In light of the discussion in Let’s Talk Sport surrounding players that could’ve forged history defining careers in a different side or a different era, this edition of Tyler’s Top 10 takes a look at some of the best bridesmaids in sport.
Here’s the list of those who have fallen short or lived in the shadow…
10. Lennox Lewis: A tremendous fighter in his own right. Nicknamed ‘the lion’, Lewis won 41 of his 44 fights, including a whopping 32 by knockout. But he makes this list as he lived in the shadow of the great Mike Tyson. Every person knows who Tyson is, perhaps its Lewis’ lack of neck tattoos and Hangover cameos.
9. Andy Murray: There is certainly some guilt about this selection, as Murray appears one of the better humans of world sport. But if it wasn’t for such a dominant era of men’s tennis, Murray would have pushed the record for Grand Slam Titles. The Great Brit has four to his name, but you wonder how many he could’ve had in another time.
8. Buffalo Bills: The Bills won four AFC Championships on the bounce, but failed to climb the final hurdle and win the SuperBowl. 1991 was the most painful for the Bills, with kicker Scott Norwood missing a late kick to deny the Bills the title by one point to the Giants.
7. Steven Gerrard: A worthy number one, but he (once again) slipped. Gerrard accomplished most things, but never found a way to win the EPL title. In fact, often found ways to lose it, including a stunning collapse to cost Liverpool the title in 2014.
6. Shadow King: Shadow King ran in six Melbourne Cups and was placed four years in a row. He first ran into turf legend Phar Lap and then another champion in Peter Pan.
5. Collingwood: Sorry Pies fans. The Maggies lost eight grand finals in succession and that’s discounting the drawn one in the middle. The Pies have made the most grand finals with 44, but have also lost 27 of them, 13 more than the next worst.
4. Nick Collins: The local football legend finished runner-up in four Breheny Medals as the West Gippsland Football League’s best and fairest player, without ever winning the coveted award. The Nar Nar Goon ruckman was more successful at a club level, winning a record-equalling six senior best and fairest awards. The Goon’s best player each year now receives the Webster Collins Medal, named after Collo and another former champion Wally Webster, who also won six best and fairest awards.
3. Yohan Blake: Blake is one of the best sprinters of all-time, just without the accolades. A personal best 100m time of 9.69 seconds, but just happened to be in the same era – and country – as Usain Bolt. He came away from an Olympic Games career with an even ledger, two golds and two silvers. But his two silvers came behind Bolt and his two golds were in the relay with Bolt.
2. Hay List: A horse many non-racing followers would have never heard of, but one almighty bridesmaid. Hay List was in the era behind Black Caviar, who famously won 25 races on the trot.
1. Stuart Macgill: 99 per cent of cricketers would be stoked with a 44 Test, 208 wicket career, but Macgill wins this list by the length between Black Caviar and Hay List. Macgill was one of the greatest bridesmaids in sporting history, falling behind none other than Shane Warne. Macgill took 774 First Class wickets at 30.48, leaving every other Test nation wondering why he had to be born in West Australia.
