best defender

[Bulldog Joe]

Well the name that always get missed is Fred Goldsmith

Fred gets the umpires vote as he is the ONLY full back to win a brownlow.

He obviously pre-dates most posters but if you are talking all time he must be a contender.

 

[JoondalupJ]

I don't think this has ever been asked on bigfooty before.

No not by me!

 

[JoondalupJ]

Do you mean at the moment or of all time?

As much as he was a scragging cheat, it would have to be Silvagni, and at the moment it depends if you want a running defender, a stopper or a hybrid.

Lake and Presti would be my choices of the moment.

Name all the great forwards from the 90's to now, and Fletcher has played on all of them.
Of course he's comming around to finish time, but this bloke is the most awkward damaging backman going around for the last few years.
The other names are fine players and this is just an opinion but he's played on them all including Dunstall and Lockett, he's a beauty.

 

[JoondalupJ]

if your answer is anything other than scarlett or silvagni, you're either an idiot or a hawks fan

That'd be right, someone woke up in sleepy hollow.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Name all the great forwards from the 90's to now, and Fletcher has played on all of them.
Of course he's comming around to finish time, but this bloke is the most awkward damaging backman going around for the last few years.
The other names are fine players and this is just an opinion but he's played on them all including Dunstall and Lockett, he's a beauty.

Zac Dawson is pretty awkward, but damaging....

 

[Gambit78]

Michael Gayfer

 

[istillbelieve]

Milne's lawyer

 

[JoondalupJ]

Justins pretty good, but he's not even half as good as his father Ben was.

Don't think Ben was his Dads name

 

[loki04]

Maybe if Cloke played at full forward, Scarlett would play on him. Bit like how Scarlett rarely plays on Brown and Riewoldt. Only game I can remember Scarlett playing on Riewoldt was in 2005 in Riewoldt's first game back from his shoulder injury when he was playing at full forward. Funny that.



Scarlett made AA twice before 2007. Can't have been pantsed too badly to make AA as a defender in a crap side.

Geelong weren't crap every year pre 07, would be interesting to see if his AA years corresponded with the years Geelong finished in the prelims.

 

[JoondalupJ]

Zac Dawson is pretty awkward, but damaging....

Can't say anything nasty about Zac. As you would understand.

 

[JoondalupJ]

Can't say anything nasty about Zac. As you would understand.

PS Awkward and damaging to his apponant.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Milne's lawyer

Oh look a stereotype Collingwood supporter. I wonder what they think about all day.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

PS Awkward and damaging to his apponant.

Sorry I meant to put a ? next to damaging. Can't he get bonus points for being extra awkward.

 

[Baby Duck]

Geelong weren't crap every year pre 07, would be interesting to see if his AA years corresponded with the years Geelong finished in the prelims.

He was awarded All Aus FB in 2003 (We finished 12th that year I think) and 2004.

 

[loki04]

He was awarded All Aus FB in 2003 (We finished 12th that year I think) and 2004.

and in 2004 you finished 4th.

Although in 03 you finished low the team was competitive, don't get me wrong he is a great player but his best years bar 1 were when Geelong were a strong side.

 

[raff23]

Can't go past those who mentioned SOS but I do have a soft spot for David Dench. Was way ahead of his time and was a great full back through the 70's. Lake gets a shortlist as does Scarlett and Southby.

Can't talk about others prior to the 70's but maybe someone can highlight others.

cheers

2 hawthorn fullbacks of yesteryear spring to mind, kelvin moore and chris langford. IMO langford isnt rated as highly as he should be, one of the best kicks over distance ive ever seen and that includes buckley. As strong as an ox and was deceptively quick when he had to be. Dench could play in this era, the 1st FB to run off and create for his team mates which is so common place these days.

 

[yirra_kurl]

Its funny seeing how many people get this and how many dont!

Don Hay anyone?

 

[beaser]

Brian Lake by a mile not only at fullback but goes out to chb and plays on the gun half forwards as well.

 

[essendon16flags]

Dustin Fletcher is the best of all time look at his age he is still playing at a great level.

 

[Pie eyed]

Dustin Fletcher is the best of all time look at his age he is still playing at a great level.

Agree Fletcher is remarkable, and still highly effective at his age.
Presti would also be in the top 2-3 if you're talking current players.

 

[essendon16flags]

Agree Fletcher is remarkable, and still highly effective at his age.
Presti would also be in the top 2-3.

Yes Presti is a very good as well in the top 5 i would say.