[WaydayTew]

I reckon it would be great for us to put on our thinking caps and rate our favourtite players from the clubs we support. And Im not talking about "BEST" players, but "FAVOURITE" players.

Players we just loved for either being entertaining, hard or just someone that you admired. These lists are always hard but keeping it to your top 5 should be enough. And Im talking any era (might show up our ages). Being a Royal I will put up my list of all time favourites.

1. Stephen Curtis..... He was always my favourite EP player as a kid. Because he was just a tough hard back-pocket rocket who was always reliable. I had his number 11 on my old EP "Hard Yakka" jumper and I wore it to every game. I would always grab my dads newspaper every Saturday morning and go straight to the line-ups in the sports section, just to find out if he was playing that day. Played 215 games for East Perth including the 1978 premiership.

2. Phil Kelly..... He gave us a few good years and as always when your a young bloke, you remember these guys as heroes. He has some great games on the wing for East Perth and won the Sandover twice in 1978 & 1979. Another player who was part of that 78 premiership and he kicked the second goal of that Grand Final bursting through CHF and recieving a handpass from John Hayes. Set us on our way that day. Great memories.

3. Craig Wulff.... Only an EP supporter would appreciate just how much this bloke gives. Last year he pretty much inspired the side to the finals with some of the most courgeous acts Ive ever seen. These are things a young bloke probably wouldnt notice, but these days these selfless one-percenter acts stand out to me bigtime. If ever you could build a side around someones character, it would be him. He just gives his heart in every game and this is why I pay money at the turnstiles. To see this bloke and his efforts as often as possible.

4. Wayne Otway.... I loved rovers who kicked goals and Otters was one of those. Once Curtis departed the scene, the number 11 came off and the number 2 went on my EP jumper. To me he was just an exciting little player who crumbed the ball well and was always good in the big games. He ended up playing at Essendon a few years and eventually came back. Once again he was part of the 78 brigade and we loved the little champ in the black & blue.

5. Devan Perry.... Once again as tough as old boots. In the centre of the ground amoungst the dust or mud, it would be Perry who would emerge with the ball and slamming it forward. He never shirked a contest and opposition supporters often interpreted this as dirty. He always went in packs with no thought to who was there and he made them earn every possession. Or at least feel every possession. Hugely underrated player who always opened up the midfeild, and a huge reason the club had success. He had almost a mohawk in the late 90's that really stood out.

Honourable mentions to Brent Cowell, Ross Glendenning and Andrew Waller (tough and loyal)

If I had to name one opposition player who I just liked watching it would have to be Maurice Rioli at South Fremantle. Even as a kid it was hard not to be in awe of the bloke. I used to get frustrated as to why EP couldnt stop him, but we never could. Not many other sides could either. I remember many sombre afternoons at Fremantle Oval packed in on the concrete terraces watching this absolute master rip us to shreds. Just pound for pound a brilliant player who I admired greatly. And Les Fong rates a mention. He stood out mainly because there wasnt many Chinese footballers around. But he was bloody good and damaging to opposition sides on his day.

Remember these are your personal opinions. You may not like them, but thats not for others to decide. Finding a negative just deminishes the subject. Try and restrain yourself from negative crap and post your favourites. It would be very interesting to read. Hope some of you contribute your "Favourites"..... ta

[trorseIrripsy]

1.Rob Wiley
2.Murray Couper
3.Doug Farrant
4.Peter Bosustow
5.Mick "stinga" Rea.

Also loved watching Kevin Hill and Alan Johnson on the wings.

[pipojambo]

1. Darren Bewick
2. Dean Laidley
3. Paul Mifka
4. Wayne Dayman
5. Darren O'Brien
6. Derek Kickett
7. Peter Menaglio
8. Peter Murnane
9. Phil Bradmore
10. Craig Nelson

(Sorry, couldn't keep it to 5, though I have just about named a West Perth team of the 80s there....)

Opposition players
1. Derek Kickett
2. Phil Narkle
3. Stephen Michael
4. Kevin Taylor
5. Neil Taylor
6. Gary Buckenara
7. Brent Hutton
8. Darrell Panizza
9. Bryan Cousins
10. David Hart

[Fgunehjf]

i was thrilled in 89 when billy krakouer came to the sharks. jim and phil krakouer would have to be favs too.
the trio of sandgropers at carlton very early 80's -mike fitzpatrick, peter bosustow & ken hunter.
phil matera was all heart, his brother peter is a fav too.
glen jakovich, peter sumich and john worsfold.
don't get me wrong i'm no bulldog lover. but i can admit they have have had some fantastic players over the years. maurice rioli, benny "fanny vagina" vigona, stephen michael were great to watch.
at east fremantle - bomber peake, the budgie, shane ellis, jim sewell, kevin taylor, clinton browning, murry wrensted, neil lester-smith, peter quill, peter wilson and chris mainwaring.

[RLRWai4B]

I'll start my list with the bag of bones Hunter. there has been many as brave, but none braver than this bloke. To cap it off, he had class. Strong mark, good reader of the play, good skills and could kick goals if swung forward. played 99 games at tigerland and was a pity he didn't get his name on the locker. Is a legend at carlton and in their team of the century. I don't reckon there is too many west aussies in victorian team of century sides.
Graham Moss. often called a fairy by opposition supporters, nothing could be further from the truth. Granted, he didn't have the aggressive streak of ruckman of the era, but he was only interested in playing the game. Could ruck all day and thrived on it. Very good tap ruckman and very mobile which was not common in big men back then. Won 8 fairest and bests in 8 seasons, 4 at essendon (including a brownlow) and 4 at claremont.
The Krackouers. not much needs to be said about these blokes, they had the footy world mesmerised no matter what club you supported. Jim was one of the toughest blokes pound for pound i ever saw. In todays world they wouldn't be able to play together at the same (afl) club.
Warren Ralph. was a goal kicking machine in a golden era of wafl and was one of my favourites. Kicked 477 goals over 4 seasons in the early 80s.
Darren Klemm. the fireman was built like a silo and was a prime mover on a wing.
Basil Campbell. has always had a special spot in my heart since the 77 state of origin when he first crossed paths with so called victorian hard man Don Scott on the members wing at subi. As one journalist once brilliantly put it,... east met west, and scott went south..."
Brian Peake. gets a mention for his classic 7 or 8 goal in the 84 state of origin. those tuesday arvos were special times and he was a state hero that day, along with..
Wayne Blackwell. for his famous smother in the same game. was also a top shelf player at claremont and carlton.
Noel Morton. tough, dependable defender.
Michael Mitchell. still the quickest player i've seen.
Stephen Michael, Maurice, Bucky, Tony Beers, I'm going to stop here my mind is spinning too much, good thread Gas

[bubbachew14]

Always had a soft spot for Glen Bartlett. After watching a helluva lot of shocking East Perth teams in the mid-to-late 80s, it seemed as though Bartlett was the one to single-handedly bring the Royals back to the finals. He got us there in 1991.