TEAM OF THE CENTURY
BACK POCKET - KEVIN SHEEDY
1967-79, 251 games, 3 flags (1969, 1973-74), 1 B & F.
Tough as teak, he gave the opposition resting rovers hell. Worked tirelessly to turn himself into a highly skilled player and later made a successful switch to the ruck-roving role.
FULL BACK - VIC THORP
1910-25, 263 games, 2 flags (1920,21), 2 B & Fs.
An all-time League great at full back. Was a magnificent mark, consistently cleared the ball out of defence with long, driving drop kicks and possessed superb judgement.
BACK POCKET - MICHAEL GREEN
1966-71/ 1973-75, 146 games, 4 flags (1967, 1969, 1973-74).
The consummate big-occasion player. Was very mobile for his size, had a great pair of hands and read the play to perfection.
HALF BACK FLANK - BASIL MCCORMACK
1925-36, 199 games, 2 flags (1932, 1934), 2 B & F's.
A tear away defender with a vigorous approach to the game. Had good skills and was a key member of the Club's golden era in the 1930's.
CENTRE HALF BACK - GORDON STRANG
1931-36 & 1938, 116 games, 2 flags (1932,1934)
Classy key-position player with great anticipation and outstanding marking ability. Was credited with an amazing 28 marks in one game. Was also a fine kick.
HALF BACK FLANK - MERVYN KEANE
1972-84, 238 games, 3 flags (1973-74, 1980).
Under-rated back man who eclipsed bigger-name opponents with his superb all-round defensive skills. Teammates regarded him as a great man to be alongside ?in the trenches?.
WING - FRANCIS BOURKE
1967-81, 302 games, 5 flags ('67, '69,'73-'74, '80), 1 B & F.
Courageous and inspirational. Played virtually every position, but was brilliant as a wingman early in his career, with strong marking, long kicking, and dashing runs.
CENTRE - BILL BARROT
1961-70, 120 games, 2 flags (1967, 1969), 1 B & F.
A dynamic "big occasion" player with a fierce will-to-win, long, raking drop kicks and tremendous stamina. Ahead of his time in the fitness department.
WING - DICK CLAY
1966-76, 213 games, 4 flags (1967, 1969, 1973-74).
Versatile performer who had pace to burn and could kick the ball out of sight! With Bourke, revolutionized wing play in the late 1960?s due to his height (185cm).
HALF FORWARD FLANK - MATTHEW RICHARDSON
1993-present, 130 games, 411 goals, 5 club goal kicking awards.
Current day forward star who is one of the best marks going around, but for a player so tall, is also incredibly agile and quick.
CENTRE HALF FORWARD - ROYCE HART
1967-77, 187 games, 369 goals, 4 flags (1967, 1969, 1973-74), 2 B & Fs, 2 club goal kicking awards.
The complete champion footballer. Took inspirational marks, floating across packs, and was a deadly accurate drop punt kick for goal. A wonderful on-field leader.
HALF FORWARD FLANK - ROGER DEAN
1957-73, 245 games, 204 goals, 2 flags (1967, 1969).
A pocket dynamo with a popular, spirited style of play. Lifted the side with his tough attack on the ball and ability to be in the right position at the right time.
FORWARD POCKET - DALE WEIGHTMAN
1978-93, 274 games, 344 goals, 1 flag (1980), 2 B & Fs.
Silkily-skilled small man with a grim determination to succeed. Had superb vision and evasive skills, and was a pinpoint pass. Enjoyed great goal sense.
FULL FORWARD - JACK TITUS
1926-43, 294 games, 970 goals, 2 flags (1932, 1934), 2 B & Fs, 11 club goal kicking awards.
Only slight of frame, but a goal kicking colossus for the Tigers. Was lighting quick on the lead, had great evasive skills and was a beautiful kick for goal.
FORWARD POCKET - BILL MORRIS
1942 & 1944-51, 140 games, 98 goals, 1 Brownlow Medal (1948), 3 B & Fs.
A gifted ruckman who consistently palmed the ball straight to the Tiger rovers. Had a great leap, was highly skilled for a big man and enjoyed outwitting opponents.
RUCK - ROY WRIGHT
1946-59, 195 games, 2 Brownlow Medals (1952, 1954), 4 B & Fs.
Scrupulously fair and a great palmer of the ball (a 10 inch hand span giving him a fairly useful advantage in that regard!) Was also a strong mark and a towering kick.
RUCK ROVER - JACK DYER
1931-49, 312 games, 443 goals, 2 flags (1934,1943), 6 B & Fs, 2 club goal kicking awards, captain & captain-coach.
Maybe the most famous Tiger ever. ?Captain Blood? had a rugged, straight-ahead style. But along with that legendary toughness came great skills and a clever football brain. He is credited with inventing the drop punt and kicked a swag of goals for his beloved Tigers.
ROVER - KEVIN BARTLETT
1965-83, 403 games, 778 goals, 5 flags (1967, 1969, 1973-74, 1980), 5 B & Fs, 4 club goal kicking awards.
A ball "magnet" who loved to kick a goal. Although only lightly built was amazingly durable and rarely missed a game. Had enormous stamina and speed and excelled in finals.
INTERCHANGE - DES ROWE
1946-57, 175 games, 2 B & Fs.
A tenacious, tight-checking back man, who also liked to use his pace at times to run off opponents. Nullified taller forwards and was regarded as a fine team man.
INTERCHANGE - GEOFF RAINES
1976-82, 134 games, 1 flag (1980), 3 B & Fs.
Superbly balanced centreman with great disposal. A feature of his play was his ability to swoop on the ball at centre bounces and then send a long bomb forward.
INTERCHANGE - IAN STEWART
1971-75, 78 games, 1 flag (1973), 1 Brownlow Medal (1971), 1 B & F.
Class personified and totally fearless, he regularly backed into a pack to take a mark. Beautifully balanced and delivered the ball with the utmost precision.
INTERCHANGE - MATTHEW KNIGHTS
1988-present, 246 games, 130 goals, 2 B & Fs, captain.
Gifted left-footer who enjoys great vision and poise, plus brilliant skills and finishing. A very smart mover.
COACH - TOM HAFEY
Coached 248 games, won 173, lost 73, drew 2. Won 4 flags (1967, 1969, 1973-74), R-Up (1972).
Resurrected the club's fortunes in the late 1960?s with his coaching methods. Was big on fitness and moulding a tight-knight unit. Under him, the Tigers played a long, direct style of game and reaped huge rewards.