Lesser-regarded players who seemed to have a big impact on a winning team

[Always Ballin]

Ashley Hansen

Ashley Hansen

Age

41

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

8.1

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

6.0

5star

T

1.3

3star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

1.4

2star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.2

3star

G

1.4

5star

wasn't an elite KPF by any means but he meant a lot to the 2005-2007 WCE teams. At 198cm and 94 kgs, Ash had the size and mobility to be a strong leading threat at the CHF position. He helped to straighten up our woeful forward line, providing structure and allowing us to take better advantage of our all-time midfield. He wasn't the biggest of goal-kickers, but because of our team's deficiencies, he made a measurable impact beyond his abilities.

2005: 11.9 disposals per game (8.2 kicks; 3.8 handballs), 5.7 marks per game, 1.2 goals per game
2006: 11.5 disposals per game (8.9 kicks; 2.6 handballs), 7.2 marks per game, 1.2 goals per game
2007: 12.6 disposals per game (7.6 kicks; 5.0 handballs), 6.9 marks per game, 1.6 goals per game

We were 30-4 (88.2%) over 2005 and 2006 with him in the lineup, including several high-stakes finals games. Including our interrupted 2007 season, that number goes up to 40-8 (83.3%).

 

[MF]

From the same era for the Swans I'd nominate Lewis Roberts Thompson. Had a pretty ungainly style (A bit like Dustin Fletcher

Dustin Fletcher

Age

49

Ht

198cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.0

4star

K

12.3

5star

HB

3.7

3star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.2

3star

MG

301.6

4star

No current season stats available

D

14.2

4star

K

11.4

4star

HB

2.8

3star

M

4.8

5star

T

1.4

4star

) that made people underestimate him but he was definitely effective. Played an absolute blinder in the '05 premiership win.

 

[HairyO]

Grant Birchall

14

Grant Birchall

Age

36

Ht

193cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.9

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

9.3

5star

M

5.8

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

250.0

4star

D

13.3

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

4.2

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

250.0

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.6

3star

for us. Phenomenal player easily as important as anyone else on that team.

Even further back, Chris Mew.

Current team, hard to say given how little regard there seems to be for our list. Moore and Scrimshaw.

 

[tiger_tough]

Kane Lambert

23

Kane Lambert

Age

33

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.7

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.5

5star

G

0.6

4star

D

17.3

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

9.6

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.1

4star

G

0.5

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.2

3star

for us. Only played 135 games but was crucial to all 3 flags. Played the high half forward role/cover for Dusty perfectly. If he was only the list of a poor side I doubt he plays 50 games.

 

[SSSSSS]

Liam Shiels

14

Liam Shiels

Age

33

Ht

184cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.2

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

8.5

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.9

5star

CL

3.4

5star

D

17.4

4star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.1

5star

CL

1.9

4star

D

12.2

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

3.8

5star

was pretty much a guaranteed 7/10 performance week in week out during our 3peat era.

Would block and make space for the likes of Lewis, Mitchell, Hodge and Burgoyne and smash the opposition with some hard but fair tackles. Did a mountain of defensive running all day. Reliable with ball in hand.

In our current team it's Connor Nash. Very similar defensive minded midfielder like Shiels. In 2013 we won 50% of our games when he had 25+ disposals and I believe we lost every game when he had <25 disposals. Has become a real barometer for our side.

 

[rye]

always thought dylan grimes

2

Dylan Grimes

Age

33

Ht

194cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

5.3

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

136.0

2star

D

12.2

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

4.8

3star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

136.0

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

3.8

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

did not get the love he deserved for his role during richmonds premiership years.

 

[Cleansweep17]

K MacIntosh

Was our best winger and nobody even knows who he is

 

[M Malice]

 

[Shane Heard]

Blake Caracella

Blake Caracella

Age

47

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.5

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

4.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

0.6

3star

When you need a steadier or one to put them away ..he always delivered

 

[Shane Heard]

K MacIntosh

Was our best winger and nobody even knows who he is

Kyle is great. Workhorse.

 

[errant bounce]

From the same era for the Swans I'd nominate Lewis Roberts Thompson. Had a pretty ungainly style (A bit like Dustin Fletcher) that made people underestimate him but he was definitely effective. Played an absolute blinder in the '05 premiership win.

Sydney fans will really talk up any old thing