Harry Collier's best League team
WHEN I think of the two teams playing in today's grand final [Footscray vs Melbourne] my mind goes back to the great sides of the past.
Both these teams are up to standard, but don't rate with the best sides we have seen. That back line of Footscray's is getting pretty close, but they don't carry that strength right through like some of those older teams.
I suppose after saying that I'd better nominate my choice for the strongest grand finalists in my time.
They'd be the Collingwood teams from 1927-1930, with Richmond, who were stiff enough to be runners-up to us three times, not far behind.
THEN there was that Richmond mob of 1934 which won the Centenary premiership. Most teams would have been looking for a place to lie down after one quarter against that side.
And that crowd they pulled from all over Australia to make a team for South in the early thirties must get a guernsey among the best, even if it didn't win as many titles as it should have.
The 1937 Geelong side, which did us in that great game they still talk about, has to get a mention. The "Cats" were right among the best a couple of years ago, too.
Finally, I've got to go for that Melbourne team in 1939 which beat us for the flag, They don't come much better than that.
I reckon a lot of you would disagree with what I've said so far, but you might disagree a bit more, because I am about to pick the best combined team of my football era [1925-54].
In the team I'm going for there are eight "musts", and it's just a matter of placing them. They are Regan, "Leeter" Collier, Nash, Greeves, Warne-Smith, Reynolds, Pratt, and Bunton.
So I'd reckon we can start off with old Jack Regan at full back. I'd have liked to pick "Leeter" at centre half-back, where he won a Brownlow. NOBODY could fault him there, but, in trying to fit in different players, I'll put him in a back pocket and ruck.
The other back pocket is a problem, because there have been, and still are some beauties. Maybe this'll shock a few, but I'm giving that spot to old Charlie Sutton, the "Bulldogs' " coach. Charlie played his best football in the pocket, and could, blanket any rover as well as help give some pretty solid attention to the full forward.
Centre half-back is a problem, and Reg Hickey provides a bit of a head-ache over it, because he played most of his football there, but I'll give him a flank alongside another champion in Laurie Nash, who could take a turn anywhere on the field. The other flank goes to Basil McCormack, a tough man. Anyone who played against him knew his form.
"Cargie" Greeves picks himself in the centre. He had an unusual style, but was always doing the right thing for his side. There have been a lot of good wing men, but the best in my book are Alan Geddes and Herbie Matthews. Both these players were tough, could take a good mark and stab kick beau- tifully. Des Healey could easily fit in here.
ON to the forwards. Well, Ivor Warne-Smith is going on one half-forward flank, and can be used in any other part of the field he might be wanted. On the other side my selection is Bob Rose. He is a player any captain would like to have about.
I don't think anyone will go crook when I put Horrie Clover centre half-forward. He used his brains, and was one player we always found hard to beat at Collingwood.
Dick Reynolds earns a game for his tenacious roving. I've seen him win games from many parts of the field.
Bobby Pratt walks into full forward, and beside him as change ruck I'm going for old "Captain Blood."
Roy Wright and Syd Coventry would team for the first ruck, and if I didn't put Haydn Bunton first rover it wouldn't be our best side.
In that team you have a crowd of specialists. And there are three rovers and five ruckmen to keen the play flowing.
The team:
:---- | :---------------------------- | :---------------------------- | :------------------------------ |
---|---|---|---|
B: | Charlie Sutton (Foots) | Jack Regan (Coll) | Albert 'Leeter' Collier (Coll) |
HB: | Basil McCormack (Rich) | Laurie Nash (Sth) | Reg Hickey (Geel) |
C: | Herbie Matthews (Sth) | Edward 'Carji' Greeves (Geel) | Alan Geddes (Rich) |
HF: | Bob Rose (Coll) | Horrie Clover (Carl) | Ivor Warne-Smith (Melb) |
F: | Dick Reynolds (Ess) | Bob Pratt (Sth) | Jack Dyer (Rich) |
1R: | Syd Coventry (Coll) | Roy Wright (Rich) | Hayden Bunton (Fitz) |
Res: | Jack Collins (Geel) | Jack Mueller (Melb) | |
Emg: | John Brady (Nth) | Gordon Strang (Rich) | |
:---- | :---------------------------- | :---------------------------- | :------------------------------ |
Footnotes
Title: Here's my best League team! Publisher: The Argus (Melbourne, Victoria, 1848 - 1956) Author: Harry Collier (As told to Ian Johnson) Date: Saturday, 25 September, 1954, p 12 (Article) Web: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23447243
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