As Dreamtime at the G approaches, here’s the assembly of the 22 indigenous players in our history…
B: G. Wanganeen, J. Atkinson, R. Cole
HB: N. McDonald, N. Lovett-Murray, C. Dempsey
C: M. Long, A. Lovett, C. Cockatoo-Collins
HF: De. Kickett, J. Murphy, D. Rioli
F: A. Davey, M. Williams, L. Jetta
Foll: P. Ryder, C. McGrath, Da. Kickett
INT: W. ■■■■, R. Williams, L. Ross, S. Lewfatt
Pretty fair effort that one. The one change l would make is to put Davey at CHF.
Top 5?
Wanganeen
Long
McDonald
Rioli
Ryder
Long
Wanganeen
Rioli
Lovett
Ryder
Im not going to comment on McDonald, because i never saw him play.
Derek Kickett in his prime was severely under rated.
Good effort Mr Foreman
But I would include Gary Parkes.
Played 96 games from 1970 to 1976.
Better wingman than little Cockie. Much better player than Cole.
Good effort Mr Foreman
But I would include Gary Parkes.
Played 96 games from 1970 to 1976.
Better wingman than little Cockie. Much better player than Cole.
Parkes wasn't aboriginal Bacchus. If he was, then he was never recognised as such...
http://m.essendonfc.com.au/news/2014-05-26/essendons-indigenous-stars
Michael Long
Gavin Wanganeen
Norm McDonald
Dean Rioli
Paddy Ryder
People are happy to rate Reynolds as the best player ever, but not McDonald as one of the best Indigenous players because 'we never saw him play personally'.
Norm McDonald won a B&F at Essendon in 1951, and played in the back to back 1949-50
He played 128 games over 7 years.
He played in 6 Grand Finals in his first 5 years. (Draw in 48)
He also represented Victoria in State footy.
He was voted the 33rd best player to ever play at Essendon.
So I don't think I'm going out on a limb to put him in the best Indigenous players at Essendon.
Yeah, maybe a top 10 is the way to go. You know you are struggling for numbers when Richard Cole is in your starting 18.
Yeah, maybe a top 10 is the way to go. You know you are struggling for numbers when Richard Cole is in your starting 18.
i was gonna say it'd be a stronger team if they left him out and played one short.
My Father considered Norm McDonald as just behind Bill Hutchison. Dad saw the end of Reynolds career and the likes of Coleman, Clarke and Mitchell and thought he was in their league.