And from a much less succesful  era a  ruckman who did make the best 150 players

http://demonwiki.org/Garry+Baker

1 hour ago, binman said:

And from a much less succesful  era a  ruckman who did make the best 150 players

http://demonwiki.org/Garry+Baker

Loved the beard, however I still remember the goal he missed standing in the 10 yard square. shudder

Neitz to CHB and Jako to FF. Can't see Jako playing second fiddle.

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

 

I like it but out Johnson, Febey, and Trapper  for Spalding and Tingay and Laurie Fowler.

Alan Johnson, a twice Best & Fairest, was a superb player and makes way for no-one.

22 hours ago, Macca said:

Here's mine ...

B:     G   Yeats           T Johnson              Steven Febey

HB:     Brett Lovett               Gary Hardeman        Rod Grinter

C:        Stan Alves                H Mann             Rob Flower

HF:      Brian Wilson             David Schwartz         G Lyon

F:         Allen Jakovich          David Neitz               Jeff Farmer

R:        M Gawn               Barassi (c)              Gerard Healy

IN:     T  Viney A Yze S Stretch J Stynes

 

 

            

My Take

21 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Alan Johnson, a twice Best & Fairest, was a superb player and makes way for no-one.

Agreed. 1988 Elimination Final

The Perfect Game

Thank you to Macca for starting this topic.

For an old bugger like me who can remember the 50s (just) I have decided to restrict my choices to those players who commenced playing with MFC after the 1964 premiership ie 1965 onwards. This excludes Tassie J, Vagg and Townsend and also excludes Carl Ditterich who played his first game in 1963.

I would make three changes to the squad. In - Gerard Healy, Gary Baker, Steven Smith Out - Jeff White, Rod Grinter, Laurie Fowler. When he played for us Healy was an out and out champion who kicked over 70 goals in a year in a crappy side and he wasn't even full forward. Mark Jackson was and kicked the same and we still couldn't make the finals. Gary Baker at his best for us was a stand out dominant influence on a crappy side. Steven Smith also played in crappy sides but was a standout performer, often one out in the back line.

Positional changes. I agree with ProDee, Jackovich makes way for no-one at full forward, even the great Neeta. At his best he was all braggadocio but he could back it up, kick outrageous goals and make opponents look silly. He also had class as shown by his loving kiss to his brother's cheek when he kicked a great goal.

David Neitz to CHB and Gary Hardeman to HBF. Neeta was a champion CHB and had the wood on Carey. A HB line of Lovett, Neitz and Hardeman would equal any HB line in the history of our club and probably the VFL/AFL. Steven Smith to FB and Sean Wight, a dynamic, versatile and determined player, to the back pocket where he played his best games. Alan Johnson was a champion wingman who turned himself into a champion attacking back pocket. Played a 10/10 in a final at Waverley.

Could there ever have been a better centre line than Alves, Wells, Flower? Adams, Mithen, Dixon from the 50s and 60s would challenge strongly but Robbie's inclusion sets it above all others.

A forward line comprising Wilson, Schwarz, Lyon, Healy, Jackovich and Farmer in almost any configuration would be dominant. Alas, they were from different eras and were cruelled by injury to Schwarz, Lyon and Jackovich.

Travis stays. In this company, his brilliance would shine through as he would finally have the players who could take advantage of his sublime ball skills. Steven Febey, Adem Yze and Gary Baker provide flexibility on the bench.

Ahhhh, what if?

Agree with Tiers and PD about Healy. From players i have seen live (first game live in 1977) Healy would have to be in my top 5 demon players, no question. Fantastic player who in some ways was the proto-type modern footballer. Smart. Could play multiple positions. Great hands. Skillful and brave. I was gutted when he left.

Like PD Alan Jonson has to stay. His combination of bravery, pace and skill made him a top shelf player. I always thought he was underrated when playing, perhaps because he was fairly slight but also an unassuming sort of player who just got on with playing.

Edited January 2, 20178 yr by binman

Travis Johnstone..... perhaps I would not have him in my team based on most consistent players but if I was picking a team "hoping for a player to display some pure elite magic" he would have to be on my list.

Who could possibly forget the third quarter against Adelaide in that  final (the exact year escapes me). It was maybe one of the best quarters ever played by an MFC player (certainly was the best I ever saw).

Unfortunately consistency was not his best suit but never forget the brilliance !

No body got any places for for Phil, Jacko and Carl

Travis Johnstone played 2 good years in 10 seasons.

Not a hope in hell he's getting near a "best of".

One of the most disappointing and unfulfilled talents I've seen at Melbourne.  Or anywhere for that matter.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Travis Johnstone..... perhaps I would not have him in my team based on most consistent players but if I was picking a team "hoping for a player to display some pure elite magic" he would have to be on my list.

Who could possibly forget the third quarter against Adelaide in that  final (the exact year escapes me). It was maybe one of the best quarters ever played by an MFC player (certainly was the best I ever saw).

Unfortunately consistency was not his best suit but never forget the brilliance !

It was the 2002 Semi Final against Adelaide. He had 29 disposals and 4 goals in a BOG performance. Travis was a big game player and consistently stood up in Finals matches when others wilted under pressure. I was born in the late 80s, so have no memory of Melbourne teams before the 90s. The Daniher years were the most successful years I have witness as an adult so players from that era like Yze, Johnstone and Neitz are stand outs in my mind.
Yze underperformed in the late part of his career and still cops far too much flack on here for this. Overall he had a great career and I can still remember him as a goal scoring youngster with fans at the MCG yelling 'Yezee!' as they didn't know how to pronounce his name as he burst onto the scene. He was a very flexible player, having stellar years at HBF, midfield and forward. 
Johnstone is still the best midfielder I can remember to play for us the past 20 years. He also cops too much flack on here for a guy who consistently stood up in the big games. He played with a tag for 6-7 years straight as coaches knew he was obviously our most dangerous player. He lead the league for kicks and inside 50s for two years running and nearly pinched a Brownlow in 2002. He was the definition of brilliance and we are still waiting for a midfielder with his kicking skills and vision to give us balance in the midfield we need. Hopefully with time a player like Salem, Brayshaw or Petracca can become that player.
I don't need to say much about Neitz. He was AA CHB and then AA up forward. He holds the club record for most goals kicked. He's a legend and was a great leader.

Good Post Lord Travis

Do your stats show how many of those 29 possessions were in the third quarter?

Of course they were 29 "real" possessions in a time when 20 was probably considered outstanding

You are also right about the tag. In the game for last place on the ladder (known by some as the Kreuzer Cup .... as he was the stand out number one draft pick for the next draft) the Carlton Coach did not tag Johnstone and he got around 40 possessions if I remember correctly. It was not a game that will be remembered as an AFL highlight.

Edited January 2, 20178 yr by Diamond_Jim

36 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

It was the 2002 Semi Final against Adelaide. He had 29 disposals and 4 goals in a BOG performance. Travis was a big game player and consistently stood up in Finals matches when others wilted under pressure. I was born in the late 80s, so have no memory of Melbourne teams before the 90s. The Daniher years were the most successful years I have witness as an adult so players from that era like Yze, Johnstone and Neitz are stand outs in my mind.
Yze underperformed in the late part of his career and still cops far too much flack on here for this. Overall he had a great career and I can still remember him as a goal scoring youngster with fans at the MCG yelling 'Yezee!' as they didn't know how to pronounce his name as he burst onto the scene. He was a very flexible player, having stellar years at HBF, midfield and forward. 
Johnstone is still the best midfielder I can remember to play for us the past 20 years. He also cops too much flack on here for a guy who consistently stood up in the big games. He played with a tag for 6-7 years straight as coaches knew he was obviously our most dangerous player. He lead the league for kicks and inside 50s for two years running and nearly pinched a Brownlow in 2002. He was the definition of brilliance and we are still waiting for a midfielder with his kicking skills and vision to give us balance in the midfield we need. Hopefully with time a player like Salem, Brayshaw or Petracca can become that player.
I don't need to say much about Neitz. He was AA CHB and then AA up forward. He holds the club record for most goals kicked. He's a legend and was a great leader.

Rose coloured glasses, Lord.

In 10 seasons at the Dees his top average disposal was 21.3 and only one other time did he reach an average of 20 disposals.

He had KB's disease and rarely handballed, so had a high ratio of kicks to handballs (like Yze), but yes, he was a sublime kick, even though he used to often bite off more than he could chew.

His best years were 2005/6 (as you'd know) and he was traded at the end of 2007 for a reason.  He was the cream (at his best), but never the sort of player you could rely on week to week.  We cashed the chips for pick 14 (Grimes), which was considered daylight robbery by the Dees at the time.

He played 8 finals and was very good in two (Adelaide & Essendon) and we lost both (not his fault).  He was ok in others, but nothing special.

I don't want to trash your memories and clearly he was a sublime talent, but his overrall output I'd rate at 5 out of 10 across his 10 years.

Happy to disagree

1 hour ago, willmoy said:

No body got any places for for Phil, Jacko and Carl

nor crackers!

For what it's worth

B.     L.Fowler   S.Wight    A.Johnson

HB.   B.Lovett   D.Neitz    G.Hardeman

C.    S.Alves (c)  G.Wells(v.c)   R.Flower(d.v.c)

HF.  G. Lyon     D.Schwartz  G.Parke

F.   J.Farmer   A.Jakovich   G.Healy

R.  J.Stynes    T.Viney  N.Jones

Int. S.Tingay  R.Biffin  R.Grinter  J.Townsend

Emg. S.Febey  G.Lovett  D.Hughes  B.Green  B.Wilson T.Johnstone  A.Obst

G.Yeates  S.Stretch M.Febey  A.Yze   J.McDonald  A.Ingerson  A.Davey

Cant decide on who for final emergency so taking the easy option

Just from the players i have seen play, i think this team would have a crack.

And just for fun again my other team of players who would have played more games but didn't either because of injury or left the club/came to the club.

B.      A.Jarrott (v.c)   P.Walsh  S.Zantuck

H.B.  P.O'Brien    S.Icke  T.Broadbridge

C.   M.O'Sullivan  K.Dyson  D.Kowal

H.F.  R.Dillon   E.Spalding  L.Jurrah

F.    R.Brewer  M.Jackson   P.Moore 

R.  C.Ditterich (c.c)  G.Molloy  P.Callery

Int. from C.Bartram  L.Newton  S.O"Dwyer  G.Osbourne

W .Dean  A.Lovell  P.Hopgood  P.Carmen  P.Prymke 

I think Newton, O'Brien,O'Sullivan & Troy could have been mainstays/stars if not for injury and of course death and maybe some have been given abit of a lift as i remember them as a "youngin" and they were all "great" and heroes to me.

No doubt in the world i have forgotten some

 

     

Edited January 2, 20178 yr by old demon me!!!

1 hour ago, willmoy said:

No body got any places for for Phil, Jacko and Carl

Got em in my other side ,could try to make a crazy side but dont think we have had that many Carmen,Ditterich,Jackson,Crosswell,O'Dwyer,Grinter, Keenan,Fowler,Zantuck and maybe Carroll but probably more for the haircut .

If anyone can think of anymore 

1 hour ago, old demon me!!! said:

Got em in my other side ,could try to make a crazy side but dont think we have had that many Carmen,Ditterich,Jackson,Crosswell,O'Dwyer,Grinter, Keenan,Fowler,Zantuck and maybe Carroll but probably more for the haircut .

If anyone can think of anymore 

Ray Biffin wasn't the mo0st gentle o9f characters!

On 1/1/2017 at 7:14 PM, ProDee said:

Yze had a far better career than Davey.

No comparison really.

Yze annoyed me in his latter years, but for a period of 3-4 years he led the entire competition for kicks.

He's a bit too maligned.

It's funny how people see players differently. 

Steve Smith played 200 games, but was a disappointing player in my eyes.

It's a funny one. I look at that comment and kind of agree but then if I think about this team playing tomorrow, I would have to take Davey. He changed the way the game was played. There was a 2-3 year period where he would have been close to the most feared played in the comp, putting pressure on team's based solely on the fact that he might be lurking somewhere. 

1 hour ago, WAClark said:

It's a funny one. I look at that comment and kind of agree but then if I think about this team playing tomorrow, I would have to take Davey. He changed the way the game was played. There was a 2-3 year period where he would have been close to the most feared played in the comp, putting pressure on team's based solely on the fact that he might be lurking somewhere. 

So true... was wondering if there were other MFC players about which the same comment could be made

2 hours ago, WAClark said:

It's a funny one. I look at that comment and kind of agree but then if I think about this team playing tomorrow, I would have to take Davey. He changed the way the game was played. There was a 2-3 year period where he would have been close to the most feared played in the comp, putting pressure on team's based solely on the fact that he might be lurking somewhere. 

Which is why I used the term "career".

3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

So true... was wondering if there were other MFC players about which the same comment could be made

Jeff White, for one.

10 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Ray Biffin wasn't the mo0st gentle o9f characters!

Spot on BBO how could i forget him was one of my favorites 

Rod Grinter and his average 11 disposals are very overrated.  There are reasons he played a fair bit of reserves footy throughout his career.

Players like Tingay, Stretch, Obst and Glenn Lovett were all much better footballers than "Balls".

And the intimidation factor is also vastly overrated.  He had good skills and I loved the hit on Mew as much as the next person, but he was just an ok (slow) footballer.

1 hour ago, ProDee said:

Rod Grinter and his average 11 disposals are very overrated.  There are reasons he played a fair bit of reserves footy throughout his career.

Players like Tingay, Stretch, Obst and Glenn Lovett were all much better footballers than "Balls".

And the intimidation factor is also vastly overrated.  He had good skills and I loved the hit on Mew as much as the next person, but he was just an ok (slow) footballer.

He played Reserves as Coach as well (post Firsts) but you were probably a soft as butter player who wouldn't like his efficient style.

Barassi had him in the Reserves as well more likely for disciplinary  reasons.

Disposals meant nothing in the backline in those days.

Some of the most creative bits of play were never given a stat (Harmes slap that won a GF whether in or out).

He was superb in the air and a very good kick.

I'd put him above Febey.

Revisionist stats here are useless the further back we go in time.

Forwards fumbled the ball if he was in the area out of pure fear.

Edited January 2, 20178 yr by Biffen