TOPIC:

I know this is probably a question that has been put up many times but just reading a topic on the West about Maurice Rioli being immortalized in a wall mural at Fremantle Oval got me thinking.  Have I ever witnessed a better footballer that just blows you away or takes your breath away?  There has no doubt been players who can do the spectacular mark or goal but in traffic, balanced, clean, spell binding and precise by hand or foot has there ever been anyone better than Maurice? If there has been I haven't seen it. Those State of Origin games at Subiaco Oval on a Tuesday afternoon were something to behold and Maurice made the Vics look second rate.

No doubt South supporters were spoilt every week when he played for SF. Older supporters who witnessed Cable and Farmer at their best might have a different answer. I never saw Farmer play and only a handful of games from Cable when I was probably too young to appreciate it before he went to NM. 

Four best I saw were in no particular order due to pure outright respect

Stephen Michael
Maurice Rioli
Brian Peake
Benny Vigona

DD...I agree 100%. Maurice is the best I've ever seen which contradicts what a lot of Souths supporters including Southy say when they go for TI. MR's skills were just sublime especially when in close and under pressure. Probably a bit one sided for today's footy as I don't recall him using his right foot too often but it didn't matter back then. An absolute superstar of the game.

Of the ones I was privileged to see:

Cable
Rioli
Peake
Fitzpatrick
Michael

 

BC wrote:

DD...I agree 100%. Maurice is the best I've ever seen which contradicts what a lot of Souths supporters including Southy say when they go for TI. MR's skills were just sublime especially when in close and under pressure. Probably a bit one sided for today's footy as I don't recall him using his right foot too often but it didn't matter back then. An absolute superstar of the game.

mate I cannot split all of those I mentioned - Michael was the most complete footballer in all aspects but Maurice Rioli won games in 10 minutes
Brian Peake in the 1986 State of Origin game was unreal at 33 or 34 years old
Benny Vigona was just an out & out freak - he should have been a Harlem Globetrotter

I guess it's all a matter of opinion mate. They were all superb but I was a Maurice fan from a young age growing up in the Freo district. By coincidence I went to school with MR's eventual wife Robyn. She was a terrific person from a lovely family who loved up the road from me in White Gum Valley.

Billy Walker for me.

oh for sure BC and you don't know just how many times this has popped up at SF over the years and it still isn't settled

There was the 4 amigos in the day with Basil Campbell in it at South Fremantle - all four guys were tightly knitted together as friends
To this day there's never been the same sort of foursome ever seen like it in any league

Best player I saw kick on his non-preferred foot might surprise some - BUT a cherished and most dear friend of mine who I saw debut too 

Allen Jakovich 

Jak champion here's the one for you mate

How could I miss that one Swan, definitely need to add Bill to my list.