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Yesterday’s piece with the list of candidates for my teams sparked plenty of debate, and some class teams have already been named. Here are mine.
First team
Fullback – Clive Churchill
The ‘Little Master’, was just that, captain of this side.
Wings – Ken Irvine and Graeme Langlands
Irvine, the best winger I’ve ever seen in either code, and Langlands, normally fullback or centre, but could play anywhere in the backline, had to be in the side because he was such a brilliant footballer – “The best I’ve ever played with or against” was Bob Fulton’s description.
Centres – Reg Gasnier and Bob Fulton
‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ Gasnier was aptly nicknamed, the best rugby league player I’ve ever seen.
Bobby Fulton was a complete footballer who found holes that seemingly didn’t exist.
Five-eighth – Wally Lewis
Lewis switched to rugby league after the unbeaten 1977 Australian schoolboys rugby tour of Europe, deciding he would never beat Mark Ella for the Wallaby job, so to have a crack at league.
The decision saw Ella end up the greatest Wallaby five-eighth, and Lewis the greatest Kangaroo pivot.
Halfback – Johnathan Thurston
To be included in this side while still playing says it all, he is worth the price of admission on his own.
Lock – Johnny Raper
Without peer in his favourite position, his weekly high-quality performances have never been matched.
Second-rowers – Norm Provan and Artie Beetson
Provan was a giant of a man who turned in giant performances for the Dragons, NSW and Australia every week, and should have been an Immortal decades ago.
Beetson could play anywhere in the pack bar hooker, and fits into my side better as a second rower.
Props – Noel Kelly and John Sattler
No two tougher men ever pulled on a rugby league jersey, they made teak-tough look soft.
Hooker – Cameron Smith
The current Storm, Queensland, and Kangaroo skipper is the complete package in attack, defence, and landing goals.
Second team
Fullback – Darren Lockyer
He started his career as a fullback but ended up a five-eighth, brilliant at both.
Wings – Ian Moir and Eddie Lumsden
Moir was a magnificent finisher for Souths in their hey day. Lumsden was the same for the Dragons during their record-breaking 11 successive premierships.
Centres – Mal Meninga and Greg Inglis
Meninga, arguably the most powerful centre ever, would captain this side, while I have always contended Inglis is a magnificent centre, being closer to the action.
Five-eighth – Brad Fittler
A true champion footballer in every department.
Halfback – Peter Sterling
A master-class general who fired up every backline he ever served.
Lock – Ray Price
Non-stop action for every minute he played the game. He also played through the pain barrier better than anyone else.
Second-rowers – Ron Coote and Dick Thornett
Coote had a brilliant football brain and the speed to make it count. Thornett was a born sportsman as a triple Australian representative in rugby union, rugby league, and water polo.
Props – Kevin Ryan and Steve Roach
Both were as hard as nails, Ryan using his brute strength, Roach his powerful frame.
Hooker – Benny Elias
He was non-stop aggressive action. Be it attack or defence, his passion for playing was ever evident.
I would have liked to have found room for Danny Buderus, John O’Neill, Bobby McCarthy, and Wayne Pearce up front, and Les Johns, Graham Eadie, Johnny King, Harry Wells, John Brass, Arthur Summons, Brett Kenny, and Laurie Daley out the back, but there was no room.
A fascinating exercise taking a trip down memory lane.