Who's the greatest Essendon player of all time? | Deep Dive - Sunday Footy Show

Essendon is the focus of this week's Deep Dive on the Sunday Footy Show.
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[@glennbransgrove2188]

Llordo needed to insert himself more in this one

[@Sammy25100]

Pretty hard when you're talking about other legends of the game. He did the humble thing. Even though he's got a great case for it.

[@anthonyfisher5579]

How many premierships ? 16 ? Hahaha not vfl

[@Gaming_Hurricane]

haha pretty hard when he clearly believes coleman was the better forward.

[@LukeVesty]

I can only go off who I've seen in my life time and the best in the last 40 or so years for me is James Hird. Ridiculously courageous, superb hands and vision, a genuine tier one champion.

[@PeterM1-qx1tz]

Exactly, how many people could play centre half back, centre half forward, or centre, and be good enough to play at All Australian level in all three positions? Pavlich, Adam Goodes .. thats the kind of player James Hird was, as good as any of the modern greats. James didnt often play down back, but crikey, it was unbelievable how good he was down there.

[@Littleyeti7]

James Hird done things that others couldn’t. I still rate him as the best all round player from any club I’ve seen. One of his front and centre goals v Collingwood where on the run in one motion he takes the ball from above his head to his right foot snap from 40 out under heavy pressure and nailed it is insane, I’ve played plenty of footy at quality level, kicking was one of my strengths, and I have tried to repeat this myself in a controlled manner solo at training and it’s insanely challenging even then, let alone full speed in game with someone on your backside

[@edwardsanthony90]

Hird was elite In not a Essendon fan but when I started watching football Essendon were dominating in 2000 and he was a player that made me realise how you play football

[@gdbssa]

Jobe is a Brownlow medalist. I dont even consider Cotchin and Mitchell as winners.

[@chriscoyne4827]

💉💉💉💉💉💉💉

[@HLsab]

@@chriscoyne4827 Essendon ban was the greatest misjustice in football . Are you old enough to know what happened ? Or just a flog that believes everything he hears in the media ?

[@chriscoyne4827]

@@HLsab 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 don't call yourself a mistake please. Stick with them needle's. Hey many days since they seen finals 💉💉💉

[@HLsab]

@@chriscoyne4827 thought so your a flog

[@chriscoyne4827]

@@HLsab I really think you don't have many friends so came here to call yourself a flog 🤦🤣💉

[@alanw8552]

Bill Hutchinson is in the top 5. As a rover he won 2 Brownlows, came 2nd twice & third once. 7 best & fairest medals. Played in 4 premierships, kicked 496 goals in his career & captain for 6 years. A stellar record by any standard.

[@mikaham681]

Excluding Coleman, because it was so long ago; In my life (64) James Hird is the greatest at Essendon, and in fact I also think he is up there in the best 10 players of all clubs, all time. I would pick him as captain of my all time team, firstly for leadership, and secondly for his game. I watched him personally change the result of so many games and thats it for me. I'm a Saints supporter. I know many will bring about the drug saga. Yep I think he should have taken responsibility, he did to some extent. Did he plan it and implement it, no, I think that was a rogue group in the club.

[@ryancurwen-walker6076]

Six Brownlow medalists

[@julesdalli9716]

If we're going back to 1897, Coleman without question. If we're talking modern era (we'll say since the 90s), either Lloyd, Hird or Michael Long. Lloyd won 3 Coleman medals (a lot of quality full-forwards are lucky if they win one), and the highlight reels of the other two speak for themselves.

[@adstaxman7877]

In the modern era: Hird, Madden, Lloyd, Watson, Fletcher as top 5. Pre modern era: Coleman, Reynolds, Hutchison, Jack Clarke, Thurgood

[@kalebarancelovic]

John Coleman- a major individual medal is named after him.

[@Littleyeti7]

If you put Hird and Coleman one on one Hird would torch him, depends if we are talking for their time or who was better, that being said, if Buddy played a generation earlier with the same skills and space in the forward line he wouldve destroyed Lockett’s record for goalkicking

[@Littleyeti7]

Also, Coleman dominated the goalkicking and still only won the Essendon club best and fairest one time.

[@dilloncoleman144]

No word of a lie, i heard one of the crows boys farted in 93 during the huddle at 3qtr time and that play a part in them loosing 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[@samysull333]

if you just screen record the long goal and zoom in on the guys fingers and scroll slowly past it as it passes his hand in the photos app you can actually see his fingers quite clearly move back as it hits them…

[@TheBinaryWolf]

I am a WB fan but think Gavin Wanganeen had the highest footy IQ. No one read the flow of the game better: he just knew where to be and how to get around his oppenent...so cleverly.

[@benwise512]

Seeing Jobe Watson excluded from the list of Brownlow medallists is so bloody sad. He deserved that accolade the kind of player he was. Never did anything wrong. He should still be be unofficially recognised for that achievement. Poor bloke

[@pauledwards6446]

Yes he did cheat that’s why he is excluded

[@BB-tp6xk]

@@pauledwards6446 What banned substance did he test positive to?

[@pauledwards6446]

@@BB-tp6xk AOD-9604

[@chasindigo]

John Coleman every day of the week.

[@adstaxman7877]

Out of Coleman & Reynolds. If Coleman was able to play 300 odd games, would easily be our best ever, probably would have kicked 1700-1800 goals

[@chasindigo]

@@adstaxman7877 around 1500 mark, I think, he would have slowed near the end much like all the superstar full forwards of the 90s and Buddy.

[@adstaxman7877]

@chasindigo possibly, but hadnt hit his peak though, peak years for key forwards are around 25-28..

[@ChannelBlaino]

​@@adstaxman7877Same for Hudson had he not injured his knee in 73, and not gone back to Tasmania, man would of defintely challenged for 1,500 goals.

[@adstaxman7877]

@ChannelBlaino those 2 are the greatest full forwards the game has seen, immortals, legends. The only difference was that in Hudson's era they changed a couple of rules to make the game more attacking, & more goalsso there were many more centurions (eg Peter McKenna, Doug Wade etc), & in Coleman's era the home & away were 18 games, whereas in Hudson's it was 22 games

[@jeromy2653]

Bomber Thompson so underated but definitely a legend of the club.

[@TheSmallz1990]

Gotta give credit to TJ, he’s always struggled to push through jokes towards himself but this year I’ve noticed he’s lighting up a bit, great banter with him and browny too 😂👏

[@morkusmorkus6040]

That was always an act that he played up for the camera. A blind person could see that.

[@TheSmallz1990]

@@morkusmorkus6040 already know that they put awkward things on tv to get content, just like Newman and Crawford back in the day, I’m just talking about the dragging off the shoes and everyone on the show is against me type of deal he used to do, like the boy who cried wolf if you get that analogy?? He always sulks like a child so it’s good to see him wearing it as well as dishing it out 💪🏻

[@TheSmallz1990]

And forgot to mention it’s harder for me to see behaviour on tv when I’m deaf as a bat too,(please point out the obvious here) 😂👏

[@BTR-xw4of]

The 'greatest' EFC player I ever saw was the 'magician' - Timmy Watson. A true 'utility' Timmy had it all. Explosive speed, a natural righty but Tim used his left probably more. His foot and ball skills were sublime - James did not possess the same, James never really had a left foot, as brilliant and as gutsy as he was. The crowds just erupted whenever Tim grabbed the footy, it remains a massive memory for me sitting in the Alan T. Hird Stand. Simon Madden imo was the greatest ruckman I will ever see. EFC player I never saw? - well "King Richard" is hard to beat, as is John Coleman.

[@aretehouse3732]

Agree. Watson had explosive speed + incredible class. He broke the game open with alarming regularity. Great finisher in front of the sticks. Very tough too.

[@Littleyeti7]

James Hird, no questions asked. Especially modern era. Coleman was so long ago it’s hard for anyone to compare. The game was no where near as professional and goalkicking today is so much harder with the athletes and team defending they face today.

[@jezzalanko]

It's very hard to say who the best player of all time is, in my lifetime James hird, but each player played a role that were great, Jason Johnson, Damien Hardwick, marc mercuri, joe misiti, Scott Lucas, Sean Wellman, Darren Berwick etc...

[@MrWhitmen1981]

Bills goal woah. That’s the beauty of the old eras the pure skill and less emphasis on fitness.

[@PP-gy8gg]

Paul van der haar

[@touka2549]

Ed considine great player

[@marksamios1800]

Albert Thurgood. Champion of the colonies 3 times. Twice kicked 105 metre goals with place kicks!!!

[@petermcculloch4933]

Hird is the best I have ever seen.Neil Daniher was brilliant but for what they achieved, Reynolds and Coleman would have to be the greatest.

[@aaronsalmon1376]

Hirdy! Jobe Watson Brownlow WINNER.

[@vk3fbab]

I wonder if I'll ever live to see the day where he gets it back. So many questions about what was taken back then and yet no proof. In my mind so much poor oversight and management but the players, supporters and coaches suffered. There is only one way Essendon will truly heal. We need a team like that 2000 side again. They should have gone back to back if not won three. I like Essendon edge but prefer Sheedy tough.

[@chriscoyne4827]

You must be on drugs as well 🤦

[@marksmith4448]

Jobe Watson wouldn't be in the top 100 Essendon players.

[@aaronsalmon1376]

@@marksmith4448 Respectfully disagree.

[@Bloodynine606]

Saying it in caps doesn’t make it official. It’s not. He was a drug cheat and had his Brownlow stripped

[@AlonsoRules]

Scott Gumbleton

[@chunkypants9773]

Never saw him, but Reynolds, surely? 320 games (competition record for many, many years), 10 grand finals, four premierships as a player, four as coach (captain-coach in a couple, perhaps), three Brownlows, seven Crichtons, more goals in finals than ANY other Essendon player ...

[@TheLaughingMagpie]

John Coleman, has an accolade named after him

[@KnightlyHouse]

Simon Madden was fantastic as a ruckman and as a forward would put all of today's ruckmen to shame. Hird next bc he was special as a player and then Fletch who rarely played a bad game

[@mus31]

Hirdy

[@maxshiraz3447]

Essendon supporters need to realize that their club did not start in 1897. They won premierships in 1891 thru 1894, so have more than 16 premierships

[@dakidd729]

Funny. Never saw him play, but he's the best. Only in the media.

[@ryanwest6035]

Record speaks for itself... there's reason it's called the Coleman. Same for Bill Russell in the NBA.

[@jaybreacher4430]

Hird , Lloyd , Watson top 3.

[@maxshiraz3447]

James Hird, easily Essendon's best player

[@georgep9059]

harvey was 19 and bomber thomson was 20 when ess won the 1984 premiership

[@glenscholes9213]

James Hird

[@slingblade8963]

Nick Kommer gets my vote

[@jc7671]

Greatest Bomber will always be Billy Duckworth.

[@MrSeanMDolan]

Lloyd is easily top 3

[@Bucketz102]

Zack Merrett the best

[@7star7storm7]

Michael Long nearly crippled Troy Simmons in the 2000 GF 💖😈🤘

[@benlovett7131]

It is clearly Paul Chapman

[@aussieintexas61]

simon maddern was pretty good.

[@joelfalconer6678]

Lockett averaged half a goal less in triple the games. Merrett gets a mention after he is done.

[@johnkeen6714]

John Coleman is the greatest. 12 goals on debut. Career avge of 5 goals. Reynolds second.

[@gavinarnott6065]

John Coleman

[@doublesnapdowntownjackson6634]

Fletcher brah

[@ChrisAnderson42]

I think it's out of Coleman and Tim Watson

[@andrewweatherhead4127]

Simon Madden,🤔

[@jasonmccredden1050]

Derek Thomas Kickett is the most skilful player I've ever seen play the game bar none

[@bubipoo282]

Simon Madden

[@iritosss]

Soon will be Zach Merrett

[@guyskillen]

Possibly. Need a premiership and perhaps a Brownlow, but he has them in him.

[@robdowsing3361]

Both graet players but Llord was a sniper he always wanted to hurt players

[@Anarchyontheweb]

It's Hird.

[@MacDaddy635]

Geoff Raines!

[@darrenwestlow7809]

Got to be Cale Hooker surely.....his highlights package is sooooo good it includes Buddy, showing him running away scared from this great Essendon Champion

[@rickyd.680]

So I'm a bit different. I only idolise players who I can also admire as good people. What Hird did to Essendon and the game was shocking. Lloyd seems like a nice bloke so he gets my vote. People rave over Carey, but I don't. Matthews did not win a Brownlow because of dirty tactics with his elbows. Bob Skilton on the other hand won three of them and was as tough as nails, but was unscrupulously fair, and an absolute gentleman.

[@dorko57]

That’s easy. Terry Daniher.

[@davidagiel8130]

Hird no question

[@JGH1708]

Lloyd only picking the subject so he can show highlights of himself.

[@shanespaull8173]

Hird...end of...

[@markuswilmes3694]

Ones a proven cheat and lords just a tool

[@cameronkirk1342]

No such thing as a great Essendon player

[@Vinnie101a]

Who's the greatest drug cheats of all time? Essendon FC.

[@pillwolak]

Sod off

[@chriscoyne4827]

And Hird as the coach

[@lachmack8967]

Moronic comment. Spend the time and learn the facts - or don't and just spout stupid crap

[@slingblade8963]

Not sure how you figure that when Geelong did it for years while winning flags and were never found out.

[@zingleraster9124]

Another keyboard warrior who lives in a glasshouse & hasn’t moved on with some original material……

[@andydoi4576]

Hird is a cheat

[@LukeVesty]

Wow hot take

[@Bendoverandgrabyourankles]

Kevin Walsh. Yes I’m joking easily the worst.

[@jonc1839]

Simon Madden