COMPARING football players and teams from era to era is fraught with danger. Many a heated argument over public bar drip trays can be attributed to such debates: which is the best team ever? Who is the better player? Are football skills superior now or then?

There seems to be resignation among some media colleagues that comparing the days of yesteryear with modern football is insane. I disagree.

First, in any debate, there needs to be criteria and concession.

CRITERIA: I base my argument on using only those players who played all or part of their careers in the 1980s. Twenty years of evolution surely gives credence to any debate based around enough time for change. What I am aiming to show is that individual players of the 1980s, when lined up against members of the 2006 All-Australian team, are as good as, if not better, footballers.

This is not about choosing the best team of the 1980s. If that was the case, Gary Ablett would be in any first XVIII. I have selected 1980s players who strike me as mirror-image replacements for 2006 All-Australian team members.

CONCESSIONS: I’m prepared to make two concessions. One, the physical capabilities of any current AFL club list means it would defeat any team that played in the 1980s. Twenty years in medical advancements, rehabilitation, and physical education are too significant to dismiss. Two, many of my assessments about the skills now and then are based on the premise that specific skills are influenced by coaching strategies, such as flooding, stop-play set-ups, and new rules and their interpretations. These factors are out of my hands when trying to make assessments on which skill facets are better or worse.

CONCLUSION: Pound for pound, I would have no hesitation in coaching either team in any era. I believe the selection exercise shows that individual players in any era are good enough. Great players are great players because they can adapt to any situation. Who would win under the criteria outlined? I lean towards the ‘80s, only because they had more champions on all levels, but it’s a seriously tough call. What do you think? Get back to that drip tray and get the debate started.

Have your say on the 1980s v 2006 at: http://blogs.theage.com.au/realfooty/

WHO’S BEST AT WHAT AND WHY

BETTER IN THE MODERN ERA

PHYSICAL CAPABILIIES
THE REASON As stated in concessions.

SHORT KICKING
THE REASON Today’s game demands possession football. An opposition’s pressure can lead to dysfunctional game styles.

HANDBALL
THE REASON Better in congested areas because of numbers around packs. Use of both hands better now. Drilled more.

TACKLING
THE REASON Stronger and quicker. Greater influence technically from rugby codes.

BETTER IN THE 1980s

LONG KICKING
THE REASON Statistically declining in the modern game. Each era had its greats, but prevalence wins for the 1980s.

MARKING (HIGH OR CONTESTED)
THE REASON No brainer here. Longer kicking mentality means more hang time. Possession footy and flooding has lessened frequency now.

GOALKICKING
THE REASON High scores in the 1980s and greater use of genuine full-forwards of substance due to direct style. Also, midfielders were, on percentage, better goalkickers.

READING THE PLAY
THE REASON The group mentality of defence today means there is less emphasis on the individual defensive thought process. Rotations mean that genuine one-on-ones are hard to come by.

CCOMPARING THE STARS

(2006 players named first).

B:

NATHAN BASSETT Adelaide, 176 games, 23 goals
V
GARY AYRES Hawthorn, 269 games, 70 goals
Strong bodies and great competitors. Can play on smalls and talls.

DARREN GLASS West Coast, 123 games, 7 goals
V
CHRIS LANGFORD Hawthorn, 303 games, 33 goals
Both are quick with long arms for spoiling. They run lines well.

LINDSAY GILBEE Western Bulldogs, 99 games, 53 goals
V
MARK BROWNING Sydney, 251 games, 138 goals
Great kicks, go-to players and defensive rebounders.

HB:

CRAIG BOLTON Brisbane/Sydney, 129 games, 21 goals
V
DANNY FRAWLEY St Kilda, 240 games, 13 goals
Can play full-back/centre half-back. Strong bodies, great stamina and underrated speed.

JOEL BOWDEN Richmond, 215 games, 152 goals
V
BRUCE DOULL Carlton, 356 games, 23 goals
Balanced players, great use of body, good kicks. I think Joel would love this comparison.

ANDREW McLEOD Adelaide, 262 games, 241 goals
V
MICHAEL McLEAN Bulldogs/Brisbane, 183 games 40 goals
No explanation needed. Skilled, quick, can go on ball and have that Aboriginal magic.

C:

SIMON GOODWIN Adelaide, 196 games, 113 goals
V
DOUG HAWKINS Western Bulldogs, 350 games 227 goals
Penetrating kicks who read the play well. Goodwin more on ball, but Hawkins great if he had been used there.

SCOTT WEST Western Bulldogs, 302 games, 103 goals
V
GREG WILLIAMS Geelong/Sydney/Carlton, 250 games, 217 goals
They accumulate possessions and are contested clearance experts. Williams was a little more aggressive.

ADAM GOODES Sydney, 188 games, 192 goals
V
DAVID RHYS-JONES Sydney/Carlton, 182 games, 112 goals
Hardest match-up due to Goodes’ ruck ability. Both played key position at either end and wing.

HF:

ALAN DIDAK Collingwood, 102 games, 146 goals
V
PETER DAICOS Collingwood, 250 games, 549 goals
Freakish goalkicking, strong lower bodies and good conversion. Didak more one-sided.

BARRY HALL St Kilda/Sydney, 206 games, 497 goals
V
WAYNE CAREY Kangaroos/Adelaide, 272 games, 727 goals
Strong with great endurance capabilities. Aggressive edge maybe with Carey who was a better contested mark.

RYAN O’KEEFE Sydney, 120 games, 133 goals
V
TIM WATSON Essendon, 307 games, 335 goals
Low centre of gravity. Great work rate. Watson has edge in speed, but O’Keefe’s workrate is A1. Good use of body.

FF:

BRAD JOHNSON Western Bulldogs, 280 games, 413 goals
V
DARREN JARMAN Hawthorn/Adelaide, 230 games, 386 goals
Both freakish medium forwards. Good marks for their size with good ground-level skills.

BRENDAN FEVOLA Carlton, 125 games, 331 goals
V
JASON DUNSTALL Hawthorn, 269 games, 1254 goals Magnificent leads with great hands. Capable of big pack marks and great converters.

NICK RIEWOLDT St Kilda, 114 games, 213 goals
V
DERMOTT BRERETON Hawthorn, 211 games, 464 goals
Hard leaders at ball-carrier. Strong hands and good at ground level. Courage at contest on a par.

RUCK:

BRENDON LADE Port Adelaide, 172 games, 143 goals
V
JIM STYNES Melbourne, 264 games, 130 goals
Brilliant mobility; ruckwork exceptional. Endurance in Stynes’ favour with Lade a more penetrating kick.

CHRIS JUDD West Coast, 117 games, 122 goals
V
PETER MATERA West Coast, 253 games, 217 goals
Great speed, balance, goalkicking ability and evasive skills. Robert Flower another to come to mind.

BEN COUSINS West Coast, 231 games, 202 goals
V
CRAIG BRADLEY Carlton, 375 games, 247 goals
Gut-busting runners with great skills. Read play well to link up. Vary starting positions to drop off taggers.

INTERCHANGE:

SHAUN BURGOYNE Port Adelaide, 106 games, 107 goals
V
LEON CAMERON Bulldogs/Richmond, 256 games, 108 goals

DEAN COX West Coast, 124 games, 60 goals
V
PETER MOORE Collingwood/Melbourne, 249 games, 244 goals

JAMES McDONALD Melbourne,179 games, 45 goals
V
TONY LIBERATORE Western Bulldogs, 283 games, 95 goals

MATTHEW PAVLICH Fremantle, 155 games, 249 goals
V
GARY ABLETT Hawthorn/Geelong, 248 games, 1030 goals

Have your say on the 1980s v 2006 at: http://blogs.theage.com.au/realfooty/