Capper and TOTC

[BayesysLeftBoot]

When I first heard about Capper's little hissy fit over being ommited from the swans TOTC I had a bit laugh to myself and generally agreed with the notion that he didn't quite make the grade. However I was watching Fox Footy a couple of weeks ago with the old man, It was a old Swans v Geelong match from the eighties. Capper was at full forward taking marks left, right and centre. Sure he looked ridiculous in his tight shorts and white boots but it occured to me that I had actually forgotten just how good he was. After this I dug out some of the old videos from the eighties to make sure the match I was watching wasn't just a one off, sure enough there was Capper dominating match after match. I know a lot of people will disagree but surely Capper deserved a place on the bench in place of Wright, Cresswell or Murphy.

[Charlie]

The three you mentioned performed admirably over a decade. Capper had 2 good years, and even they were with the likes of Healy, Williams, Toohey, Bayes, Wright, Morwood and Mitchell supplying him from further up the ground.

[bricon]

Re: Capper and TOTC

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
surely Capper deserved a place on the bench in place of Wright, Cresswell or Murphy.

Capper was a specialist full forward, who was a great mark but a lousy kick (anything over about 35 metres was iffy) and (apart from leading) could barely run. If he were to be selected in the TOTC it would have had to be as a full forward.

He wasn't the Swans best full forward, so he shouldn't be selected in the TOTC.

[Dooloo]

Capper was very one dimensional. It would be a fool who would put him at full forward ahead of greats like Bob Pratt and Plugger. Unfortunately he did himself no favours by deserting to Brisbane. In the long run, he only had 2 good years.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Dooloo
Unfortunately he did himself no favours by deserting to Brisbane.

That's not really the case, sure he left the club, but the $800,000 the Bears gave us more than made up our decision to let him.

On Capper, yes he gave us good service in 86 and 87 but to put him ahead of Pratt and Lockett would be crazy and to put him on the bench would of been touch and go.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

I'm not saying he should be put at full forward, I just think maybe a place on the bench ahead of Wright or Cressa. He did have two great seasons, but don't forget he was also good with the swans through some bad patches where the service from up the ground wasn't quite so good.

Also I think they should have made the number of games played for the swans to get into the team of the century a bit higher, Gerard Healy was a good player, but I don't really look back on him as a great "swans player", same with williams to a certain extent.

[bricon]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
I'm not saying he should be put at full forward, I just think maybe a place on the bench ahead of Wright or Cressa.

Capper was a specialist full forward, he could not have played in any other positiom; suggesting him as a "bench" player in the TOTC makes no sense.

[CureTheSane]

Most would like to see his name up there in the TOC, but in reality, he just didn't fit the criteria.
That simple.

I'd love to see Wazza post here, he at least would have the balls to post instead of just reading the board....

[Charlie]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
I'm not saying he should be put at full forward, I just think maybe a place on the bench ahead of Wright or Cressa. He did have two great seasons, but don't forget he was also good with the swans through some bad patches where the service from up the ground wasn't quite so good.

Also I think they should have made the number of games played for the swans to get into the team of the century a bit higher, Gerard Healy was a good player, but I don't really look back on him as a great "swans player", same with williams to a certain extent.

Well, the mimimum number of games was 75. Capper played 83.

And his other years weren't that great. He led the goalkicking 4 times - the two big years, 1984 (39 goals) and 1985 (45). A reasonable return, yes, but not performances you would point at as a supporting argument for TOTC inclusion.

He was a shooting star who was brilliant and dazzling at his peak - but his peak was far too short.

[cos789]

I'm a Capper fan but I have to agree the above comments if we are judging on purely footballing criteria .However I think he should be recognised in some other way .He was so important in lifting the profile of the Swans in a then hostile media environment ,not to mention putting bums on seats and getting some critical cash flow .Whenever he went near the ball there was a general air of expectancy around the ground .People forget too that he usually consumed 2 defenders allowing Tony Morwood an easier ride .

[Doctor J.]

A Capper fan I most certainly am, and I will defend his efforts to the end of the earth. But a member of the TOTC I think not. In no way can you put him ahead of Lockett and Pratt, so there just aint a spot for him.

Geez Mark Browning didn't get in the team, but you don't hear him having a hissy.

As for Capper leaving the club, I don't think he really had a choice. THe club (private owners) needed the money for payment of the licence fee due to the AFL, and the transfer fee paid by Brisbane went straight to the AFL

[Wardy]

Well, I remember seeing the golden haired one playing against Carlton at Princes Park (none of the Optus oval crap) in 1986 and at that game The amazing Bruce Doule was matched up with him.
Now Capper had a blinder that day, was taking screamers all over the show and made Doule look very ordinary.
From memory that was the first time he had ever played on him.

However in the return match (In Sydney back in the days when clubs played each other twice!) there was no way that the "flying Door mat" would take such crap again - he made Capper look like a school boy who hadnt a clue.

And to think that Doule was a good 15 years older than him.

Capper was certainly a man with talent, sadly he didnt have the mental capacity to utilise that talent and truly turn himself into a powerhouse like the fantastic Tony Lockett or the even god like Gary Ablett. Most people just remember Capper for the shorts & for being as thick as sh.t!!!! (perhaps thats being a bit harsh!)

[BayesysLeftBoot]

After taking all your arguments into account, you're probably right about him not quite deserving a place in the TOTC. He was a great player at his best but not consistent enough. However I'm still not thrilled about Healy or Williams being in.