Agree with those above who say the 2000 side would win by 10+ goals.
I started a similar thread here about 12 years ago comparing the 84-5 sides against the 2000 side. The consensus on Blitz then was, based on talent, the 85 side would thrash them.
That was just how good that team was. Best ever.
I've always thought The 84/84 side was regarded as the best of the sheedy era.
Madden, Watson, Daniher, and Merrett were stars of the game. I was watching a DVD of 85 the other day and the commentators were saying Roger was the best player in the league. That and we had the best ruck man of the modern era. Watson and Terry- right up there with the best.
That's before You mention Vanders, Fish, Baker, Harvs, Bomber, duckworth, daisy.. What a side.
I forget that some of the younger posters wouldn't have seen the 84/85 sides live. I'm am luckily old enough that I did and I was a kid just old enough to understand and appreciate it. Basically I was born into footy the year Sheedy took over. The year my dad started taking me each week (as a 7 year old) was the year Sheeds started. So I was 10 and 11 for the 84/85 flags.
My memory of the players - likening them to players of this era would be:
Salmon - basically Carlisle for the last 2 weeks but EVERY week. The first year (his second) that Sheedy chose to play him in the 1sts (1984) he was 63 goals from 12 games before doing his knee.
Van Der Haar- Tex Walker before his knee injury
Terry Daniher - No one quite like him. He used to mark the footy at those moments when you were praying for someone too. Good for 8 to 10 one grabs a game and 3 or 4 goals. Would float forward or back like Hird. Better than Hird in the air but not as good as Hird at ground level.
Watson - Dangerfield but EVERY week and better. Watch the Neil Daniher comeback at Princes Park last quarter on YouTube vs Carlton and watch him Dangerfield power through the mud deep into the last quarter. He was such a powerful machine.
Neagle - Hibbo but maybe faster. Similar to Watson but on a wing.'
Madden - An original. He used to kick a lot of goals. Take a lot of marks forward. Imagine a slower but more consistent Ryder at his best in the ruck and up forward, taking marks, kicking goals, floating back. Consistently dominating his role. Like Ryder, he never missed.
Harvey - Watters for West Coast at his best. But could go forward and kick goals. Just insane courage. I've never seen a crazier footballer. Maybe J Brown but Harves was 15 kilos lighter and so it was more insane to go into the packs he used to. That Reiwoldt mark. Harves regularly did that.
Leon Baker - Darren Jarman or Mercuri. Baker is nearly the most skillful player I've seen. Top 5.
Bomber Thompson - Bags but better at ground level. Plus Bartels aerial ability and ability to go forward and kick a goal.
Foulds - 300 games of constantly racking up 20 kicks on a wing. Maybe Stants with a nicer kick.
Merrett - (Dodga!) Maybe Petrie but a bit scarier He was hard and went in a straight line for the ball. He was to be feared. But would take the ball at the highest point when in the air. (Although Dodga is my handle, my memories of him were more my dad laughing at how much opposition players would sh*t themselves when he was coming at them).
Ezard - when young was one of the most lightening players I've seen. Top 5. Maybe that little Mitchell guy for West Coast who kicked goal and took mark of the year would compare. These days I guess Garlett but with the ability to fly like Wingard.
Daisy Williams - tough like Daniel Kerr for his size but without Kerrs run and carry.
That's how the memories and impressions sit in my head. 84/85 would have beaten 2000 I reckon.
Interested hearing others peoples likenesses to modern day players.
Fyfe is James Hird as an example but Hird was a more skilful kick and less panic ridden and more consistent.