What if the assumption was that those old players had today's coaching, fitness and general professionalism?

Simple fact is, they didnt. And I think that argument is nonsensical, as it assumes the players mentioned would even be able to accept the realities of todays game.

Surely past players should only be judged on what they did, not what they could have done? Its like assuming a modern player would perform the same as he does now, if he was time warped back 50 years. Without the expectation of his coaches, modern medical science/traing/recovery techniques, of course he would be less effective.

You cant change something that happened 50 years ago. Its just the way it is.

1) Lance Franklin

2) Scott Pendlebury

3) Trent Cotchin

Agree with you on these Adam. I still think Ablett is the best going around but Cotchin is the future or should it be Selwood?

Simple fact is, they didnt. And I think that argument is nonsensical, as it assumes the players mentioned would even be able to accept the realities of todays game.

Surely past players should only be judged on what they did, not what they could have done? Its like assuming a modern player would perform the same as he does now, if he was time warped back 50 years. Without the expectation of his coaches, modern medical science/traing/recovery techniques, of course he would be less effective.

You cant change something that happened 50 years ago. Its just the way it is.

Yep. I will judge these guys on what they have done and the current crop if and when they get there http://www.afl.com.au/aflhq/awards/halloffame/legends/tabid/855/default.aspx

Well, for Melbourne's needs at the moment, I'm all about established, potent midfielders who can also kick a goal. Place to look for a shortlist? Brownlow medal counts, of course.

If you could knock a couple of years off ages, I'd be going Judd, Ablett and Watson. As a boxed set, they'd complement eachother beautifully and would just be unstoppable. I've heard of sharking off opposition hitouts, but with those three, your opposition would be sharking off your clearances.

Of younger guys, I'd be considerig Cotchin, Dangerfield and Fyfe.

Getting back on the Reality Bus^TM -

I'd reckon Chris Knights would be a nice 'option' as a player looking for a fresh start, on a comparativey low-price and reasonably short contract, with possible big 'upside'.

I'd love Dion Prestia for some extra hard working, hard tackling, quality young presence. Plus there's the 'he was a Demon as a kid' bonus points.

I'll save my final 'realistic wish' for just getting all our unfortunate midfield kids a good clean run without injury.

Edited June 10, 201213 yr by Little Goffy

Simple fact is, they didnt. And I think that argument is nonsensical, as it assumes the players mentioned would even be able to accept the realities of todays game.

The idea of current players being pitted against players from 50 years ago is nonsensical anyway, so I don't see how what I added to it makes it any worse.

Agree with you on these Adam. I still think Ablett is the best going around but Cotchin is the future or should it be Selwood?

Cotchin is an absolute gun. Still, I think Grimes can get there as well.

Cotchin is an absolute gun. Still, I think Grimes can get there as well.

Agree with you on Grimes as well, with an injury free run i think he will get there.

I think Mark neeld should have a big bag of cash to try swing steel sidebottom over to the dees the pie's will lose a player soon and if i could take a young gun mid i would love this kid he runs all day and would go very nice next to Grimes and Viney IMO.

Thought's guy's?

$650,000 a year let's get the kid.

Yep. I will judge these guys on what they have done and the current crop if and when they get there http://www.afl.com.a...55/default.aspx

You judge what players have done in Todays Game, against what players did in Yesterdays Game.

Every discipline that can be difinitively measured, says modern athletes are better. Again, I say that only in those sports that have "opinion" as a decider, will there ever be an inconclusive argument, as to who was the better athlete.

I dont swallow the subjective argument, over something that is plain for the eye to see.

FWIW, I thing Barassi, brought forward to todays game, would be a run of the mill, everyday player, and not the messiah that he is painted as. The other bloke I struggle with is the so called legend, Ted Whitten. Would not get a spot on the bench today. And before anyone starts to talk about "toughness", I would wager that a modern Barry Hall, Glen Archer, and even Mitch Robinson, would not only be tougher than most from the bygone era, they would be more skillfull than anyone else, including the likes of Skilton etc.

If you want to have a look at football from yesteryear, download a vid of when Nth Melb was winning flags in the 70's, and compare it to today. Dont say "what if", just compare what you see, with today. Take our side from now, back to the 70's, and we would win flag after flag, after flag.

Times change, as does the human body. Evolution wins every time, especially with the help of science.

1. Franklin

2. Pendlebury

3. Cotchin

Special mentions: dangerfield,sloane,rockliff,sidebottom,Ablett,d swallow,gaff

Ivor Warne Smith

Gary Ablett Senior

Spartacus

(Time machine recruits)

Any gun mid that has a minimum of 6 years in them & Buddy

Cotchin, Dangerfield etc

problems solved

Of course, if we got any three out of D Martin, Hurley, Naitanui and Darling this website would go into meltdown complaining that we should have got the other one.

Of course, if we got any three out of D Martin, Hurley, Naitanui and Darling this website would go into meltdown complaining that we should have got the other one.

The first three you're probably right but Darling? He's a special case.

Until Cook can come into the senior side and play some decent footy that ghost will never be laid to rest.

Pendlebury, Jobe Watson and Mark LeCras with a good knee.

Pendlebury, Jobe Watson and Mark LeCras with a good knee.

Two good knees would be better.

Selwood, Selwood and Selwood. Our free kick tally would go through the roof! :D

Cotchin, Hartlett, Dangerfield