Herald Sun’s Top 25 AFL players: How the experts voted on greatest players of past 50 years
MICK Malthouse’s top 25 players of the last 50 years has divided the football world. So why did he leave out Nathan Buckley and Gary Ablett Snr and Jnr? HAVE YOUR SAY
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PREMIERSHIP coach Mick Malthouse was among the panel to select the top 25 players of the past 50 years.
And there were one or two notable omissions.
Arguably the most contentious was Gary Ablett snr and Gary Ablett jnr both being left out of Malthouse’s choices.
But the coach believed there’s more to footy than pure playing ability.
“Gary Ablett snr was obviously just a brilliant player but I saw Michael Brennan when I coached the Eagles, and Michael was as slow as treacle, twice tear Ablett apart in finals.
“And if you are talking about TEAM, then Ablett snr wouldn’t be anywhere near it,” explained Malthouse.
SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO VOTE and WATCH ROBBO AND ANDO ON CHOOSING THEIR LISTS IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
“Gary Ablett jnr, to me, was one of many very good players at Geelong, including Paul Couch, Steve Johnson, Joel Selwood, Jim Bartel and Barry Stoneham.”
The three-time premiership coach also explained why one of Collingwood’s greatest — now Pies coach Nathan Buckley — missed his cut.
“He was clearly a great player but he wasn’t a Premiership player, which just about all of my list were, although I do concede that being a Premiership player can come down to luck.”
HOW WE DID IT
The criteria given to the judges was that those eligible for selection had to have played more than half their careers between 1967-2016, making legends such as John Nicholls and Bob Skilton ineligible.
All nine selectors — Mick Malthouse, Dermott Brereton, David King, Mark Robinson, Jon Anderson, Jon Ralph, Glenn McFarlane, Scott Gullan and Sam Edmund — picked his top 25.
To be chosen No.1 on a list earned 25 points on a sliding scale down to No.25 who earned one point.
When all lists were tallied, Leigh Matthews had earned 221 of a possible 225 votes. Nathan Buckley earned 28 votes for being chosen 17th, 19th (twice) and 21st on four separate lists.
HERE’S HOW EACH EXPERT VOTED:
MICK MALTHOUSE
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
He could turn games, lead strongly as captain and consistently play well in big matches.
2 WAYNE CAREY
I found it nearly impossible to split he and Matthews, but went with the latter because of the Jakovich factor over Carey.
3 GLEN JAKOVICH
He beat Carey consistently and beat him when Carey was flying. Because he was an interstater he didn’t get the recognition he fully deserved. As a coach of the Eagles, he was my go-to player.
4 KEVIN BARTLETT
An absolutely brilliant player with an extraordinary turn of speed. His nickname “Hungry” was appropriate but he kicked goals when you needed them.
5 TONY LOCKETT
If you can kick that many goals you have to be something special. And it’s very hard kicking goals.
6 JASON DUNSTALL
Quite remarkable with his hands and just knowing how to kick a goal.
7 FRANCIS BOURKE
“Saint Francis” played in premiership sides as a wingman, half-back and full-back. Just had to be on my list.
8 DOUG HAWKINS
Nobody could caress the football like Hawkins, forcing the player to lead to him.
9 CHRIS JUDD
Was unlucky enough to coach against him and lucky enough to then coach him.
10 PETER HUDSON
Just picks himself. I would have him ahead of Lockett and Dunstall but for the fact his career was shortened by a knee injury.
11 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
12 IAN STEWART
13 ADAM GOODES
14 ALEX JESAULENKO
15 DERMOTT BRERETON
16 LANCE FRANKLIN
17 ROBERT HARVEY
18 GUY McKENNA
19 SIMON MADDEN
20 SAM MITCHELL
21 STEPHEN KERNAHAN
22 DANE SWAN
23 PETER MATERA
24 ANDREW McLEOD
25 MICHAEL VOSS
Hardest to leave out: JAMES CLEMENT
DERMOTT BRERETON
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
Simply the best. Plenty in the football world just saw his power, but he was incredibly agile.
2 WAYNE CAREY
No forward has overpowered opposition backlines more times than Carey.
3 GREG WILLIAMS
In State-of-Origin games, whenever there was a question regarding the midfield, every midfielder would defer to Williams for the answer.
4 PETER HUDSON
150 goals in a season when football had entered a semi-professional era. Freakish.
5 TONY LOCKETT
The only time I saw Chris Langford towelled up was against Lockett (he kicked 9.7 against Hawthorn in R10, 1988). It was the only time I saw Langford moved off his opponent.
6 SIMON MADDEN
From the first time I played senior footy, no other ruckman was as good as Simon Madden. Sublime all-round skills — palm ruckwork, marking, a full-forward capable of kicking a bag.
7 LEN THOMPSON
The first of the super-agile, big ruckmen. Loved him as a Collingwood supporter growing up. Sensational player.
8 GARY ABLETT Sr
The most talented player to ever play Australian rules football. I saw first-hand his freakish ability in the Hawthorn reserves in 1981-82.
9 JOHN PLATTEN
In all the time I played at Hawthorn, he was the Hawks’ best player. Incredible ball-winner on the inside and unbelievable endurance on the outside. He just did not miss when kicking.
10 ROSS GLENDINNING
I played on some greats and Ross Glendinning was the best footballer I ever played against.
11 BRUCE DOULL
12 KEITH GREIG
13 MICHAEL VOSS
14 KEVIN BARTLETT
15 JAMES HIRD
16 GARY ABLETT Jr
17 PETER MATERA
18 JONATHAN BROWN
19 NATHAN BUCKLEY
20 STEPHEN KERNAHAN
21 DAVID DENCH
22 JASON DUNSTALL
23 LANCE FRANKLIN
24 ROYCE HART
25 TERRY DANIHER
Hardest to leave out: MARK RICCIUTO
DAVID KING
1 WAYNE CAREY
“The King”. Wayne was the most influential player when the game was in the balance, he was the singular reason for North Melbourne’s success.
2 LEIGH MATTHEWS
Averaged 22 disposals and almost three goals per game, before becoming the AFL’s greatest coach. Matthews will always be the biggest name in the game.
3 GARY ABLETT Sr
Versatility personified. A goalkicking wingman became an unstoppable and freakish full-forward. Kicked 124 goals in 17 games in 1993, including five games of 10-plus. Frightening.
4 TONY LOCKETT
The game’s greatest goal scorer. Six times kicked 100-plus goals in a season an on 22 occasions he kicked 10 goals or more in a game. Unrivalled numbers.
5 GARY ABLETT Jnr
The AFL’s most proficient ball user and accumulator. Gary Jr did not have a 30-disposal game until his 103rd outing, but has since posted 106 30-disposals-or-more games from 185 matches. Amazing.
6 PETER HUDSON
727 goals in 129 games at an average of 5.64 goals per game (12 times Hudson kicked 10 or more in a match). Returned after a near three-year absence to boot 110 goals in 1974. Impossible for Hudson to win B&Fs with L Matthews in his prime.
7 LANCE FRANKLIN
An automatic Hall of Famer, instantaneous Legend status. Since Round 1 2005, Franklin has kicked 200 goals more than his nearest challenger (Matthew Pavlich, who has retired).
8 CHRIS JUDD
Exhibited brilliant breakaway speed from stoppages that the game hadn’t witnessed before. A dominant ‘04 Brownlow victory.
9 JASON DUNSTALL
Kicked 10 goals plus sixteen times throughout his 268 game career. Six times slotting one hundred goals in a season. Dunstall’s goal conversion was almost automatic.
10 SIMON MADDEN
Served the ball on a platter to his clearance smalls for years, not forgetting his scoreboard impact of almost 600 goals! Initiated “Ruck craft”.
11 MATTHEW SCARLETT
12 IAN STEWART
13 GREG WILLIAMS
14 JAMES HIRD
15 MICHAEL VOSS
16 ROYCE HART
17 DERMOTT BRERETON
18 KEVIN BARTLETT
19 PETER MATERA
20 MARK RICCIUTO
21 NATHAN BUCKLEY
22 ANDREW McLEOD
23 NICK RIEWOLDT
24 MATTHEW PAVLICH
25 COREY ENRIGHT
Hardest to leave out: PAUL ROOS
MARK ROBINSON
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
GOAT. No one beat him out of No.1 in the 20th century and no one has come along to beat him this century. Always remember: 332 games, 915 goals and he was 178cm.
2 GARY ABLETT Sr
And if anyone was, it would be “Gazza”. Freakish talent who was never rewarded with a premiership which is the only negative in a spectacular football career.
3 WAYNE CAREY
If the AFL Team of the Century was officially reworked, can’t see how he wouldn’t knock off Royce Hart at centre half-forward. Doesn’t get called the “King’’ for nothing.
4 TONY LOCKETT
Kicked the most goals in 150 years of the competition and was tough, imposing and intimidating. His football skills relied on a strong mark and straight kick.
5 JASON DUNSTALL
Less flamboyant than Lockett _ well, he didn’t whack people _ but courageous in the air and on the ground. Saw him kick 17 goals one day.
6 GARY ABLETT Jr
Not long ago he was in the argument about who was the best Ablett. Not now after two quieter years. Best on-baller of his generation who thinks congestion is a chest cold.
7 GREG WILLIAMS
Using every inch of talent and competitiveness from what you’re born with is commendable, but when you’re born and need calipers to walk and you still become an AFL great, well, that’s a movie. Inspiring.
8 PETER HUDSON
Flew in, stayed, flew out, did a knee, made a comeback, couldn’t run, not a huge mark and was tumble punter ... But he is the best goals-per-game scorer in the history of the game. A different type of freak to “Gazza”.
9 KEVIN BARTLETT
Stiff not make the Team of the (Last) Century, losing out to Matthews, Bunton, Reynolds, Williams, “Jezza” and Skilton in selection. Won’t miss this list. An official AFL Legend.
10 ROYCE HART
Didn’t see him play, but was in the Team of the Century and KB says Hart was the best centre half-forward to play the game. This list isn’t going to disrespect a legend.
11 JAMES HIRD
12 SIMON MADDEN
13 CHRIS JUDD
14 MALCOLM BLIGHT
15 LANCE FRANKLIN
16 MICHAEL VOSS
17 IAN STEWART
18 STEPHEN KERNAHAN
19 BRUCE DOULL
20 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
21 LUKE HODGE
22 GLEN JAKOVICH
23 SAM MITCHELL
24 ALEX JESAULENKO
25 ANDREW McLEOD
Hardest to leave out: It’s difficult enough to do a top 25, so you’re not going to get me on the unlucky one to miss out. Buckley, Adam Goodes, Gary Dempsey, Keith Greig, Doug Hawkins, Robert Harvey, Matthew Scarlett, Francis Bourke, Gavin Wanganeen, Peter Daicos, Dean Cox, Ross Glendinning, Warren Tredrea and Mark Ricciuto were all bloody unlucky.
JON ANDERSON
1 GARY ABLETT Sr
The most naturally gifted footballer by a fair margin. And no player will get near his level in the last three finals of 1989, or kick three straight tons after being moved to full-forward aged 32.
2 LEIGH MATTHEWS
A rare ability to influence results, with equal effect either on-ball or forward and extreme durable. And then there were those eight best and fairests, three of which came in premiership seasons.
3 WAYNE CAREY
Sometimes these comparisons come down to who you saw the most of. I figure if I was a North supporter rather than a Geelong one, I could well have Carey at No.1.
4 TONY LOCKETT
Yes, he kicked the most goals but for me it was his ball handling, kicking, body strength, ground play, speed off the mark and aerial ability that made him a complete package.
5 PETER KNIGHTS
The player who gets forgotten most when the elite are discussed. Encompassed everything that is great about our game as a dashing, high-flying and fair centre half-back.
6 SIMON MADDEN
Played well in big games, and like the great John Nicholls before him, was a supreme palmer. Did I also mention that he kicked 575 goals?
7 PETER HUDSON
It’s hard comparing him with traditional full-forwards because his style was so different. But if you wanted one player to kick a goal in a match played in heaven, “Huddo” would do me.
8 GARY ABLETT Jr
It’s amazing how quickly we drop off. Three years ago, before injuries, “Little Gazza” was being spoken of as the best on-baller in 30 years, and by some as better than his father.
9 JASON DUNSTALL
Goals are hard to kick and he kept doing it. And don’t give me “but he played in great sides” line. When the Hawks were no longer a superpower in 1994 and 1996, Dunstall still kicked tons.
10 GLEN JAKOVICH
I think he suffers more than any other great of the recent era from having played for an interstate side. And he lacked the frills of some others, but in terms of getting the job done, he was the man for one of the game’s great defences.
11 KEVIN BARTLETT
12 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
13 SAM MITCHELL
14 IAN STEWART
15 ROYCE HART
16 GARY DEMPSEY
17 ADAM GOODES
18 MATTHEW SCARLETT
19 BRUCE DOULL
20 CHRIS JUDD
21 MICHAEL VOSS
22 MALCOLM BLIGHT
23 ALEX JESAULENKO
24 GREG WILLIAMS
25 COREY ENRIGHT
Hardest to leave out: SIMON BLACK
JON RALPH
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
The premierships, the swagger, the midfield dominance. Then you add in an astonishing 915 goals. Almost two careers in one.
2 WAYNE CAREY
The finals campaigns, the big moments, the starring performances under Friday night lights. Had it all.
3 GARY ABLETT Sr
Never seen such an electric pulse travel around the ground than when this bloke was on. As exciting to watch as any.
4 TONY LOCKETT
For his sheer relentless pursuit of excellence week in and week out. Only one bloke has the individual record that really matters.
5 GARY ABLETT Jr
Could easily have four Brownlows if his 44-goal, 756-disposal season in 2010 was rewarded and injury hadn’t hit in 2014.
6 KEVIN BARTLETT
Longevity, creativity, sheer hunger to be his team’s best player. And the 21-goal, three-finals performance in 1980.
7 MICHAEL VOSS
Tougher, more relentless, and showed greater leadership than most in his generation. Played so many of those great games in pain, too.
8 JASON DUNSTALL
As well as the magnificent bag of goals even his faux adversary Dermott Brereton talks about how selfless Dunstall was when a better option presented.
9 ROYCE HART
Up there as the best exponent of the AFL’s most unique trait — the soaring mark over the pack.
10 SIMON MADDEN
The prototype ruckman — 575 goals and huge around-the-ground influence — and did it over 378 games and two premierships.
11 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
12 PETER HUDSON
13 IAN STEWART
14 BRUCE DOULL
15 ROBERT HARVEY
16 SAM MITCHELL
17 GLEN JAKOVICH
18 MALCOLM BLIGHT
19 NATHAN BUCKLEY
20 LANCE FRANKLIN
21 MATTHEW RICHARDSON
22 ADAM GOODES
23 NICK RIEWOLDT
24 MATTHEW SCARLETT
25 JAMES HIRD
Hardest to leave out: DEAN COX.
GLENN McFARLANE
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
Judged as the Herald Sun’s Player of the 20th Century for a reason. His eight best-and-fairests came in a 12-season bracket, three in premiership years. Champion rover, then best small forward in the game.
2 WAYNE CAREY
Surely only a matter of time before he is made an AFL Legend. Imposing player and leader, and without him, North Melbourne would almost certainly have just two flags, not four. Impacted on games like few others.
3 GARY ABLETT Sr
He could do things others wouldn’t even imagine trying. Sublimely talented, exceptionally tough and freakish in the air and on the ground. Was just as good if not better when he became a stay-at-home forward.
4 TONY LOCKETT
No one has kicked more goals in the history of the game. Intimidating and powerful, Lockett remains the only full-forward to win a Brownlow Medal and was one of the greatest kicks for goal the game has ever seen.
5 JASON DUNSTALL
Champion goalkicker whose vice-like grip on the ball and deadly accuracy made him compelling viewing in a golden age of forwards. Came close to winning the Brownlow Medal on four occasions and played an enormous role in Hawthorn’s stunningly successful period.
6 KEVIN BARTLETT
Believed in the Gordon Gecko motto that greed was good, but it was so often to Richmond’s benefit. Outstanding rover who earned the nickname “Hungry” for his reticence to handball. Was almost impossible to stop once he got a sniff of the Sherrin, particularly when close to goal.
7 GARY ABLETT Jr
The most consistently brilliant footballer of the modern age. Won two Brownlows and could so easily have made it three or even four. Dominated matches during Geelong’s great era but also during Gold Coast’s difficult formative years. A genius with the ball.
8 PETER HUDSON
Holds the competition’s greatest goals per game average (5.64). Exceptional reader of the play. Had the capacity to nudge out opponents and beat them to the ball, and finished it off with superb goalkicking. Equal record holder for the most goals in a season (150 in 1971).
9 ALEX JESAULENKO
Dragged down one of the most famous marks in football history, but did so much more than that. An incredibly talented footballer, whose balance and poise saw him dominate through Carlton’s glory years.
10 ROYCE HART
Made his name in the hardest position on the ground, centre half-forward. Had all the attributes required to excel at the elite level — courage, balance, endeavour, high-leaping skills and rounded out by a lethal left foot. Would have been even greater if it hadn’t been for the knee injuries that plagued his later years.
11 SIMON MADDEN
12 IAN STEWART
13 MALCOLM BLIGHT
14 GREG WILLIAMS
15 CHRIS JUDD
16 MICHAEL VOSS
17 NATHAN BUCKLEY
18 ADAM GOODES
19 BRUCE DOULL
20 JAMES HIRD
21 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
22 ROBERT HARVEY
23 MATTHEW SCARLETT
24 SAM MITCHELL
25 LANCE FRANKLIN
Hardest to leave out: NICK RIEWOLDT and GLEN JAKOVICH
SCOTT GULLAN
1 GARY ABLETT Sr
Train rides to Kardinia Park as a kid just to watch him play ... and I didn’t even barrack for Geelong. Enough said.
2 WAYNE CAREY
If your nickname is “The King” that probably tells the story. Totally dominated games like few others ever had.
3 LEIGH MATTHEWS
While I still haven’t forgiven him for costing Footscray a premiership in 1985, it’s not enough to ignore his greatness.
4 TONY LOCKETT
Kicking goals, hurting opponents or throwing crutches ... everything about “Plugger” was a joy to watch.
5 JAMES HIRD
There was a gracefulness about everything he did in his prime.
6 GARY ABLETT Jr
Should have at least four Brownlows, not two. Unstoppable when rolling.
7 PETER DAICOS
Inspired generations to try to kick impossible goals. A freak.
8 ANTHONY KOUTOUFIDES
No one could dominate games in 15-minute blocks like “Kouta”.
9 CHRIS JUDD
Won a Brownlow at the age of 20. Brought a new level of explosiveness.
10 JASON DUNSTALL
Main memory was his accuracy, he just simply never missed.
11 MICHAEL VOSS
12 GREG WILLIAMS
13 ANDREW McLEOD
14 DARREN JARMAN
15 LANCE FRANKLIN
16 SIMON MADDEN
17 JASON AKERMANIS
18 SIMON BLACK
19 DERMOTT BRERETON
20 CHRIS GRANT
21 MATTHEW SCARLETT
22 DUSTIN FLETCHER
23 LUKE HODGE
24 MARK RICCIUTO
25 DOUG HAWKINS
Hardest to leave out: PAUL ROOS
SAM EDMUND
1 LEIGH MATTHEWS
Skilled, physical and brave — all in a squat, barrel-chested 178cm frame. “Lethal” on-field in 322 games with 915 goals, he was also a coaching great.
2 WAYNE CAREY
“The King” took games by the scruff of the neck like no other. An inspirational “follow-me” captain, unstoppable on his day — and there were a lot of those.
3 TONY LOCKETT
Kicked the most goals in the history of the game as an intimidating wrecking ball. How will anyone kick that many again?
4 GARY ABLETT Jr
The game’s most prolific ball-winner. Incredible in tight spaces and scintillating on the outside. Imagine if he moves forward.
5 GARY ABLETT Sr
Could do things others only dreamt about. Definition of freakish and deserved premierships.
6 JASON DUNSTALL
Machine-like. Watching him lead out and convert from all corners of Waverley was like watching the traffic lights change.
7 GREG WILLIAMS
His hands and vision shredded sides on a weekly basis. His 53 touches for Sydney against St Kilda in 1989 is still a VFL/AFL record (he also booted a lazy six goals that day). Ball magnet.
8 PETER HUDSON
Best per-game goalscorer in the history of the game. Bagged 727 in only 128 games at an average of 5.64 and returned after a three-year retirement to kick 110 in ’74.
9 SIMON MADDEN
A pure master of his craft. Delivered the pill on a platter for his little men and also found time to kick 575 goals.
10 KEVIN BARTLETT
Has AFL Legend status as a five-time premiership player, five-time best and fairest and a Norm Smith medallist. An icon of the game.
11 ROYCE HART
12 CHRIS JUDD
13 JAMES HIRD
14 LANCE FRANKLIN
15 STEPHEN SILVAGNI
16 BRUCE DOULL
17 IAN STEWART
18 STEPHEN KERNAHAN
19 MICHAEL VOSS
20 ALEX JESAULENKO
21 SIMON BLACK
22 LUKE HODGE
23 SAM MITCHELL
24 ANDREW McLEOD
25 NICK RIEWOLDT
Hardest to leave out: MATTHEW SCARLETT
THE FINAL LIST - HOW THEY FINISHED
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