94 vs 98 forward lines - which one was better ?

[Delusional demon 82 1,197]

Whilst it feels like a lifetime ago I recall both our 1994 and 1998 finals campaigns had two great potentforward lines,

Thought just crossed my mind which was better?? (I was only 12 and 16 respectively back then so keen to get some views from the older crew ) my favorite memory was the ox ripping Carlton a new one in the 94 first qualifying final

Names I recall in those years

1994

G Lyon, Schwartz, martin pike, sean Charles, Allan Jackovich?

(Neitz was in the back line then if I recall correctly )

1998

Neitz, J farmer, Schwartz, g Lyon , darren kowal ??

[Sir Why You Little 35,262]

Both were flawed by back injuries

In '94 Allen Jakovich didn't make September

In '98 Garry Lyon's back was completely shot by the Prelim Final. He could hardly move out of the goal square.

2 potential flags down the S Bend

(Oh yeah & the Ox was concussed in the '94 Semi against Footscray and hardly saw the ball the week later in Perth)

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,195]

Great topic!

The make-up of the 94 forward line was influenced by injuries and availability of Jakovich in particular. Lyon moved to full forward in the second half of the year when it looked like Jako wouldn't be back. The 98 forward line was essentially the same players, just a little older and a lot more battered.

I would also suggest that the 2000 forward line, while similar to 98, was superior.

Of those years, assuming all are fit and available... It might look something like:

1994:

Lovell. Schwartz. Lyon.

Pike. Jakovich. Charles.

2000:

Green. Schwartz. Yze.

Robertson. Neitz. Farmer.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Both were flawed by back injuries

In '94 Allen Jakovich didn't make September

In '98 Garry Lyon's back was completely shot by the Prelim Final. He could hardly move out of the goal square.

2 potential flags down the S Bend

(Oh yeah & the Ox was concussed in the '94 Semi against Footscray and hardly saw the ball the week later in Perth)

So, which one was better? We know the history but you didn't exactly answer the question.

'94 was better for mine.

[Sir Why You Little 35,262]

So, which one was better? We know the history but you didn't exactly answer the question.

'94 was better for mine.

Hard to say. Both were thrashed when it counted...

[Delusional demon 82 1,197]

The most disappointing part of 98 was the way the finals were structured back then 4th v 5th we smash adelaide by 10 goals and not only do they stay in the finals series because 7th and 8th lost but got the easy side of the draw and caught out and ran over the top of norf and Carey after they missed sitters to blow them away early on in the gf ... I know they had to travel all tjose weeks but fmd we just needed a bit more luck on our side that year. Schwartz has said 98 was more of a missed opportunity than 2000

[Sir Why You Little 35,262]

The most disappointing part of 98 was the way the finals were structured back then 4th v 5th we smash adelaide by 10 goals and not only do they stay in the finals series because 7th and 8th lost but got the easy side of the draw and caught out and ran over the top of norf and Carey after they missed sitters to blow them away early on in the gf ... I know they had to travel all tjose weeks but fmd we just needed a bit more luck on our side that year. Schwartz has said 98 was more of a missed opportunity than 2000

Correct. But as i said by The Prelim Final G Lyons back was completely gone

Adelaide should never have been in that GF. It is the Biggest steal in the AFL's history

We have always lacked the Killer CHF

[pitmaster 3,140]

I have to say '94 was better because Schwarter was in full flight and had yet to do a knee.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,195]

I don't think the forwardline was ever our problem in the 90s - it was always the backline.

Insert our backline of the last ten years into the 90s team and you'd pinch a flag IMHO.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,195]

I have to say '94 was better because Schwarter was in full flight and had yet to do a knee.

Agreed.

98 was an exciting year but we were never the real deal like 94 or 2000.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,994]

I have to say '94 was better because Schwarter was in full flight and had yet to do a knee.

This and Lyon was in better shape a well. Especially if you count a relatively fit Jakovich in there as well. That's some serious firepower.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Hard to say. Both were thrashed when it counted...

So you didn't have an answer at all, but instead came in to pot forward lines from 20 years ago.

Nice work.

[stuie 7,374]

So you didn't have an answer at all, but instead came in to pot forward lines from 20 years ago.

Nice work.

WYL only ever has three answers he chooses from:

1) We suck/sucked

2) It's an AFL conspiracy

3) It is/was Schwab's fault

[Bitter but optimistic 21,560]

WYL only ever has three answers he chooses from:

1) We suck/sucked

2) It's an AFL conspiracy

3) It is/was Schwab's fault

Christ Stu !! Give it a break!

[beelzebub 22,604]

So, which one was better? We know the history but you didn't exactly answer the question.

'94 was better for mine.

Agree

[stuie 7,374]

Great topic!

The make-up of the 94 forward line was influenced by injuries and availability of Jakovich in particular. Lyon moved to full forward in the second half of the year when it looked like Jako wouldn't be back. The 98 forward line was essentially the same players, just a little older and a lot more battered.

I would also suggest that the 2000 forward line, while similar to 98, was superior.

Of those years, assuming all are fit and available... It might look something like:

1994:

Lovell. Schwartz. Lyon.

Pike. Jakovich. Charles.

2000:

Green. Schwartz. Yze.

Robertson. Neitz. Farmer.

I've never been more excited by a forward line than I was watching us in 2000.

My brother, a North supporter, still hasn't totally forgiven me for the hysterics I was in watching my favourite player at the time almost kick 10 goals in the prelim.

[Biffen 12,453]

WYL only ever has three answers he chooses from:

1) We suck/sucked

2) It's an AFL conspiracy

3) It is/was Schwab's fault

Better than,

1.obnoxious

2.Malevolent

3.predictably stu-pid.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

I've never been more excited by a forward line than I was watching us in 2000.

My brother, a North supporter, still hasn't totally forgiven me for the hysterics I was in watching my favourite player at the time almost kick 10 goals in the prelim.

The Wiz is still criminally underrated by the AFL community as well. Melbourne fans remember just how good he was but, outside of that, people rarely talk about him these days. He didn't help his cause by going back to Freo but, IMO, his efforts in 2000 were some of the best ever by a small forward.

[stuie 7,374]

The Wiz is still criminally underrated by the AFL community as well. Melbourne fans remember just how good he was but, outside of that, people rarely talk about him these days. He didn't help his cause by going back to Freo but, IMO, his efforts in 2000 were some of the best ever by a small forward.

The definition of gifted for mine. Short, not that quick, fiery to the point of unpredictable, but just played like he loved the game and understood it better than anyone else. We don't get many of those in these days of ultra-programming.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,049]

I have to say '94 was better because Schwarter was in full flight and had yet to do a knee.

Same for me. Schwarz in 94 could seemingly do anything ...

[jnrmac 19,421]

94 by a mile.

[John Crow Batty 8,345]

The forward talent of 94 was offset by our Swiss cheese defence.

Edited November 3, 2015 by america de cali

[Traja Dee 104]

You have to remember that we finished 7th after the 1994 home and away, the first season when the finals expanded from 6 to 8 teams.

Before the start of the 1994 season, I bet with my employer's 2IC that we'd make the finals. After we made the bet, they expanded the finals' system to 8 teams and we snuck in. He was so filthy that he didn't pay up; well he was a Geelong supporter :-(

We started the 1994 season with a bang, then faltered, then did just enough to make the finals; sound familiar? That said, I was super confident that we'd beat Carlton in the first final - what a glorious spring day with one of my favourite Schwarter goals from a throw-in on the forward flank. Sean Charles absolutely towelled up Tommy Alvin :-).

From memory, Jacker played his last game at Princes Park in July (8.1 against Hawthorn - I had to look that one up), not that we knew at the time. Schwarter was looking a million dollars. If Gazza, Jacker and Schwarter were all fit at the same time, it would have been one of the best and most spectacular Melbourne forward lines ever; if only...

I was living in London for the home and away in 1998 so I can't really compare. But nothing would compare to a forward line with a fit Gazz, Jacker and Schwarter.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Traja Dee

[dazzledavey36 49,592]

98 for only because thats the year i started supported them. Wiz and Neitz tore adelaide a new [censored] against the crows and then week later wiz again went nuts!

But there is no better game for me then the preliminary final against North when Wiz went absolutely berserk! He was playing an angry man that night after not getting near it against Carlton. Stephen Powell dominated that night kicking 4 goals from the midfield. A beauty from outside 50 near the boundary.

[The Backyard Charizard 1,178]

Forget which forward line was better....

Just bring back those days when EVERY match we played we were in with a shot of winning and watching us play was exciting and enjoyable....

Also a TV would see out a season without needing to be replaced!

Edited November 3, 2015 by KrazyJay