The Tasmanian State squad of 1982 was quite something

Photos (Top to Bottom): Ken Morton (left) with John Margaritis, the former Greece international, who played for and coached Hobart Olympia as well as South Melbourne Hellas. They are shown at KGV Park.[Walter Pless photo]; Ken Morton (No. 13) scores for Juventus against Olympia at KGV Park and is congratulated by Alastair Cochrane (No. 4), while Sergio Pace is about to join in the celebrations. Olympia's Perry Forster (right) is not happy [Ralph Dymond photo]; Juventus's Ken Morton and Alastair Cochrane wait for a corner as Olympia goalkeeper Martin Burden issues instructions and Olympia players (left to right) Michael Edwards, Peter Sherman and Keith Broadhouse are on the alert [Ralph Dymond photo]; Rapid's State players (back row) Phil Kannegiesser, Larry Nunn, Peter Thompson, David Crosson, Michael Southworth and Dale Blake, (front row) Steve Kannegiesser and Chester Willcox [Walter Pless photo]; Olympia's Craig Nichols (left) fights for possession with University's Bobby Rybak [Ralph Dymond photo]

Comparing players from past years with present ones is fraught with danger as the game has changed so much.

Training methods have changed, as has the pace of the game. Even the laws of the game have changed.

And, so has the equipment.

Imagine what a Puskas, Di Stefano or Law could have done with the modern boots and the current balls that are standard equipment today.

A star of the past would, however, probably be a star today as he would train as present-day players train and use modern equipment.

Technical qualities between players of the past and modern-day players are also difficult to compare because the modern player is more of an all-rounder, and he faces opponents who are all fast and technically gifted.

A gifted striker today is not going to come up against a lumbering fullback who finished work down the pits on the morning of the match.

But, back to reality, and to Tasmania, and forget about comparisons with players from an earlier era, or with the current crop.

Listed below, simply, is Ken Morton’s 28-man 1982 Tasmanian squad, which was an excellent selection and one worthy of representing the State.

David Crosson had played for Newcastle United, Eric Young for Manchester United (as, indeed, had Morton), while John Charlton, Steve Craven, Bruce Ward, Ian Parker and Alan Tait were all excellent English imports.

And, imagine the selection headache for Rapid, with Craven and Phil Kannegiesser the two goalkeepers.

Goalkeepers: Steve Craven (Rapid), Phil Kannegiesser (Rapid), Robert Harrison (Olympia), Steven Smith (Croatia)

Defenders: Alan Burton (Croatia), John Charlton (Rapid), Alistair Cochrane (Juventus), David Crosson (Rapid), Chris Hey (Brighton-ICL Caledonians), Peter Huigsloot (Croatia), Martin Harrison (Juventus), Larry Nunn (Rapid), Alistair Payne (Croatia), Alan Tait (Brighton-ICL Caledonians) [Captain]

Midfielders: Dale Blake (Rapid), Perry Forster (Olympia), Steve Kannegiesser (Rapid), Craig Nichols (Olympia), Sergio Pace (Juventus), Willy Peters (Croatia), Ian Parker (Brighton-ICL Caledonians), Michael Southworth (Rapid), Eric Young (Juventus)

Strikers: Billy Kirkpatrick (Croatia), Mark Oakes (Rapid), Peter Sherman (Olympia), Neil Thomas (Croatia), Bruce Ward (Juventus)