Melbourne backline of 1999
Robbie Ross, Craig Smith, Aaron Moule, Tony Martin, Marcus Bai, Matt Geyer, Brett Kimmorley
- rubbish in anyones book save for Robbie Ross maybe
Compare it to the Dragons backline on the day
Luke Patten, Nathan Blacklock, Paul McGregor (c), Shaun Timmins, Jamie Ainscough, Anthony Mundine, Trent Barrett
and you have a classic example of the famous Red V tightening around the throat of all those who wear it come finals time.
Dogs backline of 95
Rod Silva, Jason Williams, John Timu, Matthew Ryan, Darryl Halligan, Thug Lamb [c], Craig Polla-Mounter
Our line up that fateful day
Ridge, Hancock, Moore, Hill, Hopoate, Lyons, Toovey.
The Dogs backline wasn't that bad especially when you added their secret weapon Eddie Ward.