Port Adelaide Magpies 1954 premiership team with John Abley (back row) and coach Fos Williams (second row) circled. Picture: Supplied


IN HIS discussions with family in the latter part of his life, Thursday night's Hall of Fame inductee John Abley occasionally reflected on his time at the top in football.

WE SALUTE YOU Full Hall of Fame coverage here 

Abley, Port Adelaide Magpie great, played against and with some of the all-time greats of Australian Football, both at league level in SA and at state level. 

FROM HAWTHORN TO PORT ADELAIDE Forgotten Magpie enters Hall of Fame

Once, when pushed on a team he would have picked of these now iconic football names, he nominated:

Geof Motley, Fos Williams, Ken Eustice, Polly Farmer, Ron Barassi, Ted Whitten, John Coleman, Jack E Clarke, Jack K Clarke, Dave Boyd, Lindsay Head, Bob Hank, Len Fitzgerald, Neville Hayes, Dick Russell, John Cahill, Jim Deane, John Halbert.

CENTIMETRE PERFECT Broadcaster Cometti honoured

03:28

He did not settle his team in positions, but they could have lined up as this:

B: Jack K Clarke, Len Fitzgerald, Dick Russell
HB: Geof Motley, Ted Whitten, Neville Hayes
C: John Cahill, Jack E Clarke, Ken Eustice
HF: Jim Deane, John Halbert, Dave Boyd
FF: Bob Hank, John Coleman, Lindsay Head
Foll: Graham Farmer, Ron Barassi, Fos Williams