Players who had something special but just didn't reach the heights hoped for:

1. Russell Richards

2. David Cordner

3. Travis Johnstone

4. Graham Molloy

5. John Tilbrook

6. Warren Dean

7. Allan Jackovich

8. James Cook

9. Darren Cuthbertson

10. Brock McLean (replacing Chris Aitken)

Stephen Tingay, Glenn Lovett, David Schwarz, Paul Prymke, Sean Charles, Gary Lyon, Alan Jackovic.

If we'd kept these guys on the park... seen the best of them... we'd have won a flag in the mid-90's.

  On 18/12/2011 at 10:21, Wise said:

Stephen Tingay, Glenn Lovett, David Schwarz, Paul Prymke, Sean Charles, Gary Lyon, Alan Jackovic.

If we'd kept these guys on the park... seen the best of them... we'd have won a flag in the mid-90's.

i don't necessarily mean cruelled by injuries, but didn't live up to potential...

  On 18/12/2011 at 10:09, bush demon said:

10. Brock McLean (replacing Chris Aitken)

Someone has uploaded the full 2006 Qualifying Final against St Kilda on YouTube, and I know this is often regarded as McLean's best game but what stood out to me was his pace, he wasn't quick but he wasn't slow at all either, interesting to see how much he has changed.

Brent Heaver? Went on to play some good games at Carlscum, as did Greg Wells.

  On 18/12/2011 at 10:31, Clint Bizkit said:

Someone has uploaded the full 2006 Qualifying Final against St Kilda on YouTube, and I know this is often regarded as McLean's best game but what stood out to me was his pace, he wasn't quick but he wasn't slow at all either, interesting to see how much he has changed.

Nieta's first goal...what a CRACKER!!

Downloading as we speak....Been looking for this game for years....Thanks!!

Darren Cuthbertson

Tony Campbell

Colin Sylvia (still has time?)

Darren Bennett

I think people forget just how good Daniel Bell could have been. He looked very promising early on, I am not sure if his decline is directly linked with his concussions or not, either way he could have been a very good footballer.

EDIT: Probably not a champion, but a lot better than he showed.

Russell Rowe in 1980 - 4 goals on debut and I think BOG the next game. Did little else and from memory went back to the bush cos he couldn't handle the city.

Travis Johnstone.

That third quarter in the semi final against the Crows in 2002 was the best quarter of football I have ever seen anyone play. He was inspired - no other footy player in the comp could have done what he did in that game. Can't believe we lost it.

But he went missing too often. So sad really because he had was a bloody good player. Should have remained a Dee all his career, and should've achieved much more than he did.

  On 18/12/2011 at 10:09, bush demon said:

Players who had something special but just didn't reach the heights hoped for:

6. Warren Dean

...

8. James Cook

Both Dean and Cook did ACLs. If you are applyling the no injury criteria.

  On 18/12/2011 at 10:31, Clint Bizkit said:

Someone has uploaded the full 2006 Qualifying Final against St Kilda on YouTube, and I know this is often regarded as McLean's best game but what stood out to me was his pace, he wasn't quick but he wasn't slow at all either, interesting to see how much he has changed.

St Kilda were not a quick team at that time and they tired in the 2nd half. And with the turnstile interchange arrangements, the game got noticeably quicker over the past 5 years.

McLean....not slow??? Someone must have slowed the tape speed.

  On 18/12/2011 at 11:02, Clint Bizkit said:

I think people forget just how good Daniel Bell could have been.

The same could be said about Luke Molan and Nick Smith. High picks that did not make it because they were not good enough. Shame about Belly's condition.

The Cockatoo Collins boys!!Both plucked out of school to play a Friday night game at the G against Geelong. Huge fuss about them .... long-term potential through the roof.David never played AFL again - and Donald got maybe 2 other games

I guess they don't belong in this thread - because despite the initial publicity- they were Nevercoodabeens

Back on topic - its hard to go past Allen Jacovich

Good pick up Hoopla!

After their first game against Geelong I could not believe we actually selected one C Collins let alone two of them. They were thrown aside like rag dolls that day and clearly lacked the physical frame for AFL football.

This thread was made for Allen Jakovich. No more needs be said about the bloke but if he was more, ahem, committed to the game he could have been one of the best full forwards of the 90's which is saying a lot considering the quality of the spearheads at that time.

For the injured guys, David Schwarz would have been a champion of the game. He will still go down as a club champ but not the same level as he could have been if not for his injuries.

  On 19/12/2011 at 04:30, Rhino Richards said:

Good pick up Hoopla!

After their first game against Geelong I could not believe we actually selected one C Collins let alone two of them. They were thrown aside like rag dolls that day and clearly lacked the physical frame for AFL football.

What was worse..... we picked the weaker of the two first!!

The original Coodabeen----------- David Cordner!!!!!!!!!

  On 18/12/2011 at 11:52, Ron Burgundy said:

Travis Johnstone.

That third quarter in the semi final against the Crows in 2002 was the best quarter of football I have ever seen anyone play. He was inspired - no other footy player in the comp could have done what he did in that game. Can't believe we lost it.

But he went missing too often.

Went missing in that last quarter too. Which wasn't good in itself.

I reckon Koutafides against Essendon in that '99 Prelim was better.

@Wise

Paul Prymke stands out as a real potenetial never fulfilled. Looked really good till his back ceased up.

I can recall Lou Richards anointing Tony Campbell as "Melbourne's first 100 goals in a season kicker". He of course ended up Footscray full-back and part-time kickboxer.

How about:

Darren "two weeks of brilliance" Cuthbertson, or for the masochists

Brent "the next Garry Lyon" Grgic

My selection Darren Cuthbertson, kicked 20 odd goals in 3 weeks, never saw him again.

  On 19/12/2011 at 05:09, hoopla said:

What was worse..... we picked the weaker of the two first!!

Struggled to pick the better one.

  On 19/12/2011 at 05:14, iv said:

The original Coodabeen----------- David Cordner!!!!!!!!!

Agree. Big hopes after kicking over 100 goals in the U19s then did not have the heart for senior football.

  On 19/12/2011 at 05:44, Demon_spurs said:

My selection Darren Cuthbertson, kicked 20 odd goals in 3 weeks, never saw him again.

Cutho was a one trick pony who at least played his tricks on Collingwood. Part of the 1994 year when we had some truly big goal kicking efforts on show.

  On 19/12/2011 at 05:19, H_T said:

Went missing in that last quarter too. Which wasn't good in itself.

I reckon Koutafides against Essendon in that '99 Prelim was better.

Fair call and Kouta was very very good that day. i seem to recall an MCG final where James Hird almost dismantled WCE on his own. They took him off in the last when the game was won to save him for next week. Five minutes later, someone is injured, Hird runs out and straight into the play. Running the same way as the ball in flight, launches himself directly into the oncoming pack with eyes only on the ball. As only Hird can do...takes the gutsy contest mark. Gee he was majestic at his best and missed a number of years at his peak with the feet splint issue.

Freddie Spencer Clutterbuck

Andrew Lamprill burst on the scene in 1992 with a couple of goal of the year contenders against the Cats, lived off that glory with selection in another 20 or so games, before completely fizzing out.

  On 19/12/2011 at 07:12, Range Rover said:

Andrew Lamprill burst on the scene in 1992 with a couple of goal of the year contenders against the Cats, lived off that glory with selection in another 20 or so games, before completely fizzing out.

Good get! Forgot about him.........

Andy moir. Great leap and mark for his size. Never really fulfilled potential

  On 19/12/2011 at 09:20, binman said:

Andy moir. Great leap and mark for his size. Never really fulfilled potential

that makes me think of peter yeo. wasn't he in the same category. also rod owen, ex-stkilda who moved pretty well for a while..