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Shiny Penny
This is why I love these discussions. There can be such diverse opinion and often a subjective player preference will sway your choice.
30k Posts
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Collingwood - Tyler Brown Player Sponsor 2020
Collingwood Magpies - Brayden Sier 2019 Player Sponsor
Collingwood - Jaidyn Stephenson Player Sponsor 2018
Collingwood Board Goal Kicking Tip Comp
Collingwood - Matthew Scharenberg Player Sponsor 2017
Shiny Penny
It is a fascinating discussion, exactly.
Just on Pert; I had no hesitation including him in the Brissy/Fitz team where I felt he was at his peak. I didn’t think he was as impressive at the Pies and Presti was a better negator. So, not forgotten but just not my preference at Collingwood.
Some old second tier stars included that I chose to leave out. Loved Harmsey but I squeezed him out to accomodate others (perhaps unfairly). I couldn’t leave Simpson out who has been consistently your most impressive player over the past decade. As for Sheldon and Buckley - I’m not seeing best 22 myself. Bench spots wouldn’t be unwarranted though.
No, Harmesy is a complete automatic. This is a guy that could dominate from backline as unique intercepting small back pocket with pace, hardness and skill. But he could also play in centre as well with destruction like he did in 1981 grand final. Mark and goal of day on grand final day from there. Less often but also just as effective, he could play up forward when required and tear a team to shreds as he did to Hawks in 1982 Qualifying final with 4 goals in around 5 minutes.
Ratten was eased into league football from backline but he was never a top liner there like Harmes. Des English and Curly Austin even more suited to back pocket than Ratts but ultimately none of those two other top liner back pocket specialists made my team. Ratts as part of engine room rotations makes the 22 for me. Back pocket very secondary role if really needed.
SOS can play equally well in either key position. In fact the year he came second or third in Brownlow he was playing centre half back most weeks. He just played on the best key forward whether they centre half forward like a Carey or Loewe or full forward if Lockett, Ablett or Dunstall there. But the reality was Southby was also a supreme full back. At first I wondered myself whether Southby played long enough in 80's to include him but he did in fact play to 1984 I just had to have him. He got injured just before both grand finals in 1981 and 82 so missed them and easy to forget he was still a super full back in early 80's. Southby, David Dench and Kelvin Moore the best full backs of late 70's into early 80's. The stiff one missing out with me including Southby is Val Perovic. If SOS was full back could easily play Perovic centre half back but in end had him emergency.
I did not overlook him. Just could not squeeze him in. Like Camporeale he not far off but balance of team make up, he did not make it. Certainly been more pivotal than Matthew Lappin and Betts because they could only play up forward but at same time Murphy has not played enough forward pocket for me to pick him in 22 there. If he is not part of midfield rotations he does not make it. He probably competes with Ratten for midfield rotations from bench but just prefer Ratts there. If he was to play a lot more forward pocket in 2019 I could make a case for him to be a roving and forward pocket rotations but when push comes to shove Jimmy Buckley gets my nod to be more capable of that role and as classy as Murphy can be, it is not superior to Buckley. They about equal on that front. Not sure Murphy ever was close to player of year in a league season. If he was around 2009 to 2011 maybe I could revisit the Murphy v Buckley spot in 22. Buckley was one of players of year in a premiership year of 1982. Not sure Murphy quite reached those heights. But like I said if he has a year where he plays 40% midfield and 60% forward and pulls off an a top class 2019 season that way, I would just about include him. Buckley just has a bit more vigour and pluck with his class to get nod at this stage. End of 2019 happy to re-visit and consider Murphy.
You’ll notice I’ve amended my team to include Harmes based on this discussion (which is what this is all about). It was difficult to leave him out initially. It’s still a close call though. With Ratten, like Sewell in a BP for Hawks, i chose quality ahead of specialist players if I thought they could do the role. However, I think Ratten could be ideal off the bench now to slot into numerous roles.
My feeling on Johnson is that his best years were at Richmond where he became a bit more than just a role player. Douglas has had some prolific years at your cub disposal-wise while also contributing well off the ball, and for over twice as many games. I actually rate the quality of McDermott and A Jarman above Johnson for similar games played for Adelaide.
Fair enough
I had Wells in this team up until a few years ago. After much debate with other North supporters and consideration of the careers of other fringe best-team players I removed him. If you look at earlier posts in this thread I think I even argued for his inclusion based on 2 BnFs. In the end I went with Larkin based on his consistent contribution as the main midfield driver during a low ebb for the club. So, yes, Wells is unlucky.
No spot for him. Ken Hunter, Doull, Andrew McKay and Wayne Harmes locks to fill all the four back flanks and pockets. Very good player though.
Before reading the post from Footyfan above I was going to ask who you’d bump from the team. Hunter McKay and Doull would be the like-for-like swaps but Dean had limitations that none of those 3 had. Emergency is a perfect role I reckon. As for the Port players... I’m only going from the ongoing competition that morphed from VFL to AFL.
