By Jason Cave
October 11th 2009 @ 12:21am
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The AFL All Australian Team of the 1980s
The 1980s is probably the most significant decade in the long and colourful history of Australian Rules Football.
New teams, the West Coast Eagles (from Western Australia) and the Brisbane Bears (from Queensland) admitted to the AFL; Victoria loses its aura of invincibility in State of Origin football; Hawthorn’s seven straight grand finals, including the epic 1989 classic between the Hawks and Geelong; the Essendon-Hawthorn rivalry; and great players, such as Brereton, Johnston, Langford, Ablett, Hawkins and others.
Here is the All Australian line-up based on players who played in that era:
THE ALL AUSTRALIAN SIDE OF THE 1980S
B: Gary Ayres (Vic) Chris Langford (Vic) Bruce Doull(Vic)
HB: Ross Glendinning (WA) Terry Daniher (NSW) Rodney Eade (Tas)
C: Craig Bradley (SA) Russell Ebert (SA) Keith Greig (Vic)
HF: Gary Ablett snr (Vic) Dermott Brereton (Vic) Wayne Johnston (Vic)
F:Jason Dunstall (Qld) Tony Lockett (Vic) Steve Kernahan (SA)
R: Stephen Michael (WA) Tim Watson (Vic) Leigh Matthews (Vic)
INT(FROM): Simon Madden (Vic) Steve Malaxos (WA) Michael Aish (SA) Garry McIntosh (SA) Michael Roach (Tas)
EMERG: Greg Williams (Vic) Simon Beasley (WA) John Platten (SA) Chris McDermott (SA) Bruce Lindsay (SA)
COACH: Graham Cornes (SA) CAPTAIN: Terry Daniher (NSW)
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(9)
Pippinu said | October 12th 2009 @ 7:13am | Report comment
I’ll just mention a few names from a Bulldogs perspective.
1. It’s a pity you couldn’t find room for Doug Hawkins, who you mention in your intro – but there were some great wingers over the decade, including Robbie Flower, who might have been pretty close to the best of the decade.
2. People might be surprised that you managed to squeeze Simon Beasley in as an emergency – many may not realise that he was actualy the highest goal kicker of the decade (playing from 1982 to 1989).
3. Injury cut his career short, but the Brownlow medal winner of 1980, Kelvin Templeton, was one of the very, very best ever.
4. It’s a bit odd that you can only squeeze Greg Williams into your emergencies.
5. I got the impression that you might have being going out of your way to squeeze in as many WA and SA players as you could.
Michael C said | October 12th 2009 @ 9:25am | Report comment
top heavy forward line………needs a goal kicking forward pocket/changing rover…..Jimmy Krakouer might fit the JD.
or a Dale Weightman,
alas, no Schimma or Robbie Flower.
gazz said | October 14th 2009 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
Ahhh, a nice up-to-date article. Na seriously, awsome stuff Jason! bit of nostalgia.
No room for Capper!! As 80s as can be!
Jason Cave said | December 20th 2009 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
Bear in mind that in the 1980s, State of Origin football was at its peak, which meant that South Australia and Western Australia could go into a game against Victoria confident that not only could they match it with the best the big V had to offer, but beat them as well. Which is why guys like Russell Ebert, Stephen Michael, Garry McIntosh, Steve Malaxos, Michael Aish are worthy additions into the All Australian side of the 1980s.
Roman said | January 19th 2010 @ 4:08pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
Which countries do the picked ALL AUSTRALIAN AFL players play against do they get together and play against anyone?
bever fever said | January 19th 2010 @ 4:14pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
Would you like an answer, or are you just troling.
AFAIK they get together, down a few brewskis and then head out on the town to beat up mor ons like you.
Roman said | January 19th 2010 @ 5:56pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
Who gets together, down a few brewskis and then head out on the town to beat up mor ons likey you.
WHO DO THE ‘ALL AUSTRALIAN AFL PLAYERS’ PLAY – the Irish in internation rules?
Would you like to answer, or are you just trolling.
Dont forget to give yourself a plus!
I did another negitive for you go for more
bever fever said | January 19th 2010 @ 11:24pm (4 weeks ago) | Report comment
In fact your wrong anyway, the team picked to play the irish is usually minus the big guys that get picked in the All Australian team, instead they tend to pick more mobile running type players.
Roman said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:00pm (3 weeks ago) | Report comment
Who do the ‘ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM’ play against, the Irish play International Rules not Aussie Rules against Australia only ‘AFL’ players are allowed to play not a true representative of Australians its not Aussie Rules, why carn’t any one try out to play for Australia in International Rules – league players, football players or union players?
Do the All Australian Team player play against themselves? – They don’t even play for Australian in the ANZAC DAY AFL game, only two Melbourne teams. We have sporting teams in netball, basketball, hockey, football, union, league and more that play against NZ. Who do the All Australian Teams (in AFL) play against… PNG?
I wounld mine if they were called ‘2009 AFL TOP 18’ Players.