Michelangelo Rucci unveils South Australia’s greatest football team
THIS is South Australia’s greatest-ever football team, as compiled by Advertiser chief football writer Michelangelo Rucci.
THIS is South Australia’s greatest-ever football team, as compiled by Advertiser chief football writer Michelangelo Rucci.
Rucci has spent hours combing through nearly 2000 SA footy players to come up with a group of 25 superstars (a team of 22 plus three emergencies).
BLOG LIVE WITH RUCCI FROM 12.30PM ON FRIDAY
Scroll down below, run your eyes over every player and every position, and tell us if you agree.
Under each position, vote on players that you believe should have made the 25.
Next week we will release the fans’ greatest SA team as picked by you.
BACKS
GAVIN WANGANEEN
Played 327 games (300 in AFL with Essendon (127 games) and Port Adelaide (173); 27 in SANFL with Port Adelaide) from 1990-2006. Won Brownlow Medal in 1993, played in Essendon (1993) and Port Adelaide (2004) premiership teams. All-Australian fives times.
Extraordinary reader of the game — and playmaker who was at the forefront of making defenders develop an attacking side to their game.
I AN McKAY
Played 164 games (all with North Adelaide) from 1946-55. Won Magarey Medal in 1950 and played in two SANFL premiership sides (1949 and 1952).
Started as a centre half-back — and moved to full back where he became the first Magarey Medal winner in this position (1950). Repeatedly proved himself as a champion full back against the game’s best forwards during 14 State games.
RICK DAVIES
Played 370 games (317 in the SANFL with Sturt, 33 with South Adelaide and 20 in the VFL with Hawthorn). Kicked then record 151 goals in 1983. Played in two premiership sides (1974 and 1976 with Sturt).
In memory of Davies’ solo efforts in the 1976 SANFL grand final — when he defied the red-hot Port Adelaide with 15 marks, many across half-back — the “Jumbo Prince” can wait for the call to go into ruck from a back pocket.
HALF-BACKS
GEOF MOTLEY
Played 258 games (all with Port Adelaide). Won 1964 Magarey Medal. Played in record nine premierships teams on Adelaide Oval — and captain-coached Port Adelaide to the record sixth-in-a-row flag in 1959.
Tough, uncompromising, totally devoted to team football — and fair. Very much the heartbeat of one of SA’s greatest teams in the game’s golden era of the 1950s and ‘60s.
LEN FITZGERALD
Played 221 games (96 in the VFL with Collingwood and 125 with Sturt). Won 1952, 1954 and 1959 Magarey Medal. All-Australian in 1953.
Made his debut with Collingwood at just 15 — and proved himself strong and capable in the game’s most-demanding positions while representing both Victoria and SA.
DAN MORIARTY
Played 97 games (all with South Adelaide). Won 1919, 1920 and 1921 Magarey Medals.
Adventurous defender who defied taller forwards with his immaculate reading of the play. Would have played more league games had the sport not been disrupted by World War I.
MIDFIELDERS
JOHN CAHILL
Played 264 games (all with Port Adelaide). Member of four premiership teams (1959, 1962, 1963 and 1965).
Simply brilliant — and while the argument is made that no player can carry a team to a flag, there is the thought that Port Adelaide would have won the 1964 SANFL grand final had Cahill not been injured.
RUSSELL EBERT
Played 416 games (391 in the SANFL with Port Adelaide and 25 in the VFL with North Melbourne). Won record four Magarey Medals (1971, 1974, 1976 and 1980). Member of three premiership sides (1977, 1980 and 1981).
Immaculate skills and strength as a centreman who dominated SA football’s through its greatest era in the 1960s and 1970s.
LINDSAY HEAD
Played 327 games (all with West Torrens). Won 1955, 1958 and 1963 Magarey Medals. All-Australian in 1956. Represented SA 37 times.
First player to reach 300-game milestone in SANFL football. Mesmerised fans — and opponents — in the 1950s with his midfield work.
M ALCOLM BLIGHT
Played 342 games (164 in SANFL with Woodville and 178 in VFL with North Melbourne). Won Magarey Medal in 1972 and Brownlow Medal in 1978. Won Coleman Medal as VFL leading goalkicker in 1982. Member of North Melbourne’s 1977 and 1979 premiership teams.
Brilliant forward who never left a question unanswered with his willingness to try tricky or demanding plays.
JOHN PLATTEN
Played 371 games (113 in the SANFL with Central District and 258 in the VFL-AFL with Hawthorn). Won Magarey Medal in 1984 and Brownlow Medal in 1987. All-Australian in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991. Member of four premiership teams with Hawthorn (1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991).
In an era in which SA produced the game’s best rovers, “The Rat” stood out for his ability to hunt the ball and use it.
FORWARDS
PAUL BAGSHAW
Played 360 games (all with Sturt). Member of seven premiership teams (1966, 67, 68, 69, 70, 74 and 76). Won five best-and-fairest titles in Sturt’s greatest era.
Measure of his skill is best seen in a state game on a mud heap in Tasmania — he controlled the ball better than anyone. Arguably the greatest Sturt player of the Jack Oatey era.
BARRIE ROBRAN
Played 210 games (all with North Adelaide). Won 1968, 1970 and 1973 Magarey Medal. Member of two premiership sides (1971 and 72).
Only South Australian to have legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Nothing more needs to be said. Career ruined by knee injury in state game on SCG.
MARK RICCIUTO
Played 333 games (312 in the AFL with Adelaide and 21 in the SANFL with West Adelaide). Won Brownlow Medal in 2003. Member of Adelaide’s 1998 premiership side. All-Australian in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2000.
Modern-day bull in any contest for the ball — and almost impossible to contain either as a midfielder or forward. Natural leader.
NEIL KERLEY
Played 260 games (149 with West Adelaide, 56 with South Adelaide and 55 with Glenelg). Member of two premiership sides (West Adelaide in 1961 and South Adelaide in 1964, both as captain-coach). All-Australian in 1961.
His ability to win contests against taller ruckmen — particularly in the 1961 grand final — is just the start of the legend of one of SA’s toughest players.
KEN FARMER
Played 224 games (all with North Adelaide). SANFL leading goalkicker in every season from 1930 to 1940. Kicked 100 goals or more for 11 consecutive seasons.
SA’s greatest goalkicker with a career tally of 1417. No more needs to be said.
BOB QUINN
Played 186 games (all with Port Adelaide). Won two Magarey Medals (1938 and 1945) in career interrupted by war service. Member of three premiership sides (1936, ‘37 and 39).
Quick and loaded with a big engine that carried him through the most demanding games — and courageous, as emphasised by his war record that includes a Military Medal.
RUCK
TOM LEAHY
Played 262 games (151 with West Adelaide and 111 with North Adelaide). Won 1913 Magarey Medal and was runner-up in 1908, 1909 and 1911. Member of North Adelaide’s 1920 premiership side.
Another player before his time as he used bodywork in ruck contests and his athleticism in field play.
INTERCHANGE
STEPHEN KERNAHAN
Played 387 games (136 in SANFL with Glenelg and 251 in the VFL-AFL with Carlton). Member of Glenelg premiership side in 1986 and Carlton in 1987 and 1995. All-Australian in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1994.
Those 10 goals against Victoria in the first State-of-Origin game played under lights at Football Park in 1984 were the start of a grand career.
WALTER SCOTT
Played 174 games (all with Norwood). Won Magarey Medal in 1921, 1924 and 1930. Member of Norwood premiership sides in 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1930. Represented SA 38 times.
Master defender who made his mark on the SANFL as a Magarey Medallist in just his second season.
GRAHAM CORNES
Played 364 games (312 in the SANFL with Glenelg and 47 with South Adelaide and five VFL games with North Melbourne). Member of Glenelg premiership side in 1973. All-Australian in 1979 and 1980. Tassie Medallist in 1979.
Capable of playing so many roles in a team, either side of centre — and with brilliance and reliability.
TOM MacKENZIE
Played an estimated 200 games (with West Torrens and North Adelaide) from 1901-13. Won three Magarey Medals (1902, 05 and 06) and played in one premiership side (1905 with North Adelaide).
First player to claim three Magarey Medals. A perfectly balanced centreman who was “before his time” — and sadly forgotten in the current time of naming almost everything at Adelaide Oval.
EMERGENCIES
P ETER CAREY
Played 448 games (all with Glenelg). Member of three Glenelg premiership teams, 1973, 1985 and 1986. All-Australian in 1979 and 1980.
One of the most assertive and enduring ruckmen of his era.
BOB HANK
Played 224 games (all with West Torrens). Won Magarey Medals in 1946 and 1947. All-Australian in 1953. Played in two premiership sides (1945 and 1953).
Dominated SA football after World War II with his strong ball-getting traits and ability to influence the scoreboard.
ANDREW McLEOD
Played (340 in the AFL with Adelaide and 23 in the SANFL with Port Adelaide). Member of Adelaide’s 1997 and 1998 premiership double. Won Norm Smith Medal as best-afield in those grand finals. All-Australian in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007.
One of the smoothest and most-gifted players who maintained high standards even when playing under duress with a degenerating knee.
COACH
FOS WILLIAMS
Coached Port Adelaide in 447 games with 333-112-2 win-loss-draw record with nine premierships. Also coached South Adelaide with 3-15 count and West Adelaide with 43-68-1 record. Mentored SA team that beat VFL on the MCG in 1963.
Williams was the first “super coach” in SA football history — and the most capable in his era with state teams once he gained control of selection.
UMPIRE
MURRAY DUCKER
Field umpire in 198 games. Officiated in six grand finals (1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974).
His work in the frenetic 1973 grand final between Glenelg and North Adelaide at Adelaide Oval was exceptional.
