Being a Fremantle fan out West, there’s three certainties. Death, taxes and the constant reminder of four premierships to zero by our neighbours.
It’s insufferable, but it’s also objectively justified. After all, if the shoe was on the other foot and we had Chris Judd and Ben Cousins instead of Jayden Pitt and Riley Dunn, I’d probably be making the same remarks.
The Eagles have had some susperstars, none least the aforementioned, but one thing that strikes me is depth of that 2006 Premiership side.
Here’s five men who collected their medallion on the last Saturday of September in 2006 who deserve way more recognition than they get.
1. Adam Selwood
Outside of Eagles fans, Adam has the distinction of being the third best Selwood, going Joel, Scott, then him, then his mum, and finally Troy. In fairness to Adam however, he was quite a handy footballer, placing third in West Coast’s Club Champion awards in both 2007 and 2008.
Often utilised as a defender, Selwood has largely been forgotten by the footballing public since his 2013 retirement, yet deserves more respect for being able to slot into such a crucial role.
2. Sam Butler
Even I’d forgotten about Sam Butler before making this list, but take nothing away from a defender who, like Selwood, was able to provide an unassuming yet consistent footprint to West Coast for many years.
The South Australian product was often plagued by injury problems, however managed to extract three Grand Finals and objectively would’ve played in another in 2018 had the treatment room not claimed him for good the year prior.
3. Adam Hunter
Purely for his versatility, Hunter cannot be left off this list. Able to play virtually anywhere, Hunter’s form between 2005-2007 was way better than he is remembered for and was a legitimately crucial part of such a strong team. His goal kicking additions when coach John Worsfold threw him up there greatly benefitted both Quinten Lynch and Ashley Hansen.
In many ways, Hunter is the prototype for the modern player, your Fyfe, Cripps and Bontempellis of the current era. While he never hit the heights of those mentioned, he was a skilful, talented part of his clubs golden era.
4. Tyson Stenglein
A tough, talented midfielder, Stenglein’s 2005 arrival to the Eagles just happened to coincide with the clubs massive upturn and ultimate glory. Very much a quiet achiever, he may have only spent four seasons out West, his addition to the lineup was evident, never going below 16 disposals per game in those peak years of 2005-2007.
This was highlighted by his 22 per game in 2007, as he tried to lift a somewhat depleted lineup decimated across the field by both injury and controversy.
5. Daniel Kerr
In terms of quality, nobody else touches Kerr. It almost seems unfair to include him at the expense of other underrated talents like Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher. But the core of this article is to highlight players who deserve more recognition than they have.
Ever since the wheels fell off the dynasty, the discussion for their dominant midfield has always been Cousins and Judd. When Kerr does get a mention, it’s almost an afterthought.
Make no mistake of it however, without Kerr throwing himself at every contest and taking on the opposition with his uncompromising ferocity, that midfield doesn’t have the grit and strength it needs. Kerr was every bit as vital to that midfield, his runner up in the 2005 Brownlow shows he was no joke.
While he certainly better remembered than those listed previously here, there’s no doubt he deserves far more respect than he is afforded.
Seymorebutts
Guest
;-)
Jesse Dart
Roar Rookie
You’ve convinced me to go and dig up some old highlights of Ashley Hansen, which is the first time anyone has ever said that sentence
Jesse Dart
Roar Rookie
Hi Gerard, the drugs talk is kind of on me I should have known what I was getting myself into writing about the 06 Eagles. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Wirra and he’s a fantastic bloke off the field as well, I’m not sure if you’re based here out West but he has a foundation that does some fantastic community work.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Braun averaged 18 possessions per game over an 11 year career. He got 19 per game in his third season 2002. For 2005 and 2006 he averaged 20... Im guessing since the opposition were tagging Judd, Kerr and Cousins him and Embly were able to get off the leash. His progression is entirely consistent with a guy who is physically maturing as he gets older. If he was averaging 10 possessions a game for 6 years and then in year 7 and 8 started getting 30 per game, you might be onto something, but the stats dont bear that out.
Seymorebutts
Guest
I guess you've never heard of Dale Lewis.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Bud, have a look at the 1992 and 1994 sides. Matera, Mainwaring, Kemp, Pyke, those guys were as good as the 2006 side. Matera and Judd are a coin flip for the best player ever to represent the club, Cousins and Mainwaring ran themselves into the ground... and Im not convinced that Kerr was better than Kemp.. Kerr was a Rollys Royce of a footballer. Pyke was a solid performer in the same mold as Andrew Embley. So the 92-94 sides stack up pretty well against the later 06 and 18 sides ;-)
Seymorebutts
Guest
Ha ha , nice response, to me Ash Hansen is one of the most underatted footballers of all time. Like I said, if not for Josh Kennedy or now Jack Darling, Hansen would be in the running for the best centre half forward ever to play for the Eagles ;-) His career, sadly cut short due to injury, like so many other good players. Nice article, I really enjoyed it ;-)
Seymorebutts
Guest
He was favorite for the Brownlow one year.. hardly seems like he is ignored. Kerr Cousins and Judd where always our big three with Embly as the fourth Beatle.
Jesse Dart
Roar Rookie
Genuinely I had Hansen typed and ready to go at the number 3 spot, he was the closest of anyone to miss. I don’t know about most underrated of the 21st century at centre half forward, but he certainly is due more credit than he gets. The other names you mentioned prove just how remarkable the depth was, this list could have an entirely different set of 5 names and there wouldn’t be that many complaints.
Gerard Klomp
Guest
I am sure this story is about The Eagles quiet players who want about playing the game tough but fair way and not talking about the Drugs. What about Beau Waters and David Wirrapanda They did not get the recognise they deserved in 2006 in the mighty Eagles premiership.
RT
Roar Rookie
So Richmond were supposed to act on hearsay but West Coast couldn't do anything about its culture in the mind 2000s because nothing was proven? Again, you are contradicting yourself. The Royal Commission report has only just been tabled in Parliament today. West Coast had players not turn up to training or turn up in an unfit state, a player's family advising of a drug problem, players generally running amok in Perth and a coach who at some stage became aware of "5 to 8 players" being on illicit drugs, yet somehow Richmond are worse?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Exactly, Brauny was a gun for a number of years, dont know where they are coming from.
Seymorebutts
Guest
What evidence do you have of Brain being on the juice? Most players dont take the world by storm from day one, they grow into the position as they develop physically. Ditto Aker, who ever said he was on the needle?
Seymorebutts
Guest
Crikey bud, you've forgotten about Ash Hansen?? We had a better winning record with him in the side than Chris Judd. From the day he made his debut we didn't lose a home and away game for a year and a half with him in the side. It was 31 wins from 34 outings or so. He was the most underrated centre half forward in AFL history... Even the supporters tend to forget him. Lets face it, the only guy you could argue who was better than him as CHF was Kennedy or Darling. Josh spent the first few years at CHF if you recall.. Ash Hansen is the man. And Quentin Lynch, another player not given too many wraps was also a very good player.. without them we dont win the 2006 flag. For a guy who started out as a full back his ability to knock over 60 big ones a year on a consistent basis was nothing to be sneezed at. Rowan Jones is another one who gets overlooked... what a player he was? From what I remember his stats werent much different to Judds... hes get 25 possesions, average 1.5 goals a game.. Beau Waters down back... theres another one.. crikey I could list all of them , That was a good side that 2006 outfit ;-)
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
You do realise that a royal commission happened about institutional child abuse of which he was made to appear in front of in regards to George Pell and his knowledge of priests under his guidance as archbishop abusing hundreds of children, he said in a attempt to show innocence that verbatim "I didn't know anything and it's not a subject that I actually care about". If a certain club considered that the type of personality they should associate with and the fans want to defend it I'll be interested as porter has delivered the findings on Pell to the senate and they should be made public in the next week.
Realist
Guest
Do you have any idea what you're saying? As usual, you're not making any sense at all!
David C
Roar Rookie
Wasn't he cleared of all charges? Or did you miss that?
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
You’re not reading it properly, Pell knowingly shifted priests around diocese who had complaints against them for child abuse and never engaged the police so to protect the church, said priests went on to commit horrific offences thru out country Victoria, all the while Bering spiritual patron to the RFC. Plenty of evidence regarding what I’m saying out there, as he was dismissed in the high Court he is innocent of all charges of child abuse so I don’t comprehend your point, the stuff I’m talking about came out while he was involved with the RFC and they ignored it until he was originally found guilty in Victoria justice system.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
What was that time at Richmond with pillz and jnr players? Richmond knew what he was and let him continue unchecked.
JamesH
Roar Guru
In a similar manner? Sure, a player who won back-to-back B&Fs in 09-10, and followed up his 2012 effort with an All Australian nod in 2013, improved 'one year to the next'. SMH.