who was the greater AFL player?

Robert Harvey (383 games - 215 goals) 215 Brownlow Votes in 21 seasons. (2 Brownlows) (4 B&F) (3 E.J Whitten Medals)

James Hird (253 games - 343 Goals) 125 Brownlow Votes in 16 seasons. (1 Brownlow) (1 Norm Smith) (5 B&F) (3 Anzac Medals)

They were both such different players; Hird was much more skillful and freakish where as Harvey was much more of a hard running, honest midfielder.

I would pick Hird on skill but would say that Harvey had the greatest career achievements! (Despite captaining a premiership, which is the ultimate prize)

For his longevity and consistency I would pick Harvey, but on skill and raw ability, which isnt marred by injury, I would pick Hird!

I may be biased but James Hird was a better player than Harvey. Just because you have won a couple of Brownlows doesn't mean you are one of the best players ever. You have to remember Wayne Carey and Leigh Matthews, two of the greatest AFL stars of all time never one a brownlow. James Hird was so good because he was much more effective. He had a good footy awareness, he had one of the best pin point kicks in the comp and his marking was fantastic. If the ball was too far out for him he would use one hand to tap and then grab it on the second or third effort. James Hird would never give up, even in his last year he was a terrific player. You watch some of his videos on youtube and it will tell you who the better player was.

People saying that Hird played bad at times and that he didn't have the skills that Harvey. Is a really an idiot. Too be a good player you need to be a good leader. Hird was and Harvey wasn't. And who ever said that Hird didn't impact on the score line then you are ******* retard mate!! Hird has won a match off his own boot serveral times you stupid idiot!

hands down, Robert Harvey

while he may not have played a premiership, hes stuck with the saints since he played his first AFL game just before his 16th birthday. He's been an integral part of the team and even at 37 he was still racking up the possessions. Back when he was a little younger, he was the Nick Dal Santo of his time. James Hird, while being a decent guy, just didn't show the skill and effort that banger had.

We'll miss you Harvs.

Robert Harvey

Dick Reynolds Essendon 3 Brownlows

Hayden Bunton Fitzroy 3 Brownlows

Bobby Skilton South Melbourne 3 Brownlows

Good question.

Probably Robert Harvey. But if you asked me which player I'd rather have in my team then I'd say James Hird.

Harvey he such a honest character. James Hird plays bad sometimes he cant change the scores in most situations. People just think he good.

Golden Boy. Jimmy Hird only because he was a premiership player.

Robert Harvey a real team player and not many players win a Brownlow when their team are struggling and he won two so it shows what a great player he was.

Hird