Who is the best mark of the ball ever?

[RUNVS]

Jeremy Howe during his Melbourne days. Doesn't seem to take the same sort of marks at Collingwood, not sure why.

 

[DogDaySonny]

I reckon Harry McKay is the biggest gap between great mark and horrid kick in the history of the game.

 

[RCAB]

Ok. For those under 50+

Peter Knights, only really known for one thing.. Being the best mark in the comp.

All in an era with waterlogged mudpits, king hits and hard men.

Take a look (Thanks Stemline)

Another player from yesteryear that would dominate AFL today. Would make Jeremy Howe look average.

 

[Bugs1977]

I reckon Harry McKay is the biggest gap between great mark and horrid kick in the history of the game.

And the mirror image of him is Tim O'Brien with a great kick and horrid mark

 

[PerthBoy86]

Of current and recently retired players, Howe, McGovern, Easton Wood.

 

[Warhorse]

Cloke when he had his cheat gloves on

 

[BigFrizz36]

Jezza (as in the real and only Jezza)

 

[The Feeder Club]

From a perspective of technical difficulty, Dunstall was amazing at taking one grab marks at full speed on a lead with his arms extended in front of him. In essence marks that others could only attempt as chest marks because of the speed and trajectory of the ball coming in, he would take out in front of his face or upper torso. So hard to defend.
I'm not saying he was the best mark overall but he was a freak at that aspect of the craft

 

[The Feeder Club]

I'd also mention Pavlich for one aspect, has there ever been a player that picked up the flight of a long kick earlier? He took so many " simple" marks because he had this innate gift of knowing exactly where the ball would land earlier than anyone else, and just stuck his big frame there to protect the dropzone. Rarely ran under a kick did Pav

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Nick riewoldt surely up there, and tom Hawkins a honorable mention somewhere

 

[Lingsface]

For a small guy Paul Medhurst was amazing above his head.
Overall I would say Ablett snr.
Tom Lynch in his prime was a very nice mark as well.
Daniel Bradshaw and Fevola on the lead had great marks.
Luke Mcpharlin was a little underrated in that area.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Pound for pound (or cm for cm) I would say Kenny Hunter from the blooooozzzz.
He wasn't overly tall (183cm) and weighed only 76kg and yet he was rarely beaten in any marking contest.

 

[zyzzbruh]

There's only one answer and that is Travis Cloke

 

[PerthBoy86]

There's only one answer and that is Travis Cloke

You mean Travis Cloke's gloves?

 

[Kappa]

You mean Travis Cloke's gloves?

If his gloves were so good why didn't other players wear it?

 

[Some Idiot]

I reckon Harry McKay is the biggest gap between great mark and horrid kick in the history of the game.

Levi Casboult?

 

[Atomboy]

If his gloves were so good why didn't other players wear it?

Coz Trav was wearing them, derrrr.

 

[Frank Thring]

In no particular order, my top 10.

Peter Knights
Wayne Carey
Stewart Loewe
Gary Dempsey
Bill Picken
Kelvin Moore
Ken Hunter
Jeremy McGovern
Jason Dunstall
Trevor Barker

 

[DidakDelight]

Pure ability to mark the ball. Consider every circumstance: uncontested, contested, one-on-one, multiple defenders, pack marks, overhead, out in front, chest marks, on the lead, with the flight of the ball, etc..

On all of these criteria:

Gary Ablett Sr

 

[Giant Gutsache]

From a perspective of technical difficulty, Dunstall was amazing at taking one grab marks at full speed on a lead with his arms extended in front of him. In essence marks that others could only attempt as chest marks because of the speed and trajectory of the ball coming in, he would take out in front of his face or upper torso. So hard to defend.
I'm not saying he was the best mark overall but he was a freak at that aspect of the craft

Peter McKenna
1 umpire

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

That dude was a freak.

I forgot how good a player he was.

 

[Maylandsman]

Dunstal, Lockett, Ablett Snr. and Richo .
Dunstal was so strong on the lead.

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Jeremy Howe during his Melbourne days. Doesn't seem to take the same sort of marks at Collingwood, not sure why.

He took quite a few of those marks with us... he's just older now.

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

I agree with this, albeit well before my time.

Though I'm astounded we're on to the 3rd page and yet to see a nomination for Tony Lockett?

He's the best 'one on one' mark of modern times. I never saw Hudson or McKenna or Wade etc. play, hence me saying the modern era.

Dunstall probably had better pure hands, but Lockett was the greatest in a one on one marking contest.