BURKE'S LAW – NATHAN BURKE
The Fame game
When it comes to recognising champions, it matters which club they represented.
THIS year Saints great Robert Harvey becomes eligible for induction into the AFL Hall of Fame.
You'd think that two Brownlows and 380-odd games would make him a shoo-in.
Well, obviously it does, but there is another reason why Harves should be put in at the earliest opportunity.
After all, his great midfield contemporaries in James Hird, Nathan Buckley and Michael Voss got in the minute they became eligible.
Using that precedent he should be dusting off his tux for the big night and preparing a speech.
But unfortunately his first chance induction is not a certain as it should be.
It has absolutely nothing to do with playing performance, as debating who was the best of the four is simply a never-ending argument.
Having seen all four at close hand there is nothing that can split them.
The reason why he may not be a first chance certainty purely comes down to reputation. Not reputation built on playing performance but reputation born out of which club you played for.
Let's face it, when it comes to determining the best midfielders of the past 20 years, there are times when Harvey suffers purely because he didn't play for Collingwood or Essendon or win three flags with a dominant Lions team.
You may disagree but I can tell you I have observed this debate closely for five years.
Whenever the comparison arises someone will mention Harvey being a Saint and therefore attracting less attention from the media.
It can't purely be a premiership thing as Buckley's cabinet is just as bare as Harvey's.
There is no escaping the point that if you play for one of the bigger clubs it is much easier to gain a reputation and stand in the spotlight than when playing for the Bulldogs, Kangaroos or Demons.
To make a modern day point, here are a few players who – if they were wearing black and white – would be considered champions.
After the Bulldogs towel up North Melbourne on the weekend, and seeing Matthew Boyd's 44-possession, 20-contested possession and 10-clearance effort, I reckon he should've been back or front page lead story on Monday.
But unfortunately, even though it was one of the best midfield performances of the year, the Bulldog captain does not sell papers like a picture of Dane Swan does.
While those who watch footy closely will know all about it, the casual observer who gets most of their football knowledge from headlines will never know how good he is.
Unfortunately there is no Anzac Medal awarded after a Bulldogs vs Kangaroos match either so he won't have that added to his list of achievements whenever he is presented to an audience.
Boyd's team-mate Ryan Griffin is another fine example.
Throw him into the black and white and we would instantly know a whole lot more about the dynamic Bulldog.
Ask 10 people who won the Lions' best and fairest last year and I bet nine don't know. Give them a multiple choice between Simon Black, Jonathan Brown and Tom Rockliff and most still wouldn't get it right.
This is a real shame as the breakout performance of Rockliff was one of the best football stories of 2011.
Out of sight, out of mind for young Tom.
Again, pictures of a Brisbane Lion tearing other teams apart not only doesn't sell papers it doesn't keep talkback callers outside of Brisbane interested.
This bloke will be a great player for years to come and I hope that he finally gets the attention his work on the field is demanding.
Some players may be big in their home states but in the country's biggest football market they receive miniscule attention compared to lesser players from bigger clubs.
Players like Scott Thompson. Anyone who doesn't believe he is in the elite midfield category should watch how he tore the much-vaunted Cats midfield apart with his physical strength and hard running last Saturday.
His teammate Nathan Van Berlo is another who receives next to no credit in Victoria for his consistent exploits.
While we are looking interstate from Melbourne we need to recognise the consistent performances of Jarrad McVeigh.
When he hangs up his boots he will have a career the equal of his older brother. Yet in 10 years if someone mentions McVeigh, the majority of people's minds will turn to Mark.
Why? Because Mark wore red and black, not red and white.
Even Kangaroo veteran Brent Harvey, while acknowledged as a champion of the game, will likely suffer the same fate as Robert Harvey when eventually compared to contemporary players such as Dane Swan or Marc Murphy.
It needs saying that there is a downside to playing for the more publicised clubs as well.
Just as you are more likely to get a back page spread for playing well, you will also get one for playing poorly.
In fact some players may welcome the opportunity to avoid such intense scrutiny and relish being away from the bigger spotlight.
While this may be the case, the main point here is that champions should not be diminished purely because of the club they played for.
It is my sincere hope that the Hall of Fame selectors are savvy enough to see through reputations enhanced by a media desire to attract readers or listeners.
If they do, they may decide to look at players such as Stewart Loewe, Danny Frawley, Trevor Barker and Nicky Winmar.
I'm sure Bulldogs, Kangaroos, Demons and Tiger supporters could put together a similar list deserving of the ultimate recognition.
