2014 AFL Hall of Fame inductees

[Reginald Perrin]

It's a relevant question because the readership of BF is skewered towards the under 30's, so many wouldn't have footy before the early 1990's. I sometomes wonder about the validity of some posters opinions !

FWIW - I rate Kouta as a better player than Richardson - Not by much - But there seems to be negativity about Kouta's selection.

Kouta was a better player than Richo, I'd agree. But due to injury, he didn't get enough game time and since he's left he's done nothing in the AFL sphere that I'm aware of, unlike Richo.

 

[Doss]

All deserved.

I think people questioning Kouta's inclusion are forgetting just how good he was.

 

[Doss]

Warren Tredrea:

• 4 time All-Australian CHF
• 4 time B&F winner
• 2004 AFLCA Player of the Year
• Premiership captain

Just a good average player, didn't deserve his spot.

Tredrea is in my opinion (with Riewoldt- I can't split them) the best CHF since Carey. An absolutely obvious and deserved inclusion.

 

[EastPointRoo]

Brad Johnson deserved the induction just for being the step ladder underneath Gary Moorcroft alone.

 

[Modified Dog]

Here's a look at Kouta's yearly stats:

1992 - 6 games, 76 poss (12.7), 13 marks (2.2), 1 goals (0.2), 1 tackles (0.2), 1 Br'low vote
1993 - 8 games, 116 poss (14.5), 19 marks (2.4), 2 goals (0.3), 13 tackles (1.6), 0 Br'low votes
1994 - 22 games, 329 poss (15.0), 62 marks (2.8), 6 goals (0.3), 26 tackles (1.2), 3 Br'low votes
1995 - 25 games, 510 poss (20.4), 128 marks (5.1), 22 goals (0.9), 50 tackles (2.0), 12 Br'low votes
1996 - 24 games, 519 poss (21.6), 145 marks (6.0), 24 goals (1.0), 36 tackles (1.5), 12 Br'low votes
1997 - 22 games, 426 poss (19.4), 95 marks (4.3), 28 goals (1.3), 20 tackles (0.9), 6 Br'low votes
1998 - 21 games, 351 poss (16.7), 95 marks (4.5), 11 goals (0.5), 23 tackles (1.1), 0 Br'low votes
1999 - 20 games, 400 poss (20.0), 116 marks (5.8), 9 goals (0.5), 19 tackles (1.0), 6 Br'low votes
2000 - 20 games, 521 poss (26.1), 127 marks (6.4), 36 goals (1.8), 40 tackles (2.0), 19 Br'low votes
2001 - 22 games, 509 poss (23.1), 126 marks (5.7), 32 goals (1.5), 62 tackles (2.8), 8 Br'low votes
2002 - 3 games, 28 poss (9.33), 7 marks (2.33), 3 goals (1.00), 4 tackles (1.33), 0 Br'low votes
2003 - 22 games, 468 poss (21.3), 55 marks (2.5), 6 goals (0.3), 77 tackles (3.5), 5 Br'low votes
2004 - 12 games, 195 poss (16.3), 43 marks (3.6), 15 goals (1.3), 43 tackles (3.6), 5 Br'low votes
2005 - 22 games, 428 poss (19.5), 75 marks (3.4), 13 goals (0.6), 62 tackles (2.8), 5 Br'low votes
2006 - 18 games, 341 poss (18.9), 89 marks (4.9), 12 goals (0.7), 65 tackles (3.6), 0 Br'low votes
2007 - 11 games, 178 poss (16.2), 29 marks (2.6), 6 goals (0.5), 27 tackles (2.5), 0 Br'low votes

 

[Chunderboy]

I'm only 19 and haven't even been following footy with any real interest all my life, so I never seen much of these guys or appreciated what I did see of them.

But without trying to add fuel to this fire, could people liken these guys to current players if possible? (Obviously not an exact match because they're HoF and current players are mid-career, but as best you can please?)

Because I've always known Kouta to be a gun, just because it's one of things. I don't need to see Carey play to know he was a gun, same Matthews. Sure I could learn a lot and I would probably enjoy/benefit from doing so but I'd rather not to be honest. Because at the moment I'm just going off reputation and stats, which we all know don't tell the whole story. From my understanding Kouta was a great player, had a couple excellent years, but was mostly good/great?

So yeah, if someone could fill us in, were his best years Ablett like? Better? What were his other years like? Also if you could liken the other players, because really I only know McLeod and Tredders were good based on reputation and what I've read here, what kind of players were they?

 

[Doss]

I reckon there are two things that get Kouta over the line:

1) He was something of a prototype. How many 191cm or taller players played midfield full time before him?
2) He often lifted in big H&A games and finals. His 1999 preliminary final lives on in my memory to this day- the horror. I've never watched a replay and I can still recall it. That wasn't the only big final he had either. He was magnificent in the '95 GF, in the '01 QF, just to name some.

You could definitely make an argument that perhaps someone could have got in before him. But, I have no problem with him getting in, whether that be now, next year or thereafter.

 

[BluesMan]

The thing is with Kouta, stats still dont tell the full story. The bloke was just brilliant to watch, could do it all.

Remains my favourite Blue of all time, Well deserved.

 

[invinciBlues]

Here's a look at Kouta's yearly stats:

1992 - 6 games, 76 poss (12.7), 13 marks (2.2), 1 goals (0.2), 1 tackles (0.2), 1 Br'low vote
1993 - 8 games, 116 poss (14.5), 19 marks (2.4), 2 goals (0.3), 13 tackles (1.6), 0 Br'low votes
1994 - 22 games, 329 poss (15.0), 62 marks (2.8), 6 goals (0.3), 26 tackles (1.2), 3 Br'low votes
1995 - 25 games, 510 poss (20.4), 128 marks (5.1), 22 goals (0.9), 50 tackles (2.0), 12 Br'low votes
1996 - 24 games, 519 poss (21.6), 145 marks (6.0), 24 goals (1.0), 36 tackles (1.5), 12 Br'low votes
1997 - 22 games, 426 poss (19.4), 95 marks (4.3), 28 goals (1.3), 20 tackles (0.9), 6 Br'low votes
1998 - 21 games, 351 poss (16.7), 95 marks (4.5), 11 goals (0.5), 23 tackles (1.1), 0 Br'low votes
1999 - 20 games, 400 poss (20.0), 116 marks (5.8), 9 goals (0.5), 19 tackles (1.0), 6 Br'low votes
2000 - 20 games, 521 poss (26.1), 127 marks (6.4), 36 goals (1.8), 40 tackles (2.0), 19 Br'low votes
2001 - 22 games, 509 poss (23.1), 126 marks (5.7), 32 goals (1.5), 62 tackles (2.8), 8 Br'low votes
2002 - 3 games, 28 poss (9.33), 7 marks (2.33), 3 goals (1.00), 4 tackles (1.33), 0 Br'low votes
2003 - 22 games, 468 poss (21.3), 55 marks (2.5), 6 goals (0.3), 77 tackles (3.5), 5 Br'low votes
2004 - 12 games, 195 poss (16.3), 43 marks (3.6), 15 goals (1.3), 43 tackles (3.6), 5 Br'low votes
2005 - 22 games, 428 poss (19.5), 75 marks (3.4), 13 goals (0.6), 62 tackles (2.8), 5 Br'low votes
2006 - 18 games, 341 poss (18.9), 89 marks (4.9), 12 goals (0.7), 65 tackles (3.6), 0 Br'low votes
2007 - 11 games, 178 poss (16.2), 29 marks (2.6), 6 goals (0.5), 27 tackles (2.5), 0 Br'low votes

You didnt highlight 1997. He took 18 contested marks in a single game. A feat that, to my knowledge, has never been equalled.

 

[sammy_mac]

So yeah, if someone could fill us in, were his best years Ablett like? Better? What were his other years like? Also if you could liken the other players, because really I only know McLeod and Tredders were good based on reputation and what I've read here, what kind of players were they?

When a commentator says "he's like a quarterback" and "the playmaker out of defence" and things like that, that was first attributed to McLeod in the modern era. At his absolute best he dictated and controlled games off the half-back line. When he would go forward and run with the ball he would utterly destroy teams, the man had such an outrageous skill level. Imagine an infinitely better version of a Matt Suckling or players of that ilk today and that was McLeod at his best. Moving to half-back and out of the midfield pretty much saved McLeod's career as his knees were completely shot by his mid-20s, yet he probably went on to play another 200+ as a half-back flanker.

For Tredrea: see Nick Riewoldt, just more successful. Tredrea was a beast in the early/mid-2000s

 

[Reginald Perrin]

A very short summary of Warren Tredrea's career;

• 4 time All-Australian CHF
• 4 time B&F winner
• 2004 AFLCA Player of the Year
• Premiership captain

Just a good average player, didn't deserve his spot.

Agreed. Except you're being sarcastic, aren't you?

Good player, but Hall of Fame should be a higher standard. Clearly the AFL is happy thinking otherwise.

 

[Chunderboy]

When a commentator says "he's like a quarterback" and "the playmaker out of defence" and things like that, that was first attributed to McLeod in the modern era. At his absolute best he dictated and controlled games off the half-back line. When he would go forward and run with the ball he would utterly destroy teams, the man had such an outrageous skill level. Imagine an infinitely better version of a Matt Suckling or players of that ilk today and that was McLeod at his best. Moving to half-back and out of the midfield pretty much saved McLeod's career as his knees were completely shot by his mid-20s, yet he probably went on to play another 200+ as a half-back flanker.

For Tredrea: see Nick Riewoldt, just more successful. Tredrea was a beast in the early/mid-2000s

Cheers for the reply Sammy!

Was Mcleod ever ever given much a small defender/lockdown job? And that is interesting, I always thought Tredrea was more a strength based forward than a running CHF

 

[invinciBlues]

I'm only 19 and haven't even been following footy with any real interest all my life, so I never seen much of these guys or appreciated what I did see of them.

But without trying to add fuel to this fire, could people liken these guys to current players if possible? (Obviously not an exact match because they're HoF and current players are mid-career, but as best you can please?)

Because I've always known Kouta to be a gun, just because it's one of things. I don't need to see Carey play to know he was a gun, same Matthews. Sure I could learn a lot and I would probably enjoy/benefit from doing so but I'd rather not to be honest. Because at the moment I'm just going off reputation and stats, which we all know don't tell the whole story. From my understanding Kouta was a great player, had a couple excellent years, but was mostly good/great?

So yeah, if someone could fill us in, were his best years Ablett like? Better? What were his other years like? Also if you could liken the other players, because really I only know McLeod and Tredders were good based on reputation and what I've read here, what kind of players were they?

Look, Im biased. I'll preface my post with that. But Kouta's best was devastatingly brilliant. He tore apart games like no other ive seen before. Or since. Ablett like? Kouta's best was better, of course Ablett has, indisputably, a better overall record though.

Kouta's best game is round 11, 2000 vs Kangaroos. Wayne Carey was named as his direct opponent but was subsequently dragged:

http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2000/031220000520.html

Ablett's best, would be (my opinion) round 17, 2013 vs Collingwood. The game Nathan Buckley famously decided not to tag him.

http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2013/042020130720.html

Both phenomenal games, but Im going with Kouta because although Ablett 19 more disposals, Kouta kicked 3 more goals for a total of 5. All other stats, (tackles, marks, contested possessions, clearances, etc) are similar though. Toss a coin really.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

I'm only 19 and haven't even been following footy with any real interest all my life, so I never seen much of these guys or appreciated what I did see of them.

But without trying to add fuel to this fire, could people liken these guys to current players if possible? (Obviously not an exact match because they're HoF and current players are mid-career, but as best you can please?)

Because I've always known Kouta to be a gun, just because it's one of things. I don't need to see Carey play to know he was a gun, same Matthews. Sure I could learn a lot and I would probably enjoy/benefit from doing so but I'd rather not to be honest. Because at the moment I'm just going off reputation and stats, which we all know don't tell the whole story. From my understanding Kouta was a great player, had a couple excellent years, but was mostly good/great?

So yeah, if someone could fill us in, were his best years Ablett like? Better? What were his other years like? Also if you could liken the other players, because really I only know McLeod and Tredders were good based on reputation and what I've read here, what kind of players were they?

Richo was an absolute champion. No comparison to any other forward today, he was one of the most talented players I have ever seen. But he would frustrate you to no end as well. I watched him kick 17 goals in 2 weeks, I watched him finish 2nd in a brownlow at 34 years old playing on a wing.

McLeod was a gun, naturally and sublimely skilled. Saw him kick one of the best goals I've ever seen on the run off his non-preferred foot against the boundary line one day, you had to see it live to understand how good it was. Think of a Nick Dal Santo with the speed/agility of Chris Yarran.

Tredrea ****ed Essendon hard, I don't wanna talk about him.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

You didnt highlight 1997. He took 18 contested marks in a single game. A feat that, to my knowledge, has never been equalled.

He took 7 contested marks, which is a record. But it was 18 marks overall, which isn't.

 

[invinciBlues]

McLeod was a gun, naturally and sublimely skilled. Saw him kick one of the best goals I've ever seen on the run off his non-preferred foot against the boundary line one day, you had to see it live to understand how good it was. Think of a Nick Dal Santo with the speed/agility of Chris Yarran.

And the high flying marking ability of... I dont know of his modern day equivalent. Andrew Walker? But McLeod stuck far more grabs than Walker. Probably better just to say the leap of Walker then...

 

[sammy_mac]

Cheers for the reply Sammy!

Was Mcleod ever ever given much a small defender/lockdown job?

No, we never really used McLeod as a defensive shutdown player. He never tackled much. But we also had players like Ben Hart and the Rutten and Bock duo during the height of McLeod's career which allowed him to receive the ball and run it out of defence to set attacking plays up, so he didn't really have to. He was an attacking weapon that lined up in the back lines rather than on the ball. Like a Suckling, Brodie Smith, Kade Simpson etc these days.

He was just a freak. Once in a lifetime player, really.

 

[invinciBlues]

He took 7 contested marks, which is a record. But it was 18 marks overall, which isn't.

Pfft. Details. He played a good game, thats all that matters

 

[Chunderboy]

No, we never really used McLeod as a defensive shutdown player. He never tackled much. But we also had players like Ben Hart and the Rutten and Bock duo during the height of McLeod's career which allowed him to receive the ball and run it out of defence to set attacking plays up, so he didn't really have to. He was an attacking weapon that lined up in the back lines rather than on the ball. Like a Suckling, Brodie Smith, Kade Simpson etc these days.

He was just a freak. Once in a lifetime player, really.

Cheers man, and to those others who have posted! Appreciate it.

McLeod sounds much like the gun I had in mind. Tredrea not so much, different kind of player.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

And the high flying marking ability of... I dont know of his modern day equivalent. Andrew Walker? But McLeod stuck far more grabs than Walker. Probably better just to say the leap of Walker then...

He was an absolute super player thats for sure. Was probably a bit lucky to get the AA captaincy in 2007, that should have been Jonathan Browns, but you can't fault all his other accolades. He could have easily won the 2001 brownlow as well off Aker and no one would argue with it.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

Cheers man, and to those others who have posted! Appreciate it.

McLeod sounds much like the gun I had in mind. Tredrea not so much, different kind of player.

Tredrea was a gun make no mistake, he was an absolute machine. The only non-midfielder this century to be the raging hot brownlow favourite.

 

[sammy_mac]

He should have won it in 2001. But back-to-back Norm Smith's is an enormous achievement that only Gary Ayers can share with him.

 

[invinciBlues]

He was an absolute super player thats for sure. Was probably a bit lucky to get the AA captaincy in 2007, that should have been Jonathan Browns, but you can't fault all his other accolades. He could have easily won the 2001 brownlow as well off Aker and no one would argue with it.

Absolutely. Without citing his lengthy highlights packages, here's a quick one Chunderboy



He did that a lot.

 

[Dirty Bird]

You didnt highlight 1997. He took 18 contested marks in a single game. A feat that, to my knowledge, has never been equalled.

In other news, the most marks Kouta took in 1 game in 1997 was 9. Both contested and uncontested......

 

[invinciBlues]

In other news, the most marks Kouta took in 1 game in 1997 was 9. Both contested and uncontested......

Oh, round 5 1996 was what I was thinking of. Twas against West Coast.