Milne or Betts?

[Superboot]

Milne kicked 11 against a team that had played in four consecutive Grand Finals.

Just saying.

[Mr Magic]

Betts lost me the day he broke Nathan Wright's jaw at Marvel.
It was a cheap shop and totally changed my view of him (Betts)
BTW I don't think Nathan Wright was ever the same player after that incident that he was before it.

[kosifantutti]

Betts lost me the day he broke Nathan Wright's jaw at Marvel.
It was a cheap shop and totally changed my view of him (Betts)
BTW I don't think Nathan Wright was ever the same player after that incident that he was before it.

[saynta]

Milne kicked 11 against a team that had played in four consecutive Grand Finals.

Just saying.

Yeah. I was there that day sitting next to a Lions supporting mate. Absolutely loved his game.Milne for mine..

[saynta]

Betts lost me the day he broke Nathan Wright's jaw at Marvel.
It was a cheap shop and totally changed my view of him (Betts)
BTW I don't think Nathan Wright was ever the same player after that incident that he was before it.

Cheap shot.

[skeptic]

Betts lost me the day he broke Nathan Wright's jaw at Marvel.
It was a cheap shop and totally changed my view of him (Betts)
BTW I don't think Nathan Wright was ever the same player after that incident that he was before it.

I remember that actually and you’re 100% correct. He was looking like a young gun to that stage and came back a different player

[amusingname]

....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

Sorry, how did Milne have more obstacles? Eddie was overlooked in the national draft and picked up in the pre-season, Milne was picked up as a rookie after playing in the reserves when that was still a pathway, doesn’t seem overly different, especially as Milne debuted in round 4 of the first year of being a rookie.

Both amazing players in my opinion, quite different in how they played even for being in the same position. I like Eddies defensive pressure a bit more than Milne’s, but Milne was a bit more consistent when in a good team I think.

[samoht]

Leigh Matthews ... 915 goals. Played quite a few as a forward pocket or on the half forward flank.
Quite a handy player.
He was always great in the finals, throwing his weight around and using his body as a battering ram whenever the occasion called for it (the b@st@rd).

Milne was great at Docklands during the season proper, but didn't do much in the finals - he was usually well beaten and quiet.

You can't compare.

[B.M]

Matthews played most of his Career as a goal kicking mid

He spent the last 3 seasons as a small full forward in his 30s

He basically won a Coleman from the midfield
One game kicking 11 whilst racking up 38 disposals

Matthews is probably the best player in the history of the game. Mainly as a mid.

[saynta]

Leigh Matthews ... 915 goals. Played quite a few as a forward pocket or on the half forward flank.
Quite a handy player.
He was always great in the finals, throwing his weight around and using his body as a battering ram whenever the occasion called for it (the b@st@rd).

Milne was great at Docklands during the season proper, but didn't do much in the finals - he was usually well beaten and quiet.

You can't compare.

When Lethal hit a point post, the post came of the worse for wear, second best even.

[samoht]

Actually Bartlett (778 goals) who played his career as a mid showed what he could do at the end of his career playing as a small forward (when he was in his mid 30's) in a final series ... kicked a swag of goals and proved too quick, agile and clever - he was hungry and unstoppable.

The finals is the proving ground - Milne was found wanting, in that regard.

here's Bartlett in the finals ...

[evertonfc]

Betts' Adelaide years were higher than Milne's best years. But Milne's consistency doesn't get the plaudits.

Still, it's worth remembering that Betts was considered reasonably inconsistent during his Carlton years - there was big commotion over why Adelaide would offer a 'flaky' player so much. But in the end, he played some of the best footy a small forward has ever played there, and it was a human highlight real in his first four years in Adelaide - albeit, he never came close to that in either stint at Carlton.

Yet Milne was much more consistent: 8 times he kicked 45+ goals in a year, an astonishing effort.

Betts did it six times, and didn't do it until his 7th year in the AFL system. Milne did it in his second year and despite or two off years, was consistently high in his goal return.

Betts also played an extra 75 games, so gets marks for longevity. But his average is 1.8 per game, while Milne comfortably sits at 2+

So, in the end, take your pick. Eddie really did have a higher, more freakish ceiling and was a more skilful player. He could kick goals that Milne couldn't. However, Milne's ability to consistently conjure goals from half-chances was superior - and remains as good as any small forward to have played the game in terms of converting an unlikely opportunity into a goal.

[saynta]

Betts' Adelaide years were higher than Milne's best years. But Milne's consistency doesn't get the plaudits.

Still, it's worth remembering that Betts was considered reasonably inconsistent during his Carlton years - there was big commotion over why Adelaide would offer a 'flaky' player so much. But in the end, he played some of the best footy a small forward has ever played there, and it was a human highlight real in his first four years in Adelaide - albeit, he never came close to that in either stint at Carlton.

Yet Milne was much more consistent: 8 times he kicked 45+ goals in a year, an astonishing effort.

Betts did it six times, and didn't do it until his 7th year in the AFL system. Milne did it in his second year and despite or two off years, was consistently high in his goal return.

Betts also played an extra 75 games, so gets marks for longevity. But his average is 1.8 per game, while Milne comfortably sits at 2+

So, in the end, take your pick. Eddie really did have a higher, more freakish ceiling and was a more skilful player. He could kick goals that Milne couldn't. However, Milne's ability to consistently conjure goals from half-chances was superior - and remains as good as any small forward to have played the game in terms of converting an unlikely opportunity into a goal.

Can't we just love 'em both?

[winmar07]

If Milney had kicked THAT goal, there would be no comparison

[roskilde]

I really like Betts for one of the same reasons I love Milney: They play/played the game with joy. Jogo Bonito.

Milne is my favourite Saint of the modern era though so I'm biased. Freakish skills, consistent, creative, hard working and utterly dedicated Saint of the type that is extremely rare.

He played as a lead up target and a rover forward and was just amazing to watch. It's a shame he doesn't get the kudos he deserves.

Milne every day of the week which isn't an insult to Betts who is obviously a brilliant player.

[asiu]

Can't we just love 'em both?

awwwwww

thats so cute


i didn't know you had it in ya

kudos

[silverhalo]

Milne was a freak and in the end didn't get the adulation he really deserved because of that unfortunate saga....I'll go with the stats and agree that he was definitely the better player with a significantly better goals per game average. Small forwards after all are paid to kick goals..

[Dave McNamara]

I can't believe this discussion.

the Tiprat by a mile!!!! No contest!

Freaky goals? Didn't kick them? Fair dinkum! You'd be hard pressed to find a more spectacular highlight reel than Milney's. Watch this for party-trick freak goals.



And Milney kicked goals in struggling teams.

And that infamous 2010 game against the Skunks when Roo went down... Tipper stood up and played like the power forward that he always saw whenever he looked in the mirror.

No forward pressure? Early on that was true. But not under Ro$$y.

No so good interstate? That was true at times too. But again, improved under Ro$$y. And who could forget that matching winning effort against the Shockers... played with that fractured cheek bone. Milney wasn't fit to fly, so had to be driven home from Perth... and played the next game... and played well. The bloke may have been a cheeky never-shuts-up smartarse, but he was actually tough too.




Betty? Played a crap year for a struggling Carlscum, then had the gaul to demand big money!

Went to Adelaide.

Yeah, kicked goals. But not hard. Strong team, huge home ground advantage. However, didn't see him do much in away games though.

Down hill skier!

[I love the saints!]

Milney for sure!!

[carn_sainter]

Milne was an absolute freak.

One of the hardest players to stop one-on-one. No further caveats needed. People playing on him had it as tough as the guy tagging any gun midfielder you want to mention.

Possibly the best pack crumbing ability of all time.

I've not watched Betts much over his career, so I don't have an opinion of him. But I find it implausible that he could have been better than Milne. Maybe on the same level, but it's not possible to be a better small forward than Milne was.