The most skillful Saints players since 1960

[perfectionist]

Here is my top ten in order from 1960 (why 1960? that's when I first saw the saints play):

1. Tony Lockett
2. Ian Stewart
3. Nicky Winmar
4. John McIntosh
5. Darrell Baldock
6. Robert Harvey
7. George Young
8. Barry Lawrence
9. Ross Oakley
10. Trevor Barker

NB Only one of the current team makes it - the oldest!

[Spinner]

1 - Nick Dal Santo
2 - The Rest


Cant say I have seen too many of them.

Except Lockett, Harvey and Winmar.

[Mr Magic]

Impossible to compare players from differing eras - the game changes/evolves so much over time.

In teh 60's nearly nobody ever kicked with their non-dominant foot - today you would barely get drafted if you couldn't.

Since I can remember watching the Saints (abt 1963)

1. Baldock
2. Stewart
3. Winmar
4. Nick DalSanto
5. Harvey
6. John McIntosh
7. Plugger
8. Barry Lawrence
9. Barker
10. George Young

[bergsone]

Two great lists .maybe A .Morrow for his size a real great .

[Mr Magic]

This list is based on skill only?
Not including
Courage
Determination
Endurance

If those other traits were included teh list would/should be different.

[perfectionist]

True. I thought about Nick Dal Santo, certainly he is the best kick in the team and can kick with both feet which is the trait which separates players of different eras. In 1966, only two players in the then VFL could kick to perfection with both feet in such a way as you could not tell which was their natural foot. It's no surprise that both won three Brownlows (Bob Skilton being the other). Lockett's skills were exquisite, often not fully seen in a game. He was the best kick with both feet, handball with both hands and pick the ball off the turf player I have seen. Of course, he couldn't run too far.

[Mr Magic]

True. I thought about Nick Dal Santo, certainly he is the best kick in the team and can kick with both feet which is the trait which separates players of different eras. In 1966, only two players in the then VFL could kick to perfection with both feet in such a way as you could not tell which was their natural foot. It's no surprise that both won three Brownlows (Bob Skilton being the other). Lockett's skills were exquisite, often not fully seen in a game. He was the best kick with both feet, handball with both hands and pick the ball off the turf player I have seen. Of course, he couldn't run too far.

And NDS has that other skill, so rarely seen in other players.

When he has the footy, time seems to stand still around him (a bit Matrix like)

[robbie muir]

i think the following might just miss out.
1. Jayson Daniels
2.Enrico Misso
3.Barry Brooks
4.Bernie Harris
5.Jody Arnol
6.Paul Temay
7.David Windbanks
8.Cain Ackland
9.Ben Walton
10.Aldo Dipetta

[evertonfc]

Good to see John McIntosh getting a run.

In terms of pure skill, I don't believe Gilbert McAdam could possibly be omitted.

The penetration in his kicking and the way he used the ball, at his 1991 best, was breathtaking.

Also on skill, Robbie Muir had a fair bit of it when he wasn't going beserk.

[St Chris]

Aussie Jones had the best foot skills I've seen in the last 15 years, on both sides of the body. His goal running flat stick on his left in the grand final is a pearler.

Dal Santo is better than most lefties on his right, but it's still not a real strong suit for him.

[evertonfc]

Aussie Jones had the best foot skills I've seen in the last 15 years, on both sides of the body. His goal running flat stick on his left in the grand final is a pearler.

Great call, a must to be included.

His skills were phenomenal at his 1997/2004 best.

[perfectionist]

i think the following might just miss out.
1. Jayson Daniels
2.Enrico Misso
3.Barry Brooks
4.Bernie Harris
5.Jody Arnol
6.Paul Temay
7.David Windbanks
8.Cain Ackland
9.Ben Walton
10.Aldo Dipetta

Gee, and I thought I could be cruel!

Aussie was close but annoyed me no end when he would insist on kicking on his left when free on his right - and having the ball drop 2 metres short.

[saint66au]

Can I digress a touch and make a list of the 10 gutsiest players?

The blokes who didnt perhaps have natural skills or flair (tho many of this list did) but would never ever hesitate if it was their "turn to go"

(In no particular order..limited to blokes Ive seen play)

Trevor Barker
Max Hudghton
Nathan Burke
Paul Callery
Nick Riewoldt
Luke Ball
Danny Frawley
Nicky Winmar
Carl Ditterich
Robert Harvey

[bigcarl]

Lockett's skills were exquisite, often not fully seen in a game. He was the best kick with both feet, handball with both hands and pick the ball off the turf player I have seen. Of course, he couldn't run too far.

a remarkable player. the best kick i've ever seen either for goal or to position. i doubt there's ever been a better contested mark or stronger player.

[saint66au]

Lockett's skills were exquisite, often not fully seen in a game. He was the best kick with both feet, handball with both hands and pick the ball off the turf player I have seen. Of course, he couldn't run too far.

a remarkable player. the best kick i've ever seen either for goal or to position. i doubt there's ever been a better contested mark or stronger player.

and was the best exponent of the "dont argue" in the history of the game

[bigcarl]

and was the best exponent of the "dont argue" in the history of the game

i think he learned that from greg burns, but in the end made burnsy look like a rank amateur

[perfectionist]

Can I digress a touch and make a list of the 10 gutsiest players?

The blokes who didnt perhaps have natural skills or flair (tho many of this list did) but would never ever hesitate if it was their "turn to go"

(In no particular order..limited to blokes Ive seen play)

Trevor Barker
Max Hudghton
Nathan Burke
Paul Callery
Nick Riewoldt
Luke Ball
Danny Frawley
Nicky Winmar
Carl Ditterich
Robert Harvey

Some of those blokes have a fair amount of skill as well but I can't disagree with the "gutsy" tag. You may not have seen him, but Ian Stewart was gutsy to the point of recklessness. He would station himself in front of a pack of three or four larger players (often ruckmen) as the ball was in the air. They would crash into his back and he would STILL take the mark, with one grab.

[bergsone]

what about white line fever? (in no particular order just what players i've seen muir mace ditterich booth disher cowboy lockett winmar pascoe o'dea

[Mr Magic]

what about white line fever? (in no particular order just what players i've seen muir mace ditterich booth disher cowboy lockett winmar pascoe o'dea

Don't forget Greg Burns and our famous 'animals team' against Essendon

and for the real old-timers on here
Eric Guy

[perfectionist]

what about white line fever? (in no particular order just what players i've seen muir mace ditterich booth disher cowboy lockett winmar pascoe o'dea

Bit harsh on Jimmy O'Dea. That one "event", which I didn't see, clouded an otherwise excellent career. A very safe and disciplined defender, who played hard but usually not with malice, unlike a couple on your list.

[Mr Magic]

Can I digress a touch and make a list of the 10 gutsiest players?

The blokes who didnt perhaps have natural skills or flair (tho many of this list did) but would never ever hesitate if it was their "turn to go"

(In no particular order..limited to blokes Ive seen play)

Trevor Barker
Max Hudghton
Nathan Burke
Paul Callery
Nick Riewoldt
Luke Ball
Danny Frawley
Nicky Winmar
Carl Ditterich
Robert Harvey

Some of those blokes have a fair amount of skill as well but I can't disagree with the "gutsy" tag. You may not have seen him, but Ian Stewart was gutsy to the point of recklessness. He would station himself in front of a pack of three or four larger players (often ruckmen) as the ball was in the air. They would crash into his back and he would STILL take the mark, with one grab.

Was it recklessnes or the fact he was likely unaware of what was about to 'hit him?

[perfectionist]

Can I digress a touch and make a list of the 10 gutsiest players?

The blokes who didnt perhaps have natural skills or flair (tho many of this list did) but would never ever hesitate if it was their "turn to go"

(In no particular order..limited to blokes Ive seen play)

Trevor Barker
Max Hudghton
Nathan Burke
Paul Callery
Nick Riewoldt
Luke Ball
Danny Frawley
Nicky Winmar
Carl Ditterich
Robert Harvey

Some of those blokes have a fair amount of skill as well but I can't disagree with the "gutsy" tag. You may not have seen him, but Ian Stewart was gutsy to the point of recklessness. He would station himself in front of a pack of three or four larger players (often ruckmen) as the ball was in the air. They would crash into his back and he would STILL take the mark, with one grab.

Was it recklessnes or the fact he was likely unaware of what was about to 'hit him?

No, he knew what was coming, he just put the team ahead of his own safety, not unlike Max today. In Stewart's case, his judgement and arm stretch always turned out to be superior. I know it's a big call, and time can dull the senses, but at least while he was with the Saints, I never recall Ian Stewart being out marked. I stand to be corrected. Boy, was he a player!

[bergsone]

Yes agree burns in odea out .missed seeing guy just

[Armoooo]

Maybe the best you've ever seen, don't know about skillful...

[perfectionist]

Who?