Sydney Swans of 2014 nowhere near the Hawthorn side of 1988-89, writes Mark Robinson

DESPITE Mick Malthouse’s enthusiasm this week, the Sydney Swans’ 2014 list is not the best ever. Hawthorn’s team of 1988-89 remains the benchmark.

BEST lists, best teams, how do you judge it?

What’s certain, and despite Mick Malthouse’s enthusiasm this week, the Sydney Swans circa 2014 is not one of them.

Malthouse spoke about depth and in that regard, he may be right.

But the Swans can’t be judged against any of the best teams of the past 50 years because this year’s team hasn’t won anything yet.

The 2012 premiership was won without Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.

A flag this year would make it two flags in three years and if it happens then they can enter the discussions.

The 2012 team was very good, but don’t know if it was among the best of all time.

Hawthorn’s team of 1988-89 remains the benchmark.

Jason Dunstall and Dermott Brereton were key cogs for Hawthorn.

Indeed, the Hawthorn team which played in seven straight Grand Finals — 1983-89 — and then again in 1991 is the team for the ages.

The 1988 and 1889 teams, which are celebrating their 25-year reunion tonight, arguably were the best of their prolific run.

In 1988, the Hawks won 21 games and lost three. They were a killing machine. In their last six games, they kicked 178 points, 128, 123, 184, 88 and in the Grand Final against Melbourne, they booted 22.20 to Melbourne’s 6.20.

They averaged 18.15 (125) for the season.

The ‘89 team is remembered as being the best team in the best Grand Final.

If 1988 was clinical, 1989 was epic.

To separate best-ofs, you have to favour longevity.

Allan Jeans coached Hawthorn to three flags.

The Bombers of 2000 were maniacal with their attitude, but one flag from three seasons of domination was not sufficient.

The team(s) to challenge the Hawks were Brisbane’s of 2001-02-03.

As an exercise, I put the best of the Hawks of ‘88 and ‘89 up against the best of Brisbane’s three-peat. Put the players in position from back-pocket to rover and then chose who would I have.

For example, Andy Collins v Chris Johnson, Mal Michael v Chris Langford, Chris Mew v Justin Lepptich, Gary Buckenara v Jason Akermanis on a forward flank, Dermott Brereton v Jonathan Brown beside them, and Michael Voss v Michael Tuck in the midfield.

It was difficult, especially choosing between Bucky and Aker. For what it’s worth, Aker won out.

In the end, there were nine Hawks and nine Lions, which shows that comparing teams from different times is only a matter of opinion.

Originally published as Sydney Swans of 2014 nowhere near the Hawthorn side of 1988-89, writes Mark Robinson