1 number 1 player best 23 with emergencies

[ianh]

Let us try and pick a team of 23 players on the basis that no guernsey number is represented more than once. Then for emergencies pick 3 players stiffest to miss out. Here's my team

Simpson Southby Sos Silvagni
Games record holder, gun full back and FB of the century (pushed out of FB due to Southby's magnificent kick-ins)

Doull Koutoufides James
Best HBF ever, player who played the best run of games I've ever seen, Brownlow medallist

Bradley Cripps Jesaulenko
Magnificent enduring star, dual brownlow medallist, and Jezza - nothing more needs to be said but the name

Johnston Kernahan Crosswell
Steel, leadership, brilliance - and all big game players

Nicholls Vallence Harmes
Big Nick the greatest leader I have seen, Soapy on pure reputation, Harmes freakish package

Madden Judd Ashman
Towering ruckman, player Greg Williams said could win 4 brownlows, classy classy rover dangerous when resting

Clark Deacon Hammond Walls Docherty
Another class HB, brownlow CHB, 5 time premiership player, star KP utility and inspiration on 2 legs.

Emergencies: Hunter (stiff to have same guernsey as Crippa), (stiffer to have the same guernsey as Nicholls) McKay (incredibly stiff to find Kouta taking the number 43 guernsey spot away from him)

Any thoughts about who might be in for any of these?

 

[heatleystandend]

Ken Hunter v Patrick Cripps would be an interesting debate!

Hunter was a star in 3 premierships!

 

[Juice030103]

Ken Hunter v Patrick Cripps would be an interesting debate!

Hunter was a star in 3 premierships!

Was hunter ever regarded as the best player in the afl like Cripps has been?

Genuine question as I wasn’t around

 

[Red Bull]

55. Stan the man

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

Was hunter ever regarded as the best player in the afl like Cripps has been?

Genuine question as I wasn’t around

I'd go with Kenny and Doormat as our best ever half backs if the numbers fitted.
Not sure if Cripps has been our best ever center player

There's been heaps genuine AFL champions that have never won a Brownlow.(over rated award)

 

[bigblueboy]

1. S Silvagni
2. Nicholls
3. Murphy
4. Kernahan
5. Judd
6. Simpson
7. Johnston
8. Keogh
9. Cripps
10. James
11. Doull
14. Ashman
16. Buckley
17. Croswell
19. Betts
20. Southby
21. Bradley
22. Vallence
25. Jesaulenko
26. Rhys-Jones
42. Walls
43. koutoufides
44. Madden

Emerg
2. Williams
3. Fitzpatrick
5. McKay
9. Hunter
25. Fevola

 

[Arr0w]

I have Hunter easily in the top 10 Carlton players, freak that could play in any arc

 

[heatleystandend]

Was hunter ever regarded as the best player in the afl like Cripps has been?

Genuine question as I wasn’t around

In 1981 Hunter won the b&f player in a premiership team. And was a star in 2 others. He performed in big finals. The most courageous player going for marks that has ever played.

I’m not here to denigrate Cripps because 2024 saw him elevate his game to impressive heights. He too is a Carlton legend.

But Hunter was an absolute star. He is my favourite Carlton player of all time. I couldn’t pick a Carlton team and not have him in it.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

From 78…Live…

01. Silvagni
02. Williams
04. Kernahan
05. Judd
06. Simpson
07. Johnston
09. Hunter
11. Doull
13. Hanna
14. Ashman
15. Docherty
19. Betts
20. Southby
21. Bradley
23. Weitering
25. Fevola
26. Rhys-Jones
27. English
30. Curnow
35. Dean
37. Harmes
43. Koutafides
44. Madden

02. Motley
04. Bosustow
05. McKay
07. Ratten
09. Cripps

 

[AT97]

I'd go with Kenny and Doormat as our best ever half backs if the numbers fitted.
Not sure if Cripps has been our best ever center player

There's been heaps genuine AFL champions that have never won a Brownlow.(over rated award)

The fact that Jezza won 1 bnf (off the half back flank) tells us a bit about using accolades to judge how good a player is.

 

[Tickedoff]

I am surprised Syd Jackson isn't among th list to be honest

 

[Bletch]

Guide...

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

Guide...

View attachment 2229265

Would the legendary Big Nick be a better choice ruckman than Fitzy or Harry?(would he even win a hitout?)
Hard to compare players from the 60's or earlier with the more recent ones.

 

[FitzroyBlueBagger]

From 78…Live…

01. Silvagni
02. Williams
04. Kernahan
05. Judd
06. Simpson
07. Johnston
09. Hunter
11. Doull
13. Hanna
14. Ashman
15. Docherty
19. Betts
20. Southby
21. Bradley
23. Weitering
25. Fevola
26. Rhys-Jones
27. English
30. Curnow
35. Dean
37. Harmes
43. Koutafides
44. Madden

02. Motley
04. Bosustow
05. McKay
07. Ratten
09. Cripps

DEF: English Silvagni Southby
DEF: Doull Weitering Hunter

MID: Madden Judd Ashman
MID: Bradley Williams Koutafides

FWD: Johnston Kernahan Simpson
FWD: Curnow Fevola Betts

INT: Hanna RhysJones Docherty Dean Harmes

EMG: Cripps Ratten Bosustow McKay Motley

 

[Tickedoff]

I think it is always hard to come up with the ultimate list because of generational changes in the sport.

We know how good Soapy was, over 80 years ago. It makes you think how good would he of been with the support of coaches, training facilities and money available today?

Of course it could of worked against him too, he was strong willed and happily walked away from Carlton because he felt they disrepected him (I agree by the way). He also came back..twice...he was influential in helping Carlton win the 1938 flag and laid the groundwork between 1942-44 for the bloodbath of 1945.

Would he of accepted and flourished under todays regimental structure of clubs? Who knows.

I am enjoying this thread and the input from others, but do find it hard to match up players from different generations and differentiate the differences. Bit of a ramble, sorry for that