Tim Cahill, Oz's greatest ever footballer – in any code

Tim is (in my opinion) undoubtledly Everton's greatest player of the Premier League and Australia's greatest (association) footballer, but to rate him above Andrew Johns (Rugby League), Gary Ablett Jnr (AFL), and John Eales, is debateable. John would've been too tall for 'the world game', but if young Andrew and Gary had been given a round ball instead of an oval for the 3rd birthday...

Sorry Steve but I donÂ’t know how anyone can even compare Cahill to someone who plays in a sport barely played outside of Melbourne. Australian Â’noÂ’ rules football is utter garbage. This is not some Pom sticking his nose at the Â’gameÂ’ as a family we regularly attended Western Bulldogs games for three years and my two boys played Oz kick for even longer. A game devised with the intention of appealing to the lowest common denominator, that automatically goals means entertainment/excitement. Cahill has proved his status on the biggest stage of them all, against some of the greatest players to have ever played football. His goals return for Australia is simply phenomenal, up there with the Shearers, Messis and Ronaldos. When you add his ability to score for Everton against all the top teams on a regular basis despite having no pace, cant dribble and only 5 ft 9 is unbelievable. Simply AustraliaÂ’s greatest ball playing sportsman.

Gsreth#2, interesting last sentence. Is he up there with Don Bradman, Shane Warne, Greg Norman, Rod Laver? I'm glad he played for us and left us with some great memories, it's a real shame he didn't get a winner's medal for us.

An Everton great. An Aussie great. Comparing him to people from other sports is plain daft.

Cheers Harold!

Peter, I hope you realise I was referring to the newspaper hack, not you. The four names you put forward were all greats in their own sphere. (I can never be on the side of Adam Scott while he continues to use that long crutch of a putter.)

No probs H, only jesting, we've got to find something to smile about at the moment. I always respect your posts and your encyclopaedic knowledge of players I've never heard of. The only one who ever escaped you was that guy a while back, I suspect it may have been a Dutch left-back, went by the name of ......Bellend?

Yes Peter, I was in a bad moment with that one, as all the lads were quick to point out.

You dealt with it with the stick very well Harold! :-)

Keep that information coming please, I rely upon your words of wisdom whenever we are linked with somebody.

Without a doubt, the best phrase that describes Tiny Tim is Roy of the Rovers. He has inspired a generation of kids, he has been a hero who wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a proud Evertonian. I watch Australian play with my sole interest in seeing how Tim plays, I imagine every Evertonian here does the same. His days of competing at the highest evils are over, but his moments on stage defy time. He will not lie down.

How many times did he deliver for us? Yet we never got to say thank in any fitting way. We let him go a couple of seasons too soon, an inspiration to fans, to young players around him, to the team. He is a fighter and a professional, he is proud of his career, so are we.

We salute you Tim Cahill. Legend.

I've still got huge love and respect for Cahill. Personally, I think he left a little early. Still had plenty to offer as an impact player.

Because goal scoring for Tim is far more important than fancy Dan friggery, he would not get on a Martinez team sheet, not ever.

Cheeky Heading, Robbie

Australia's. GREATEST. FOOTBALLER. EVER

Get ready for the debate.

What you failed to mention about AFL is it's a provincial sport which in it's

18 team completion (diluted competition)
6 super power teams
6 Middle of the road teams
6 forget about it teams

has a total of less than 800 players competing at the highest level.

Tim Cahill reigns supreme in a sport which millions compete.

I do believe Ablett junior has the body, speed, skills and brains that would have made him a world champ at soccer or rugby.

My ranking is:

Ablett Junior – A gentleman and greatest AFL player in the world.

Cahill – A Gentleman and the best Australian at the world's game.

Silly to try and compare. All I will say is Tiny is massive.