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droversdog65
Joined: 27 Nov 2014
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Post subject: Best Collingwood players you have personally seen. | |
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Well it's off season at last after a trying year and I noticed a similar thread on BF so thought I'd test the waters here.
Been watching the Carringbush since 1964 and seen a hellava lot of guys don the stripes so for me it goes something like this.
For sheer mesmerising talent and the ability to terrify the opposition no player comes in the same cosmos as Daicos. From his first 20+ posession game in '79 he tortured centremen and ruck rovers alike. We all know of the stress fractures and other injuries that almost ended his career, few could remould their game and become one of the all time greatest small forwards in the history of the game but Daicos did - and with distinction. He changed the game and left an indelible mark far beyond Victoria Park. Peter Daicos - a name to conjure with.
Probably the most talented ruckman to ever pull on the stripes Len Thompson, really the very earliest forerunner of the modern ruckman. Lovely hands either tapping or grabbing the sherrin and more than adequate kick. Much more of an athlete than the then current run of ruckman he was a lynchpin and carried our rucks for many years.
The toughest Pie I've ever watched was Des Tuddenham, the guy was made of iron and woe betide any opposition player who ran through a Collingwood small man when Tuddy was on the field.
Wayne Richardson gets my nod for rover - tough and skillfull with acute skill at reading the play.
For sheer physical attributes and accross the board skill levels few could have matched John Greening, had he not been almost killed on the field there is little doubt he would have been an all time great of not only the club but the VLF as well. A prodigious talent cut short before it even reached it's prime.
Courage for me is exemplified by Browny, no player ever thought less of their safety when the game was to be won, no player played with his heart on his sleeve more. As many have said, if I wanted a player to play for my life it would be Gav.
My 'most talented numbnuts award' would have to go to 'Fabulous Phil' - surely the most supremely gifted footballer and athlete we have ever had at the club. When focussed on the game who could do absolutely anything he desired. Sadly focus was a fragile thing for Phil, any percieved slight was enough to put him off his game and up before the judiciary. A sadly wasted talent.
Our current coach is certainly a Collingwood great but defies pidgeon holing for me. Possessed of a frightening ability to focus, his dedication to improvement of physique, skill and football knowledge is legendary. Was absolutely the finest kick I have ever seen over 50 meters and above and a much underrated mark. Perfectionism is his byword and he applies it most rigorously to himself. That is both his greatest strength and his most enduring weakness. FIGJAM for some, the greatest Collingwood player in recent times for others, Buckley as a man and footballer will always draw extremes in perception. |
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CarringbushCigar
Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Location: wherever I lay my beanie
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I think Daicos would have become the greatest ever AFL player if he hadn't been limited to hobbling around the forward line for most of his career.
As brilliant as his goal kicking was, he was equally elusive and his passing to teammates was beyond elite.
Gavin Brown's courage and one-on-one ball winning ability was phenomenal and was crucial in delivering us that premiership.
Daicos and Browny for me. |
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BazBoy
Joined: 11 Sep 2014
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Best two [hard to split] for pinpoint accuracy delivering the ball to a teamate
No way could an opponent chop it off or spoil it
I give you Barry "Bubba "Price and Thorrold "Thupence" Merrett _________________ I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right |
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droversdog65
Joined: 27 Nov 2014
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Actually barry Peter McKenna was just Bubba's thumb puppet lol. They made a wonderful pair. |
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BazBoy
Joined: 11 Sep 2014
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Pete often said it took till Tuesday before bruised chest and ribs felt better _________________ I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right |
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droversdog65
Joined: 27 Nov 2014
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CC in those early years of Daicos' he would double fake, triple and even quadruple fake opponents til he had them chasing their own shadows. He was more elusive standing still than the best centremen of his day were going flat out on the best days of their lives. |
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BazBoy
Joined: 11 Sep 2014
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Sorry for double up --we nicknamed Thorrold "Thruppence "
Rekon he could on a tray bit ( threepence) _________________ I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right |
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BazBoy
Joined: 11 Sep 2014
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What about a pocket toughie that Leigh Matthews steared clear of
Stan Magro
Bandy legged Stan-my old man reckoned if they straighten his legs he would have a six footer _________________ I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right |
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BazBoy
Joined: 11 Sep 2014
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Shute---He would have been six footer _________________ I'm not arguing--just explaining why i am right |
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droversdog65
Joined: 27 Nov 2014
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One of our quickest ever rovers, Ronnie Wearmouth - always brought the crowd to their feet when Ronnie grabbed the pill and opened the throttle. |
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Lazza
Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
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Jason Wild and Tony Armstrong for me.......... _________________ Don't confuse your current path with your final destination. Just because it's dark and stormy now doesn't meant that you aren't headed for glorious sunshine! |
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jackcass
Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Location: Bendigo
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Greening for mine. Old man always says that's because I never got to see Bobby Rose play. |
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droversdog65
Joined: 27 Nov 2014
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Yep jack, my old man watched 'the machine' from the outer as a young man and lived and breathed Collingwood - straight out of Clifton hill secondary and directly into the shoe factory in those tribal days of Saturday arvo bloodbaths.
Dad always said that Rose was the best he had seen - tough and immensely talented on both sides but I never got to see him play. |
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npalm
Joined: 01 May 2005
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I'm the same vintage as you DD65 and agree with all the players listed in the OP. I think Pendles and Swanny can be added to that list of champs.
All the great players have that ability to make time seem to stand still as they weave thru traffic. Pendles has that ability in spades. _________________ Side by side. |
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5 from the wing on debut
Joined: 27 May 2016
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Lazza wrote: | Jason Wild and Tony Armstrong for me.......... |
Did Stuart Atkin have them covered? |
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