Fan list: Ranking the top 10 Collingwood players I've seen

I've been watching football for more than two decades (age 27), and I can still recite and recall many special moments in Collingwood folklore. Many from the MCG or the Docklands, but some from pubs, on the couch or via the radio. So when dissecting a top 10 Pies player list, it pains, but pleases me to go through some of the heroes I once looked up to, and aspired to be in my junior days. Below, I have ranked and explained my top 10... Travis Cloke The key forward was fortunate to make it on the list after many good names were left out, including a high-flying small and a premiership captain. But Cloke earned the right to be amongst the best Pies I've seen. A father-son tall had many elite facets in his game: marking, running, power, contest. Where he let himself down was his kicking, but as the great Wayne Gretzky said: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take". Cloke took plenty, and if he converted more, he'd be higher on this list, and definitely regarded higher in the football world. Leon Davis The flashy "Neon Leon" was a certainty in this list as footy fans attempted, and yes I say attempted, to mimic his ridiculous goals throughout his career. Whether it be in long sleeves, across half-back or pushed up against the boundary line, Davis was a sight to behold with the football in hand, which made the jobs of commentators like Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti even more entertaining. Heath Shaw An uncompromising small defender who followed in the footsteps of his older brother and father to the Pies, and for good reason. Across his 173 games, Shaw was a special stopper for Michael Malthouse, and briefly for Nathan Buckley, tasked with curbing some of the best small forwards in the competition. He also provided bounce out of defence, reflected by his lethal kicking from a kick-out as well as his trademark bounce, which were at times, excess to the play, but made for good viewing. Dale Thomas One of the two transformational selections in the 2005 draft, along with No.1 on this list, Thomas was the face of the Collingwood rebuild. The long, blond locks were a distraction to his elite talent, both on the ground and in the air. Thomas was a hard-running midfielder that would towel up any opponent who dared to stand next to him. Unfortunately, his time in the black and white was cut short as he fetched some minutes for the dreaded navy blue. Jack Crisp It's hard to go past Mr Consistent, but not just for his incredible games-in-succession record, which stands at 267. The steak knives in the Dayne Beams/Brisbane trade, Crisp has outperformed his suspected worth when he joined the Pies, paying the back in droves. His dependability is literally second to none, but his standards are of a high calibre, especially when the whips are cracking in September. Aside from multiple Norm Smith Medallists Dustin Martin and Luke Hodge, Crisp is among the best to perform in the finals. Alan Didak The mercurial left footer was no stranger to the goal, or a shimmy, in the black and white. Collingwood teammates always attempted to find Didak, who could find options that didn't exist to the layperson, nor the commentary team, or players who feature at the elite level. His smoothness and craft forced fans to don the No.4, attempting to kick miraculous goals from the boundary, just as Dids did. I can say that, I was one of them. Steele Sidebottom A smiling Steele is a great sight. The Pies veteran is one of the best non-preferred kicks in his era of football, putting to shame the new generation who enter the league with one foot. A dual premiership player who is versatile forces him up rankings, having played, successfully, in the midfield, wing, forward and half back. Sidebottom's incredible endurance and footy smarts are of an elite standard. Nick Daicos The star father-son is a victim of his infancy in the game, and without a doubt, will be rivalling Swan and Pendlebury when his career comes to a close. But that hasn't stopped Daicos from dominating the competition. All-Australians, best and fairests, MVP and a premiership medal is already in the cabinet, with an elusive Brownlow expected to join them in the years to come. Daicos' defining attribute could be many, like his disposal use, work rate, speed, self-belief. But his leadership and teamwork are underrated. Dane Swan The Brownlow Medallist had a no-fuss attitude throughout his career, which at times, looked very dicey early in the piece. However, Swan turned his career around to be one of the best midfielders in the modern era, claiming five AA blazers, an MVP and a premiership in a stacked Pies line-up. But it shouldn't be lost how hard the Calder Cannons graduate worked. Scott Pendlebury The soon-to-be games record holder ranks as the best Pie in my days. Pendlebury's basketball background has wreaked havoc for more than two decades while claiming almost every individual and team accolade in the AFL. His attention to detail and ability to move through traffic and find teammates who weren't even looking for the ball. Longevity also plays a part to his ranking.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	5	4	1	16	175.5
2	FRE	5	4	1	16	131.4
3	HAW	5	4	1	16	121
4	WB	5	4	1	16	120.7
5	GC	5	3	2	12	132
6	BL	5	3	2	12	115
7	NMFC	5	3	2	12	105.9
8	GEEL	5	3	2	12	101.5
9	MELB	5	3	2	12	92.7
10	PORT	5	2	3	8	110.6

Fan list: Ranking the top 10 Collingwood players I’ve seen

A premiership captain and a high-flying forward were overlooked, underlining a difficult task.

7Dale Thomas

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