Where Roo sits

[older saint]

In regard to players ability I believe he rates in the top 5 players ever to wear RWB
no particular order - Baldock, Stewart, Lockett, Harvey, Roo

In regard to contribution to the football club may even rate higher:

- Longest serving captain
- Lead a group through a successful win /loss era ( no premierships but 2 GF +draw, and 3 prelims)
- Face of football club providing a quality image when others weren't representing the club well
- Mentor and example to endless number of players
- left everything on the field every time he plays.

up there with Barker, Breen, Baldock, Frawley, Jeans in regard to great Stkilda contributors

Thoughts

[longtimesaint]

In regard to players ability I believe he rates in the top 5 players ever to wear RWB
no particular order - Baldock, Stewart, Lockett, Harvey, Roo

In regard to contribution to the football club may even rate higher:

- Longest serving captain
- Lead a group through a successful win /loss era ( no premierships but 2 GF +draw, and 3 prelims)
- Face of football club providing a quality image when others weren't representing the club well
- Mentor and example to endless number of players
- left everything on the field every time he plays.

up there with Barker, Breen, Baldock, Frawley, Jeans in regard to great Stkilda contributors

Thoughts

I have watched them all play and in my opinion they rank:
1. Lockett (Best player I have seen)
2. Roo
3. Baldock
4. Harvey
5. Stewart

[borderbarry]

I would have to agree with long Time Saint except I would have Harvs 2nd. Also Neil Roberts deserves a mention. Long Time Captain, Brownlow medalist and a 3rd. A great character as well. Not every body gets to lead an Antartic expedition.

[borderbarry]

And I nearly forgot, my all time favourite, Verdun.. Another true champion of the club. One of only two fullbacks to win the brownlow. And Neil Roberts is the only C.H.. to win it. I cant remember any others.

[remboy]

The five players in the op stand out to me. Didn't see Stewart or Baldock so it's hard to put them in order. Lockett was the best I saw. Happy for Roo to be remembered as one of the best.

[dals_da_bomb]

I dont have many memories of lockett. A few but i think was prime in my childhood.
I do have little memory of Winmar, Stewy, Burke.

Harvey however, He will forever be my sporting idol.

[spert]

Roo is now a legend of the club along with a handful of other Saints. I have been around long enough to see some greats play for us. There is no order for champions- they are what they are.

I saw the freakish brilliance of Baldock, the sheer class of Stewart, the power of Lockett, the braveness and inspiration of Barker, the relentless running game of Harvey- and now I can add the unparalleled competitiveness and quality of Roo

There are others who are greats of the club..I wish we could have got them all on the ground together in the one team.

What did they all have in common? The were fearless, and never took a backward step in their quest to win, and as a result inspired others.

[Sainternist]

In regard to players ability I believe he rates in the top 5 players ever to wear RWB
no particular order - Baldock, Stewart, Lockett, Harvey, Roo

Definitely in our top 5 all time players. Those 5 seem right to me. No arguments here.

[parkeysainter]

Riewoldt is number 1 of all time.
His playing career is better than any other Saint in my opinion when you look at the stats and what he has done but what is very important to me was his true loyalty, great captaincy and leadership, strong connections with members and fans, guiding team mates and being the public the face of the club for so long cannot be underestimated. He is number 1 in those areas combined above any other player we have had. Look at Lockett for example - absolute gun and gave it all but in the end he chose to leave, never captained (I think!) and I doubt he cared for the club, fellow players and its fans like Riewoldt has.

[magnifisaint]

He may not be the best player but he's the greatest that's played for the club.

[desertsaint]

Should have captained this year and held the record - the Geary experiment is kind of a caretaker role waiting for a real contender. Retired as captain. What he deserved.

[The Fireman]

from what I've seen
Lockett
Roo
Gilbo......oops mean Banger

[SemperFidelis]

He may not be the best player but he's the greatest that's played for the club.

This.

Perfect summation.


And for those of us born after 1966, damned near, if not best, as well.

[ROLS-LEE]

Will be remembered as one of greatest ever club men for what he has done around the club. Same ilk as Barker.
Roo is also the second best saints player i have seen, only behind Lockett. Never saw Baldock or Stewart play.

[Moods]

Like a eulogy at a funeral, sometimes we all get a bit too effusive with our praise immediately after the retirement/death of someone. However in this case the platitudes are completely justified. I recall years ago saying to my mates that I have never seen a footballer play so consistently above the required standard for an AFL footballer. He played the hardest position on the ground and would get smashed every week, but keep fronting up the following week. How he didn't win Leigh Matthews award re comp MVP in 09 was astounding (Swan won it, but for mine Roo was easily the most influential player that year) That would have been 2 x Leigh Matthews awards in his career. I rate him marginally behind Plugger as the best Saint I've ever seen. I rate him as the most influential Saint ever. And I rate him behind Plugger and Carey as the best Key position fwds I've ever seen. A once in a generation player.

[Stephen Theodore]

I've also seen the above mentioned five all play,of which I agree with but my order would be
1. Lockett
2. Baldock
3. Riewoldt
4. Stewart
5. Harvey

[bigred]

He's the best we have ever had.

Modern era, professional footballer.

Riewoldt
Lockett
Harvey
Baldock
Stewart.

I cant put the latter two in the top three because they played in a completely different era. There is no way, NO WAY that they could go with the footballers today.

I was lucky enough to see all of probably all of Plugger's games for St. Kilda. Would have only missed a handful of Harvey's 383 games but Riewoldt does them both.

Just my opinion, but our GOAT looks like an Alpacca.

[Sainternist]

Just my opinion, but our GOAT looks like an Alpacca.

Yep, have always thought that myself.

GOAT is such a terrible acronym. Only in Australia would we come up with something so stupid. In American sports, a goat is a chump who is mostly to blame for losing a game. Billy Longer should be our GOAT. (Sorry, Stonecold!)

[St Lenny]

Hard to split Roo and Harves as the best all time for me.

[skeptic]

He may not be the best player but he's the greatest that's played for the club.

This.

Perfect summation.


And for those of us born after 1966, damned near, if not best, as well.

+1000

Ladies and gentlemen, to the best of us

[lang]

Cant believe Lenny Hayes is not mentioned..................

[ralphsmith]

Gee Lockett played in a very defensively easy era of the game. Flooding didnt exist, the overall defensive skills then were so subpar compared to today. Running endlessly was not required.

Riewoldt for many years played in peak flood. He often drew 2 or 3 opponents every week. Riewoldt in my view, is in a league above Lockett.
Though no doubt Lockeft was the best set shot ever.

[leighsaintsince66]

Thank you Roo, What a career!
Based on my experience as a member and supporter of the Saints, and attending about 650 - 700 Saints matches, my ratings are as follows:

1. Lockett. By far the most dominating presence we have ever had. Brute of a man, incredibly fast on the lead, best kick for goal ever?
2. Harvey and Riewoldt tie here! Totally different players, both loyal, unique running machines. Virtually unstoppable when at their peak...
4. Baldock. The most skilful player of all time?
5. Stewart. Unbelievable talent.
It is incredibly difficult to separate these champions, but the above is only an opinion.

[bigred]

Gee Lockett played in a very defensively easy era of the game. Flooding didnt exist, the overall defensive skills then were so subpar compared to today. Running endlessly was not required.

Riewoldt for many years played in peak flood. He often drew 2 or 3 opponents every week. Riewoldt in my view, is in a league above Lockett.
Though no doubt Lockeft was the best set shot ever.

Agreed.

[older saint]

Gee Lockett played in a very defensively easy era of the game. Flooding didnt exist, the overall defensive skills then were so subpar compared to today. Running endlessly was not required.

Riewoldt for many years played in peak flood. He often drew 2 or 3 opponents every week. Riewoldt in my view, is in a league above Lockett.
Though no doubt Lockeft was the best set shot ever.

In no way down talking Roo down but there is no way Lockett played in an easier defensive era. Read Burke's article in Inside football it articulates it perfectly. Now to spoil you must punch the ball or it is a free for chopping arms . Locket had arms continually chopped and Silvani and the like scragging and grabbing him at every contest. Locket had 2 or 3 guys every contest to beat including 1 in the hole. A some of the great full backs of all time - Silvani, Pert, Langford, McIntosh, Martyn, played in that era.

Both champions of the footy club and AFL.
All entitled to our opinion, what makes this place exist .