At North Melbourne, former college basketballer Eric Wallace is on the list and is developing at a rate of knots and Mike Pyke played rugby union before claiming a premiership with the Swans in 2012.
But what if you could give the football skills and game knowledge of a current AFL superstar to an elite athlete from an overseas league or sport? Who would be the best candidate and have the most potential?
Let’s consider the players in international cricket.
Here’s the question: If you could transfer Daniel Wells’ football skills and game knowledge into an international cricketer past or present, who would you choose?
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Starting abroad, South Africa’s pace duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel stand out.
Arguably the best bowler in the world at the current time, Steyn stands at 183cm, almost a perfect height for a midfielder. His natural competitiveness would give him a head start, while the intensity illustrated below would provide an immeasurable boost.
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At 198cm, Morkel already has the build to be a key-position player, whether that is back or forward. However he has tended to suffer from injuries. It means he would probably become a good friend of North’s Director of Medical Services Steve Saunders as he’s nursed back to health.
English batsman Alastair Cook has the temperament needed to succeed. Never flustered, when in form at least, he’d be able to consistently amass 20-25 possessions with Wells’ skills.
In the subcontinent, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar are two that spring to mind.
Tendulkar would be unlikely to have a major impact. At just 165cm, he’s much smaller than Leighton Baines, mentioned in our EPL edition.
However, imagine Tendulkar and David Beckham (in another nod to our EPL piece) in the same team – the marketing department of any club would have their work done for years on end.
Dhoni could make an impact as either a small-forward or inside midfielder. Not a glamorous cricketer despite his successful record, he would most likely bring the same approach to the football field. Naturally aggressive when at the crease, a similar mindset would serve him well as a small forward.
Looking at past players, Brian Lara is an interesting proposition. Would his natural flair translate to the football field? Perhaps the addition of Wells’ skills would make him one of the best players in the league to watch almost overnight.
Any of the West Indies’ fearsome fast bowlers from the late 1980’s and early 1990’s would be formidable key-position players. Curtly Ambrose as an uncompromising full back would no doubt be entertaining to watch.
Closer to home, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh are all North Melbourne fans and would have no trouble playing for the jumper.
Who do you think would be the best AFL player from international cricket if they had the skills of Daniel Wells? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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