Team of the century

[Jimmy C]

Originally posted by Nico
so he must have been vey adept at the high mark to kick as many as he did.

Some say he was an absolute freak, and one of the best high marks ever seen. I don't think you can get past his 150 goals in one season for the FF position where TOTC is concerned.

[Gunn]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
This was the team of the century I (and my dad) put together last year:

B: B. Kelly A. Dunkley J. Cleary
HB: P. Roos F. Goldsmith J. Rantall
C: H. Matthews G. Williams L. Nash
HF: P. Bedford R. Clegg V. Castles
F: P. Kelly(c) T. Lockett B. Pratt
R: G. Teasdale G. Healey B. Skilton(vc)

Int: B. Round W. Williams T. Whitfield R. Cazaly


Others I considered, but left out:
M. O'Loughlin D. Murphy H. Clarke R. Quade R.Carter T. Morwood D. Carroll D. Rhys Jones D. Ackerley I. Roberts M. Bayes D. Cresswell W. Schwass S. Wright B. Toohey M. Neagle M. Browning J. Graham B. Evans B. Mitchell

I agree with all you left out. I would play Pratt at FF. Lockett was very capable of playing FP when he started with us. In his younger days he was a very athletic and capable CHF,

Goldsmith at FB. Dunkley out. Clegg to CHB (an excellent CHB he was) You might remember Billy GUNN played at CHF Whilst Clegg played either Centre of CHB. As good as Bill Gunn was I would have to go with Laurie Nash at CHF. I have no idea about Castles. I have never even heard of him. :-/ I would definitely try and find a place for Max Papley. The HFF would suit him fine. Castles out.

Gunn

[NMWBloods]

To cover a few comments.

I wrote my team a year ago. When I started to respond to this thread it was initially to say that no way would Dunkley get a spot as Goldsmith and Clegg would lock up the two key backline positions. Then I dug out my old team and noticed how it went - reckon I'd consider changing it now.

As for Nash, I agree he was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, player to ever pull on a Swans jersey. He was actually capable of playing anywhere on the field. My dad absolutely raves about him.

No problem with the adjustments of Dunkley out, Goldsmith to FB, Clegg to CHB and Pratt to CHF.

Fine to put Billy Gunn in. Vin Castles, from what I can remember being told, was a quality half forward - very mobile and fast.

As for Papley - put him in if you can guarantee he will be in "I feel like playing" mode!

For the forward line, I like Plugger as FF as he is the bulkier one, but I think they are quite interchangeable. The magic of Pratt was the timing of his leap. He had an enormous jump, plus he timed it such that he was already on the way up when his opponent would begin his jump, hence giving Pratt an extra boost. He was able to do this with sensational regularity.

In terms of captaincy - my dad preferred Skilton and I leaned that way as well. I think I picked Kelly simply to keep some of the modern supporters happy, although I can't recall. Difficult comparison.

As for coach, I knew there was someone key I was forgetting in the late 1960s/early 1970s, but couldn't for the life of me remember who - Norm Smith, of course!!

In terms of rucks, there were really only three to choose from that I knew of. I was a bit undecided between Round and Graham, and went for the former, but could just as easily gone for the latter.

Interesting exercise anyway.

[Jimmy C]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
In terms of captaincy - my dad preferred Skilton and I leaned that way as well. I think I picked Kelly simply to keep some of the modern supporters happy, although I can't recall. Difficult comparison.

My Dad and yours could (probably) have a beer and waffle about the chimp for hours (interestingly, my father in law played on the chimp ((for Hawthorn's reserves)) and ironned him out). My leanings are the same as yours. Funk the modernists-its the Team Of The Century for Allah's sake Kelly for VC. Anything else is sacrilege. The only compromise would be to name them as Co-Captains imo.

Pratt and Plugger ARE interchangeable (depending on whether its Fletcher or Leppa at FB), but as a Vic-based supporter who considers and respects the history of the club, I just can't go past Pratt at FF with Plugger in the pocket.

[Benevolent Ert]

The spine almost picks itself:

Goldsmith
Clegg
G. Williams
Nash
Pratt

Skilton a certainty for rover and captain
Plugger in a FP
Kelly and Bedford in the midfield somewhere

I think these are the only players who are certainties

Ruckman??? Cazaly perhaps? maybe Barry Round
I don't think Teasdale will get #1 ruck as he alternated between ruck and chf - maybe a spot on the bench for Teaser

[NMWBloods]

Ruckman??? Cazaly perhaps? maybe Barry Round
I don't think Teasdale will get #1 ruck as he alternated between ruck and chf - maybe a spot on the bench for Teaser

In his Brownlow year he was primarily a ruckman.