Best ever Bulldog that plays short/tall?

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Was watching Dale Morris the other week winning contest after contest on opponents of all sizes and it got me thinking. Is the great 38 the best we've had who can play the priceless roll of playing short and tall?

Discuss.

[azabob]

Another nomination Steve Kretiuk.

[Webby]

EJ & BJ. Bar none.

EJ could play any position on the ground. ANY position. Just a freak athlete. Would just land on his feet from a marking contest, fully balanced and pounce sideways with a spring. Cat like. Very powerful body core. Big backside, basically. A lot of the footage of EJ was shot in his latter career when he was bulkier, a bit slower and more of a body player with a lot of presence ad skill, but in his earlier days, he was ridiculously athletic and, of course, skilled.

Meanwhile, Brad Johnson was the best one-on-one footballer in the AFL circa 2005-2008. Just a tough, tough match up for any defender. Those good enough to go with him at ground level would invariably struggle against him overhead, whilst those who could go with him overhead couldn't do so at ground level.

And Johnno knew how to exploit either advantage beautifully. Clever player and a clever trainer, because he developed himself into having that capability. Add to that the fact that he could also play an elite midfielder's role and he was some player.

The other one to mention is Bernie Quinlan. Actually not great overhead, but rarely outmarked. Then at ground level, almost always superior to similar sized players. Of course became a great lead up mark and goal kicker at Fitzroy. Polly Purser was also the best short ruckman I've seen.

[Twodogs]

I reckon Brian Royal's debut year in 1983 is the best debut year Ive seen. He didn't play a bad game that year. Won the B&F.

[Twodogs]

Matthew Croft always seemed to be playing on blokes bigger than him.

[craigsahibee]

Shaggy went ok, but I think Dale has him covered. Hard to go past Ted and Brad as Webby rightfully pointed out.

Unfortunately a lack of resources over the years has meant that we have a lot of defenders in particular that fit into this category.

[bulldogtragic]

190+cm and good size and aerobatic capacity... Front, back, middle... Bonts very soon.

All of the above, Robbins seemed bigger than 178cm .

[Twodogs]

Nathan Brown played virtually as a full forward in his last couple of years with us. Did pretty well at it the year he actually tried too.

[bulldogsfight]

Jim Edmond was a great mark for his size

[G-Mo77]

Brad Johnson.

[Webby]

Nathan Brown played virtually as a full forward in his last couple of years with us. Did pretty well at it the year he actually tried too.

You're a far more benevolent man than me, Twodogs! I just couldn't bring myself to direct any praise whatsoever to that Judas, even if it may be legitimate!! Just can't stand him, and his more and more frequent appearances on Channel 9 are really getting on my nerves!

Someone pointed out Jock Edmond. That was a good get. He kind of had to plug the CHF role when KT went down and did far better there than a man of his height had any right to do. So much so that he filled the role for four or so years. Chocco Royal was a good one that someone mentioned, too. For an instant, I thought "What?.. Chocco Royal playing tall? He was 5ft 3! But then I recalled his later years. He was a pure rover who moved into a forward pocket in the early '90's after his injury troubles. Like a mini-Johnno, he was surprisingly good overhead and very clever around goal. A reliable shot at goal and just a class footballer.

[KT31]

Johnno for me, as has already been said he was rarely beaten in a one on one no matter what his opponents size.

Always thought our backline when it consisted of Croft, Ellis and Kretiuk was undersize and did a great job of playing well above their respective heights.

Andrew Purser was only 6' 3" and was a quality ruckman for us.

[Remi Moses]

I reckon Brian Royal's debut year in 1983 is the best debut year Ive seen. He didn't play a bad game that year. Won the B&F.

Disgracefully wasn't named "recruit of the year" either.

[Bulldog4life]

I reckon Brian Royal's debut year in 1983 is the best debut year Ive seen. He didn't play a bad game that year. Won the B&F.

Yes it was a beauty. I went to the Best & Fairest that year. It was held in a popular Reception Place in Barkly st West Footscray...can't remember its name. Choco had a skinful.

[Twodogs]

501 Receptions. It's still there.

[Bulldog4life]

501 Receptions. It's still there.

That's the one Twodogs.

[bornadog]

Johnno, in the forward line, Morris and Kretuik in the backline.

[ledge]

Adam Cooney, he was even winning ruck contests at one stage ;-)

[bulldogtragic]

Bonts is going to give this title a big crack, goals, touches, contested defensive marks.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Gotta say when i started this thread i was referring to backline players but hey, all good contributions

[Pembleton]

Rohan Smith? Terry Wallace thought so :(

[Twodogs]

Rohan Smith? Terry Wallace thought so :(


That went well.

[Remi Moses]

Rohan Smith? Terry Wallace thought so :(

Wasn't the plan also to play Libba out of the goal square in 02?

[China Dog]

Jimmy Edmund for me.

[Maddog37]

Rohan Smith? Terry Wallace thought so :(

Images of Rohan punching the ground, heart racing, breaking into a cold sweat.......thanks for reminding me!!

[Sedat]

Wasn't the plan also to play Libba out of the goal square in 02?
Probably the only player on our list under 6ft tall that Plough didn't try at FF from 2000-02.

[Twodogs]

Wasn't the plan also to play Libba out of the goal square in 02?


Libba would have worked how to 3 or 4 a week I reckon.

[strebla]

We are all forgetting Daniel Southern aren't we ???

[Twodogs]

We are all forgetting Daniel Southern aren't we ???


Good get. Held down the CHB spot after Peter Foster retired despite being a few inches shorter.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Crofty for mine his games against Carey were memorable

[bulldogtragic]

I liked Simon Cox as one such of these players.

[Twodogs]

I liked Simon Cox as one such of these players.

Craig Ellis wasnt all that tall either.