Mums thought he was cute, Dads thought he was a goose and under-nine Rugby League fullbacks were suddenly jumping several inches off the ground to catch an easy uncontested ball (occasionally propelled from the backs of their own confused team-mates).
Legend laments Capper's appearance rather than celebrating his ability. Archive footage that occasionally appears shows sublime marking and little more (the inference being that his sensational marks were backed-up with behinds). And then there's the adult magazine shoot, murmurs about drug use and painful memories of his attempts at post-football publicity.
The real shocking truth about Warwick Capper, however, is that he could play.
Contradicting the myth that his famous marking prowess was let down by an inability to kick, Capper was the Swans' leading goalkicker for four consecutive seasons in the mid-80s, including outstanding seasons in 1986 and 1987 that propelled Sydney into the finals.
1987 also saw Capper become a centurion. Kicking 103 goals at an average of 4.48, only the game's greatest boot, St Kilda's Tony Lockett, could deny him the Coleman Medal that year. He was also runner-up in 1986 (he consoled himself in these two years, however, with back-to-back Mark of the Year awards).
There's also Warwick's off-the-field contribution to the football world, especially in the all-important northern markets. He was a tireless promoter of football (and, admittedly, himself) in his career both at the Swans and the Bears, and has sporadically worked in grassroots football in South East Queensland with the Southport Sharks.
Admitting to twice trying performance enhancing "tablets" during his career, Capper has also spoken out against drugs in sport. He's taken part in charity football matches and made himself available, much to the nation's amusement, for regular mocking in the football media.
So where does he rate in comparison to the other greats of the 1980s? Is he even in the same league as 80s Hall of Fame inductees Ablett, Brereton, Daicos, Dunstall, Flower, Hawkins, Kernahan Lockett, Platten or Weightman?
Remembering that induction into the Hall of Fame is about an "overall contribution" to the game, has Warwick Capper contributed enough on and off the field (or, indeed, 5 or 6 foot above it), to be considered?
Nic Smythe is a producer for afl.com.au. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
