Picking a SANFL All Stars team of the 1980s

State of Origin came at an ideal time for SA. Because a lot of the players such as Chris McDermott, Tony McGuinness, John Platten, Craig Bradley, Garry McIntosh came through the Teal Cup system (now the NAB U18 National Championships). I think Victoria underestimated the strength and talent that was around in the SANFL in those days. Nevertheless, the State of Origin games between SA and Victoria in the mid '80s at Football Park (now AAMI Stadium) were outstanding to watch, whether live at the ground or on TV. In fact of the 7 games that was played at Football Park, the average winning margin was 3 goals or less. No wonder Ron Barassi said a few years back that the SA-Vic State of Origin games in the mid 1980s was such of a even contest, especially the 1984 and 1986 games.

Jason, How did all those Port Players make the side? And I'll just ignore Bubner. I can live with Ebert, Bradley, Phillips, maybe Evans but Hughes and Delaney???? Even then, I would have thought Ebert was definitely at the back end of his career given he began in about 1968. Just from Glenelg - perhaps Weston, Carey, Hall, Hodgeman, McGuinness? South's Mark Naley may have been considered. Peter Motley (Sturt) would be considered by most to be unlucky to miss this your team. He'd certainly be in mine. North's Darren Jarman and John Riley would have to be considered. West Adelaide had Mark Mickan, Roger Luders and Peter Meuret. Norwood had Neil Button, Phil Gallagher, Neville Roberts and Michael Aish. Matt Rendell from West Torrens. Truth be known, a lot of the side you named would also be in mine but there's no way Hughes, Delaney or Bubner would be there. I'd also seriously doubt I'd find room for Anderson. If Evans plays, no Hodges (and vice versa). I also reckon there's better rovers than Neil Craig (good player though he undoubtedly was). As you say, the 1980s in the SANFL was a pretty good era but so, in reality, was the 1970s. I'd be happy to pick a 1970s team to play the 1980s team (difficult, though, given that some players might be in both e.g. Blight, Ebert, Davies etc.). Mind you, in the 1970s team Peter Marker would get in ahead of Ebert in the centre although Russ might pick up a flank somewhere.

Watching the 1983 State of Origin game at Football Park on YouTube, that SA side could well be one of the most talented group of players ever to wear the SA State jumper. Think of the names that destroyed the Vics that day: Ebert, Motley, Kernahan, Bradley, Aish, McIntosh, just to name a few. Immediately after the stunning win, SA officials called for the inclusion of a SA team into the VFL. How would the SA team have gone in the VFL if they were accepted into the Victorian comp from ie 1984?

Sorry, there is one glaring omission. Matt Rendell. Rendell won Fitzroy's 1982 and 1983 best and fairest awards, and was captain from 1985 to 1987. Excellent team, but he should be in there.

If you're going to include Kernihan, Bradley etc then you had better put in Peter Motley, far and away the best SANFL player of that lot.

Would it be fair to say the Victorian football public and media, plus the clubs, probably underestimated the strength of the SANFL during the 1980s-not so much in terms of the standard of the competition as a whole, but in the talent in the SANFL? Seeing that some of those guys like McDermott, Kernahan, Bradley came from the successful SA teams in the then Teal Cup (now NAB Under 18 National Championships) during the early 1980s?

Bubner at full back is an interesting one, given I always regarded him as a dashing wingman. Maybe move him to HBF and Delaney to FB. Agree with Champion not making the line-up, only two seasons or so. If Gilby McAdam's not named, Champion definitely shouldn't be.

:D To be fair, the AFL did select an Umpires Team of the Century.

Peter Carey?

Having an umpire listed in the team? Is this an admission that without the ump being clearly in the SA camp the Big V would smash them? ;0) -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

Note with interest that the half back lines and the midfield are all made up of Port players-Phillips, Leslie, Delaney, Bradley, Ebert, Anderson. In fact Port has the biggest representation with 7 players named in the line-up plus assistant coach John Cahill, which gives you an idea how strong the SA Magpies was in the 1980s .

No room for Richard Champion (Woodville/Brisbane) in defence? Other thn that, thats quite the lineup