Top 10 SANFL Full Backs?

[JK]

I would have thought Steven Hall ahead of Balme. No bias intented based on the team I barrack for. Just my opinion.

Not unreasonable mate .. Balmey probably played more of his years in the Ruck and up forward, whereas Hally survived such a long time as a specialist Fullback - That would give him the nod IMHO too.

[Aerie]

Full Back - not a position often talked about... From the past 5 years or so, AhChee from Port followed by Sherwood from Glenelg would be the two best IMO. Not sure where that rates them against past footballers.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I would have thought Steven Hall ahead of Balme. No bias intented based on the team I barrack for. Just my opinion.

Not unreasonable mate .. Balmey probably played more of his years in the Ruck and up forward, whereas Hally survived such a long time as a specialist Fullback - That would give him the nod IMHO too.

Absolutely. You can't possibly name Craig Balme amongst the best ever 10 full backs, it ludicrous. Balmey was a great servant of the club and played some good games for Norwood at FB, but his best work was as a ruckman. It's the same reason I am so against Silvagni as AFL Team of the Century full back, he simply didn't play enough of his games there.

[Macca19]

I disagree that Delaney would be in the top ten fullbacks of all time. However I do concede that he always - always - had a good match against my mob. Delaney might be the only bloke who would consistently towel John Fidge every time they met.

He used to towel everybody. Rarely got beaten. Had the best kick of a football ive seen from a Magpie. Never missed a target.

I am completely biased but hes the best defender ive seen at SANFL level and was the second most important player in that era of success behind Hodges. 7 flags in one of the most successful teams of all time...he should be right up there.

[GWW]

Good post Macca, i reckon Greg Phillips though was more influential in all the flags we won when he was playing.

[devilsadvocate]

Definitely Delaney for me. Growing up, watching him dominate week in week out was brilliant. You could always rely on Roger and he never seemed to be injured.

Without doubt in the SANFL top 10 of all time IMO.

[scoot]

What about Jim Theil (Norwood)

[Adelaide Hawk]

What about Jim Theil (Norwood)

Played very little football at FB. He began his career there, but in his second season found his way to CHF before his knee injury. After that he played mainly at CHB.

[Leaping Lindner]

Ian McKay. Followed closely by daylight then a bit more daylight.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Ian McKay. Followed closely by daylight then a bit more daylight.

Any debate necessary between Ian McKay and John Abley? I think you could make a case for either one.

[Ebert, Evans & Me]

Tghinking back to late 70s/early 80s, the full back that always seemed to keep my man Evans quiet was Norwood's David Armour.

[CENTURION]

BILL "DIVER" COCHRANE!!

[wycbloods]

Jeff Bray from Westies is always talked about around the club as one of the best we have had. Doug sings his praises more than anyone and that is an effort to have Doug compliment you .

[Adelaide Hawk]

I'm sure Jeff Bray would have played some footy at FB, but

Jeff Bray from Westies is always talked about around the club as one of the best we have had. Doug sings his praises more than anyone and that is an effort to have Doug compliment you .

I'm sure Jeff Bray would have played some footy at FB, but he also played FF, CHF, CHB. I think he played his best footy at CHB. Certainly he was recruited by South Melbourne in that position.

[wycbloods]

I'm sure Jeff Bray would have played some footy at FB, but

Jeff Bray from Westies is always talked about around the club as one of the best we have had. Doug sings his praises more than anyone and that is an effort to have Doug compliment you .

I'm sure Jeff Bray would have played some footy at FB, but he also played FF, CHF, CHB. I think he played his best footy at CHB. Certainly he was recruited by South Melbourne in that position.

Yeah i believe he did play all of those. He did play state footy as a FF and a FB i think.

[robranosgod]

Ian McKay. Followed closely by daylight then a bit more daylight.

Any debate necessary between Ian McKay and John Abley? I think you could make a case for either one.

McKay was a brilliant dashing defender. John Abley was a very dour negative player. Michelangelo Rucci once wrote an article saying that full backs don't poll in the Magarey Medal and quoted the paucity of votes awarded to Abley. He forgot about McKay winning the medal from there (as did Tank Kneebone in 1966). The reason was that McKay was brilliant Abley was a successful negator.

Jeff Bary was best known as a Centre Half Back. In his best years, pre SOuth Melbourne he was always West's Centre Half Back. The full back was usually Alan Tregenza or Doug Thomas. Jeff Bray did play full back as an old man in 1968 when he returned from Victoria. Sadly he was past his prime by then. Big Dennis Sachse kicked 4 goals 7 behinds on him in the 1968 fist semi final.

For what it is worth, the best 10 full backs of my era in my opinion and from what my father and his friends told me would be :

1 McKay
2 Abley
3 Hammond
4 Elleway
5 Jarrett
6 Casey
7 Delaney
8 C WIlliams (West Adelaide & All Australian)
9 Doug Thomas
10 Owen Martin

I apologise if I have forgotten anyone.

[The Enforcer]

Roger "The Dodger" Delaney definately up there.

You may remember Spehr from WWT was very good for a while too in the early 90's

[bulldogs]

seen a name on this forum who was a very good fullback. Benny Harris from the maggies also played for the bears i think.

[Goat Herder]

Danny Hughes wasn't too shabby either.. Had a long career with Melbourne before returning to Port in his twilight playing years. He was a gun full-back as a young bloke. I used to enjoy watching Sorrell and Kuhlmann lobbing torps into the centre circle from kickouts at Alberton Oval and The Bay in the late 70's/early 80's.

[GWW]

Hughes also kicked one memorable screwy in a state game against Victoria circa 1986, as well.