at this point he has a highlight reel that is pound-for-pound with Modra, who is a way overlooked star of the past. If you've forgotten, just check this out:

giant leap, sticky hands, perfect timing and the ability to read the fall of the ball.. genuine muscle/presence is the only criteria of contested marking that he doesn't have in spades, but who needs that when you have those other abilities

Jeez he liked to knee blokes in the back.

One of the best contested marks one on one (not necessarily taking speccies) was Robert Flower.

We had a series of coaches who I fondly remember all employing the same strategy from the kick in from full back. Put all your backman on the right hand side of the ground and then leave Robbie one out with his opposing wingman on the left. The ball would be kicked to Flower and he would body his opponent to mark the ball 9 times out of 10.

Alas ,he would look up the ground and have no one of talent to kick it to.

One of the best contested marks one on one (not necessarily taking speccies) was Robert Flower.

We had a series of coaches who I fondly remember all employing the same strategy from the kick in from full back. Put all your backman on the right hand side of the ground and then leave Robbie one out with his opposing wingman on the left. The ball would be kicked to Flower and he would body his opponent to mark the ball 9 times out of 10.

Alas ,he would look up the ground and have no one of talent to kick it to.

He had Ingerson, Icke, Hardeman, Biffen, Mark Jackson, Moir, Templeton, Bennet, The Whiz, Lyon, Neitz and Williams to go to.

He had Ingerson, Icke, Hardeman, Biffen, Mark Jackson, Moir, Templeton, Bennet, The Whiz, Lyon, Neitz and Williams to go to.

Ingerson, Bennett, Farmer and Neitz were all after Flower's time.

On topic, Howe is awesome in the air. His run-of-the-mill (for him) mark last week was right in front of us. You could see it coming from a mile away.

They're almost always one grab too.

He had Ingerson, Icke, Hardeman, Biffen, Mark Jackson, Moir, Templeton, Bennet, The Whiz, Lyon, Neitz and Williams to go to.

Biffen and Hardeman were pretty much before Flowers time. Templeton,Jackson and Williams were all full forwards - so its pretty hard for Flower to spot them up from the half back flank. And Andy Moir !!! Took 5 of the greatest hangers you would ever want to see and that was about it.

Templeton,Jackson and Williams were all full forwards - so its pretty hard for Flower to spot them up from the half back flank.

A non believer! Avert the eyes! Robbie could do anything (including spotting up players he didn't play with)

HI all, first post!

Like others, i'd echo the support for Gary Ablett Snr. Howie's obviously got a terrific leap and is a superb judge of the ball in flight, but Ablett Snr. was just something else. Strongest player one-on-one, pound for pound i've ever seen. There'd be times when he was being triple teamed and he'd still somehow end up marking the ball.

Tony Modra -- speccies every week

when i was at primary school you'd call takiing a hang "taking a Capper" and would generally shout "MODRAAAAA" whilst attempting one!

Its nice to think that primary school kids will be shouting "HOOOWWWEEEE" or even "JURRRAAAAHHHHH" these days?