

In a worthwhile hall of fame, he would still make it

Edited July 23, 2010 by pitchfork

[pitchfork 181]

Has this guy received a "Homecoming" to the 'G since his retirement?

Would be nice if he could get a standing O at a MFC home game

[angryfijian 25]

When Farmer was playing for MFC he was my favourite player. I will never forget that prelim final in 2000 when he tore North Melbourne apart. He was just such a natural freak of a player. So powerful, explosive and skilful yet so many flaws in temperament. Our first ever wizard. If only we had an Indigenous group of players (like we do now) to guide him and protect him from himself. I see so much of the raw brilliance of a young Jeff Farmer in Jamie Bennell, but I am comfortable in the knowledge that MFC is much better prepared now to look after the welfare of young Indigenous players. May the art of Wizardry be passed on for generations at MFC.

[Eth 4]

We should request a Melbourne vs Fremantle game at the G next year as a Jeff Farmer tribute match

[Little Goffy 14,645]

Not a bad idea, the tribute game. And Demons-Freo games have been an interesting run ever since he kicked the after-the-siren winner in his first game against us.

And y'know what, is head is on pretty straight, for a small forward!

[Cranky Franky 2,092]

...no doubt Hall of Famer

With the exception of maybe 1994 David Schwarz, The Wiz may just be the best (by this I mean most devastating) footballer Melbourne had between 1988-2009.

Melbourne 118 (259) at 2.2 Goals Per Game

Fremantle 131 (224) at 1.7 Goals Per Game

Career 1.94 Goals Per Game

Leigh Matthews had 2.75 Goals Per Game

Here's a list from last month

Davis*: 194 Games, 250 Goals (1.3 goals per game)

Medhurst*: 166 Games, 274 Goals (1.6 goals per game)

Farmer: 249 Games, 483 Goals (1.9 goals per game)

Matera: 179 Games, 389 Goals (2.2 goals per game)

Johnson*: 352 Games, 549 Goals (1.6 goals per game)

Milne*: 200 Games, 408 Goals (2.0 goals per game)

So no one gets anywhere near Lethal in the modern era, but i'd argue no contemporaries really got all that close - Rod Ashman 1.6 goals per game.

Imagine if Farmer had stuck at the 'G, played 200 games. I really reckon he would have stayed around the 2.1 gpg level. (rather than 131 rather "bleh" games for Freo he could have got 80 more? games in for the dees)

Unlike Milne Farmer rarely scored "cheap" goals from teammates gift wrapping easy goals, and unlike Milne had the ability to just kick an absolute bag.

The guy could blow hot or cold, but he stood up when it counted and was the kind of match winner that literally won the match not just kicked the sealer.

It's a pity that this guy couldn't seem to keep it together...absolute class Jeff.

In a worthwhile hall of fame, he would still make it

The comparisons are quite misleading

Mathews was an onballer in the first half of his career & only became a permanent forward later. Ditto Brad Johnson except he was a wingman. The others were pretty much permanent forwareds.

A bit like comparing goals per game between Schwartz & Gary Lyon without allowing for the fact that Lyon played about a third of his career in defence.

Just goes to show how shallow football reporting is these days.

[Buzzy 992]

Still my favourite of all time.

Remember the 9 goals in a half against the Pies? Unstoppable. At one point Robbo went up for a massive speccy, but then Farmer exploded up even higher above him and took the grab.

In the last quarter he was just telling Robbo to get the hell out of his area.

Our forward line was electrifying back then.

Champion.

[Eth 4]

Still my favourite of all time.

Remember the 9 goals in a half against the Pies? Unstoppable. At one point Robbo went up for a massive speccy, but then Farmer exploded up even higher above him and took the grab.

In the last quarter he was just telling Robbo to get the hell out of his area.

Our forward line was electrifying back then.

Champion.

Is there a YouTube clip of it or anything? I was only four then, only 2000 game I remember is sitting right up the top at the Grand Final

[DemonWA 3,936]

Jeff Farmer was an absolute Gun!

wasnt quite the same player at freo, but living in west australia i used to get great pleasure in seeing him do the "purple jesus" pose when he booted goasl against the eagles!

Edited July 24, 2010 by DemonWA