Players who looked like they'd become stars but who didn't reach them heights.

[grizzlym]

Matthew Bourke.

The name probably doesn't ring a bell for many of you. But as a kid I remember watching him run around in the reserves (and it was a strong side back then) thinking he'll be a damn good player one day in the seniors. Made his debut vs the Eagles (I think). Anyway, he didn't.

Then there were guys like Brett Johnston, who looked like they could be anything. But sadly, no.

So what players have you seen that you thought would star but didn't?

 

[Jaeger]

There are a few.

One that came to mind when I read the thread title was Harry Miller

When he was first drafted, there were multiple articles about him.

This was one I found that I remember reading and becoming very excited at the time

 

[grizzlym]

Is that John Barker in the background? Hmmm perhaps you've stumbled on something, Shepp.

 

[brew]

 

[flashmanvc]

Always thought Nick Ries had the quick hands to become a very good player.

 

[brew]

Oh and how could i forget....

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Alex McDonald.
Daniel Harford.
Shannon Gibson - saw him kick 10 goals in an Under 18s GF, and thought he'd be a top player - I was wrong.

 

[Brant]

Then there were guys like Brett Johnston, who looked like they could be anything. But sadly, no.

Me & my bro were pretty close friends with Flea (me mainly with his older bro Ben) when at school and we were in the same junior teams at Bayswater Morley (go the Bears!). I was over the moon he ended up with us. I actually thought he played well in B&G and also for Carlton.

Pretty sure he was named in the Centre for the All VFL Team this year - probably still going about it exactly the same way too. Great guy is Flea.

 

[Easy Slips Catch]

I am with Brew. I still cannot work out how Coxy was not a 200 gamer for us.
He was good enough and played a couple of blinders.

Bloody shame.

 

[chenyan]

Steven Greene

Josh Thurgood

 

[HolyRioli]

Glen Bowyer

 

[Scrads]

Was devo when Greene was delisted.

Ben Kane.

 

[Watsclarkosmob]

Billy Nichols

Thought that left foot would become a weapon.

 

[Knights 24]

Dean Anderson. When he appeared on the scene i thought he was gonna be a super player. Was servicable in the end.

 

[krisholio14]

This bloke was one back in the 80's. Looked a player in his first year and then struggled after that. Went to St Kilda when they totally sucked and couldn't get a game there either.

Russell Sheilds and Glenn Howard were two others back in the 80's I thought showed a bit of ability that never went on with it. Both ended up at other clubs and doing nothing there too. In Howard's defense, he did break legs like some people break bread.

 

[chenyan]

Glen Bowyer

Best overhead mark for someone of his size I have ever seen. I will never forget his goal in a final against Carlton very early last decade; running banana from the boundary.

Ended up going to Carlton if memory serves correct, but was let down by poor kicking skills. Very sad; one of my favourite players

 

[krisholio14]

Best overhead mark for someone of his size I have ever seen. I will never forget his goal in a final against Carlton very early last decade; running banana from the boundary.

Ended up going to Carlton if memory serves correct, but was let down by poor kicking skills. Very sad; one of my favourite players

You forgot it was against us, not Carlton. It was the first ever final at Docklands in 2000.

I remember because that was the goal that buried us

 

[grizzlym]

Didn't Chopper Handley pick up a swag of Brownlow votes in his first few games?

Does someone like Greg Madigan count?

 

[buddyruff]

You forgot it was against us, not Carlton. It was the first ever final at Docklands in 2000.

I remember because that was the goal that buried us

He kicked it in the 2nd qtr!

 

[buddyruff]

I am with Brew. I still cannot work out how Coxy was not a 200 gamer for us.
He was good enough and played a couple of blinders.

Bloody shame.

I could give you plenty of reasons but Ill give you just one.

No work ethic. Too much of a party boy

 

[Knights 24]

Best overhead mark for someone of his size I have ever seen. I will never forget his goal in a final against Carlton very early last decade; running banana from the boundary.

Ended up going to Carlton if memory serves correct, but was let down by poor kicking skills. Very sad; one of my favourite players

Remember that goal well.

Bumped into Glenn in early '04 at a seedy night club at way-too-late o'clock.

He was remarkably alert and chatty. Go figure. He relayed that goal to us a number of times.

 

[chenyan]

You forgot it was against us, not Carlton. It was the first ever final at Docklands in 2000.

I remember because that was the goal that buried us

Meh same colours.. I remember the kick, not the match. I still have that game on VHS lying around the house too..

 

[krisholio14]

He kicked it in the 2nd qtr!

You sure? I seem to remember it being in the last, but I could be confusing it with Tony Wood's very similar last quarter effort in the 1996 Qualifying.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Good to see Adrian Cox in here.

Timmy Hargreaves was a favourite of mine also.


And then of course there was Brett O'farrell experiment.
What is it with us and ruckman?

 

[Hawk43]

Randall Bone