As a comparison, Cyril Rioli won premierships, starred in 2015’s decider, and did freakish things weekly. He’s only just on the list. Garry Wilson was probably the best rover in the comp when the Krakouers debuted. I’ve only just re-included him.
Gray was on the list 12 months or so ago and would be literally a handful of spots back. Again, my somewhat subjective take on watching players for 45 years, is that Isaac Heeney is producing a level of quality that impresses me marginally more than the consistent season upon season career of Gray. However, somewhat objectively, I needed to see it shown to the degree he had over that last 2-3 years rather than in flashes. A season of rubbish in 2025 would tarnish that view without a doubt. I also want this list to be dynamically changing rather than just based on end of career status. Heeney and Merrett are in the conversation as best players in the comp at present and thoroughly deserve consideration at this point. But I also recognise that others would prefer Gray, Wayne Johnston, Rance, or even Tony Shaw. Again, you might be right in that I’ve jumped the gun on Heeney. But his level of performance has been eye-catching and I feel like he’s found his mojo as an elite footballer. Let’s see how it pans out over the next few years. I’ll be fully hands up in acknowledgement of my misreading of this if he falls off a cliff
There is definitely an argument for choosing West. As similar players he definitely has the greater span of elite years. No question. I’d argue though, that Jobe’s peak performing years were superior to West’s. The number of team lifting games he inspired were eye-catching. West went about his business in a super-consistent way of which I admire massively but he was a beige player and at their peak I’d choose Jobe. Again, this is my subjective take, and I have absolutely no issue in others objectively preferring West. Also, Jobe’s BnF total would definitely have been 2, or even 3, more if not for injury. 2011, 2013 and 2014 he missed games despite consistently being his side’s best player when fit. I think it was probably the ability to will himself upon a contest at crucial times in a game that sways me as much as anything.
Betts was on the list for several years and is another who is in the cusp of entry. I’m probably doing a disservice to him by leaving him out but I’m not so sure it would be at the expense of Mercs. Sure, Mercs’ aesthetically pleasing style counts for a lot here but, as you highlight, it’s backed up by some outstanding finals contributions and one of the best single midfield maestro years we’ve seen. It’s a shame things fell away for him after 2000 but that doesn’t detract from the level he did reach and the impact he had in a successful era. In terms of aesthetically gifted players, is he any less deserving than the universally acclaimed Robbie Flower who only won one BnF and didn’t have many notable big game heroics or other major awards/accolades? I like to romanticise the wizardry of gifted players but they need some substance to their careers too. Mercs definitely had that, and I’d argue that Flower’s longevity as a talismanic presence in a woeful club culture is also substantial. There’s no way in hell I’d leave Flower off this list, at this stage, and Mercs is not out of his league in this respect.
