In your OPINION.........

[goswannies]

'2' It looks like a swan.

While Greg Williams and Nick Davis both wore 2, how about the other Davis' number?

Didn't Nick's dad, Craig, wear number 60 for the Swans? With stuffed knees and numerous other physical ailments, he put his body on the line to come out of retirement (well he was the club's runner at the time) and bolster a depleted forwardline to help out his good friend, T-shirt Tommy, kicking 17 goals in 9 matches. Surely that number 60 embodies the committment of the Bloods?

[BigD]

There can be no doubt that it has to be 14, worn by the two greatest Swans of all time in Skilton & Kelly. Although arguments could also be made for 4(Lockett), 31(Kirky) and 24(Bolton).

[AnnieH]

"Time" will say 37.

[goswannie14]

There can be no doubt that it has to be 14, worn by the two greatest Swans of all time in Skilton & Kelly. Although arguments could also be made for 4(Lockett), 31(Kirky) and 24(Bolton).

You forgot the greatest full forward of them all, Bob Pratt.

[connolly]

You forgot the greatest full forward of them all, Bob Pratt.

Possibly not. Gordon Coventry said that the greatest full forward if he had played regularly in that position was Laurie Nash. Nash kicked 17 goals against South Australia and said with typical modesty that it would have been 37 if the rovers had passed to him. There is a strong argument that Nash was the greatest footballer to play for the Bloods. He was best man on the ground in the 1933 Grand Final at centre half back where he dominated the game and initiated attacks with thirteen marks and twenty nine kicks. He played with two fractured fingers that had broken two weeks before the match and would have kept most footballers on the sidelines for six weeks.He was described by Jack Dyer as pound for pound the best footballer he ever saw. Nash was such a combatative competitor. He broke the jaw of a South African batsman on a hat-trick ball ball while taking seven wickets on the Hobart Oval. He should have been picked against the Jardine poms in the bodyline series. Victor Richardson pleaded with the selectors to pick him but the establishment hoped to appease rather than fight fire with fire. There is one other story about Nash which indicates his greatness. In the bloodbath grand final in the final quarter after Carlton had bashed their way to a winning margin, Nash on the lead saw Carlton's main knuckle man Chitty lining him up. Nash hit him with what was described by South old timers as the sweetest punch ever thrown on the football field. Chitty a serial thug who had flattened little Billy Williams in the first quarter received his evener and was knocked unconscious for the first time in his career. Nash played that game as thirty five year old and in the twilight of a wonderful career still kicked 59 goals for the season. Nash was simply an outstanding footballer, cricketer and man who had a strong sense of justice. He defied authority all his life and has never been given his due. Number 25.

[AnnieH]

Hate to dampen your enthusiasm here kiddies, but Tony Lockett was/is the greatest FF of all time. In my books, the one with the highest number of goals at the end of his career, is the winner.

[smasher]

As much as the number 14 has been worn by two outstanding swannies,you can't beat number 4 when worn by the man himself PLUGGER.We used to have a little Swans footy man wearing the number 4 standing proudly on our birthday cake.When plugger handed the number on so did mum hand on the doll.Into a box up in the attic.

[goswannie14]

Possibly not. Gordon Coventry said that the greatest full forward if he had played regularly in that position was Laurie Nash......Nash was simply an outstanding footballer, cricketer and man who had a strong sense of justice. He defied authority all his life and has never been given his due. Number 25.

I agree that Nash was one of the greatest footballers that has pulled ona Swans jumper, so it is fitting to mention him in the context of this thread. However, my comment was about the greatest ever full forward, whilst Nash may have been better than Pratt if he played there consistently, he didn't, so the argument is moot.

Hate to dampen your enthusiasm here kiddies, but Tony Lockett was/is the greatest FF of all time. In my books, the one with the highest number of goals at the end of his career, is the winner.

I disagree Annie, the greatest full forward would be the one who had the greatest average goals per game, not goals in total. Pratt, in his record season kicked 150 goals in 17 games. Lockett was a great full forward, but given that there were 22 rounds per season in the seasons in which he played you can't compare that with the seasons of about 15 games per season that were around in Pratts time.

On average goals per game, I am sure Pratt (without looking it up) would have a higher average, hence IMO making him a better full forward. You also have to remember that many of Pluggers goals were not scored for our club.

[Vonsteinman]

Getting off topic I know, but had to check (boredom strikes again)....

According to allthestats.com, Plugger kicked 1360 in 281 games, while Pratt kicked 681 from 158, which puts Plugger ahead 4.84 gpg to 4.31 I think.

Plenty of other factors obviously come into play I guess to assist Plugger, better balls, better grounds/surfaces, better delivery, higher scores, etc, etc

Anyone I've ever listened to who saw both play finds it hard to split them. Loved hearing my grandfather talk about Pratt...

On the topic, I guess as with most clubs, a lot of icons of Swans history wore No.1 - Belcher, Bissett, Nash, Matthews, Roos, Hall and of course, one J. Lawson....