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Just thinking about that great book: 'WA's Fabulous Forty' and a South player whom should be put in the 40 players, Eric Eriksson. He was an excellent player, according to one of the greats of WA football, better than John Todd. He had a fine record in finals, which is important in thinking about the list. Some, including, Todd makes the list while Eriksson was excluded. Geoff Christian picked Erikksson, with Brehaut on the other wing, one suspects, because Geoffrey rated premiership players highly. I had a grand dad and he also mentioned Eriksson in his best South side. He left out Todd. 

will say that WA only ever got a glimpse of just how good John Todd was - he got a terrible knee injury so early in his career and given it was well before modern surgery techniques , it was amazing that he actually came back - albeit with having to kick  with his other leg far more tha before the injury
He was incredible for a kid so young - and was a product of a very successful era that had just ended

Remember this was a South Fremantle side that had some legendary names - and they had a decade of playing in Grand Finals almost every year (mainly against West Perth who had their own galaxy of famous players)

besides Eric Ericksson , who was a fine player and we had a few in that golden era - names like Bernie Naylor , Steve Marsh , Clive Lewington , Frank Treasure (senior) , Jack "Corp" Reilly , Harry Carbon , Des Kelly , Cliff Hillier , Ray Richards , Barry White , Tony Parentich ,Laurie Green , Charlie Tyson , Norm Smith , Dave Ingraham , Frank Jenkins , Len Crabbe

and there's more I've left out here and please forgive that - there are some great players in there
 

Great topic.
That era having some fantastic players around. And being a successful time frame for South's. Speaking with old mate on the phone and apparently South's participating in 10 Grand Finals between seasons 1940 to 1959. Prior to that, South's were in the 1930 Grand Final being a gap of 9 seasons. After the 59 season, they waited until 1975 for another Grand final appearance. Footy seasons 1940 to 1959 being a great era for South Fremantle.

They beat the VFL Premiers at the time Collingwood and Footscray in the end of season play off.

Probably the most powerful WANFL/WAFL single team or group in history.

Bazza wrote:

They beat the VFL Premiers at the time Collingwood and Footscray in the end of season play off.

Probably the most powerful WANFL/WAFL single team or group in history.

Agree. Another sign of their strength was depth in the ranks, with the seconds team winning a few at the time. The ultimate sign was the number of former South's players moving to other clubs and performing well. Tyson at Subi brought over Glass (couldn't get in a full-forward due to Naylor and then Gerovich), Amaranti (blocked by a guy named Todd) and Bill McGilvray and Colin Hickman. There were probably a few more...