A random idea that popped into my footy obsessed head. In your footy fan lifespan, who has been each club's most influential figure?
Some things I have considered
* Onfield success
* Lenth of service/multiple roles
* Contribution to fiannces/marketing/promotion/club's overal success
* 'Heart/romance
My life as a footy fan probably started around 1986-1987
Here goes
Adelaide- Mark Ricciuto: IMO their greatest player ever. Played in a premiership, won a brownlow and their longest serving captain. If Bickley has any success as coach he will quickly takeover though.
Brisbane- Michael Voss: Queensland boy, a great player and captained 3 flags. Now he is their coach (perhaps that's not such a positive for them).
Carlton- Stephen Kernahan: Captained them to a few flags and is now their president. Only Juddy can go close to knocking him off.
Collingwood- Eddie McGuire: Easy to forget these guys weren't in a great possie financially when he took over. Under his reign they have become the most powerful club both on and off the field.
Essendon- Kevin Sheedy: Coached to 4 flags but I think his greatest legacy is how well he promoted the club. ANZAC day, turning games against Eagles at home into big games, making something out of nothing with dream time at the G and indigenous players in general. Hirdy stiff to miss out, a flag as coach will get him the title.
Fremantle- Matthew Pavlich: Via default. Their greatest ever player, has captained them for awhile and most of all, didn't leave them.
Geelong- Gary Ablett Jnr: I know it's a bit odd considering he has left but he was their gun in over a time with 3 grand final appearances and 2 premierships. The Ablett named obviously adds to it. He gets the gig over his old man due to the elusive flags.
Gold Coast- Gary Ablett Jnr: Default
GWS- Kevin Sheedy: Izzy Folau not far off.
Hawthorn- Jason Dunstall: Goals, premierships and consistently involved at the club post-career.
Kangaroos- Wayne Carey: I know he could have ended his career there in finer fashion but he was arguably the greatest player of all time during their great era.
Melbourne- Jim Stynes: Unlike Lyon, he doesn't need to be asked twice. A great player and has been at the very least, an inspiring symbol as Prez, helping them bulldoze their debt.
Port Power- Warren Tredrea: I acutally forgot Port, there ya go.
Richmond- Matthew Richardson: Via default
St.Kilda- Robert Harvey: Two brownlows, games record, captaincy and now an assistant coach.
Sydney- Paul Roos: Just gets it over Kirk because of his multiple roles at club. Gave them great service as a player, playing in a GF, then become a popular assistant before of course coaching them to a flag and two grand finals. Along with Kirk he bought back the Bloods image. Sorry Paul Kelly, no flag knocks you out.
West Coast Eagles- John Worsfold: Two premierships as a captain and two grand final appearances and a premiership as a coach. Now he has taken them back to within touching distance of the top 4, not bad.
Western Bulldogs- Chris Grant: The 20c, the humble/noble thing, the greatness as a player, take your pick, we all love him.