The Legends' 50 Greatest

Perhaps in light of Australian Rules Football celebrating 150 years of existence The Melbourne Age has assembled a panel of Aussie rules greats to deliberate and settle on a list of the 50 best ever individual footy players in the game’s history. After that they intend to whittle that list down to a top ten.
Naturally no one is old enough to remember 150 years worth of players, of which about 11,000 played at top level. So one of the weighty problems confronting the panel is the tendency of the new to push aside the old to the point where the oldies are completely overlooked. (Ah what dilemmas they have down under.) So that explains why the ages of the respective panel members reads a bit like the batting statistics in a test match. Ken Hands is 81, Bob Davis 80, Tom Hafey 76, Ron Carter 75 and Ron Barassi is 72. (Wow I guess we're all getting older too!) All retain either an active connection with, or at the very least are devoted observers of, the modern game. Yet they are of sufficient vintage to have firsthand memories of football as far back as the 1930s.

The legends' 50 greatest (in alphabetical order)

GARY ABLETT
(Hawthorn 1982, 6 games; Geelong 1984-96, 242 games)
A latter-day legend, Ablett snr made the most of his second chance at league football with the Cats. Freakish skills and goal sense enabled him to boot prodigious tallies even from a wing. Dominated the 1989 finals series with 27 goals and a Norm Smith Medal, won three Coleman Medals and was an All-Australian seven times.
DARREL BALDOCK
(St Kilda 1962-68, 119 games)
St Kilda's only premiership captain, and an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, "the Doc" led the Saints for six seasons and won three best-and-fairest awards. Although his career was comparatively short, Baldock won a huge reputation as an undersized but tremendously skilled and courageous centre half-forward.
RON BARASSI
(Melbourne 1953-64, 204 games; Carlton 1965-69, 50 games)
An AFL Hall of Fame Legend, his is possibly the biggest and most enduring name the game has produced.
A strong, determined and courageous two-time best-andfairest ruck-rover with Melbourne, Barassi played in six Demon flags, then coached the Blues to their first for 23 years in 1968. Went on to become a coaching legend.
KEVIN BARTLETT
(Richmond 1965-83, 403 games)
A natural rover, quick and skilled, later a dangerous goalkicking half-forward, "Hungry's" durability made him the first player to pass the 400-game mark. The AFL Hall of Fame Legend won five Richmond best-and-fairest awards and played in five flags with the Tigers, winning the Norm Smith Medal for his seven-goal 1980 grand final performance.
MALCOLM BLIGHT
(North Melbourne 1974-82, 178 games)
Prodigiously talented forward and ruck-rover, the high-leaping and beautiful-kicking South Australian was a pivotal part of North's first two premierships in 1975 and 1977. He won the 1978 Brownlow Medal and kicked 103 goals and won the Coleman Medal in 1982. Later a dual premiership coach with Adelaide.
FRANCIS BOURKE
(Richmond 1967-81, 300 games)
A member of Richmond's famous premiership centre line along with Billy Barrot and Dick Clay, Bourke was a champion wingman and later defender, renowned for his tremendous courage and ability to play with pain. Played in five flags, was captain for two years and later coached the club.
NATHAN BUCKLEY
(Brisbane Bears 1993, 20 games; Collingwood 1994-2007, 260 games)
One of the modern greats, the Magpie legend was a gifted and strong onballer, a penetrating kick, dangerous near goal and a great leader. Was already an accomplished senior player in the SANFL on debut with Brisbane, then climbed to greatness with the Magpies, winning six bestand- fairest awards.
HAYDN BUNTON
(Fitzroy 1931-37 and 1942, 119 games)
Triple Brownlow medallist and AFL Hall of Fame Legend who won the first of his medals at only 19. The champion rover for Fitzroy during the Depression years was a brilliant runner, prolific kick-winner and a pioneer in the art of constructive handball.
BARRY CABLE
(North Melbourne 1970 and 1974-77, 115 games)
Champion West Australian rover had an immediate impact in one year with the Kangaroos, then again when lured back under the coaching of Ron Barassi, playing in two North premierships. Highly skilled little man, one of the finest exponents of handball the game has produced.
WAYNE CAREY
(North Melbourne 1989-2001, 244 games; Adelaide 2003-04, 28 games)
One of the greatest players in the game's history, "the Duck" was a superb centre half-forward, strong, aggressive, a beautiful mark and kick and an inspiring captain of two premiership sides.
Four-time best-and-fairest winner and seven-time All-Australian.
HORRIE CLOVER
(Carlton 1920-24 and 1926-31, 147 games)
An outstanding centre halfforward for the Blues, who kicked 13 against St Kilda in his debut season, Clover topped the VFL goalkicking in 1922 and Carlton's on six occasions. A superb high mark, Clover captain-coached the Blues in two separate stints, only illness keeping him out in 1925.
JOHN COLEMAN
(Essendon 1949-54, 98 games)
Perhaps the greatest full-forward in history, Coleman is an AFL Hall of Fame Legend despite playing fewer than 100 games. A freakish high mark, excellent kick and good at ground level, Coleman kicked 12 goals on debut and topped the VFL goalkicking four times. Career ended prematurely by knee injury in 1954.
BEN COUSINS
(West Coast 1996-2007, 238 games)
Champion West Australian onballer famed for his endurance and possession-winning ability, Cousins won the 2005 Brownlow Medal and was a pivotal part of the Eagles' 2006 premiership. Career might have been ended controversially by club suspension and deregistering by the AFL for drug abuse.
GORDON COVENTRY
(Collingwood 1920-37, 306 games)
Magpie great and AFL Hall of Fame Legend, Coventry held the league all-time goalkicking record for 62 years. Was the first man to kick 100 goals in a season and booted 50 or more 13 years straight. Strong and a superb mark, a part of five Collingwood premiership teams.
DAVID DENCH
(North Melbourne 1969-84, 275 games)
One of the great modern fullbacks, an attacking defender whose judgement was faultless. Won a best-and-fairest award at 19, captained his side as a 20-year-old and was acting skipper when the Kangaroos won the 1977 premiership. Won North's best-and-fairest trophy four times.
BRUCE DOULL
(Carlton 1969-86, 356 games)
A Carlton legend and one of the most popular players of his time, Doull drove forwards to despair with his close checking and brilliant rebound from half-back. He seldom, if ever, made mistakes. Was a four-time bestand- fairest award winner and played in four premierships.
JASON DUNSTALL
(Hawthorn 1985-98, 269 games)
Another of the great goalkickers, brilliant on the lead and with vicelike hands, Dunstall was the focal point of the great Hawthorn sides of the 1980s. Won three Coleman Medals, four best-andfairest awards, topped 100 goals six times, was a four-time All-Australian and played in four premiership sides.
JACK DYER
(Richmond 1931-49, 312 games)
"Captain Blood" is an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, and a name instantly associated with the game. Dyer was a tough, fearless but skilled ruckman who was a fine mark and had an excellent football brain. Played in the 1934 premiership and captain-coached the Tigers to the 1943 flag, won six best-and-fairest awards and led Victoria.
GRAHAM FARMER
(Geelong 1962-67, 101 games)
Made a huge impact in a relatively short VFL career, his deeds in his native Western Australia helping him win AFL Hall of Fame Legend status. A masterful ruckman, Farmer's spearing, accurate handball helped revolutionise the game. Won two best-and-fairest awards and was part of the Cats' 1963 flag side.
ROYCE HART
(Richmond 1967-77, 187 games)
One of the great centre halfforwards, the Tasmanian was a standout in the Tigers' best teams. Possessed a great leap, vice-like hands, was a penetrating kick and had tremendous balance and recovery. Won two best-andfairest awards and played in four Richmond premierships, serving as captain in two.
REG HICKEY
(Geelong 1926-40, 245 games)
A champion centre half-back for the Cats, tough, fast and adaptable, Hickey was good with either foot and was an attacking and creative defender. Was part of the 1931 premiership and captaincoached the 1937 flag-winning team. Won two best-and-fairest awards and captained Victoria. Also coached the Cats to their 1951 and '52 flags.
JAMES HIRD
(Essendon 1992-2007, 253 games)
One of the modern masters, Hird was an inspirational leader for the Bombers, courageous and with silky skills and tremendous vision either in attack or on the ball. Won the 1996 Brownlow Medal and five best-and-fairest awards, played in two flags - the second as captain - and was an All-Australian five times.
PETER HUDSON
(Hawthorn 1967-74 and 1977, 129 games)
Could be the greatest full-forward, certainly on figures, with a goalsper- game average of 5.59. Strong-bodied, with tremendous judgement and an accurate kick, Hudson topped 100 goals five times, won two best-and-fairest awards, played in the 1971 flag and recovered from serious knee injury to kick 100 a final time in 1977 at age 31.
BILL HUTCHISON
(Essendon 1942-57, 290 games)
Brilliant Bomber rover, an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, who had explosive pace, great endurance and was an exceptional kick. A dual Brownlow medallist, Hutchison was a seven-time bestand- fairest award winner, played in four premierships and was an All-Australian three times.
ALEX JESAULENKO
(Carlton 1967-79, 256 games; St Kilda 1980-81, 23 games)
Jesaulenko, an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, was a human excitement machine whose athleticism allowed him to take spectacular grabs and play the ball as if on a string. A natural sportsman, "Jezza" was among the club's most popular players. He won four premierships and was the league's most recent captaincoach to win a premiership.
STEPHEN KERNAHAN
(Carlton 1986-97, 251 games)
Kernahan was a powerful centre half-forward and inspiring leader who took the Blues to a premiership in his first season as captain and another in 1995. He was an excellent mark, athletic for his height and always led by example, topping the club's goalkicking for 11 seasons. Holds record for most AFL games as captain and was named as captain of the Blues' Team of the Century.
ALLAN LA FONTAINE
(Melbourne 1934-42 and 1945, 171 games)
La Fontaine was recruited as an all-conquering full-forward but moved to dominate the centre for Melbourne. A smart and swift player who weaved out of trouble by watching the feet of his opponents. As captain for six seasons, he led the club to three straight flags from 1939 and was best-and-fairest winner four times.
DICK LEE
(Collingwood 1906-22, 230 games)
A high-flying mark who could kick a goal from any angle, Lee was the league's leading goalkicker a staggering 10 times. He persisted through constant injury problems during his career. Lee captained the side for two seasons and represented Victoria 19 times. He was named in Collingwood's Team of the Century.
TONY LOCKETT
(St Kilda 1983-94, 183 games; Sydney 1995-99, 2002, 98 games)
Lockett was a goalkicking machine, strong and a terrific mark. A four-time Coleman medallist and, in 1987, the first fullforward to win a Brownlow Medal, he holds the record for the most AFL goals, 1357, including 16 straight against Fitzroy in 1995. Won two best-and-fairest awards at St Kilda and one at Sydney.
SIMON MADDEN
(Essendon 1974-92, 378 games)
A champion ruckman with rare endurance, Madden was a handy part-time forward who could gain leverage off his opponent's body. He won four best-and-fairest awards, a Norm Smith Medal in 1985 and captained Victoria. He won premierships in 1984 and 1985, and played some of his best footy under pressure in big games.
LEIGH MATTHEWS
(Hawthorn 1969-85, 332 games)
A stout and muscular rover who was as tough on his own body as he was on opponents, famously breaking the behind post at Windy Hill, Matthews kicked 915 goals in his career, the highest of any non-full-forward. He also polled the most Brownlow Medal votes of any player not to win one. But he did win four flags and eight best-and-fairest awards.
DAVE McNAMARA
(St Kilda 1905-09, 1914-15, 1918-19 and 1921-23, 122 games)
A powerful giant at centre halfforward, McNamara helped the Saints to their first finals series in 1907. Despite a relationship with the club fractured by injury, war and personal disputes, he was captain in 1914 and 1923 and coached in 1913 and '14 and from 1922-23, later becoming president.
KEVIN MURRAY
(Fitzroy 1955-64 and 1967-74, 333 games)
Known as "Bulldog", Murray was a defender and later a ruck-rover, who won Fitzroy's best-and-fairest award an astounding nine times and played for Victoria 24 times. He had an exceptional football brain that carried him through a staggering 18 seasons and injury, winning him a Brownlow Medal in 1969 at age 31, a season in which he wore a back brace.
JOHN NICHOLLS
(Carlton 1957-74, 328 games)
One of the greatest ruckmen, Nicholls, an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, was a man mountain who had an imposing presence, a quick mind and played tough. He could pass or hit the ball with either hand. He played for Victoria a record 31 times, won five bestand- fairest awards, and won three flags in 1968, 1970 and 1972, all as captain, the latter as captain-coach.
BOB PRATT
(South Melbourne 1930-39 and 1946, 158 games)
A champion full-forward who could climb into the sky, Pratt was the centrepiece for one of the most skilled teams in football history. He remains the jointholder of the record for most goals kicked in a season, 150. An AFL Hall of Fame Legend, Pratt played in South's 1933 premiership team.
JOHN RANTALL
(South Melbourne 1963-72 and 1976-79, 260 games; North Melbourne 1973-75, 70 games; Fitzroy 1980, 6 games)
Rantall was a half-back flanker with extraordinary instincts and silky skills, which allowed him to beat opponents of all statures. He left South to play in a premiership at North in 1975, containing the formidable Leigh Matthews in the grand final, before returning to the Swans.
JACK REGAN
(Collingwood 1930-41, 1943 and 1946, 196 games)
Known as the "prince of fullbacks", Regan took on some of the game's best full-forwards, most famously South Melbourne's prolific goalkicker Bob Pratt. With great running speed and a long kick, Regan was the Magpies' best-and-fairest winner in 1936 and captain in 1940-41 and 1943. He played in premierships in 1935-36.
DICK REYNOLDS
(Essendon 1933-51, 320 games)
Known to supporters as "King Richard", Reynolds was a threetime Brownlow medallist and fourtime premiership captain-coach. He was a courageous rover with superb skills who was widely considered the best player of his era. Reynolds is an AFL Hall of Fame legend and was named by Essendon as its greatest player.
BOB ROSE
(Collingwood 1946-55, 152 games)
A Magpie legend, Rose was a superb rover with skills and courage in equal quantities. A fierce competitor and all-round sportsman, he won the club's best-and-fairest award four times and was its leading goalkicker in 1953, the same year he played in a premiership. Was named in the Magpies' Team of the Century.
WAYNE SCHIMMELBUSCH
(North Melbourne 1973-87, 306 games)
A courageous wingman who was quick on his feet, Schimmelbusch was highly talented and could play in many positions. Was part of the Roos' most successful era, playing in 29 finals, winning premierships in 1975 and 1977. He was captain from 1979 until his retirement in 1987.
STEPHEN SILVAGNI
(Carlton 1985-2001, 312 games)
Silvagni was named in 1996 at full-back in the AFL Team of the Century. A close-checking defender, he held Gary Ablett, Wayne Carey and Darryl White to a combined tally of one goal in the Blues' successful 1995 finals campaign. He played in two flags, twice won the best-and-fairest award and was also dangerous when switched to the forward line.
BOB SKILTON
(South Melbourne 1956-71, 237 games)
A fearless roving dynamo who could kick with either foot, Skilton was also a goalsneak who topped the Swans' goalkicking three times. He was club best-andfairest an amazing nine times, won three Brownlow Medals and was captain for a decade. He was named captain of the Swans' Team of the Century and is an AFL Hall of Fame legend.
GEOFF SOUTHBY
(Carlton 1971-84, 268 games)
An attacking full-back who streamed out from defence or kicked long, Southby was a star in his first season, winning a bestand- fairest trophy, then another the following year. One of the greatest full-backs of the modern era, he regularly made the competition's best full-forwards look ordinary and played in two premierships, in 1972 and 1979.
IAN STEWART
(St Kilda 1963-70, 127 games; Richmond, 1971-75, 78 games)
A three-time Brownlow medallist and AFL Hall of Fame Legend. Stewart was renowned for his marking while backing into packs. He had exceptional skills to spot his teammates in battle and predict their movements, executing perfect foot passes. He played in premiership sides at both clubs.
MICHAEL TUCK
(Hawthorn 1972-91, 426 games)
Tuck played a record number of VFL/AFL games as a full-forward, winger and defender before finding his niche as a ruck-rover. Was second in the Hawks' best-andfairest award six times. Lean but deceptively athletic, Tuck had exceptional ball skills and could run all day. He played in an unmatched 11 grand finals, winning seven flags, four as captain.
MICHAEL VOSS
(Brisbane 1992-2006, 289 games)
A creative user of the ball and admired for his inspirational leadership, Voss was captain at 21. A midfielder and forward with superb reflexes, he won a Brownlow Medal in 1996 and was club best-and-fairest winner five times. He led the all-conquering Lions to three consecutive premierships from 2001-03.
DOUG WADE
(Geelong 1961-72, 208 games; North Melbourne, 1973-75, 59 games)
Wade was a high-flying goalkicker who could launch a massive long punt. The winner of four Coleman Medals, Wade topped Geelong's goalkicking every season except one, won a best-and-fairest award, and played in its 1963 flag team. He also won a flag with North Melbourne in 1975.
TED WHITTEN
(Footscray 1951-70, 321 games)
Known as "Mr Football", Whitten, an AFL Hall of Fame Legend, is regarded as the most talented all-round footballer of his era and in 1996 was named captain of the AFL Team of the Century. An accurate kick and perfect mark, he was at his best at centre halfforward or centre half-back. Was club champion five times and played in the 1954 premiership.
GREG WILLIAMS
(Geelong 1984-85, 34 games; Sydney 1986-91, 107 games; Carlton 1992-97, 109 games)
Known as "Diesel" because he was a tough, prime mover of the ball, Williams was one of the elite of his era and a regular at the tribunal. Having won Brownlows at Sydney and Carlton, he went on to take a Norm Smith Medal in Carlton's 1995 flag side. He was an All-Australian six times.
GARRY WILSON
(Fitzroy 1971-84, 268 games)
A lithe rover who displayed fearlessness that cost him several bad thumps to the head, including one that broke his jaw and led him to wear a headguard. Despite his small frame, Wilson was considered one of the game's most hard-working and technically gifted players, winning the club's best-and-fairest award five times and skippering it from 1981-84.
THE NEAR MISSES . . .
Jack Clarke
Syd Coventry
Peter Daicos
Bert Deacon
Carl Ditterich
Fred Fanning
Robert Flower
Robert Harvey
Glen Jakovich
Chris Mainwaring
Peter Matera
Andrew McLeod
Jack Mueller
Laurie Nash
John Platten
Bernie Quinlan
Bernie Smith
Albert Thurgood

I too have my reservations. Don’t they know that Krakouer Brothers is Noongar for George Best?

(Players' biographical information from club websites and The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers)