I’ve been having this issue. And I can’t justify Salmon in the ruck, given his high quality ruck during the period was with a hated opposition. But he was clearly the #1 ruckman in the period that we had on our list for the period.
So ignoring Salmon I start wondering how to make it work, and even which of our flawed ruckmen is most deserving of the #1 slot.
If you rule out Salmon, and stick to the 50 games from 1993 qualification, the choices are:
Bellchambers
Ryder
Hille
Alessio
Somerville
I’d go Bellchambers. He gets significantly more hit outs than any of the others (24.4 per game, Ryder next with 19.2, then Hille 14.5). His other stats are generally marginally lower than the others, but the quality & amount of the tap work is far enough of the other to get the nod for mine, especially in this side.
Wanganeen, Hooker, Soloman
Hardwick, Fletcher, Hibberd
Salmon, J. Watson, J. Johnson, Merrett
M. Long, Lovett
Hird, Daniher, Winderlich
Tippa, Lloyd, Rioli
Goddard, Mercuri, Caracella, Berwick
Possibly not the best side but full of my favourite players
B: Wanganeen Fletcher M Johnson
Hb: Hardwick Hooker Solomon
C: Long J Watson Lovett
Hf: Caracella Daniher Mercuri
F: Bewick Salmon Lloyd
R: Ryder J Johnson Hird ©
Int: Lucas Rioli, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Goddard
Emg: Stanton Heppell, Z Merrett
B: Wanganeen, Fletcher, Hurley
HB: Hardwick, Harvey, M. Johnson
C: M. Long, J. Watson, Z. Merrett
HF: Hird ©, Lucas, Winderlich
F: Salmon, Lloyd, Mercuri
R: Hille, Goddard, Bewick
Int: Misiti, Caracella, J. Johnson, Hooker
B: Wanganeen, Fletcher, Hardwick
HB: Solomon, Hurley, Wellman
C: Heppell, J.Watson, Long
HF: Hird, Lucas, Mercuri
F: J.Daniher, Lloyd, Bewick
R: Alessio, Z.Merrett, J.Johnson
INT: O’Donnell, Caracella, Hooker, Goddard
Ryder’■■■■■ outs to advantage put him well above the others imo. Add to that his ability around the ground and his ball skills.
Still a D-bag though.
Amazing just looking at everyone’s teams, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone put Brent Stanton in. 200+ gamer across that timespan. I’m not saying people should, but interesting nonetheless…
I thought this. But looking at the numbers I was a little surprised.
On a career basis, Ryder averages only 1.1 more disposals, 0.2 marks, 0.1 goals and 1.2 tackles more than Bellchambers. That’s not a lot.
Over the past two seasons Bellchambers has averaged more disposals and hit outs than Ryder.
I think if I was choosing each of them playing their absolute best game, Ryder it is.
But he left us, so fk him.
ryders advantage was his versatitlity.
Played Key defence, Ruck and Key forward.
His snaps for goal round the corner were sweet too,
Due to him being laconic, looks a bit lazy and should have a better disposal output than he does,
Interesting what the tackling averages are, from memory he wasnt bad in that regard.
Much as I have a soft spot for the 1993 - 2000 brigade, I actually would consider replacing some of them with players from post 2000.
Sort of who might be better in the earlier era, and who might not be quite as good in the weaker sides.
Plus playing favourites a bit, and a mix of types - pace as well as grunt.
B: Wanganeen Fletcher Harvey
Hb: Conor Hooker Wellman
C: Long J Watson Mercuri
Hf:Goddard Daniher Walla
F: Bewick Lloyd Alwyn Davey
R: Salmon Hird © Merrett
Int: Lucas Rioli, O’Donnell, Winderlich
B: Wanganeen Hooker Hurley
Hb: McKenna Lucas Harvey
C: Long J Watson Winderlich
Hf: Hird J Daniher Mercuri
F: Walla Lloyd Berwick
R: Salmon J Johnson Merrett
Int: Wallis, Rioli, Goddard, Caracella
No Fletcher?
Nope. No Fletcher
Wallis before fletcher, wow!
No, Hooker before Fletcher
Havent seen any AFL pre 2000 (which was when my Dad met mum and introduced me to AFL and he is a mad Essendon fan so only going off high lights.
B: Hardwick, Fletcher, Thompson
HB: Harvey, Hooker, Wanganeen
C: Caracella, J Watson, O’Donnell
Hf: Mercuri, Lucas, Hird
F: Barnes, Lloyd, Long
R: Salmon, Misiti, T.Watson
I; J Johnson, Kickett, Bewick, Rioli
E: Hurley, Goddard, Tippa, Ramanascus.
Surprised at the lack of Caracella in some of these. Automatic include.
Would love to see an Essengton side from 1993-2020
Damn injuries ruined his career. Nice to slot him in there.
Whipping boy it seems.
