Week 1: Beasley Vs Hall
We all put our faith in the 22 players who represent the Doggies each week, but would they be selected for their position if they were pitted against Bulldog stars of yesteryear?
Each week, I will match two similar players against each other and leave it to our WOOFers to argue who would get the nod.
To kick off, I have selected Barry Hall and Simon Beasley to battle it out for the full forward position. This is not a selection for the contribution to our club alone, but an overall comparison for their entire careers, considering their achievements and attributes...
With Simon being selected in the club's Hall of Fame this week, many might argue that he is a certainty for the spot. He booted 12 goals on three occassions, and 11 and 10 in separate matches also. He snagged seven in the 1985 Semi Final to help almost propell Footscray into the Grand Final, was the 1985 Coleman Medalist, seven-time club leading goal kicker (1982-1988), Bulldog Team of the Century Full Forward and the club's all-time leading goal kicker. A one-club champion, he was a Bulldog, through and through. So how could you possibly mount a case for Hall to take his spot?...
Barry is a premiership captain of course (with Sydney), has more goals to his name and has stood the test of time longer than The Pieman. He currently leads the Doggies' goal kicking this season at aged 33 and is a hot tip for the Coleman medal. Renowned as one of the tougest, most fearsome figures to have ever played the game, he has smashed opposition defences for a remarkable 15 season, topped the Swans goal kicking honours on seven occassions (2002-2008) and twice at St Kilda (1999 & 2001), was the Swans' 2004 Best and Fairest and three-time All-Australian. His versitility to also play at CHF, hulking strength and explosive pace has elevated him to cult-status at Whitten Oval.
Simon Beasley: 154 Games, 575 Goals (Average 3.73 goals per game)
Barry Hall: 260 Games, 644 Goals (average 2.48 per game)
So who is your choice?