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Best Interstate Recruits - since 1970

spirit of norm smith
spirit of norm smith
in Melbourne Demons

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I was feeling nostalgic and thought I’d reminisce about our best players from interstate ie. outside Victoria (excl Ireland). There have been disappointments from Tilbrook to Toumpas/Morton. But some absolute guns have moved to the Dees and had great careers. 
My list is:

1- Alan Johnson

2- Todd Viney 

3-  Brad Green

4- Russell Robertson 

5- Steven Febey

6- Jeff Farmer

7-Steven Stretch

8-Danny Hughes

9-Shane Woewodin

10-Nev Jetta

11- Andy Lovell

12-Andrew Obst

13-Earl Spalding 

14-Jared Rivers

15-Aaron Davey

16-Ray Biffin

17-Alan Jakovich

18- Warren Dean

19-Matthew Whelan

20- Colin Garland

21- Jeremy Howe 

22- Jesse Hogan

23- Bernie Vince

24- Mark Jamar

25- Anthony Ingerson

26- Liam Jurrah

27- Brad Miller

28- Darren Bennett

29- Peter Vardy

30- Nathan Brown 

Special mention time Peter Walsh. Loved his attack on the footy. His heart was the size of a lion. 
I didn’t include Jack Viney as he came through the Vic metro schools system. Also Jeffy Garlett was from the Blues. 

Edited by spirit of norm smith
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    • Like 3
     
     

    I looked it up and turns out he was from Tassie - a true Van Demon, but I never realised that.

    Lou Richards described him as "Biffin by name and biffin' by occupation"!

    One day at Moorabbin when it was blowing a gale to the Nepean Hwy end, Biff spent the entire game in the same goal square, playing as full-forward when we had the wind and as full-back when kicking against it.  One of my all-time favourites.

     

    Edited by demonstone
    .

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    • Like 4

    Warren Dean was outstanding in 1987.  Three Brownlow votes in Round 22 out at Footscray from memory, and played a great first couple of finals.  Could have been anything but for his wonky knees. He, Viney and Spalding were the big three interstate recruits funded by the "Give Robbie one last chance to play finals" campaign.

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    • Like 3
     
    • Author
    On 4/16/2020 at 8:27 PM, Swooper1987 said:

    Warren Dean was outstanding in 1987.  Three Brownlow votes in Round 22 out at Footscray from memory, and played a great first couple of finals.  Could have been anything but for his wonky knees. He, Viney and Spalding were the big three interstate recruits funded by the "Give Robbie one last chance to play finals" campaign.

    Warren Dean was a key to our 1987 night grand final win and the finals campaign in 1987. A classy forward. A classy wingman. So cruel again that he was debilitated by a knee injury. Huge talent. 

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    • Like 1

    Graham Molloy, from South Australia. A great player for the Dees in early 70s.

    Jeff White, Fremantle.

     

    oops, did JW start in Vic, go to WA and come back again?

    Edited by bush demon

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    Johnson, Jakovich and Whelan. My best 3.

    Another glaring ommision is the Febeys.

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    On 4/16/2020 at 4:06 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

    I was feeling nostalgic and thought I’d reminisce about our best players from interstate ie. outside Victoria (excl Ireland). There have been disappointments from Tilbrook to Toumpas/Morton. But some absolute guns have moved to the Dees and had great careers. 
    My list is:

    1- Alan Johnson

    2- Todd Viney 

    3-  Brad Green

    4- Russell Robertson 

    5- Steven Febey

    6- Jeff Farmer

    7-Steven Stretch

    8-Danny Hughes

    9-Shane Woewodin

    10-Nev Jetta

    11- Andy Lovell

    12-Andrew Obst

    13-Earl Spalding 

    14-Jared Rivers

    15-Aaron Davey

    16-Ray Biffin

    17-Alan Jakovich

    18- Warren Dean

    19-Matthew Whelan

    20- Colin Garland

    21- Jeremy Howe 

    22- Jesse Hogan

    23- Bernie Vince

    24- Mark Jamar

    25- Anthony Ingerson

    26- Liam Jurrah

    27- Brad Miller

    28- Darren Bennett

    29- Peter Vardy

    30- Nathan Brown 

    Special mention time Peter Walsh. Loved his attack on the footy. His heart was the size of a lion. 
    I didn’t include Jack Viney as he came through the Vic metro schools system. Also Jeffy Garlett was from the Blues. 

    Spirit;  could you add the year when they started with the D's,  and city/town of origin.?

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    • Author

    Some might remember a bloke called Robin White in the mid 80s.  Came from South Adelaide, fairly unheralded but was as tough as nails. Peter Walsh like. He tagged. He tackled. But like many, he came for about 20-30 games then was gone. 

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    • Like 3
    15 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

    I think Jurrah needs to be higher on that list even taking into account his very brief stay at the club.  He was an absolute freak. 

    I don't reckon.....Only played 36 games 

    Longevity & loyalty have some sort of impact  on these decisions I would have thought......& not enough games for me.

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    • Author
    48 minutes ago, Laughing Goat said:

    I don't reckon.....Only played 36 games 

    Longevity & loyalty have some sort of impact  on these decisions I would have thought......& not enough games for me.

    Agree. With rankings, tried to balance longevity with impact and excitement.  Jurrah, Jakovich and Farmer were true excitement.  
     

    Robbo (228 games and 428 goals) had both longevity and excitement/impact. 

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    Liam Jurrah should be high on the list. Another one who could do what no other player could.

    Beaten down by the big city.

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    • Author
    On 4/19/2020 at 10:53 AM, dl4e said:

    Johnson, Jakovich and Whelan. My best 3.

    Another glaring ommision is the Febeys.

    Steve Febey was ranked #5 so not a glaring omission. Agree Matt Febey could have made the list. Serviceable type.  Probably could put in around 28-30 position. 

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    6 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    Steve Febey was ranked #5 so not a glaring omission. Agree Matt Febey could have made the list. Serviceable type.  Probably could put in around 28-30 position. 

    My mistake. You are right about Matt but his tenure was no where near as long but from memory he had a really good couple of years. 

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    Spot on SONS ? 

    I liked Liam Jurrah but to suggest that he is in the best 20 interstate recruits since 1970 is a little over the top  & lets face it probably disrespectfull to the players who have had better sustained careers at the MFC......I would have these 3 ahead of Liam :

    Darren Bennett: 78 games & 215 goals (28)

    Anthony Ingerson: 158 games & 40 goals (25)

    Brad Miller: 157 games & 120 goals (27)

    Only my opinion......

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    • Like 1
     
    On 4/16/2020 at 4:06 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

    I was feeling nostalgic and thought I’d reminisce about our best players from interstate ie. outside Victoria (excl Ireland). There have been disappointments from Tilbrook to Toumpas/Morton. But some absolute guns have moved to the Dees and had great careers. 
    My list is:

    1- Alan Johnson

    2- Todd Viney 

    3-  Brad Green

    4- Russell Robertson 

    5- Steven Febey

    6- Jeff Farmer

    7-Steven Stretch

    8-Danny Hughes

    9-Shane Woewodin

    10-Nev Jetta

    11- Andy Lovell

    12-Andrew Obst

    13-Earl Spalding 

    14-Jared Rivers

    15-Aaron Davey

    16-Ray Biffin

    17-Alan Jakovich

    18- Warren Dean

    19-Matthew Whelan

    20- Colin Garland

    21- Jeremy Howe 

    22- Jesse Hogan

    23- Bernie Vince

    24- Mark Jamar

    25- Anthony Ingerson

    26- Liam Jurrah

    27- Brad Miller

    28- Darren Bennett

    29- Peter Vardy

    30- Nathan Brown 

    Special mention time Peter Walsh. Loved his attack on the footy. His heart was the size of a lion. 
    I didn’t include Jack Viney as he came through the Vic metro schools system. Also Jeffy Garlett was from the Blues. 

    A good list. For mine hard to go past Johnson, Viney and S. Febey for consistency. 

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    • Like 1
    1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    Steve Febey was ranked #5 so not a glaring omission. Agree Matt Febey could have made the list. Serviceable type.  Probably could put in around 28-30 position. 

     

    1 hour ago, dl4e said:

    My mistake. You are right about Matt but his tenure was no where near as long but from memory he had a really good couple of years. 

    The more creative of the two Febeys.  But IMO,  wasn't as into the VFL as Steven.?   Played the HFF imsc.  Very talented.

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