Based on results for the year, these are probably the best 2 teams of the last 20 years. Carlton loosing only 2 games and Essendon only 1. Yes, Brisbane were good, and all that jazz, but based on purely a 1 season look at things, these are the best two teams.

Head to head, who would win?

Teams sheets below as listed at the time:

FB: Solly, Fletcher, M. Johnson

FF: Pearce, Kernahan, Bradley

The Kernahan/ Fletcher battle is probably the one that influences the match the most. Remember, Sticks did kick 7 in a losing Grand Final and is a big game player. Pearce would run over Solly and Johnno would most likely be swapped onto him quickly. Bradley is not too damaging in a pocket

HB: Hardwick, Wallis, Wellman
HF: Clape, Spalding, Rice

Spalding v Wallis is a battle of the hard nuts. Rice could be damaging, but needs to watch the rebound from Wellman. Clape is a similar player to Rice and therefore Hardwick and Wellman could really set up some good attacking moves.

C: Rama, Misiti, Caracella
C: Hanna, Ratten, Kouta

A big weakness shows here for the Bombers. The class of Ratten and Kouta in the middle is a big worry for Cara and Smokin' Joe. Hanna is a possession winner, but not a game breaker. The hard ball gets and clearances would most likely be in Carltons favour from the centre bounces

HF: Mercuri, Lucas, Hird

HB: Hogg, Dean, McKay

One of the better HF lines assembled for a GF. Mercuri, Lucas and Hird on song are ard to stop. McKay has a good history on Hird, but Lucas could tear Dean apart.

FF:Long, Lloyd, Moorcroft

FB: Sexton, Silvagni, Christou

Silvagni v Lloyd. The fullback of the Century was rarely beaten by Lloyd. Hird or Lucas would cover for this though. Long is an issue. Maybe Hogg swaps onto him and Ang goes to Mercuri? Moorcroft os not too much of a worry for Sexton unless the ball is on the ground too much

Fol: Barnes, J. Johnson, Blumfield

Fol: Madden, Brown, Williams

Madden wins the ball ups, Barnes wins around the ground. Brown and Johnson all square. Williams carves up Blumfield. The weakness for essendon is again their clearances strength against Williams, Ratten and Kouta

Int: Bewick, Alesio, Barnard & Heffernan

Int: Campo, Manton, Whitehead

Hard to compare benches when its 4 v 3. However, Whitehead and Heffernan are the weak links. Campo is an All Aussie wingman in his first year and is probably the class of the benches. Bewick is the pinch hitter

<u>So...who wins??</u>

In my humble opinion, Carlton win on the strength of its clearences around the ground. The threat is that Essendon can convert most of their entries into the forward 50 better than the Blues. If a Clape or Pearce bob up with 3 goals, then it sways the tide.

What do you guys think???

QUOTE: mrdenn1s @ Apr 30 2007, 02:05 PM

What do you guys think???

That I am unfairly targetted as being the only person on ISG that posts pure crap.

Carlton

QUOTE: Fyirippu @ Apr 30 2007, 02:08 PM

That I am unfairly targetted as being the only person on ISG that posts pure crap.

Fair point. I should have added that the reason for the thread is a heated discussion currently happening in my office.

Thought I would ask the ISG experts for some enlightenment

QUOTE: tgale01 @ Apr 30 2007, 02:15 PM

Carlton

ok...but why?

Manton would get Lloyd & Silvagni would move on to Lucas at half back.

I guess it shows how average the year of 2000 was.

My only concern with Carlton is kicking the goals as Essendon's half back line is their only real advantage. I would be tempted to move Sticks to CHF & try SOS out of the goal square as I dont think Essendon's tall forwards would be a threat given the height of other defenders.

QUOTE: gobligook @ Apr 30 2007, 02:21 PM

Manton would get Lloyd & Silvagni would move on to Lucas at half back.

I guess it shows how average the year of 2000 was.

My only concern with Carlton is kicking the goals as Essendon's half back line is their only real advantage. I would be tempted to move Sticks to CHF & try SOS out of the goal square as I dont think Essendon's tall forwards would be a threat given the height of other defenders.

Manton wouldnt get on the ground. Sexton was All Australian CHB in 1995. He would take Lucas for sure.

Sticks to CHF and maybe Pearce on the lead from the square?

Sub title's wrong.

Who Cares...

Carlton would dominate in the middle of the ground, but I'm going for Essendon because the 1995 Carlton team was illegally assembled.

It also depends on whether you consider each of them at their best. Lucas is a better player now than he was in 2000, so which player do you consider?

Kouta was a better player in 2000 that he was in 1995, his form at his best was simply outstanding, in 1995 he was just a kid with alot of talent.

The best side of the past 20 years is Hawthorn and they run second to the Demons of the 50's all time and the filth of the late 20's runs third.

QUOTE: Carl Spackler @ Apr 30 2007, 03:09 PM

Kouta was a better player in 2000 that he was in 1995, his form at his best was simply outstanding, in 1995 he was just a kid with alot of talent.

Wrong. Watch a replay of the 1995 GF. Kouta should have won the Norm Smith

QUOTE: mrdenn1s @ Apr 30 2007, 02:17 PM

ok...but why?

Carlton midfield had far more class. Plus we had a more experienced forward line and a stonger full back line.

Although the bombers would have won the 100 mtre sprints