Tippett!!

[DamY]

I sincerely hope the beefy new, improved Tipoff comes to play this year. It's going to be real scary for some defenders out there.
When he's on, he's on. When he's not, it's just sad.
I've said it a million times... he doesn't need to run around anywhere, he can stand in the goal square all game... he's got great hands.

Agreed, agreed and agreed. You've changed!

[Untamed Snark]

I sincerely hope the beefy new, improved Tipoff comes to play this year. It's going to be real scary for some defenders out there.
When he's on, he's on. When he's not, it's just sad.
I've said it a million times... he doesn't need to run around anywhere, he can stand in the goal square all game... he's got great hands.

Not just hands...

[goswannies]

Capper has been one of the most valuable and important players in the clubs history. He will never be acknowledged as an all time great, but his "marketing value" has been a vital component in the clubs overall history.

Warwick "the Wiz" Capper was one of only 66 players nominated for the Swans Team of the Century. That's 66 players from over 1300 who have worn the red and white at the time of selection.

The criterion for Swans Team of the Century eligibility were players must have taken to the field for at least 75 games for the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans Football Club and have either held a leadership role, won a club award, Brownlow medal, All-Australian or state selection.

No mention at all about "marketing value" contributing to the values that the Swans themselves deemed to constitute greatness. None whatsoever. I'd say Mr Capper has, to some degree, been acknowledged as an all time great for the Swans.

[0918330512]

Capper has been one of the most valuable and important players in the clubs history. He will never be acknowledged as an all time great, but his "marketing value" has been a vital component in the clubs overall history.

Warwick "the Wiz" Capper was one of only 66 players nominated for the Swans Team of the Century. That's 66 players from over 1300 who have worn the red and white at the time of selection.

The criterion for Swans Team of the Century eligibility were players must have taken to the field for at least 75 games for the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans Football Club and have either held a leadership role, won a club award, Brownlow medal, All-Australian or state selection.

No mention at all about "marketing value" contributing to the values that the Swans themselves deemed to constitute greatness. None whatsoever. I'd say Mr Capper has, to some degree, been acknowledged as an all time great for the Swans.

+1 goswannies, -1 Matt80

[CureTheSane]

Warwick "the Wiz" Capper was one of only 66 players nominated for the Swans Team of the Century. That's 66 players from over 1300 who have worn the red and white at the time of selection.

The criterion for Swans Team of the Century eligibility were players must have taken to the field for at least 75 games for the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans Football Club and have either held a leadership role, won a club award, Brownlow medal, All-Australian or state selection.

No mention at all about "marketing value" contributing to the values that the Swans themselves deemed to constitute greatness. None whatsoever. I'd say Mr Capper has, to some degree, been acknowledged as an all time great for the Swans.

Capper was a great player, but certainly came with his share of media attention.
You could say the same for Mark Jackson, who I doubt would come close to the Geelong team of the century.

I'd suggest that the hoo-ha surrounding Capper certainly propelled his career along and boosted his regard, along with his ego.
Tony Modra would have had the same in Adelaide.

There is marketing potential for Tippet.
Like it or hate is, he looks like a clean cut buff poster boy, and there is no reason he shouldn't be marketed that way to some degree.
The Swans will select the most 'desirable' players for their marketing, and there is nothing wrong with that.
anything that brings in new fans and supporters...

[Matt80]

Warwick "the Wiz" Capper was one of only 66 players nominated for the Swans Team of the Century. That's 66 players from over 1300 who have worn the red and white at the time of selection.

The criterion for Swans Team of the Century eligibility were players must have taken to the field for at least 75 games for the South Melbourne / Sydney Swans Football Club and have either held a leadership role, won a club award, Brownlow medal, All-Australian or state selection.

No mention at all about "marketing value" contributing to the values that the Swans themselves deemed to constitute greatness. None whatsoever. I'd say Mr Capper has, to some degree, been acknowledged as an all time great for the Swans.

We have a different view of what constitutes the term "all time great".

In the full-forward position, throughout the 80s and 90s, I think of "all time greats" as Lockett, Dunstall, Abbett, and Carey (a hybrid FF and CHF).

Capper sits in the full-forward class of Brian Taylor, Simon Beasley, John Longmire and Scott Cumminngs. The above guys all won Coleman medals, and had one or two standout years. Would you consider the above guys to be labeled "all time greats"?

Capper was a very good footballer, but it was his "marketing value", that was so valuable to the club.

This is just my opinion.

[goswannies]

We have a different view of what constitutes the term "all time great".

This is just my opinion.

When you say "we" have a different view of what constitutes the term "all time great" are you suggesting you and me or you and the gentlemen on the selection panel for the Swans team of the century: Rick Quade (chairman), a former captain and coach of the Swans; Jim Main, long-time journalist, co-author of The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers and life-time Swans supporter; Bill Jacobs, retired journalist and one of the selectors of the AFL Team of the Century; John Heriot, former player and president of the Swans? past players association in Melbourne; and Dennis Carroll, a former captain of the club.
After all, Capper's nomination was just their opinion (albeit, I would suggest, a reasonably well informed one).

Capper was a great player, but certainly came with his share of media attention.

So very true on both accounts CTS
But Pratt & Nash received similar media attention in their day & from all reports had similar opinions of their own ability (rightly so too). Skilton also got plenty of publicity although he was a considerably more humble man.
The publicity is part of their make up & appeal, but there is little doubting the footballing prowess of Pratt, Nash & Skilton. For all of his antics, attention drawing tight shorts & glam, Capper surely could mark (I'd think he would have been one of the most reliably spectacular marks if all time) & despite his awkward kicking style, his conversion rate in front of goal was pretty good too.
If Tippett has the goal output of Capper, we're on a good thing

[Matt80]

When you say "we" have a different view of what constitutes the term "all time great" are you suggesting you and me or you and the gentlemen on the selection panel for the Swans team of the century: Rick Quade (chairman), a former captain and coach of the Swans; Jim Main, long-time journalist, co-author of The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers and life-time Swans supporter; Bill Jacobs, retired journalist and one of the selectors of the AFL Team of the Century; John Heriot, former player and president of the Swans? past players association in Melbourne; and Dennis Carroll, a former captain of the club.
After all, Capper's nomination was just their opinion (albeit, I would suggest, a reasonably well informed one).


So very true on both accounts CTS
But Pratt & Nash received similar media attention in their day & from all reports had similar opinions of their own ability (rightly so too). Skilton also got plenty of publicity although he was a considerably more humble man.
The publicity is part of their make up & appeal, but there is little doubting the footballing prowess of Pratt, Nash & Skilton. For all of his antics, attention drawing tight shorts & glam, Capper surely could mark (I'd think he would have been one of the most reliably spectacular marks if all time) & despite his awkward kicking style, his conversion rate in front of goal was pretty good too.
If Tippett has the goal output of Capper, we're on a good thing

Capper was nominated for the Swans team of the century by the esteemed members of the Swans selection panel. I acknowledge that they know a lot more about AFL Football than I do.

Would the same members of that panel argue that Capper was an "all time great", when the classification for all-time great full forwards of the 80 and 90s included Lockett, Dunstall and Abblett?

No modern day forward, whether it's Tippett, Franklin or Hawkins is going to match Capper's goal output of 1986 or 1987. It's not because Capper was a better player, it's due to the modern day defence strategies, where all 18 players gravitate down to the defensive half, and block up space.

In today's AFL, Capper would be a 35-55 goal a year forward, with coaches on his back about tackling and defensive pressure. He would have possibly taken more hangers due to more step-ladders being in the defensive half!

[Mr Magoo]

Capper was nominated for the Swans team of the century by the esteemed members of the Swans selection panel. I acknowledge that they know a lot more about AFL Football than I do.

Would the same members of that panel argue that Capper was an "all time great", when the classification for all-time great full forwards of the 80 and 90s included Lockett, Dunstall and Abblett?

No modern day forward, whether it's Tippett, Franklin or Hawkins is going to match Capper's goal output of 1986 or 1987. It's not because Capper was a better player, it's due to the modern day defence strategies, where all 18 players gravitate down to the defensive half, and block up space.

In today's AFL, Capper would be a 35-55 goal a year forward, with coaches on his back about tackling and defensive pressure. He would have possibly taken more hangers due to more step-ladders being in the defensive half!

Sorry guys but Im with Matt on this one. All time great of the club yes - of the game I would have to say no.

At his best he was spectacular but he wasnt consistently good over a long enough period to be an all time great of the game.

[AnnieH]

Capper was a great player for the club... but overall, not a "great of the game".
If "ego" was a KPI in the award for "great of the game", Capper would be the best.
If the no dickheads policy was around when Capper played, he wouldn't have gotten a look in.
It's his ego (still today) that makes him a wanker.

[Flying South]

I can see why this thread has over 4100 posts. Most of it is not about Tippett.

[Kelpie_X]

In today's AFL, Capper would be a 35-55 goal a year forward, with coaches on his back about tackling and defensive pressure. He would have possibly taken more hangers due to more step-ladders being in the defensive half!

I don't remember plugger and dunstall doing too many run down from behind tackles outside the forward 50 either

[Matt80]

I don't remember plugger and dunstall doing too many run down from behind tackles outside the forward 50 either

The 80s and 90s was a different era of AFL. In the 80s, 40 tackles a game was considered elite. Now under 80s tackles a game, is not hitting team KPIs. Longmire and the Swans always aim for more than 80 tackles a game.

The Full forwards in today's AFL are expected to contribute to the team forward pressure effort. As a supporter, nothing fills me with more joy than seeing Franklin lay multiple tackles on the Half Back Line.

The 80s and 90s also contained one on one forward lines, making life easier for the full forwards. Tippett, who is a better goal kicking version than Paul Salmon, would have had multiple 100 goal seasons in the 80s, in a good team. Buddy would have kicked over 150 goals a year in the 80s.

[0918330512]

The 80s and 90s was a different era of AFL. In the 80s, 40 tackles a game was considered elite. Now under 80s tackles a game, is not hitting team KPIs. Longmire and the Swans always aim for more than 80 tackles a game.

The Full forwards in today's AFL are expected to contribute to the team forward pressure effort. As a supporter, nothing fills me with more joy than seeing Franklin lay multiple tackles on the Half Back Line.

The 80s and 90s also contained one on one forward lines, making life easier for the full forwards. Tippett, who is a better goal kicking version than Paul Salmon, would have had multiple 100 goal seasons in the 80s, in a good team. Buddy would have kicked over 150 goals a year in the 80s.

Fair chance both Tippett & Franklin would've been ruckman in the 80s based on height alone.

As for 150+ in a season, tell Matt80 he's dreaming. Buddy & Tippett have both been much maligned throughout their careers for inaccurate kicking. Lockett was I textbook kicker of the ball & he's the only one that's gone close. Buddy & Tippett might have had the number of scoring shots but not the accuracy.

Just my opinion

[grarmy]

Capper was a great player albeit with a 40 metre range at goal where he was accurate and smart. He could also take an overhead mark. He was also dependable. Yes, he was a prince but by God he was there when he was needed and the Swans were better for it. Tippett has not done anything yet to justify his Adelaide reputation. He is not in Warwick Capper's league.