Top 5 Swingmen in VFL/AFL history?

[Slattery_20]

Billy Duckworth!

 

[Street Fighter]

David Neitz anyone?

 

[putitontheboot]

Silvagni, Leppitsch, Chad Cornes, Pav, Chris Grant.

Michael Hurley could also join this group soon

 

[Jade]

Here's a few I've seen in my lifetime that could effectively perform different roles when called to do so - a bit Bombers heavy as they were the first that sprung to mind:

Silvagni - was actually quite a handy forward.

Salmon - Elite both forward and ruck

Lucas - AA CHB to go with his accolades as a forward

Pavlich - Effective both forward and in the midfield

Hird - Played just about anywhere

Chris Grant - Another player who could play in a variety of roles

Richardson - Was an ELITE winger when given the chance

Goodes - Complete player, does it all

I'm sure there are plenty more.

 

[Honeyboy Wilson]

The Chad!

Developing into a very very nice KPF in his early years... moved to CHB where he came third in the Brownlow and got his first AA selection.

...then in 2007, moved into the midfield, was recognised as one of the best players in the comp, favourite for the Brownlow, All Australian selection again.

 

[Jade]

Silvagni, Leppitsch, Chad Cornes, Pav, Chris Grant.

Michael Hurley could also join this group soon

Got a looooooooooonnnnnggggg way to go before he can be mentioned with some of the names here.

 

[TheFVK]

Chad Cornes, started as a forward, switched to the backlines and finished third in the brownlow and AA CHB. Became our "jack of all trades" for a few years there as he also played a fair bit in the mids.

 

[mantis]

Billy Duckworth!

Roger Merrett also.

 

[Slattery_20]

Hird as well. Lined up as a key forward, finished in the midfield quite a lot.

 

[Dr Basil]

Brent Croswell.
Barassi would quite often send Croswell forward or back during games with great effect.

Famous final against Collingwood when Tiger sprinted the length of the ground to move on to Peter Moore who had been starring up until that stage.

 

[jurrahcane_24]

David Neitz

All Australian Centre half back in 1995

All Australian full forward in 2002



Could dominate at either end.

god how I wish we had him out there now.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

1. Silvagni
2. Grant
3. Cornes
4. Bradshaw
5. Roos/Jackovich

Quite like this list from players I have seen, although #5 would be Roos IMO.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Recently, Chris Tarrant would probably have to get a mention. Pavlich made AA forward and back.

Came on here to say Adam Hunter, then those other two came up. If youre talking ability to change position mid game - Hunter.

 

[Plugger35]

Brett Voss was an underrated swingman during the Grant Thomas era, mainly played as a defender but was often swung into attack where he could be a handy forward.

Fraser Gehrig was a bit like Alistair Lynch, started at St Kilda as a full back but then switched to full forward but wasn't really swung between defence and attack much during games. He was pretty much a permanent full forward in the last 4 or 5 years of his career.

Silvagni would probably be the best I can remember. He was always a very dangerous forward on the rare times he played there, it was only the fact that he was a better fullback that he didn't play up forward more often.

 

[Killer eagle]

"Swingmen." Can we please avoid cringeworthy terms like these?

I've heard Wayne Carey was a bit of a swinger...

 

[Crow_68]

For the Crows:

Mark Stevens
Peter Caven
Stiffy Johncock

and for 1 game only, Shane Ellen.

 

[Wacky Tiger]

Very versatile player.

Yep he gets my vote. Closely followed by Adam Goodes and Brendan Goddard

 

[Jade]

I've heard Wayne Carey was a bit of a swinger...

 

[Thommo 42]

David Neitz anyone?

Great call, not sure how I forgot him actually.

Gun at either end

 

[headache1]

Chadwick Cornes.

Good call. In his prime he was one of the hardest players to match up on in the league.

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

One very underrated player is Chris Waterman. Not in the class of Hird, so really a poor man's version. He could play defence, swing forward and nab some goals and play in the midfield. Very versatile player.

 

[pazza]

Terry Daniher.

Nominally he was a CHF.

Topped Essendon's goalkicking at least twice as a full-forward.

Would often be called upon by Sheedy to stand on Brereton or Kernahan at CHB or on the likes of Roach at FB.

 

[Furuncle]

My vote would go to Terry Daniher. He switched from the forward line to the back line to the forward line with ease. The players' MVP in 1983, dual premiership captain, tough as old boots, good in the air, good on the ground. As a youngster playing full forward for Essendon in 1979, he was a tearaway leader in the 1979 goalkicking before rupturing his ACL half way through the season.

--------------------

Let's be clear about this...

1. Just about every great forward dominates when they are switched to the backline

Their greatest value is up forward. They are generally left there, so people tend to assume they can't play at either end. Wayne Carey once played 2 or 3 games at CHB when he was in a bit of a form slump and he dominated like no CHB I have ever seen. He would've been a far better CHB than Glen Jakovich if Denis Pagan had wanted to play him there.


2. Just about every good backman was a forward who switched to defence.


Justin Leppistch, Ross Glendinning, Glen Jakovich, Ashley McIntosh, Chris Grant, Garry Lyon, Barry Stoneham, Chad Cornes, Trent Croad, Rod Jameson, Chris Tarrant

Matthew Pavlich and Alistair Lynch were dominant forwards who were both named at full back in the All Australian team. Fraser Gehrig played some good footy at CHB in his early days.

Silvagni played all his school footy as a CHF for Marcellin. Mick Martyn and Simon Prestigiacomo were two of the most unskilled, dour defenders I can think of. Martyn started out as a full forward and Presti was a CHF.

Ben Reid, Lachie Henderson, Daniel Merrett and Luke McPharlin are four of the better defenders in the game. They all started out as forwards.

Paul Roos, Peter Knights and Michael Hurley are examples of players who reversed this trend, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn they played all their junior footy at CHF



I've only mentioned the key position players. What about half back flankers and back pockets who started out as midfielders and forwards? Too many to mention.

 

[TheJonesBoy76]

If you needed 4 or 5 points in a hurry you can't go past Earl Spalding

 

[Strahany]

It is somewhat disturbing to see now mention of Goddard.

If you want a player who can play anywhere to get you over the line in a big game, look no further. Just look at the Drawn Grand Final for a prime example.