Demons best rover ever

[Harrisonrules 273]

Mike Sheahan suggested on the strength of Stuey Spencer's 2 best on ground in two winning grand final teams he was probably our best rover ever. His comment on a Stuey Spencer book launch day was possibly a little sentimentally influenced but not inappropriate. However, some other rovers shouldn't be overlooked for the honour. Percy Beames who represented Victoria in both cricket and football was best on ground in three grand final wins. Surely he has a right to this honour. Maybe someone else has a suggestion and some memories of some of our favourite rovers would be great to hear about.

[Akum 2,660]

As a kid straight off the ship (ten-pound pom) I used to love Johnny Townsend.

[gsmith12 491]

Mike Sheahan suggested on the strength of Stuey Spencer's 2 best on ground in two winning grand final teams he was probably our best rover ever. His comment on a Stuey Spencer book launch day was possibly a little sentimentally influenced but not inappropriate. However, some other rovers shouldn't be overlooked for the honour. Percy Beames who represented Victoria in both cricket and football was best on ground in three grand final wins. Surely he has a right to this honour. Maybe someone else has a suggestion and some memories of some of our favourite rovers would be great to hear about.

On actual performances for the club I can't see how you could go past Beames, he dominated in 3 successive GF wins in '39 '40 and '41 however who knows what might have been if the great Stuey Spencer had gone on rather than retire from the VFL at age 24.

Stuey was BOG in 1955 and '56, he was a champion both on and off the field. He stated later in life that he regretted retiring from the VFL so early despite his many achievements in footy in Tasmania.

We have had 3 other top class rovers in my time, Ian Ridley, John Townsend and Greg Wells - all outstanding footballers.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

On actual performances for the club I can't see how you could go past Beames, he dominated in 3 successive GF wins in '39 '40 and '41 however who knows what might have been if the great Stuey Spencer had gone on rather than retire from the VFL at age 24.

Stuey was BOG in 1955 and '56, he was a champion both on and off the field. He stated later in life that he regretted retiring from the VFL so early despite his many achievements in footy in Tasmania.

We have had 3 other top class rovers in my time, Ian Ridley, John Townsend and Greg Wells - all outstanding footballers.

Hassa Mann?

[Sir Why You Little 37,034]

Stuie was a great bloke. Met him a few times. He got the club pumping again whilst Northey was coach.

His record is superb but Tiger Ridley would be hard to top wouldn't he?

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

Probably my favourite clearance players I've seen at the Dees are Glenn Lovett and Kevin Dyson.

I can't judge against players that I've never seen.

[stingrays 24]

Of the ones I have seen and can recall, I would go for Ian Ridley. The position doesn't exist anymore but I always thought that Townsend and Emselle were a good pair. Ridley and Spencer must have also played as a combination, but I don't remember Spencer at all.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Ricky Jackson

Brian Wilson

Players i remember watching...

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Sugar Healy was pretty damned good as well.

[stingrays 24]

Do you know why he was called "Sugar"? I don't.

[Whispering_Jack 30,054]

Percy Beames, Stuie Spencer, Ian Ridley and I reckon Johnny Townsend was good early in his career until he did his knee. Rovers went out of vogue for a while but JKH could be our next one.

[Go the Biff 3,418]

It's a bit sad that I can't remember a top class rover in my time - and I ain't no spring chicken

Sugar probably comes closest of those that I've seen

Neither Wells nor Wilson were rovers IMO. Out and out centremen. And yes, there was a difference. It's a bit of a lost position at AFL level these days - everyone is a "midfielder"

Stuey Spencer is my mum's all time favourite player. Closely followed by Robbie Flower & Allan La Fontaine

[dee-eee 231]

It's a bit sad that I can't remember a top class rover in my time - and I ain't no spring chicken

Sugar probably comes closest of those that I've seen

Neither Wells nor Wilson were rovers IMO. Out and out centremen. And yes, there was a difference. It's a bit of a lost position at AFL level these days - everyone is a "midfielder"

Stuey Spencer is my mum's all time favourite player. Closely followed by Robbie Flower & Allan La Fontaine

I'm seriously impressed Biff with your mum's memory after just reading that the legendary La Fontaine retired in 1945 .....that's nudging 70 years ago !

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Do you know why he was called "Sugar"? I don't.

Careful, you'll have ASADA onto us

[gsmith12 491]

Hassa Mann?

Hassa was a champion of the club and whilst he roved in 1964, my recollection is that he held down positions in the centre and HFF more often than not.

[gsmith12 491]

It's a bit sad that I can't remember a top class rover in my time - and I ain't no spring chicken

Sugar probably comes closest of those that I've seen

Neither Wells nor Wilson were rovers IMO. Out and out centremen. And yes, there was a difference. It's a bit of a lost position at AFL level these days - everyone is a "midfielder"

Stuey Spencer is my mum's all time favourite player. Closely followed by Robbie Flower & Allan La Fontaine

Sounds like you Mum knows her footy and over a helluva long period too.

[dee-eee 231]

Ricky Jackson

Brian Wilson

Players i remember watching...

Ricky Jackson was a tiny/ speedy, second-rover/forward pocket type typical of his era . A Toiges reject , he was a bit of a tease in that he could kick three or four brilliant goals in a game and then "disappear" in subsequent matches . He was almost the quintessential 19th man . I'd be surprised if he made it to 100 games .

[gsmith12 491]

Ricky played 80 games for us for 131 goals and was a very effective rover, forward pocket. He was our best player in the infamous PF loss to Hawthorn in '87, also represented the big V - not too shabby.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,385]

Of the ones I have seen and can recall, I would go for Ian Ridley. The position doesn't exist anymore but I always thought that Townsend and Emselle were a good pair. Ridley and Spencer must have also played as a combination, but I don't remember Spencer at all.

Stuey Spencer without a doubt. Tiger Ridley was great too but didn't have Spencer's class. Stingrays, you can't remember Stuey's long raking drop kicks propelling us into attack time after time? Percy must have been great but he was before even MY time! Never saw him play.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

Ken Emselle taught me maths. I always thought he was a better rover than maths teacher - but that's just me deflecting my own weaknesses.

[nutbean 8,838]

Henry Coles.

[Go the Biff 3,418]

Sounds like you Mum knows her footy and over a helluva long period too.

Loves her Demons. I suspect La Fontaine was her first "schoolgirl crush". Even though he was North coach at the time, a newspaper photo of a shirtless Barassi adorned our laundry wall for many a year. Born & bred in the Benteigh / McKinnon area she was getting on the train to the footy from a young age. She used to go to most games except Geelong (distance) & Essendon (Windy Hill) but rarely attends games now - crowds & cold have become two of her pet hates (along with interstate footy teams) - but she'd have clocked up a fair few over the span. She got to see the golden era, obviously got to see a fair bit of crap as well. She still retains a membership though

She's now embraced technology and gets most of her footy fix from Foxtel. She has IQ and with an arsenal of remote controls at her disposal, doesn't miss much. She also got herself an iPad & has discovered the club website on that.

I might give her a yell & pose the question in the OP

[Go the Biff 3,418]

Spencer according to mum. Better than Ridley she reckons.

Also you can add Laurie Mithen to the list of her favourites Smithy. Apparently he was a fair looking rooster as well as a great footballer

[Biffen 12,943]

Adrian Battiston was a goer in a pretty average team.

Andy Lovell was a good clearance player .

[Sir Why You Little 37,034]

Stuie and Tiger must have been a lethal combination when playing together.