Dick Reynolds *Odds are current as of 2nd May 2023, 4:47pm AEST. Gilchrist left the Bills in a contract dispute after three dominant seasons. Jim Otto - Raiders Oh, and was there a cooler nickname than "Lenny the Cool"? And the fact a player as good and as seasoned as Dangerfield, about to lose a grand final, can even in that moment find not only the grace but sense of fan-like awe at watching Martin at his best, says it all, really. Possesses a resume the envy of most players in history. He knew how to win games and championships, more of both than any coach in league history. Over the past few days, foxfooty.com.au has commenced its countdown Top 20 of the Past 20. He was a first-team All-Pro in four of his first five seasons before a bum back complicated by a contract dispute cut short his career. But it could also be the one-on-one marking duel with a hapless opponent who knows his demise is imminent well before the ball arrives. Honorable mention: Walt Sweeney (San Diego Chargers), Bob Talamini (Houston Oilers, New York Jets), All-Star Games: 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968. And it continues. For that reason, I simply had to include him among my best AFL players in history. AFL fan and advocate Todd Three of todays five players were regular All-Australian members from 2003 to 2011, while the others are two of the great modern-day goalkicking midfielders. Carolina selects the dynamic Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Alabama, and former Rancho Cucamonga High standout C.J. Polly Farmer was a revolutionary player by using the handball as an offensive tool. Pavlich had ample opportunities to leave the Dockers and return to his home state of South Australia. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Barry Cable Bottom line: Jim Otto started every Raiders game in their AFL history, 140 in all. The decision turned out to be a stroke of genius. The Cleveland Browns castoff won nearly two of every three starts (66.3 percent) and was the only signal-caller to lead his team to as many as three league titles. Clem Daniels - Texans, Raiders In 14 NFL seasons, Jones was an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 1967 and 1968 for the Los Angeles Rams. 2000-2020 stats: 143 games, 156 goals, 78 Brownlow votes, averaged 20.6 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Bombers premiership captain, Norm Smith Medallist, three-time All-Australian (one as captain), two-time best and fairest. But as a player, no Bomber has been greater than him this century to date. Honorable mention: Tom Addison (Boston Patriots), Larry Grantham (New York Titans/Jets), E.J. Despite never having played in an AFL All-Star Game, he was voted to three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls following the AFL-NFL merger. Tyrer passed away on September 15, 1980. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. Seven of his eight career touchdowns were from 60-plus yards out. Lance Franklin. Known for his ruggedness and toughness, he overcame numerous injuries to play 15 seasons for the Raiders, 1960-1974. Dane Swan (Collingwood) Three of today's five players were regular All-Australian members from 2003 to 2011, while the others are two of the great modern-day goalkicking midfielders. LANCE FRANKLIN (Hawthorn/Sydney) Lance Franklin of the Swans is closing in on 1,000 AFL goals. Willie Davis, Deacon Jones, Bob Lilly, Gino Marchetti and Merlin Olsen were the others. New customers only. He inspired the Saints to three Grand Finals across 2009 and 2010 for two losses and one draw. ", Honorable mention: Larry Eisenhauer (Boston Patriots), Ron McDole (Buffalo Bills), Gerry Philbin (New York Jets), All-Star Games: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, Bottom line: In 1963, the Chiefs drafted the 6-foot-7, 270-pound Buck Buchanan with the first overall pick, which they had acquired in exchange for veteran quarterback Cotton Davidson from the Oakland Raiders. Ted Whitten Snr 5. 2000-2020 stats: 353 games, 700 goals, 126 Brownlow votes, averaged 17.3 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Six-time All-Australian, six-time best and fairest, eight-time club leading goalkicker. Defenses targeted "Bambi" from the time that he arrived at the stadium. I guess everyone has their favourites. A well respected player in the NFL enterprise . 19. Hall of Fame? He was the AFLs only all-league center earning that honor in each of the 10 seasons he competed in the AFL. The Dallas Cowboys' reject also was an exceptional kickoff returner who ranked second in yards per attempt in back-to-back seasons. Pro Football Hall of Fame, versus the number of nfl players there. There has never been a better returner in NFL history than Devin Hester, earning him a spot in our top 100 NFL players of all-time. "When it came to punt returning, I didnt think anybody could hold my jock," Speedy was quick to agree. MY FIVE MOST-WATCHABLE PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. First AFL player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; All-AFL seven times (1963-69) Why he is overrated: The fans voted Fouts as the best player in team history, and an NFL Network panel . Kevin Murray: 9 (Fitzroy) 2. Ive always taken pride in being the hardest trainer and the habits I formed at training naturally transferred to games.. A freakish combination of flash and dash, the first Most Valuable Player in AFL history could score on any play from any spot on the field. One of the most prolific punters in pro football history, Wilson finished as the AFLs all-time leader with a 43.9-yard per punt average that came on 422 punts from 1963-69. "He helped me improve more than I could've ever done without him. They're not Speedy returned more punts (133) for more yards (1,641) and as many touchdowns (four) as any player in AFL history. 6.01pm on Apr 25, 2023 FT: Collingwood 13.12 (90) d Essendon 11. . He amassed 4,995 rushing yards, second most in AFL history, and scored 38 TDs. Reynolds was the antithesis of Matthews in that he was unshakeably fair on the football ground. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Matthew Pavlich is Fremantles best ever player. That says plenty on its own. Below are the names 21. 6-time All-AFL, 6-time AFL-All Star 1971 All-Pro, 2-time Pro Bowler 2-time AFL Champion (1966, '69) Super Bowl IV champion Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1990 NFL 100. Yet as Riewoldt told AFL Media in the lead-up to his 300th AFL game in 2016: Not many players would have out-prepared me. It's a measuring stick accorded very few players in the game's history. AFL Player Ratings All Positions All Teams Every AFL Player Ranked By canvassing AFL media votes, coaches votes, and match reports, our models have a much stronger idea of players who played important roles in each individual game. Hird finished on a high, too, winning the 2007 Essendon best and fairest just weeks after playing his final game. Duncan also was a lethal kickoff return man. The offense ranked either first or second in yards per rush in seven of his nine seasons. Full T's and C's. If not for an entertaining, bombs-away brand of ball and a five-year television deal to broadcast it around the country, the new league would have gone belly up in two or three years at most. And pity the defender who got in his way. After decades of dominance from the magical men in the goalsquare, midfielders have emerged as the best players of the modern era. Many also may question whether certain men should be Not only is that a testament to his almost sickening work ethic, but also to his contested marking ability and courage to back into packs. All right reserved. After two rounds this season, he's already warm favourite at $4 to win a second Brownlow Medal, half the price quoted the next most backed player on that list. Wayne Carey Lindsay Head Daniels was named to four straight AFL All-Star Games. Wayne Carey 3. ", Honorable mention: Goose Gonsoulin (Denver Broncos), Kenny Graham (San Diego Chargers), Ken Houston (Houston Oilers), Jim Norton (Houston Oilers), Statistics/14 games: 65.8 punts, 43.9 yards/attempts, 0.6 blocked, League championships: 1969 (Super Bowl IV). American Football Like another fellow former Cat, the late great Graham Polly Farmer, achieved in the ruck in the 1960s, Scarlett revolutionised and redefined the role he dominated for so many years. Modified Jun 12, 2022 22:04 IST. Was a brilliant mark and could kick with distance and accuracy with both feet, Stewart had no peer during his playing career. Paul Lowe - Chargers, Chiefs Sir Stanley Matthews is the godfather of English football and, in Pele's words, the man who 'taught us the way football should be played'. By Parimal. And he did them repeatedly. 12. 14. After 50 full seasons of NFL play, most New Englanders know Patriots legends like John Hannah, Tom Brady, Andre Tippett and so on. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. They are all goalkickers. Arbanas played his entire career (1962-1970) with the Texans/Chiefs. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Maynard started his pro career with the New York Giants in 1958. Budde spent his entire 14-season career (1963-1976) with the Chiefs, half in the AFL and half in the NFL. He amassed 1,000 or more yards in seven consecutive seasons and 10 or more touchdowns in four in a row. GARY ABLETT JR IS THE MOST SKILLED PLAYER OF ALL TIME. Lowe also had 111 receptions for 1,045 yards and 7 touchdowns. But when it comes to the category "most watchable," I'm firmly of the belief Martin is already there. Many also may question whether certain men should be inducted when others whom they believe deserving have not been. Budde deserves to be in Canton with them. In his second season, he put up numbers that were off the charts in the pre-merger era 82 catches, 1,746 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. The nick name says it all. 2000-2020 stats: 225 games, 251 goals, 176 Brownlow votes, averaged 25.4 disposals, 2000-2020 CV: Two-time premiership Tiger, two-time Norm Smith Medallist, Brownlow Medallist, AFLPA MVP, three-time All-Australian, two-time best and fairest, Lets debunk a myth here: Martin has not just had two outstanding years. Eleven years later, in 1999, Shaw became the first player to spend his entire career in the AFL to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Id never worried about any full-back before him.. Dual Norm Smith Smith Medallist Dustin Martin. Lil Abner scored 43 touchdowns in his first 42 games and finished as the all-time league leader in total yardage. Remember the AFL Bottom line: The Hall of Fame selected Willie Brown as its first-team cornerback, but Butch Byrd was the better all-around player and greater physical presence. Bottom line: It was easier to surf Niagra Falls than to run the ball against the Bills' defense in its heyday. The Tasmanian government estimates the fixed-roof AFL stadium a first for Australia will cost $715 million. He also was named to five AFL All-Star Games. Bottom line: Forget the position. Barrie Robran Despite never having played in an AFL All-Star Game, he was voted to three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls following the AFL-NFL merger. More young talent followed him. Bottom line: Dave Grayson was as dominant a shutdown cornerback as there was in the AFL, a game-changer who thrived on speed and instincts. Everything Dusty does has an inherent exclamation mark about it. He was named to the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1988. We're not the only one who considers the Jackson State flash to be the best punt returner ever. He was and became one of the great proponents of the drop kick, an art that has died out in todays game, and also pioneered the flick pass, which is now outlawed. about their worthiness. "Thunderfoot" also was a factor in Super Bowl IV, in which he averaged 44.0 net yards on four kicks. Picture: David Caird. Hall of Fame. Yet hes still only 28 and has ample room to improve. This week, the team fiercely discuss concussion, and Christian brings in a new segment looking at every team's telling stat . 11. Ranking every AFL after-the-siren winning goal since 2000, Umpire howler proves AFL needs captain's challenges. #ad. AFL@aol.com, 2003 Mix also was picked to play in the AFL All-Star Game eight times. Russell Ebert Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) 19. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) 20. Matthew Scarlett the orchestrator of the famous toe oke to Gary Ablett in the last minutes of the 2009 Grand Final. Ladainian Tomlinson had over 18,000 all-purpose yards in his career, and finished with over 150 all-purpose touchdowns. He was also named second-team All-AFL twice. NSW pokies profits soaring in line with Bennett continues to build on NRL legacy Pointsbet to stop North American operations. Michael Tuck,Kevin Bartlett and Tony (Plugger) Lockett,how could you leave out Plugger 1400 goals.Oh and Robert Harvey the most AFL games played 396.Needed another 10 spots but then it would be top 20. Other runners who garnered consideration were Mike Garrett, Jim Nance, and Matt Snell. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, "The Tree" was a member of the original "Fearsome Foursome" and the first dominant edge rusher in the league. All-Star Games: 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969. The best centre half forward of all time was a running machine and built like a brute. Stranger things have happened. Stroud goes No. The product improved noticeably. Impressively, Jones missed just six games over the course . AFL Hall of Infamy Martins CV is complete, winning nearly every award in the game. He was voted unanimous first-team All-AFL seven consecutive seasons and also named to seven AFL All-Star Games. Chances are youre about to lose. Hes played at least 20 games and averaged at least 20 disposals in every season, while hes averaged well over one goal per match during that time. Stephen Michael 10. Is it Carlton's year? statistics and playoff appearances, their leadership qualities, their number of MVP and AFL Rookie Rankings: An historic start for a bumper draft class, One win after four games but don't write the Tigers off yet, AFL Draft Power Rankings: Harley Reid leads the top 20 prospects, AFL Draft: Five must-watch prospects in 2023.