Its the year 2050, and you're appointed coach of the Earth XVIII. You have to pick the squad... who do you pick first?

Also, you have a time machine.

So, you can basically go back and pick a player at the absolute peak of his game to be your star... so who would you choose?

(assume that in 2050, the game is pretty much the same as today)

I've listed Kouta (2000) and Judd (now) as the main 2 options, because they're awesome midfielders unstoppable on their day. Kouta has the high marking, Judd the explosive pace.

But maybe you'd look at Carey, or Ablett, or someone else?

Who'd be your mainman????

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

I think I'd go with Kouta 2000. Pretty much unstoppable in patches in 2000 with no weaknesses. Sure Judd won a brownlow at his peak, but Kouta wasn't far off it in 2000 either.

Kouta, at his prime, is still the archetypal modern footballer

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

Is this a conversation just between yourself or can anyone join ?

I'd take Judd. Judd will win 2 or 3 Brownlows in his time and in 2050 this will be clear to all.

_________________
Formerly: Ackland the Wonderkid / Army the Wonderkid / quivering mess / molsey / Tony Lynn Fan Club

You would have to take Carey ... but Kouta wouldn't be too far behind at the peak of his powers.

Still think back to the 1999 grand final when Carey won the game for North when he went into the middle as ruck rover and dominated ... champion.

_________________
In WADA we trust

marc murphy circa 2008

_________________
This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

I would take Kouta over Judd at their peaks........Wayne Carey would probably be my overall choice though as having a dominant CHF gives you a chance in every match and Carey is probably the best CHF the game has seen ...Kouta, Judd and Ablett are and were great individuals but Carey was a leader who could inspire others and lift mediocre players to play above themselves....did it under pressure as well....

_________________
"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Is there some form of technology to stop Kouta's knee from caving in?

Not convinced about Judd vs Kouta - Judd is a f*cking gun, don't get me wrong, but he get's a shiteload of assistance from the best midfield in the comp. I reckon Kouta at his peak was a more complete footballer.

Can I have a top 5?

Kouta (98/99/00 vintage)
Judd (current vintage)
Gary Ablett SR (early 90's vintage)
Steven Silvagni (any vintage you like - they all rocked)
Tony Lockett (St Kilda vintage - not the lovey-dovey hugging Sydney version)

Number six would be Sticks - every great team needs a great captain.

Although I'd probably have to use aforementioned time machine to get the three Silvagni brothers, who shared in six premierships and four brownlow medals.

_________________
Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

mid 90's diesel
judd
carey

Judd is only early in his career, can't fairly compare the two.

wayne carey and sos and then Fev.

_________________
"I can't wait to win a premiership with this club" - Fev

you don't need to compare them.... you just need to pick your matchwinner for the 2050 team... you can pick anyone you want.... you can have Laurie Nash circa 1933 if you want

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

hmmm...I'd have to say Carey, just in front of G.Ablett snr & Tony Lockett.

Imagine if those three were lining up for the blues this season!

_________________
There's so much I could say...

OK I'd take prime Kouta. Never seen any player dominate like he could (Carey included). In his prime he was just dominating all over the ground not just CHF.
Probably by 2050 people will be debating if these guys would be good enough to play in the modern game.

we have players as good as Stefan Carey and Geoff Ablett. Tony Lockett would be a plus though

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

its a hypothetical where you're asked to assume the game is pretty much identical to now.

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

Who's the Earth XVIII playing? If it's Venus, then I'd pick Leigh Matthews first, because apparently women are from Venus and he'd scare the living crap out of them on the field.

Carey, on the other hand, would be too distracted trying to grab their tits.

But I reckon we'd be playing Mars. Martians are short, with really big heads. So I'd go tall with the Earth XVIII to fully utlise our height advantage, and include Nathan Brown of Richmond in an attempt to nullify the Martian's head-size advantage.

They are playing a team from a parallel universe, where Man has tentacles instead of arms. They're good tacklers, but have very poor disposal by hand/mandable.

Besides, everyone knows that Martians are telekenetic. You'd need great readers of the game... guys who know where they're thinking about moving the ball before they think about it.

Lance Whitnall

_________________
Love Cricket? Love me

Is Kevin Sheedy the Coach

If Sheedy is coach of Mars, I'd have Mitchell White in to take some scalps behind the play!

_________________
In WADA we trust

In his prime at his top...Kouta was unbeatable all over the ground....even Mike Sheahan agrees with that.... (which worries me a bit)

_________________
No ones listening till you make a mistake.