Our Best team over the past 30 Years

[MO FINE 171]

This is the team as selected by David Schwarz on SEN.

B Alan Johnson Danny Hughes Sean Wight

HB Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Steven Febey

C Stan Alves Greg Wells Robert Flower

HF Stephen Tingay Garry Lyon Gerard Healy

F Jeff Farmer David Neitz Alan Jakovich

Foll Jim Stynes Todd Viney Brian Wilson

IC Earl Spalding Shane Woewodin Steven Stretch Adem Yze

Not bad but there's a glaring omission - one Mr. David Schwarz himself at CHF which would necessitate the move og Garry Lyon to a flank and Stinga to Stan Alves' wing. If we're talking 30 years, we are talking 1977 to 2006 and that excludes Alves and probably Hardeman as well because he only played a few games after 1977 and was past his best.

[WonnaJurah 5]

thats an impressive side for sure

[Old Man Rivers 326]

This is the team as selected by David Schwarz on SEN.

B Alan Johnson Danny Hughes Sean Wight

HB Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Steven Febey

C Stan Alves Greg Wells Robert Flower

HF Stephen Tingay Garry Lyon Gerard Healy

F Jeff Farmer David Neitz Alan Jakovich

Foll Jim Stynes Todd Viney Brian Wilson

IC Earl Spalding Shane Woewodin Steven Stretch Adem Yze

Not bad but there's a glaring omission - one Mr. David Schwarz himself at CHF which would necessitate the move og Garry Lyon to a flank and Stinga to Stan Alves' wing. If we're talking 30 years, we are talking 1977 to 2006 and that excludes Alves and probably Hardeman as well because he only played a few games after 1977 and was past his best.

Thats an awesome team. YOU have to wonder about the 42 year drought looking at those names.

The Ox would be a monty to start in the side also. As for the omission probably Healy.

Played his best footy @ the Swans. (Just an opinion - Shoot me down!!!!!!!!!)

Wrapt to see the Great Allan Jakovich recognised - He was a legend for such a brief time frame.

But what an exciting ride he gave us between 91 - 94 B)

[Johnny Karate 559]

thats an impressive side for sure

It's an impressive effort considering that he was a Hawthorn fan as a kid also.

[Hannabal 4]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I know I sound a killjoy, but our best team of the last 30 years is, at best, easily the worst of all 12 VFL clubs and at worst a complete embarrassment.

I favour the latter.

[mo64 5,881]

This is the team as selected by David Schwarz on SEN.

Not bad but there's a glaring omission - one Mr. David Schwarz himself at CHF which would necessitate the move og Garry Lyon to a flank and Stinga to Stan Alves' wing. If we're talking 30 years, we are talking 1977 to 2006 and that excludes Alves and probably Hardeman as well because he only played a few games after 1977 and was past his best.

Other glaring ommission is dual best and fairest Laurie Fowler. Agree that Alves and Hardeman don't qualify, although they would both in the best 22 during my lifetime. My best 22 in the last 30 years wouldn't be too different to the Ox:

B Laurie Fowler Stephen Smith Sean Wight

HB Brett Lovett David Neitz Steven Febey

C Stephen Tingay Greg Wells Robert Flower

HF Cameron Bruce David Schwarz Adem Yze

F Jeff Farmer Garry Lyon Gerard Healy

Foll Jim Stynes Todd Viney Brian Wilson

IC Alan Johnson Jeff White Travis Johnstone Greg Healy

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I would have had Laurie Fowler in the side.

I think the Ox' side is close. If you take Alves and Hardeman out. Geez its a far weaker team.

And IMO thats the rub.

Its not that hard picking a best 22 at MFC over the past 30 years as there has been so few players over that time that would challenge the worthy nominees.

Its interesting to note that Healy and Spalding played their best football at other Clubs but still made it.

Its indicative of the overall relative rubbish we have fielded during those years.

Picking that side would be easier than doing it for a Hawthorn, North or Essendon over the same time. Sides which have had an inordinate number of champions over that time.

[Spirit of 26 261]

I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I know I sound a killjoy, but our best team of the last 30 years is, at best, easily the worst of all 12 VFL clubs and at worst a complete embarrassment.

I favour the latter.

It's not our best team of the last 30 years, it's just one person's opinion.

[Hannabal 4]

It's not our best team of the last 30 years, it's just one person's opinion.

It wouldn't matter who picked our best team of the last 30 years. Even the Footscray and Fitzroy teams of the last 30 years make ours look mediocre. I should know, I lived through it.

Let's hope the next 30 years makes up for the last.

[Spirit of 26 261]

It wouldn't matter who picked our best team of the last 30 years. Even the Footscray and Fitzroy teams of the last 30 years make ours look mediocre. I should know, I lived through it.

Let's hope the next 30 years makes up for the last.

You're not Robinson Crusoe. A lot of us have been there too.

[deanox 10,045]

interesting that yze and neitz are the only current players in the team. and we have all been suggesting that yze gets dropped recently.

to go on and be a force we need mclean to force his way in there and some other youngsters to come close, rivers perhaps.

[waynewussell 6,881]

I would include Travis, Brock, Davey, Byron and Bruce from current mob (and Schwarta of course). I would delete Febey, Hughes, Yze, Spalding, Stretch and Woey. Fowler was tough but Johnson would suit the modern game... Wheels is close to back pocket as well.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I would include Travis, Brock, Davey, Byron and Bruce from current mob (and Schwarta of course). I would delete Febey, Hughes, Yze, Spalding, Stretch and Woey. Fowler was tough but Johnson would suit the modern game... Wheels is close to back pocket as well.

It’s a measure of what Hannibal and I have been saying that the following players from the current side are considered to be included in the best team of the past 30 years and the best they have finished with that group is 5th!

Travis – 2002,2005 and 2006 have been very good years from him. The other six have been crud from the No 1 draft pick of 1997.

Brock – Wonderful potential and by the end of his career could get close to peerless mantle of the great R. Flower. But FCS, he’s 20, yet to play a full season fit and what’s he achieved to date.

Davey – Loved the guy. Admire his skills. But until he can perform in finals football and show the maturity required under pressure he will always be a talent limited at the top end.

Pickett- One good season at MFC where he did fade at the business end. Played his best football at 2 other Clubs. And he is put forward for selection.

Bruce – Inconsistent, highly gifted and cant kick a drop punt. Another one who has yet to demonstrate his capabilities at the business end of the season as a leading senior player of leading club. Underachiever still to deliver.

And Laurie Fowler a 3 time B & F winner cant get a spot on the bench! Please.

[pantaloons 2,019]

I was born in 78 so didn't see Laurie Fowler play. Can someone enlighten me as to what sort of player he was? I find it interesting that someone who I've heard so little about won three b &f's while Robbie Flower incredibly won only one.

As for Schwarz's side, it would be reasonably close, with his glaring omission obvious. The forward line is a ripper but the rest of the ground is a bit sad. I would have given Jeff White a spot on the bench.

[Cranky Franky 2,200]

This is the team as selected by David Schwarz on SEN.

B Alan Johnson Danny Hughes Sean Wight

HB Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Steven Febey

C Stan Alves Greg Wells Robert Flower

HF Stephen Tingay Garry Lyon Gerard Healy

F Jeff Farmer David Neitz Alan Jakovich

Foll Jim Stynes Todd Viney Brian Wilson

IC Earl Spalding Shane Woewodin Steven Stretch Adem Yze

Not bad but there's a glaring omission - one Mr. David Schwarz himself at CHF which would necessitate the move og Garry Lyon to a flank and Stinga to Stan Alves' wing. If we're talking 30 years, we are talking 1977 to 2006 and that excludes Alves and probably Hardeman as well because he only played a few games after 1977 and was past his best.

Just goes to show that a lot of people that do this must spend all of 30 seconds on their research.

Alves & Hardeman are out for obvious reasons.

Laurie Fowler is a walk up start - he was not only a back pocket but a very good on baller & Alan Johnson could play in several positions.

Also Glen Lovett is in for mine - one of the most underatted players of the era - never played a bad game & rarely beaten plus could play in many positions.

The trouble with Danny Hughes at full back is that he struggled with anyone who had some pace - maybe Shanahan would be a better bet.

[Hannabal 4]

And Laurie Fowler a 3 time B & F winner cant get a spot on the bench! Please.

Look at some of Fitzroy's players from the corresponding period - and they had 10 less years.

Garry Wilson, Quinlan, Roos, Pert, Lynch, Osborne, Irwin, Beecroft, Serafini, McMahon, Rendell, Conlan, Merrigan, and even Pikey, to name a few. Nine of the players I mention made Fitzroy's team of the century.

As I've said earlier, we've easily had the worst combined team of the last 30 years.

Let's hope it's our turn for a moment in the sun.

PS: Lawrie Fowler easily makes any Dees team I've seen.

[Yze_Magic 3]

Compare it to the Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong, Essendon, West Coast etc.. teams of the same period, and we just dont stack up

The realy worrying thing is that we have only 1 legit AFL superstar in that period, and that is Robert Flower

I am talking abou8t a player in the same class as the Abletts, Diesels, Watsons, Judds and Locketts of the world

[Biffinator 2]

Compare it to the Carlton, Hawthorn, Geelong, Essendon, West Coast etc.. teams of the same period, and we just dont stack up

The realy worrying thing is that we have only 1 legit AFL superstar in that period, and that is Robert Flower

I am talking abou8t a player in the same class as the Abletts, Diesels, Watsons, Judds and Locketts of the world

Absolutely correct.

Stretch, Febey and Yze have all been fine players in their own way - but come on, gimme a break.

Biffinator.

[BrownlowBruce 1]

It wouldn't matter who picked our best team of the last 30 years. Even the Footscray and Fitzroy teams of the last 30 years make ours look mediocre. I should know, I lived through it.

Let's hope the next 30 years makes up for the last.

does that really matter? wat does havin a star Achieve? if every man on the field does his job week in week out there is no drama. i think the team is pretty good.

[bjgc 0]

I think the last 20 years haven't been too bad 12 years in the finals in that period is a lot better than a lot of teams going around. Obviously the 20 years before that were woeful. I think we should do the best line ups for 20 year periods the good period (87-06) the bad (67-86) and the golden period (47-66).

I'm only old enough to remember the last 20 years. I would be interested in other people lineups through the other periods that I never saw.

B: A.JOHNSON, S.WIGHT, M.WHELAN

HB: B.LOVETT, J.RIVERS, S.FEBEY

C: S.TINGAY, S.WOEWODIN, T.JOHNSTONE

HF: A.DAVEY, D.SCHWARZ, G.LYON

F: J.FARMER, D.NEITZ, A.JAKOVICH

FOLL: J.STYNES, T.VINEY, C.BRUCE

IC: J.WHITE, A.YZE, B.WILSON, R.FLOWER

EMERG: R.ROBERTSON, B.MCLEAN, J.MCDONALD

[Hannabal 4]

does that really matter? wat does havin a star Achieve? if every man on the field does his job week in week out there is no drama. i think the team is pretty good.

Nearly every 'star' in the history of the game has played in premiership teams. They are pivotal to their sides success. Whether it be Michael Jordan and his 5 rings, Wayne Gretski, or Shane Warne, stars shine brightest and rise to the occasion when needed. You can also look at individual sports, ie Tiger Woods; Sampras; and Federer; they win the ultimate prise when it counts.

I reckon I can count on one hand the amount of genuine stars that haven't won a flag: Skilton, Lockett, Flower, Ablett, and Buckley. I'm probably being hard as I'd happily accept Roos, Kelly, and a few others. But look at some of the names that have tasted the ultimate success: Matthews, Carey, Barassi, Whitten, Brereton, Dunstall, Tuck, Hird, Voss, Jezza, Williams, Kernahan, Bartlett, Blight, Greig, Schimma, Watson, Madden, Bourke, Daicos, Silvagni, and I could go on.

I will admit that with the talent throughout the land having been further spread with the advent of 16 teams that it's probably possible, and more likely, to win a flag in this day and age without the star some of us crave. That said, it makes life a hell of a lot easier with one. Just ask West Coast how they rate Judd and Cousins.

CAC knows that the development of a bona fide star will round out his recruiting career with the Dees. He also knows that the premiership table usually bears a strong resemblance to the quality of the top 6 at each club. Do the exercise yourself. Rank the ladder in order of the top 6 players at each club. It usually bears an uncanny resemblance to the premiership table at the end of the season.

A star is a star because they are superbly consistent with the highest quality football, they win contested footy, they have the uncanny knack of producing the inspirational when it's needed, and they make those around them better. They're match winners. It's little wonder they usually have a premiership medallion hanging around their neck at the end of their careers.

I pray for a star. Others can please themselves.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

While I agree with you wholeheartedly there H, I sometimes wonder what comes first. Does the star bring the premiership? Or does the premiership MAKE the star?

In other words, if we won a flag in 2007 vs the Eagles with Neitz bagging 20-30 goals in the finals and 8 on the big day, and McLean getting 10 clearances with 30 possessions, and Davey kicking 5 from a pocket (unlikely as it may seem), would they THEN be considered stars? Or champions of the AFL? There are those who believe that Neita will be remembered as a champion of MFC, but not of the AFL. Then there are those that believe the only thing he needs to become an AFL champion is to captain a premiership side.

I'm leaning towards the idea of players being stars BEFORE they win a flag, a la Judd who was universally believed to be the best in the land before the GF last year. But It'd be interesting to see how a successful finals year (and I believe it's possible) would change the perceptions of the wider football community on the players who get you up. Food for thought perhaps.

[Biffinator 2]

And throughout this entire thread, I could not see a single mention of Peter Moore.

Moore was a champion. He won two Bronwlows. Surely, he must command a place in our best team of the past thirty years.

Biffinator.