Collingwood’s best 22 of AFL era includes Leon Davis, Nick Maxwell
JON Anderson and Brian Taylor have named Collingwood’s best 22 of the AFL era — and some big names missed the cut. Did they get it right?
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THE closer you explore Collingwood’s performance over the AFL era, the more obvious it becomes Mick Malthouse was a seriously good coach.
The Magpies reached five Grand Finals in his 12 years at the helm.
And they played off for some of those premierships in sides that included role players rather than stars in Rupert Betheras, Richard Cole, Glenn Freeborn, Ben Kinnear, Matthew Lokan, Ryan Lonie, Steve McKee and Carl Steinfort.
When picking a best 22 of the past 25 years there are the non-negotiables, with Travis Cloke and the Rocca brothers filling the three tall forward roles, while Peter Daicos (who qualifies courtesy of 235 goals in the period) and Alan Didak occupy the small forward slots.
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Same story with the onball brigade where Gavin Brown, Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Scott Pendlebury, Tony Shaw and Dane Swan pick themselves, with Damian Monkhorst a clear choice as ruckman.
Down back it isn’t as clear, a fact admitted by co-selector Brian Taylor, who kicked 371 goals in 97 games with the Magpies, including 100 in 1986.
“You start with who has to be in the back six and James Clement and Heath Shaw are certainties. Mick McGuane has to be in the starting 18 and he did play some very good football off a half-back flank when not on the ball, while Leon Davis was an All-Australian as a defender in 2011 and forward in 2009,” Taylor said.
“Both Ben Johnson and Gavin Crosisca could have been slotted in but we went for Shane Morwood, who was highly-skilled, extremely calm under fire and capable of going forward.
“Centre half-back was also contentious with players such as Simon Prestigiacomo and Craig Kelly having definite claims. But Nick Maxwell is a premiership captain who played very well in finals during the 2009-2010 seasons.
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“I think he is unfairly rated at times. If asked to shut down an opponent he could do the job yet he also had the ability to create attack.
“As for the interchange, Graham Wright was a brilliant wingman who was runner-up in the 1990 Brownlow, Paul Licuria a heart-and-soul type who won two Copelands, Ben Johnson played 235 games over 14 years and was twice second in the Copeland while Gavin Crosisca would be in many people’s starting 18.”
Players unlucky to miss included Dayne Beams, Dale Thomas, Scott Russell, Craig Kelly, Tony Francis, Chris Tarrant, Simon Prestigiacomo, Shane O’Bree, Tarkyn Lockyer and Steele Sidebottom.
COLLINGWOOD’S BEST OF THE AFL ERA
B: Leon Davis, James Clement, Shane Morwood
HB: Mick McGuane, Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw
C: Gavin Brown, Nathan Buckley, Dane Swan
HF: Scott Burns, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Peter Daicos, Sav Rocca, Anthony Rocca
Foll: Damian Monkhorst, Scott Pendlebury, Tony Shaw (captain)
Inter: Graham Wright, Ben Johnson, Paul Licuria, Gavin Crosisca
Coach: Mick Malthouse
Selection criteria: 100 games, five years or 200 goals (Luke Ball and
Darren Jolly did not meet criteria).
Originally published as Collingwood’s best 22 of AFL era includes Leon Davis, Nick Maxwell
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