Hypothetical but interesting given we are touted as having a very strong list. Who from 2019 would have gotten a game in the 2000 GF?
Here is our game 4 side (with Daniher in for Clarke) which is near enough to our best 22. (you can swap out someone if you like - but it will be at the margin and pointless for this exercise.
Whilst 2000 was a great year I think we’ve been caught up on the Sheedy era and looking for quick fixes for success over the past 15 years. Very similar to Carlton.
It’s a different game nowadays with far more teams. These old school coaches and staff that experienced success a decade ago are probably only going to stunt the club’s growth.
You do need to go backwards to go forwards.
Clubs are now more built on leadership and innovation as opposed to arrogance and intimidation
Yeah, fair enough, and probably easier to look at who from now might have got a game in that side as you don’t have to worry about who’d manage game plan complexities etc.
Tbh I’d question whether anyone has legitimate claims.
Wallis would have been considered a weakish link, but he was legitimately important in 2 premiership teams. We have no idea how anyone from the current group even performs on the biggest stage. We’re just projecting how we think they might perform if they ever get the opportunity.
(I am feeling very resentful this week and probably can’t actually make a valid judgement, but so be it.)
That 2000 team would have today’s lot in tears by qtr time
The only guys who you could maybe put in that 2000 team from this lot are Raz and hooker
There only two from that side that you could maybe drop are moorcroft- a fit and healthy moorcroft would easily get a game in today’s team. He provided pressure, nastiness, goals. Raz has him covered for pure talent and skills though
Wallis- genuine hard nut, who was also nasty. Hooker has him covered for marking
By the way… Wallis would’ve gotten slaughtered as a back in the team Hurley has had to play with over his career. Would’ve provided zero drive and had millions of goals kicked on him. Slot Hurls into the 2000 team however and he would’ve been AA regularly. So I change my mind, Hurley ahead of wallis as well.
The traits aren’t mutually exclusive. I’d argue Hawthorn & Clarkson in particular has mastered arrogance & intimidation being a big part of their success as well leadership & innovation.