How bloody good was Royce Hart?

[Darth Tiger]

CHF of the team AFL & RFC Team of the Century says it all.

Interesting that Chris Judd has same weight and is taller than Hart.

Do not have any doubt that Royce would have made it as a tall midfielder in today's game.

Class, pure class.

 

[Darren]

I remember sitting in the car as young whipper snapper with my tiger jumper on and my dad saying to my pop, I think it's about time Darren got a number put on his back. My nan and pop said in unison "number 4".
It was his first season and everyone loved his silky smooth skills hardness and fair play.
He went on to be liked by even the opposition supporters. You know,one of them players you like to watch against other teams and do well. Hird, Judd Voss etc.
I agree with that comment that he was inspirational and seemed to kick goals when we needed them week after week. His '73 grand final performance is a perfect example of the type he was.
The question of the Brownlow? Why didn't Whitten win one? Why hasn't West won one? Why did Woewodin win one? Who bloody knows?

 

[purepoweryouth]

I only saw Hart play in his last year, 1977. I'd heard from my dad how good he was and was pretty underwhelmed by what I saw that year, but of course he was crippled in football terms by that stage.

He received 46 Brownlow votes in 168 h&a matches. A few comparisons:
Nathan Thompson 158 games, 41 votes
Jon Dorotich 124 games, 39 votes
Paul Van Der Haar 184 games, 49 votes
Rex Hunt 100 games, 51 votes - have seen a few people on PRE bagging Rex as a player

Does anyone have an idea why he didn't poll more Brownlow votes? Dare I suggest it, but did his reputation exceed his performance? Interested to hear opinions from people who saw him play.

I'd suggest that the reason he didn't get more Brownlow votes is because he wore a Richmond jumper.
Being named the AFL Team of the Century CHF would also suggest that he probably got robbed in terms of Brownlow votes.

 

[purepoweryouth]

I remember sitting in the car as young whipper snapper with my tiger jumper on and my dad saying to my pop, I think it's about time Darren got a number put on his back. My nan and pop said in unison "number 4".
It was his first season and everyone loved his silky smooth skills hardness and fair play.
He went on to be liked by even the opposition supporters. You know,one of them players you like to watch against other teams and do well. Hird, Judd Voss etc.
I agree with that comment that he was inspirational and seemed to kick goals when we needed them week after week. His '73 grand final performance is a perfect example of the type he was.
The question of the Brownlow? Why didn't Whitten win one? Why hasn't West won one? Why did Woewodin win one? Who bloody knows?

I know why. Because The VFL/AFL are stupid enough to let the umpires do the voting, when as we all know, are struggling just doing their own job properly. Incompetent bastards.

 

[Ruthless Tigers ?]

Royce was the ultimate!

He had sublime skills, undoubtable and immeasurable courage, passion and on top of all that was good bloke.
I loved watching the guy play and believe me words cannot describe the way he moved. Backing into packs, flying across packs and a esire to win the ball.

Pity his knees ruined his career. I fondly remember him walking up to me after they trained on theMCG before the 73 finals and signing my jumper and cast. How many players today would do that?

It was great watching the battles between he and the Doormat...Bruce Doull. That match up was every bit as good as any you would see today. Two champion blokes hard at it and as fair as the day is long.

Just a pity his career ended as it did.

 

[tiggytam]

Bloody Good :clap