Top 10 All Time SANFL "Strongmen"

Following on from CK's "Notorious Moments" thread, who are your top 10 SANFL "strongmen".
This was a term coined in the media years ago. Maybe because it sounded better than "hitmen".

There are various facets to this definition and it doesn't just encapsulate thuggery. I think it goes more into those guys who were feared, revered, relied upon to enforce their will upon a game and opponents. Also it would cover blokes who protected others on the field.

Maybe if people rank their selections 1-10 we can see who gets the deserved title of "TFSA All Time SANFL Storngman".

Here are just some names in no particular order to just to get the ideas flowing.

Ray Hayes - West Adelaide (and Port I think). Was always a presence on the footy field and sometimes off it.
Dave Grainger - Port Adelaide. Really needs to introduction.
Wayne Phillis - Glenelg. Was always a hard attacking key position player. Took no sideways steps especially when John Wynne was around.
John Wynne - Norwood. Almost identical to Phillis in his approach.
Craig Balme - Norwood. Can make the top 10 for his pre-GF stouch with Tim Evans.
Tim Evans - Port Adelaide. Probably not really known as a genuine strongman. But his love taps with Balmey in '84 almost makes the grade.
Scott Salisbury - Glenelg. Somewhat shorter in stature than most, but you knew he was around waiting to deliver his message.
John Duckworth - Centrals. A big burly bloke from WA. Probably didn't have a lot of seasons in the sanfl. But more the quality than quantity.
Neil Sasche - North Adelaide. Was fierce on a footy field before his accident.
Neil Kerley - West/Glenelg. Knuckles made sure he got up close and personal at important times. Incurred KG's wrath mre than once.
Rick Schoff - Sturt. He looked like a saint with his blonde hair. But did his share of trying to debunk the double blue "handbag" tag.
Phil Carman - Norwood. Gets a gig for many things, but rubbing Cornes face in the dirt is enough on its own.
Neil Balme - Norwood. Balmey was "possessed" when he entered a footy field. Brought his VFL "defensive" tactics with him.
Must have practised on his brother as a kid.
Robbie Muir - Woodville/Torrens + 100 other clubs. Simply can only be described as insane on a footy field.
James and Chris Gowans - Centrals. A tag team combo and multi-skilled. Did as much verbally as physically and if one don't get ya'....

I am sure there are plenty more.

The thoughts of West fans on Dean Howard may prove interesting.

Former Carlton listed player Peter Green (played 1 game for the Blues) spent a couple of seasons, in the mid 90's, at Central District...

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the hardest at it 'strongmen' that I have watched in the SANFL over my 25 following this competition...

I would say that Dean Howard was worthy of being classed as a 'strongman'.

On the list in general, the players named could be put into some different categories, IMO.

Genuine strongmen-

Phillis, Wynne, Neil Balme, Kerley. There are many other candidates, but I'd add Wally May from a very hazy memory.

Keep out of their way players - Hayes, Grainger, Muir.

I think Chris and James Gowans weren't in the same class as the first group as 'strongmen', but were perhaps in a category of their own as 'intimidators' and protectors.

Players such as Salisbury were 'played above their size' good players.

I'd naturally put Kerley as the best strongman I've seen, purely on the combination of strength, intimidation, talent, inspiration and toughness.

..a bit of thuggery too, from Kerley perhaps

I would definitely put Greg Phillips in as a strongman - he could probably intimidate as well as anyone I've heard he had a bit to say to Salisbury during 1990 grand final as to what may happen if he targetted Wanganeen.

McIntosh too, strong, tough, occasionally thuggish, but most of the time just a fantastic player.

Others for consideration - the Stringers, Carey, Leslie.

Darryl Chenoweth had a Popeye physique but from memory didnt use his bulk in a "strongman" way.

by all accounts (comment) Wally May

I agree with all those you've named, FF.

I would say that I thought Ray Hayes was a total thug at Port, but was just strong, fair and a gentleman at West

McIntosh, of course, would undoubtedly be in the list, one of the very best, a pleasure to watch.

Murray Weideman, captain coach of West Adelaide back in the late 60's was no softy.

I suppose we could add 'Rotten' Ronnie Andrews in that case

Jack Broadstock - I'm assuming he liked to throw his weight around on the oval?

Who was the West player from the early 80's - indigenous - first name Tom (I keep thinking "Thumb" but clearly thats not his surname). Got reported a bit from memory back in the day.

Tom Thorn - that's who I reckon I was thinking of.

Tom was a big talent, but didn't play for long with us, from memory.

I never saw Jack Broadstock play, but Jack Dyer is reported as saying he wa the most talented player he'd seen.

VFL, I know, but Dyer might make the list of strongmen

If we expand to across the border, the list will be dictionary-esque!

I think 3 categories just about fits what everyone has said;
GROUP 1 - Hard large units that could play and you'd better stay out of their way IE Strongmen
GROUP 2 - Smaller types that would intimidate both verbally and physically
GROUP 3 - Nutcases who you never knew were going to play one week to the next after being rubbed out.

And in some cases they sometimes changed groups during their career

In Group 1 I always regarded these as your text-book definition.

Wynne, W Phillis, Kerley, Phillips.

Neil Balme - possibly, but occasionally had a liking for Group 3.  

Group 2 - McIntosh certainly, Salisbury and the Gowans rate an homourable mention.

And Group 3 - Almost picks itself!

I would add Bruce Stevenson and Joe Humphrey from Westies.

Paul Northeast, Martin Leslie, Wayne Mahoney always made their presence felt.

Wayne/Allan Stringer.

I know Wayne Mahney - he is a puppy!  
Mates with his brother too. He, by his own admission was a mongrel on the field - lucky never made it past ressies! Maybe runs in the family.

Never made it past Ressies?

Im fairly sure he played in 1990 premiership, and all up would have played a reasonable amount of League games.

I also have a feeling he debuted very young -perhaps 16 or so.

No, his brother. Sorry maybe didn't make that clear.
Reckon Wayne will get a laugh at being hailed a strongman.  

Alas we havent had too many strongmen at South, probably says something in itself I suppose.
However personally I would class Bill Bennett and Peter Hines as tough as any ,and of course Kerley during his tenure at South.

Yeah Hines and Bennett were hard men. I can though remember seeing Ray Hayes run through Hines at Adelaide oval and breaking his arm.
Schneebichler would almost fall into this category wouldn't he?

No I wouldn't put him in the strongman bracket.