Milne or Betts?

[Waltzing St Kilda]

The celebration of Eddie Betts on the occasion of his recent retirment -- "The most beloved player ever" oozed one pundit -- stands in stark contrast to the way in which the Tiprat was shuffled into early retirement. Indeed, Milne was one of the most pilloried players ever, including (unforgivably) by an opposition coach.

But all this shouldn't cloud the issue of who was the better small forward.

Obviously we're biased -- and obviously Betts was an exceptionally talented and likable player -- but I for one don't ike the way Betts, in the emotion surrounding his retirement, has been unanimously elevated to the best of his breed.

Betts' goal tally is greater because he played more games (350 games to 275).

But Milne's goal average is superior (2.1 to 1.8). And, more to the point, it was better when both were playing simultaneously.

Betts won four goals of the year while Milne -- because he was a Saint and because he was so loathed -- was lucky to win goal of the week.

For the record, Jeff Farmer's goal average is 1.9, Cyril Riolo's is 1.5, and Phil Matera's is 2.2 (across 179 games)

[B.M]

I loved Tipper

But Eddie for me

Better defensively and that comes into it.

Whilst at Adelaide
Betts was awesome

[CarlD]

Milney, by the length of the straight (PS I'm not biased ..... much )

[Ghost Like]

My guess is that Milne would win on this site, Eddie would win on the comparable Carlton & Adelaide sites.

Both great forward pockets. Both having to play under intense pressures. Would hate to split them, both are the very best in their position.

[B.M]

Both better than the most overrated player I’ve known!!!

[st.byron]

Both better than the most overrated player I’ve known!!!

Is it another guessing game?

[bangaulegend]

Both are stars in their own right but I'm going with the "Tip Rat" because I'm biased

[repta]

Milne by a long shot.

Eddie good, but Milne better in nearly every aspect (except freekish goals)

More goals per game, more consistency, better overall player.

Eddie a better bloke and loved by the media, Milne ... hated. The media want to write Milne out of the history.

[Trev from the Bush]

Both are deservedly gteats, Eddie will become an automatic inclusion in the AFL Hall of Fame. Milney should but won't because of who he is. Eddie was pretty good in the air, Milney superb when the ball was brought to ground. It's a hard choice and a good thread.

Eddie was dominant in crap Blues and Crows teams. Milney kicked his goals in teams containing Gehrig, Reiwoldt and Koschitzke, was a rookie pick up and started in a crap team that developed into the competition's best during his career. He retired with a bit in his tank, unlike Eddie who appeared cooked in the end.

I always thought Milney retired a season too early and his great mate Lenny went for one to many. I loved watching Eddie play mainly because he genuinely looked like he loved being out there. The grin and smiling eyes don't lie. But I loved Milney, like the cheeky little smart arse from primary school who used to torment the big kids and you still remember with glazed eyes and a smile. Sorry Eddie, I've always loved underdogs. Number 44 for me.

[B.M]

Not hard to know who I’m talking about

[desertsaint]

i'd take eddie for boundary shots and longer shots, milne anywhere else inside the fifty. betts more spectacular, but for freakish goals none come close to milne's over the head toe poke from outside the point post. it's all a bit disgusting that such a champion is basically being whitewashed from the history of the game and from his rightful place as the premier small forward of the twenty first century.

[skeptic]

I think Betts is more freakishly talented

But I think Milne was harder working (in terms of prep), smarter onfield, a better clubman and IMO, better at creating something out of nothing or against the trend of play.

All in all… Betts will pbly be remembered as the better player.
But I’d take Milne in a heartbeat

Better clubman and there’s something super appealing about a player that used his smarts, skills and hard work to excel

[Ghost Like]

Not hard to know who I’m talking about

OK, let's make this about you & your football beliefs. I think we know who we are talking about. Seriously???

[B.M]

So you do know… there you go

[Ghost Like]

So you do know… there you go

Is it you?

[Scollop]

Milne

I’ve seen just as many freakish goals from Milne as I have from Betts. The goal average can’t be ignored

How many games has Betts singlehandedly dragged his side to victory and changed the momentum with a bagful?

When Roo tore his hamstring off the bone and was missing for half the season, it was Milney who was the biggest single influence for us getting a chance to play off again in September. He was also brilliant in finals that year iirc

[skeptic]

Not hard to know who I’m talking about

I don’t think you appreciate the number of players you rant about on here…
I am curious to know but not enough for more than one post on the topic

[Toy Saint]

The celebration of Eddie Betts on the occasion of his recent retirment -- "The most beloved player ever" oozed one pundit -- stands in stark contrast to the way in which the Tiprat was shuffled into early retirement. Indeed, Milne was one of the most pilloried players ever, including (unforgivably) by an opposition coach.

But all this shouldn't cloud the issue of who was the better small forward.

Obviously we're biased -- and obviously Betts was an exceptionally talented and likable player -- but I for one don't ike the way Betts, in the emotion surrounding his retirement, has been unanimously elevated to the best of his breed.

Betts' goal tally is greater because he played more games (350 games to 275).

But Milne's goal average is superior (2.1 to 1.8). And, more to the point, it was better when both were playing simultaneously.

Betts won four goals of the year while Milne -- because he was a Saint and because he was so loathed -- was lucky to win goal of the week.

For the record, Jeff Farmer's goal average is 1.9, Cyril Riolo's is 1.5, and Phil Matera's is 2.2 (across 179 games)

Peter Daicos deserves to be part of this comparison, I reckon the best small forward is between him and Milne. Oh, I forgot about Leigh Matthews..

[B.M]

Rant?! Nice

Obviously I’m talking about Cyril Rioli

The best 1.5 goal, 15 disposal player in the history of the game!!!!

Actually heard Dermott say 15 from Cyril is equivalent to 30 from anyone else.
He must’ve kicked the ball 100m

Best small forwards IMO
Betts
Milne
Farmer
Matera
Greene


Didn’t include
Daicos, Matthews, Bartlett

[Scollop]

....I’d take Milne in a heartbeat

Better clubman and there’s something super appealing about a player that used his smarts, skills and hard work to excel

Good point about what he provided to his team mates as far as motivation and morale is concerned

Being a Rookie means you have no option except working your bum off and having him around was always good fun

Milne had more obstacles than Eddie. Gotta admire what he achieved as a footballer

[mr six o'clock]

I wonder if eddie played for us if he would have gotten reamed by the umps each week like milney did .
Ok sometimes he tried to do too much with the ball but often if he had possession , opposition players only had to get a hand on him and the umps would pay holding the ball.

[The_Dud]

Betts has better highlights, but Milne was better at getting the job done.

[Ghost Like]

I'd love to ask someone like Nick Smith (Sydney) who he rates. If he could choose one to build a Premiership team, who would it be.

[Scollop]

I'd love to ask someone like Nick Smith (Sydney) who he rates. If he could choose one to build a Premiership team, who would it be.

He might not choose either

B.M might not be happy with his answer

[The Fireman]

torn