This Sunday (March 9th) a new book is being released which celebrates the 150th anniversary of this nation’s indigenous code, Australian Football. Kick2Kick will be buying one and will let you the public know all about it. One of the articles is Mike Sheahan’s top 50 players from the 150 years. It is a hard task with all the great players that have played before we were all born and before TV was around like Gordon Coventry whose goal kicking record stood for 70 odd years.
Wayne Carey was named as Mike Sheahan’s top AFL footballer over 150 years
You can read Mike Sheahan’s top 50 hear. In this article I will note his top 10 and then discuss a few players who may raise a few eyebrows. Please discuss what you think as I am sure some players do deserve to be included while others do not.
Sheahan’s top 10 players
- Wayne Carey - Kangaroos & Adelaide
- Leigh Mathews - Hawthorn
- Ted Whitten - Footscray
- Gary Ablett - Hawthorn & Geelong
- Jason Dunstall - Hawthorn
- Tony Lockett - St Kilda & Sydney
- John Nicholls - Carlton
- Graham Farmer - Geelong
- Kevin Bartlett - Richmond
- Greg Williams - Geelong, Sydney, Carlton
Sheahan’s dubious selections
Jason Dunstall at 5 is a huge call, yes goals win games which is obvious a criteria will Sheahan with Lockett and Ablett in the top 10. I am bemused by Greg Williams at 10 with Ian Stewart at 11 who was a triple brownlow medalist. Williams was good but top 10?
Recently on Channel 9, they had Australia’s top 20 sportsmen, Wayne Carey was named at 17 and Leigh Mathews was at number 4, yet Wayne Carey is number 1 for Mike Sheahan.
It is interesting to see John Nicholls and Graham Farmer 7 and 8 respectivly. If Farmer had played more games, would he be higher than Nicholls?
Some other notes worthy of been risen:
- I am not saying Michael Voss and James Hird (19, 20) are not good but top 20 is a big call.
- Michael Tuck at 43?
anyone who plays over 400 games has to be a legend! - Glenn Jakovich - 46. Matera and Cousins (39 & 42) is about right but bit surprised to see Jakovich at 46.
- John Coleman - 22: The leading goal scorer is named after him.
Observations of Mike Sheahan’s top 50
I think its obvious that recent present players were given an easier ride into the top 50 than past players from the 50s and below. 12 players who played before or during 1950 are named. Half of the players (25) have played since or in 1980. I really do not think half of the best 50 players have only played in the last 30 odd years, what about the other 120 years?
Your opinion
Please add your opinion either below in the comments or over at the k2K Forum were a copy of this article is added for conversation.
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March 6th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
It’s always hard to make judgment on these lists.Some of these players I have never seen play.
It always covers a great span of time, and Footy has evolved over these different eras.
In the past 20 years Carey at number 1 is a worthy pick as he was such a game breaker at a position that was hard to play.And many of today’s players model their game on him.
But if not Wayne Carey at no.1 who then?
March 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
In the last 20 years Wayne Carey would easily be the best footballer no doubt about it but this is a 150 years best of list!
I have only seen limited footage of Leigh Mathews but from what I have seen he was simply awesome. Yes he was a thug (actually de-registered as a player) but in those days you could get away with such play.
My top player would be Leigh Mathews and then Carey.
Jermayn’s last blog post..Salvation explained for Dummies
March 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I can only comment on the last 20 years because that’s all I have seen.
Hence the problem with these lists is the vast timespan they cover.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Good topic. I agree with you on Dunstall. Haydn Bunton should have been in the top five. Glad he got Garry Wilson in, he was often underrated.
When they compile these lists the early players are inevitably overlooked. From what I’ve read, Jack Worrall deserves to be up there with the greatest.
Michael’s last blog post..Grumpy old man
March 7th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Thanks for your views Michael. I agree with Hayden Bunton, he is a legand! I have not seen him play but winning 3 Brownlows and 3 Sandovers (WA Brownlow) and coaching, playing and even umpiring for successful teams (Fitzroy, Subiaco, Port Adelaide) around Australia kinder should make you more than 15th.
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~basiced3/footy/legends/bunton.html
I do not know much about Garry Wilson and even Jack Worrall but from what I have read from the included links, Jack played for Australia as well and scored a 400 odd in club cricket. Jack was also the first non playing coach.
Jermayn’s last blog post..Salvation explained for Dummies
March 11th, 2008 at 9:31 am
So has anyone brought the book yet? If you have and would like to do a review of it on K2K please contact us.
Jermayn’s last blog post..Bringing the wrong culture to the church
March 19th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Hears Mikes top 50 for this year.
I really cannot see why and how Chad Cornes can be top 10. He is the biggest and softest cherry picker in the AFL. I have not seen him win one hard ball in a contest yet.
In looking at the list. Its surprising to see Collingwood with their highest rated player at 26 (Cloke) and with the Eagles no player after Glass (11). btw I would prefer Glass than Scarlett any day. Dean Cox at 3 I am sure will generate some interest.
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April 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I have looked at this book in the book stores and it looks AMAZING!!!
In regards to the top 50 Mike lists, he goes into quite a lot of detail detailing the person, their history and achievements.
Jermayn’s last blog post..No Matter What it Takes - Jeremy Camp