To all the movers and shakers, the rockers and rollers, to the readers and the writers, I welcome you one and all to the debut article of the newest, most exciting contributor in Roarland.
I am WesternRoo and I will be your host for the next three or so minutes of your life. Continue reading at your peril.
I’m here, football is my life and I long for an audience to hold captive with my ramblings.
This will be the first part in a trilogy I have planned in my head. This will be known as the team series, where I discuss ultimate team scenarios which have been discussed at length by self-proclaimed football experts in pubs, clubs and backyards throughout our great country.
Part one of the series begins with the greatest team of the AFL era. A conversation fraught with debate and controversy, this subject has seen friendships tested, hours lost and alcohol budgets blown to smithereens.
All players from 1990 onwards are eligible and it is to be noted that all players selected are taken to be in their prime at the time of their selection.
Without further preamble, away we go.
Back line
Alex Rance
Chosen as the 3rd tall defender, Rance has a history of excellence. As a premiership player and multi All-Australian, Rance is capable of locking down or playing loose and creating from the back half.
Stephen Silvagni
Not a tough choice really, Silvagni was a quality defender capable of matching the best the golden era of forwards had to offer. Whether it be Plugger, Jason Dunstall or Wayne Carey, Silvagni has matched them all.
Gavin Wanganeen
One of the best small defenders, capable of shutting down opposition forwards and starting attacking forays.
To my knowledge, the only back pocket of the modern era to win a Brownlow. Spent time in the midfield but was at his best creating from the back half. A dual premiership player.
Half backs
Andrew McLeod
Dual premiership player and dual Norm Smith medal-winning back flanker McLeod was an undisputed choice to create off half back.
Blessed with pace and an accurate, penetrating kick, he is a lock for this position.
Glen Jakovich
Rarely beaten as a key defender, Jacko was a monster whose strength was unsurpassed by any player in the modern era.
One-on-one there were none better, and anyone who could consistently match the greatest player of the modern era (ie Wayne Carey) and force him to change his playing style deserves a spot in this side.
Luke Hodge
At his best, this four-time premiership winner was the ultimate backline general. With his raking left boot, Hodge could set up play at will.
A true leader, Hodge controls the back half like none other and is strong and courageous. Deserving of his spot in this squad.
Midfield
Peter Matera
Premiership-winning, Norm Smith medal-winning wingman Peter Matera was a unanimous choice for this team.
Matera’s effort in the 1992 grand final was epic and any student of the game would instantly recognise the iconic call of ‘Matera sets sail for home’. Pure class.
Michael Voss
Tough, courageous Voss was the ultimate team man. Lifted those around him and was a key figure in the Brisbane Lions premiership trilogy.
Tackling, goal kicking, there was nothing Voss couldn’t do. Most importantly were the little things that are noticed by only the most devoted of fans. The blocks, the smothers and the endeavour truly set Voss apart.
A premiership winning Brownlow medalist.
Nathan Buckley
Much debate was had over this position. In the end, the nod went to Buckley. Despite lacking the pace and explosiveness of other wingmen, it was decided the sheer quality of ball use was enough to get Bucks over the line.
Nobody used the ball better than Nathan Buckley. Despite his ability on the inside, the brains trust decided Judd on the inside, Buckley on the outside was the way to go.
Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley was one of the best during his playing days. (AAP Image/David Crosling)
A worthy Brownlow medallist who nearly dragged Collingwood to an unlikely premiership.
Followers
Dean Cox
An old school friend of mine and hands down the best ruckman of the modern era, Cox redefined the position of ruckman with his ability to cover the ground and his ball use.
Also able to dictate clearances through his quality ruckwork, with his running ability Cox was essentially an extra midfielder. An undeniable factor in the Eagles reaching consecutive grand finals.
Gary Ablett Jr
His record speaks for itself. After multiple Brownlow medals, premiership-winning midfielder Ablett is well deserving of his nickname ‘the Little Master’.
Had a huge burden to live up too. His father (who bore the nickname of God!) was one of the greatest ever, but Ablett Jr has equalled, if not surpassed, his legendary father’s legacy.
In my humble opinion, Ablett Jr is the best midfielder of the modern era.
Chris Judd
Fast, explosive midfielder Judd was a marvel from the moment he entered the AFL. From his first season, everybody knew that he would be a star and he more than lived up to the hype.
Chris Judd in the middle of a pack during his playing days. (Photo: Greg Ford/AFL Media)
Dual Brownlow-winning premiership star Judd influenced every game he played. Was chosen as an inside midfielder due to his ability to expode from stoppages and hit forward targets. One of the best ever.
Half fowards
James Hird
When watching Hird, the word mercurial often sprung to mind. Strong in the air, strong on the ground, Hird was renowned for standing up in the big moments. With his long sleeves and ability to influence games, Hird was a worthy Brownlow winner and premiership star.
Wayne Carey
The best player of the modern era, arguably the greatest of all time, no player could influence a game like ‘The King’. On song, he was simply unstoppable. When beaten for strength (by only one player) Carey adapted his style and used his running ability to get on top.
Other defenders could only look on horrified as Carey shaped games at will. None better.
Brent Harvey
Boomer was a superb player. A fast, goalkicking and impactful player who was renowned for his quality ball use and longevity.
Many think of Boomer as a player with questionable defensive capabilities, however, in his prime Boomer worked tirelessly up and down the ground kicking goals and setting up play.
Always threatening with his speed and ball use inside forward 50, Boomer deserves his spot in this squad.
Boomer is a legend of the game. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Forward line
Gary Ablett Snr
The man they called “God” was truly a freak of Australian Rules Football. Ablett kicked miraculous goals, took incredible screamers and entertained crowds for many years.
Capable of making the impossible possible, there was something truly awe inspiring about watching this man play.
Tony Lockett
“Plugger”, as he was affectionately known in football circles, is without a doubt the most prolific key forward in AFL/VFL history.
No one has kicked more goals than Lockett. An absolute beast of a man, Plugger was a strong mark who was rarely beaten in a one on one contest. Playing during an era of great full forwards, Lockett was the best.
Peter Daicos
A tough position to pick, as there have been many quality small forwards over the years. Ultimately “the Macedonian Marvel” gets the nod despite not being your regular small forward.
A regular and heavy goal scorer for Collingwood, Daicos was capable of kicking freakish goals and was dangerous whenever he went near the ball.
Interchange
Adam Goodes
Quality player who won dual Brownlow medals. Chosen for his versatility and sheer talent.
Adam Goodes, legend. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Robert Harvey
Another dual Brownlow medal winner chosen for his ability to gather possessions at will and freakish running capacity.
Lance Franklin
There was a tremendous amount of debate over these interchange positions and violence was nearly resorted to in discussing who got this position out of Franklin and Dunstall.
In the end it was given to the man they call “Buddy” due to his versatility.
Dunstall was an amazing full-forward in a great team, but Franklin’s ability to swing between full forward and high half-forward got him over the line.
I expect more debate over this decision, but I don’t think a team could have two one dimensional forwards like Dunstall and Lockett in the same team. There can be only one. That is why Franklin was chosen over Dunstall.
Darren Jarman
The hardest spot in this team to pick was the very last one. There was no consensus on this selection. Names thrown around for this position included; Matthew Richardson, Simon Black, Ben Cousins, Anthony Koutoufides, Matthew Pavlich, Jason Akermanis and even Dusty Martin.
Having the final say in this argument, being that I was the loudest and drunkest, and it was ultimately my article, I decided the final spot went to Darren Jarman.
Jarman was a quality midfielder who could move forward and become a game-winning goal kicker. St Kilda fans still have nightmares about Jarman’s last quarter in the 1997 grand final. A gutsy call, but I stand by it.
So there we have it folks, the greatest team of the modern era. I look forward to seeing the opinions of others in the comments section. I had a ball researching this team over a period of weeks and I urge you all to have this conversation with your own mates. It’s great fun.
me too
Roar Rookie
might prefer milne as my small forward instead of daicos - mercurial goal kicker. and surely reiwoldt would get a spot on the bench - can swing half forward, full forward, wing, in fact i'd simply throw him in in place of boomer harvey - the one that will raise most questions. and scarlett over rance - much better man on man defender. imagine rance on someone like lockett, he would get destroyed.
Lroy
Guest
He single handedly kicked more goals than the entire Richmond team at least twice. What a player. He booted 8 goals in a State of Origin game once as well, to this day Ive never seen anything like it. He started out as a nippy winger, only guy I can recall that made the switch late in his career to become a hall of fame full forward.
DB
Guest
Rance before Scarlett. I don't think so.
tim
Guest
Only complaint would be with the last picked. Jarman was an enigma. In the 97 gf he did sweet bugger all for 3 quarters, clogging up the midfield with a dead body. When he was moved out of the midfield the Crows had the extra productive player in the midfield and stared getting on top. Jarman capitalized and kicked his way into the history books. Who remembers Troy Bond kicking a goal in every quarter in that same game, a far superior performance.
Bell31
Guest
Outstanding work - I can't quibble with any of your selections. I guess some might query the lack of emphasis on players from the last 10 years (I wouldn't) and you chose daicos, so all is good!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I would find it offensive to NOT have Gary Ablett Snr in any fantasy side he qualifies for. I saw him a lot and he is the greatest that I have seen by a mile. Jarman was handy too and Cyril can play a bit. It depends yes on body of work or actual footy genius. Genius sides for any era would have players like Ablett, Jarman, Carey, Rioli, Mcleod, Blight, Carman....
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
That would be a good article.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Peak of their powers is fraught with danger. David Schwarze and Daisy Thomas both had short stints where they were classed as possibly the best in the game but then the full body of work would clearly rule them out. Kouta had longer at his peak than those two but the rule still applies IMO.
Brian
Guest
Yeah Buddy won 2 flags more then Lockett or Ablett Snr. Truth is if Lockett played now certainly the second half of his career the backs would have a field day with his lack of pressure and the full back would become the spare player to kick to when in trouble.
Good Thing
Guest
Not a bad side but a couple of mistakes me thinks. For the life of me I cannot understand how Chris Grant often misses such teams. He should have had 2 Brownlows save for misfortune. Played at both ends and was a super star in a weaker team for a lot of his career. Certainly worthy of a spot on the bench in this team and a more worthy than say Daicos whose best footy really was in the 1980's and Jarman. Jarman's finals series of 1998 seems to carry a lot of weight but there were better players in this period than him. Akermanis cleary a better play than Harvey. Harvey was a good footballer no doubt but there is too much emphasis on his ability to stay injury free and be the games record holder. He shouldn't be in this team for that. Greg Williams won a Brownlow in the 1990's and is stiff too. As good as Hodge was/is he is picked more for his leadership abilities rather than his football abilities. At the end of the day he controlled half back and picked up a lot of loose kicks. He was not a superstar who could move forward and kick a lot of goals. Someone like Guy McKenna was a far more skilful player at half back than Hodge ever was. Full back is tough. But I think agree with most that Rance is not that player. Scarlett was brilliant and even Brian Lake could be in that debate. Wanganeen to me was very skillful but for mine I thought Enright was the best back player in that period. But all in still a very good team.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Ricciuto was fantastic but the notion that he was more talented than Hird is laughable. Besides, they played different roles. Roo is competing with the likes of Voss, Buckley and Abblett Jnr.
Stubbs27
Guest
Would've changed b.harvey and daicos for ricciuto and aker. Promote dance to second tall and bring in scarlett for Jackovic and jarman would make way for Greg William's, even based exclusively on his post 1990 body of work. Great article
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Great team! For me Lions bias I would have Black and Aker in there somewhere..... Forward line, I can't pick Harvey & Daicos. Forwards have to huge impacts on games. For me you've got pick guys who helped get their team over the line. That's why I would have Cyril and Aker in my forward 50!
Trevor
Guest
Peter Daicos was only around for 3 years in the AFL era, so you can knock him out. For all the mercurial brilliance of Gary Ablett Senior, his record was not as good as Dunstall's. Ablett for highlights, Dunstall for results. If Mark Ricciuto was from Melbourne he'd be close to first picked and you can replace Hird with him and get a nice uptick in both talent and menace. Scarlett replacing Rance or Silvagni is fairly obvious if you want the best side.
Trevor
Guest
And Kosi or Schwartz - both played a couple of months of footy as good as anyone not named Matthews.
Cat
Roar Guru
I don't have any major issues with your list, other than the exclusion of Scarlett. The debate about Daicos spurned an idea for a follow up article to this (I don't know the history well enough to do it myself). How about a best 22 for players who have exclusively played in the AFL era, so no one who debuted before 1990?
Slane
Guest
How many flags did Tony Locket get the Saints/Swans? It's almost like footy is a team sport and 1 insanely good player can't win a premiership on his own...
Peter85
Roar Rookie
At the peak of their powers you would have Anthony Koutoufides as a definite inclusion. But on the whole body of work, I would not be able to find a sport for him. Peak is also really hard to define before it becomes about consistency. Is the peak a 4 game run, one season or three seasons? The shorter the peak, the more players that are eligible. That 4 game run Justin Koschitzke put together getting 11 Brownlow votes as a ruck forward (in 2005 from memory) was probably a higher peak than anything Nick Riewoldt produced, but I am not ever going to argue him being a better player. All the mercurial, inconsistent players would be in with a shout when speaking about peaks (Alan Jackovic???) Luckily for the conversation, the top 15 are probably automatic selections regardless of peak/prime/career qualifiers, with only a few positions to argue over.
Brian
Guest
AA more of a consistency metric. I'd have Aker, Black, Riewoldt, Mitchell & Pavlich all around the mark for consistency but the writer did say the "peak of their powers". Not sure though if you consider Stewart Dew or Nick Davis who were both at the peak of their powers for about 5 glorious minutes
Seano
Roar Rookie
Daicos was really a VFL era player and still not good enough to make this side, Acker for mine over Daicos. Now Dean Cox? Really? Scott Wynd won a Brownlow, Shaun Rehn dominated, Corey Mackernan almost won one. Cox is way down the list. Otherwise I agree with the side.