TOPIC:

ArkRoyal wrote: Zanotti got away with a lot in 1986 EF were top heavy and slow: Bennett, Watterson, Browning, Lockyer, an ageing Peake in the forward line.

Zanotti was a star all season and as I said the tiges were by far the best side in 86 at full strength

yep, we got a bit lucky 1988, but I am not complaining about it. I sure Neesham will never forget it.

dg: don't forget that we also lost a grand final with a superior ruck division -- 1985.

More generally on Claremont in 1981, I stress again, it is fact that the club had the best record in the WAFL since 1946. They also had to put up with SF going the fist and still won. All facts, not subjective stuff. Why do you think Brownie go them to go the fist?

The Subiaco & EF sides of 85/86 would not have got within 10 goals of the CL, SF & SD sides from 80-82.
The WAFL had lost at least 30 superstar players to the VFL from that period of 80-82 by the time of 86 and was a lot lesser standard and even lesser again in 87!

MarkOlsen wrote: in terms of talent the Krakouer brothers and Ralph in 81 were streets ahead of any player Subi had in 86.
Blackwell was also a very good footballer and Doc Aitken could play.
no lack of talent in that team.

On top of J. Krakouer, P. Krakouer, Ralph, Blackwell & Aitken throw in Moss, Malaxos, Daniels, Morton, Reynolds, Kanther, Watson, Beecroft, Betts, Farmer, Harper, Shaw were star WAFL performers whilst Pearce, Smith, Jamieson were handy lesser lights. Consider the fact the likes of State players Melville, Gooding couldn't even get a look in to that super side.

Come on DG.Claremonts 3 power fwds Ralph,Farmer and Malaxos.Scored over 300 goals in 81. Playing against far superior opposition than Subi did in 86.Remember Claremont also had Harper and Beecroft who could ruck.
Not to mention Jimmy and Phil.Blackwell ran like a horse all day with beautiful foot skills.Defence is solid also Harper.Reynolds,Aikten.Panizza and Daniels on the wings.Watson in the clearances.
That doesn't take away from the fact that Subi 86 where a superbly skilled side.Very fit and physical with 2 class ruckman.Who both kicked goals.Like Ark said EF 85-86 had a boat anchor fwd line.If 85 wasn't a wet day Subi would of won that day.

Fairly pointless trying to compare players from different eras but the early 80s finals sides were full of genuine superstars. Great players have the ability to adapt to new styles of play and different training methods so I'm sure they would have coped with the late 80s style of play.

Ralphy kicked 87 goals in 80, 127 goals in 81, 115 goals in 82 and then 128 goals in 83 before heading to Carlton. I'd back him in to do similar today, given that defenders don't get away with holding, chopping the arms or belting the forward in the back of the head like they did in the 80s.

To put the question of comparring teams into even more perspective, let us look how many would get into even consideration of a list of 40 players ever seen in WA.

claremont 1981

moss
Krakaeor brothers
Blackwell
Ralph
Malaxos

sd 82

Phil Narkle
Mike Richardson
Graham Melrose

Ef

Peake

Subi

Featherby
Keene

Only one of those players would be guaranteed to get in the top 40, Graham Moss.

Sorry forgot the 1980 side:

Stephan Michael
Maurice Rioli
Brad Hardie

From those players, Michael, Moss and Rioli would make the final forty

Ark what ever happened to Warren Dean.Stared for Melbourne in the 87 finals.But disappeared quiet quickly after that great final series.

Chronic knee injury - ended up at WCE but was gone due to the knee flare ups