Top 50 SANFL Players Of All Time

[Magpiespower]

For this reason, I find it impossible to ever consider post-1991 players as worthy of a place in the 50 best ever SANFL players.

Reakon you almost have to break these kind of lists into a few different groups...

1870-1906
1907-1944
1945-1990
1991 -

One player from the early-1900s who rarely gets mentioned is Harold Oliver.

Many considered him SA's Roy Cazaly for all the 'speckies' he took.

A few other Port nominees for the 'most influential' would be Ian Hannaford and Ray Whitaker - brief but brilliant careers in '50s...

[Adelaide Hawk]

Reakon you almost have to break these kind of lists into a few different groups...
1870-1906
1907-1944
1945-1990
1991 -

I think you're right, and that would be an interesting exercise. Maybe after that was done, we could attempt to piece together a best ever list. I know CK has spent hours of research compiling this list, it's not somthing he reeled of the top of his head in 10 minutes, so thanks once again CK, good job. I have enough difficulty comparing a full forward with another one, let alone trying to determine if a wingman in the 60s was a better player than a ruckman in the 30s

[dedja]

My thoughts are a little controversial perhaps, but over the first 100 years of SA football, we have had many players considered to be among the very best players in Australia. They never needed to venture to the big bad VFL/AFL, they proved themselves in state matches and interstate carnivals.

Since the advent of the Crows, every player in the SANFL (except for Garry McIntosh) have aspired to play AFL. Many of the better players in SA since 1991 have been players who weren't able to cut the mustard in the AFL and have found their niche in a less competitive SANFL.

For this reason, I find it impossible to ever consider post-1991 players as worthy of a place in the 50 best ever SANFL players.

I'd have to agree with those comments.

Also, a great affort by CK to come up with the list that he has ...

[baggy8]

Great work CK, providing umpteen talking points. Appreciate the point you're making about the twins but I'm afraid I have to agree with the general consensus here that the Gowanses don't belong in this elite group even if you give them double value. Obviously Bob Shearman, Darren Jarman, Tony McGuinness, Bob Hammond and Peter Marker ranked 51-55 in your listing.

Of those in the 50 that I saw play and that generally CK wouldn't have, I would have a lower rating for Ebert, Head (Lindsay), Fitzgerald, Evans, Abley, Adcock, Phillis and Gary Window (lovely fellow, but not worthy of a ranking in this company)

Those I'd rank higher would be Bagshaw, Blight, Hank, Kernahan, Cahill, Kerley, Darley, Lindner and Aish.

I know I judge Ebert more harshly than most, but apart from his brilliant game at full-forward as a 17 year-old he rarely played great games against Sturt, invariably being negated by Robbert Klomp, or thrashed by Colin Casey (when Case had a rare game at CHF). He was obviously still a champion (you don't get ranked in the best two on ground 16 times in the one season without being one), but I've always considered John Cahill to be the best Port player I've seen.

If Ebert and Peter Carey had played full forward throughout their careers(they were too good to do that), then Evans and Phillis would not be part of this discussion. Any FF who kicks 0.6 in a GF probably doesn't deserve to be in the list at all. Brenton Adcock was the best back pocket I've seen and if his flying shot for goal in the last quarter of the '65 GF had gone through the middle instead of out on the full, he'd probably deserve to be ranked 24, but it didn't and he doesn't.

[baggy8]

(cont'd) I think Len Fitzgerald's rating was lifted by his relatively high public profile over the last 12 or 15 years of his life. Great player, but consensus at the time was that team-mate 'Candles' Thompson should've won the '59 Magarey. I didn't see Hank play, but was led to believe he was a better player than Head, so Hank must be one of the all-time greats as Head was brilliant. They both probably deserve to be in the top 12 with Hank possibly a couple of spots higher. Kerley's skills as a player were undervalued probably due to his 'tough guy' playing style and his scarcely-concealed antipathy towards the men in white which probably prevented him from winning the '65 Magarey. Peter Darley was an out-and-out champion and should have had two Magareys to show for it. Geof Motley's '64 medal must have been given for long service as Darley won just about every other award and in 1968 Darley was rubbed out on the rather spurious charge of umpire abuse and then recorded Magarey votes identical to those of Barrie Robran. Don Lindner was brilliant and a game-changer and Michael Aish carved up Sturt like no-one else I can recall.

[robranisgod]

I've suddenly realised that Geof Motley isn't in the list. Some of the players on the list aren't worthy to polish Motley's boots. A champion, as a centreman, a half forward and a half back.

Played in 9 premierships and was best on the ground in his ninth. He would have won multiple Jack Oatey medals if they were awarding them at the time. Great, great player, and even though he played for the dreaded Magpies was admired if not loved by every football follower and like Ron Kneebone two years later the whole football community was filled with joy when he won his medal.

Another player on the list I think is ranked much too lowly is Ron Phillips. To win two Magarey Medals in a row, one as a Centre Half Back and one as a Centre Half Forward is almost beyond belief. 45 is at least 25 too low for him.

It would be interesing to see Mike Coward and Geoff Kingston list from 1976 which lists SAs greatest 40 footballers from the first century of South Australian football. That has always been considered the definitive list, although I can remember much discussion as to whether they had Fitzy ranked too highly. I think they ranked him third, behind Robran and Ebert.

[Leaping Lindner]

As a matter of interest this is "Footy’s Fabulous Forty"
(Compiled by Geoff Kingston and Mike Coward in 1976 for The Advertiser)

1 – Barrie Robran (North) 1967
2 – Russell Ebert (Port) 1968
3 – Len Fitzgerald (Sturt) 1951
4 – Dan Moriarty (South) early 1900s
5 – Tom Leahy (West, North) 1904
6 – Ken Farmer (North) 1929
7 – Bob Quinn (Port) 1933
8 – Bob Hank (Torrens) 1944
9 – Ian McKay (North) 1946
10 - Lindsay Head (Torrens) 1952
11 – Jim Deane (South, Richmond) 1945
12 – Hugh Cumberland (St Kilda, Melb:, Sturt,) early 1900s
13 – Snowy Hamilton (North, West) 1919
14 – Brenton Adcock (Sturt) 1962
15 – Wacka Scott (Norwood) 1920
16 – Jack Broadstock (West, Richmond, Torrens) 1938
17 – John Cahill (Port) 1958
18 – Dick Russell (Port) 1947
19 – Alec Lill (Norwood) 1923
20 – Frank Golding (Sturt) 1909
21 – Ken Eustice (West , Central, Glenelg) 1957
22 – Bruce McGregor (West) 1923
23 – Tom McKenzie (Torrens, North) early 1900s
24 – Jack Tredrea (South) 1903
25 – John Abley (Port) from 1950
26 – John Marriot (Norwood) 1947
27 – Blue Johnston (Glenelg) 1927
28 – Bob Barnes (West) 1921
29 – Paul Bagshaw (Sturt) 1964
30 – Don Lindner (North) 1954
31 – Harold Oliver (Port) 1910
32 – Horrie Riley (Sturt) 1922
33 – Jack Owens (Glenelg) 1924
34 – Jack Oatey (Norwood) 1940
35 – Vic Richardson (Sturt) 1920s
36 – Fos Williams (West, Port) 1946
37 – Neil Kerley (West, South, Glenelg) 1955
38 – Laurie Cahill (South) 1933
39 – Dick Head (West) 1907
40 – Bill Mayman (Sturt) 1913

And this is Merv Agars Team of Teams!*
FF Bill Wedding (Nd) Ken Farmer (NA) Fos Williams (WA,PA)
HF Len Fitzgerald (St) Barrie Robran (NA) Bob Hank (WT)
C Laurie Cahill (SA) Jim Deane (SA) John Cahill (PA)
HB Snowy Hamilton (NA,WA)Dan Moriarty (SA)Walter Scott (Nd)
FB Dick Russell (PA) Ian McKay (NA) John Marriot (Nd)
Ruck Tom Leahy (WA,NA)Bruce McGregor (WA)Bob Quinn (PA)
2nd Bill Wedding (Nd) John Marriot (Nd) Fos Williams (WA,PA)
Res: Lindsay Head (WT) Russell Ebert (PA)
Coach Jack Oatey (Nd,WA,St)
(* As appeared in League Football in South Australia – 1978)

[Leaping Lindner]

Awesome effort by the way CK. I've spent the best part of the past 5 years researching the SANFL and I wouldn't attempt it. Great to see Dinnie and Bos in there as well!

[Wedgie]

39 – Dick Head (West) 1907

Only at West Adelaide!

[dedja]

You'll be glad to know he coached the Bays as well.

[Wedgie]

You'll be glad to know he coached the Bays as well.

It went without saying.

[Booney]

You'll be glad to know he coached the Bays as well.

Over many years, over many era's.

[Ecky]

If you look at sports like Athletics and Swimming where performances over different eras can be directly compared through times, then there have been dramatic improvement in performances over the last 100 years. I see no reason why the same wouldn't be the case in the SANFL, where the level of professionalism has improved enormously. So I would be confident to say that if you could "teleport" the best players from 50+ years ago into today that they would struggle to even make Reserves teams, even allowing for the loss of talent into the AFL. I even think the stars from the 1980s would really struggle today, as training methods and tactics have improved so much.

So I agree with the previous comments that any such list really has to be made up of the "most influential" players rather than the "best" as strictly speaking the best players have probably all played in the last 10 years.

[baggy8]

If you look at sports like Athletics and Swimming where performances over different eras can be directly compared through times, then there have been dramatic improvement in performances over the last 100 years. I see no reason why the same wouldn't be the case in the SANFL, where the level of professionalism has improved enormously. So I would be confident to say that if you could "teleport" the best players from 50+ years ago into today that they would struggle to even make Reserves teams, even allowing for the loss of talent into the AFL. I even think the stars from the 1980s would really struggle today, as training methods and tactics have improved so much.

So I agree with the previous comments that any such list really has to be made up of the "most influential" players rather than the "best" as strictly speaking the best players have probably all played in the last 10 years.

Just briefly Ecky, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, codswallop.

[McAlmanac]

If you look at sports like Athletics and Swimming where performances over different eras can be directly compared through times, then there have been dramatic improvement in performances over the last 100 years. I see no reason why the same wouldn't be the case in the SANFL, where the level of professionalism has improved enormously. So I would be confident to say that if you could "teleport" the best players from 50+ years ago into today that they would struggle to even make Reserves teams, even allowing for the loss of talent into the AFL. I even think the stars from the 1980s would really struggle today, as training methods and tactics have improved so much.

So I agree with the previous comments that any such list really has to be made up of the "most influential" players rather than the "best" as strictly speaking the best players have probably all played in the last 10 years.

The training techniques are better, not the participants.

Imagine a totally ripped Barrie Barbary after a current day pre-season drilling passes into leading forwards. He would be a sensation.

[GWW]

I agree with the last couple of posts. The Glenelg/North/Port premiership sides of the mid to late 80's would beat the current sides comprehensively.

[Ecky]

If you look at sports like Athletics and Swimming where performances over different eras can be directly compared through times, then there have been dramatic improvement in performances over the last 100 years. I see no reason why the same wouldn't be the case in the SANFL, where the level of professionalism has improved enormously. So I would be confident to say that if you could "teleport" the best players from 50+ years ago into today that they would struggle to even make Reserves teams, even allowing for the loss of talent into the AFL. I even think the stars from the 1980s would really struggle today, as training methods and tactics have improved so much.

So I agree with the previous comments that any such list really has to be made up of the "most influential" players rather than the "best" as strictly speaking the best players have probably all played in the last 10 years.

The training techniques are better, not the participants.

Imagine a totally ripped Barrie Barbary after a current day pre-season drilling passes into leading forwards. He would be a sensation.

Maybe - but the fact is that these blokes never did pre-seasons like they do now, so we will never know. My point (which I maybe didn't make clear enough!) was that if these blokes suddenly could be "teleported" into today, without the extra training etc. etc. etc. they probably would really struggle. That is just my opinion in what is a highly subjective but interesting topic.

[whufc]

If you look at sports like Athletics and Swimming where performances over different eras can be directly compared through times, then there have been dramatic improvement in performances over the last 100 years. I see no reason why the same wouldn't be the case in the SANFL, where the level of professionalism has improved enormously. So I would be confident to say that if you could "teleport" the best players from 50+ years ago into today that they would struggle to even make Reserves teams, even allowing for the loss of talent into the AFL. I even think the stars from the 1980s would really struggle today, as training methods and tactics have improved so much.

So I agree with the previous comments that any such list really has to be made up of the "most influential" players rather than the "best" as strictly speaking the best players have probably all played in the last 10 years.

The training techniques are better, not the participants.

Imagine a totally ripped Barrie Barbary after a current day pre-season drilling passes into leading forwards. He would be a sensation.

Maybe - but the fact is that these blokes never did pre-seasons like they do now, so we will never know. My point (which I maybe didn't make clear enough!) was that if these blokes suddenly could be "teleported" into today, without the extra training etc. etc. etc. they probably would really struggle. That is just my opinion in what is a highly subjective but interesting topic.

100% per cent agree, the Thomas and Cochranes family are friends of mine and both can't believe the ridicoulous speed, stamina and weight lifting ability these blokes have.

They were chatting about this the other day and couldn't believe that Central new ruckmen Cameron Milne runs the 3km time trial in about 15-20 sec quicker than any ruckmen that was at Central throughout the 70's and 80's. Add to this it was unheard of footballers running the 100 in a tick over 11 sec which is to uncommon now.

[dedja]

You'll be glad to know he coached the Bays as well.

Over many years, over many era's.

[McAlmanac]

Maybe - but the fact is that these blokes never did pre-seasons like they do now, so we will never know. My point (which I maybe didn't make clear enough!) was that if these blokes suddenly could be "teleported" into today, without the extra training etc. etc. etc. they probably would really struggle. That is just my opinion in what is a highly subjective but interesting topic.

In that case, you're comparing apples and pears. It's all about comparing the innate footballing ability of the players concerned.

To take one of your other examples - Patrick Johnson has broken 10 seconds for the 100 metres. You cannot seriously suggest he is a greater sprinter than Jesse Owens.