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For the last month, Channel Ten has been promoting Peter Brock as one of Australia’s greatest sporting heroes.
The motor racing champion died ten years ago. Brock was universally regarded as ‘Peter Perfect’ and the ‘King of the Mountain’ after capturing a record nine Bathurst 1000s at Mount Panorama.
It’s an interesting question with Brock having to rely on a co-driver, a pit crew, and a host of mechanics to get him into a winning position.
Brock can be compared to another legend in the late great horse trainer Bart Cummings who won a record 12 Melbourne Cups. Cummings had to rely on the horse he trained being up to it on the first Tuesday in November, his jockey had to perform well, as did all his support staff.
So where does Peter Brock slot into the highest echelon of Australian sportsmen and women – the legends?
Cricket – Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Alan Davidson, a couple of Chappells, Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, a couple of Waughs, and Ricky Ponting.
Track – Herb Elliott, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, Betty Cuthbert, Shirley Strickland, John Landy, Cathy Freeman.
Swimming – Dawn Fraser, Murray Rose, Shane Gould, Ian Thorpe, Kieren Perkins, Susie O’Neill, Grant Hackett.
Tennis – Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Squash – Heather McKay.
Netball – Anne Sargeant, Liz Ellis.
Basketball – Andrew Bogut, Lauren Jackson.
Golf – Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman.
Yachting – John Bertrand.
Billiards – Walter Lindrum.
Boxing – Vic Patrick, Jimmy Carruthers, Jeff Fenech.
Rugby league – Clive Churchill, Bobby Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands, Artie Beetson, Wally Lewis, Ken Irvine, Norm Provan, Ron Coote, Mal Meninga.
Rugby – Ken Catchpole, Peter Johnson, Rob Heming, Mark Ella, David Campese, Simon Poidevin, Nick Farr-Jones, Tim Horan, John Eales.
AFL – Ron Barassi, Leigh Matthews, Ted Whitten, Gary Ablett, Tony Lockett.
Soccer – Johnny Warren, John Kosmina, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer.
What a superb array of Australian sporting legends, but to answer the question, where does Peter Brock slot into legend status?
Brock deserves to be in the conversation, but he is not in my top 30. (Click to Tweet)
1 – Don Bradman.
2 – Herb Elliott.
3 – Dawn Fraser.
4 – Rod Laver.
5 – Ken Catchpole.
6 – Reg Gasnier.
7 – Mark Ella.
8 – Ian Thorpe.
9 – Peter Thomson.
10 – Johnny Raper.
11 – Margaret Court.
12 – Heather McKay.
13 – Shane Warne.
14 – Betty Cuthbert.
15 – Leigh Matthews.
16 – Ken Rosewall.
17 – Ken Irvine.
18 – Shane Gould.
19 – Marjorie Jackson-Nelson.
20 – Tony Lockett.
21 – Dennis Lillee.
22 – Shirley Strickland.
23 – Graeme Langlands.
24 – John Eales.
25 – Ron Barassi.
26 – John Newcombe.
27 – Greg Norman.
28 – Anne Sargeant.
29 – Ricky Ponting.
30 – Nick Farr-Jones.