Brett Lovett 3 time team of the year (basically the All Australian equivalent before it officially existed)player, Ted Whitten stated on a few occasion's  he was first picked for Vic State teams from 88-91. If EJ loved you, that means something! For those who didn't see him, think Neville Jetta except far better skilled on both sides of the body and could run through the mid-field. Tough as nails, didn't like going on the footy show though for his 200th!!!

Steven Stretch wasn't the bravest player, but was instrumental in our better years of 87-91 with his sublime kicking, great leap and pace. Very good winger and could easily be top 20. Robbie would easily be 1, but he was only there for 87 and while still good, was on the way out. G Lyon at his best was probably our best, or Jimmy for sheer volume of consistent high performance. Agree Jakovich, Schwartz and Tingay may be far higher except for injury, if they stayed upright we probably wouldn't still be waiting for a flag and they could be 1,2,3 on the list. Alan Johnson also was excellent, but again apart from 88-89, a degree of his best work was probably prior to 87, his game in the Elimination final of 88 was brilliant, kept us in the game and then won us the game. S Febey and even Matt were both good players, Anthony Ingerson was a terrific player, hugely underrated by near all bar his opponents in the period of 96-2002 and was critically important in 98 and 2000 years when challenging for a flag (Carey once told me that both Neitz and Ingerson were in his 5 toughest opponents). J McDonald was great workhorse similar to Nathan Jones, stiff to miss. I think Neitz was a better CHB than FF still, while a great player he did have some very bad days at FF.

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Aaron Davey redefined football with his defensive tackling in the forward line. He probably had more influence on the modern game than any other.

While this does not make him the best he was probably the most influential.

Cannot see how Nathan Jones gets a mention and while I love Gawn he is playing in a time where his style is less than crucial. Maybe Jeff White was better in his own way but the game was so different.

100% agree. The Flash changed football forever in 2004

2 hours ago, Grimes Times said:

How much did you see Brett play. Easily in the best 20.

Yep, if you watch any of the highlights of 87 onward, you really come to admire what a smart footballer Brett Lovett was.  Very underrated league-wide.

I think Jeff White is completely underrated as a ruckman too, in my opinion a far more complete a footballer than Gawn or Stynes.  Could kick, mark, brilliant tapouts.  I'd argue he's almost the best ruckman of his era.

Edited April 8, 20205 yr by BillyBeane

19 hours ago, bragswoewodin said:

Can’t see Brett Lovett in the top 10 and would struggle to have him in the top 20. A pure stats pick for mine. Glenn Lovett would be top 10 if he had played more.

Neitz definitely 1 on talent and durability, but in saying that Lyon and Stynes right behind him.

You have got to be joking!!! Did you even watch him play? Lovey oozed more class and had more awareness on the ground than anyone on this list. And state player for 4 consecutive years (88-91) says it all.

Was terrible in front of a TV camera though ?

The great Sean Wight was Scottish, not Irish.

19. CLAYTON OLIVER 

This natural ball-hunter is going to be well inside the top-10 by career’s end. Oliver’s hands and vision in traffic are superb, even if he is still learning to balance his game. Was All-Australian in his third year and has two club champion trophies already. Averaged 28 disposals across his first 83 games and led the league in contested possessions last year.

Huh? If this about about players from 1987 to 2020, how is Oliver going to be "well inside the top-10 by career's end"? He has only the remaining games this year to climb 9 places? Unless we're talking about players who played in this era, but taking into account their output over their entire careers. In which case, Flower would be number 1 because he played in 1987, although his best years were prior to that. 

 

 

3 hours ago, dieter said:

That anyone would  leave Alan Johnson out of the top 20 List is beyond my comprehension.

Ditto anyone who doesn't rate Brett Lovett. Now there were two very great players.

Your right  'dt',    Johnno would go into my team on the wing.  Starting 22.

Brett Lovett rarely got beaten.  Ever.  The MFC's rock of Gibraltar.  No. 1 for mine.  Handballed like Diesel.  Could have been a premier onballer if he had a tank.  Had the softest landing when he got thrown on his big backside.

 

Pure talent - Wight & Schwarz

 

Sorry but Lyon is overrated.  Like Lloyd, took a dive too often.  Great on-field captain.  Perfect kick.  Average mark.  

Lyon at his peak?  Look at a state game where Carey ripped him a new one in 10 minutes.

 

Neitz is a rare breed excelling key back and forward.

 

I wouldn't have Gawn in our top 2 ruckman over 40 years.  Moore and Stynes easily.

 

pTGR

Nietz is my number 1. On pure talent I would have Jakovich and schwarz as our 2 best but injuries ruined them. When it comes to a bloke willing to sacrifice everything them Stynes.

3 hours ago, BillyBeane said:

Yep, if you watch any of the highlights of 87 onward, you really come to admire what a smart footballer Brett Lovett was.  Very underrated league-wide.

I think Jeff White is completely underrated as a ruckman too, in my opinion a far more complete a footballer than Gawn or Stynes.  Could kick, mark, brilliant tapouts.  I'd argue he's almost the best ruckman of his era.

100% about Lovett.

 

Couldn't disagree with you more about White.

22 hours ago, Swooper1987 said:

Cannot believe James McDonald is not on this list.  He'd surely be top 10.  Inspirational skipper,  AA midfielder and probably the most courageous player I've seen in red and blue.  A definite for this list if ever there was one.  And also happy to see Lyon at 1.  He was a sensational player.

Even I wouldn't put Jnr in the top 20....

8 hours ago, roy11 said:

This is what Scott Pendlebury had to say

 

"1. Neitz 2.stynes 3 Lyon 4 N. Jones 5 . Gawn 6 Schwarz 7 Yze 8 farmer 9 Bruce 10 white 11 green 12 junior Mcdonald 13 woewodin 14 robbo 15 Oliver 16 tingay 17 T Viney 18 Lovett 19 Febey 20 Nicholson. Prob missed a few but there ya go old mate"

 

Always find player opinions interesting. 

Whoa, there's a left field choice from Pendles

If injuries didn’t get them jakovich and Schwarz would be 1-2 easily, most talented players I have seen at the club 

2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Even I wouldn't put Jnr in the top 20....

Most others would, including Scott Pendlebury.  I'll back his view against Jay Clark's any day!

23 hours ago, rjay said:

Flower did play in '87 so that automatically makes him number one.

..but he does say since '87, not including.

 

Ok, seems it's including '87.

Then there's no argument.

It's Flower by a country mile.

Better put him in the poll 'Demonland'...

So, given the names that first appeared in the list, this would be the team selection :

Wight      Neita         Lovett

Bruce      Lyon          Ooze

Jones     Woewy      Stinger

Green      Schwarta  Davey

Robbo      Jako         Wiz

R : Jimmy  Clarrie  Todd

Inter : Gawn  White

This team lacks variation off the bench and it was impossible to put all those stars in the forward line.

And I don't think these are our best 20, I'm just going on the material provided. 

 

Alan Johnson was my favourite player.

4 minutes ago, Damo said:

Alan Johnson was my favourite player.

Absolute gun. Heart of a lion. Remember his 1988 and 1989 seasons and finals.  After playing on the wing, he moved to back pocket in his 30s. Stood up as a reliable but attacking defender.  

On 4/7/2020 at 8:54 PM, The Swimming Dee said:

Neitz, Stynes, then Lyon

Those three for longevity, Farmer, Schwarz and Jakovich for brilliance

2 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Those three for longevity, Farmer, Schwarz and Jakovich for brilliance

I agree Gonzo - Farmer, Schwarz and Jakovich were special.

Looking back though I feel like I took Neitz in particular for granted. He was an out and out star of the competition. I'm from Perth so don't get to that many games in Melbourne but remember going to Docklands and watching him Kick 8 against carlton...he was completely dominant. Also Round 1 (cant remember what year) when he hip and shouldered Luke McCabe from the hawks (destroying McCabe's shoulder) and following up with the goal.

Not many players can claim All Australian honours in two different key positions.

Champion player, champion bloke!

can remember when Neitz and Schwarz debuted. The club knew they had two very special players. What a shame they never achieved that elusive flag.

On 4/8/2020 at 5:30 AM, roy11 said:

This is what Scott Pendlebury had to say

 

"1. Neitz 2.stynes 3 Lyon 4 N. Jones 5 . Gawn 6 Schwarz 7 Yze 8 farmer 9 Bruce 10 white 11 green 12 junior Mcdonald 13 woewodin 14 robbo 15 Oliver 16 tingay 17 T Viney 18 Lovett 19 Febey 20 Nicholson. Prob missed a few but there ya go old mate"

 

Always find player opinions interesting. 

Which Febey? Do they come as a package? In that case: 21. Mcdonald (Tom & Oscar) ?

Jk it's obviously Steven

Edited April 9, 20205 yr by John Demonic

On 4/8/2020 at 3:25 PM, dieter said:

That anyone would  leave Alan Johnson out of the top 20 List is beyond my comprehension.

Ditto anyone who doesn't rate Brett Lovett. Now there were two very great players.

Brian Wilson pretty stiff too

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Brian Wilson pretty stiff too

Your right,  he would be in the middle.  It's difficult to remember all of them;  especially when their names aren't printed in front of us.

On 4/9/2020 at 6:46 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

can remember when Neitz and Schwarz debuted. The club knew they had two very special players. What a shame they never achieved that elusive flag.

Arcane trivia question which I need help answering. A radio commentator well past his prime (maybe Barassi?) got distracted one day while calling a Melbourne game in the 90s. He asked whether there had ever been another team with five players with a zed in their surname all playing in the same game as were playing in this game. My question is, who were they? I assume Neitz, Schwartz, Yze and Bizzell. Who have I forgotten?  

Edited April 10, 20205 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia