It is an argument that could quite possibly last forever, depending on which team you support. Over the coming week I am going to try and work out just who was the greatest premiership side of the last twenty years.
After finding one side from the 1990s and a side from the new millennium, we will have a fantasy match to find out whom is the greatest. This is going to be fun.
We will start with the 1990s and a showdown between the 1990 Canberra Raiders and the 1999 Melbourne Storm. Two contrasting styles and two very different sides.
The Raiders of the early 90s were as dangerous as any side I have ever seen.
This is when The Green Machine was truly a juggernaut and everyone feared their attacking ability. From fullback Gary Belcher to the monstrous Mal Meninga. Laurie Daley to Ricky Stuart and a forward pack that boasted Glen Lazarus, Steve Walters and Brent Todd.
The Storm played a completely different style. Under Chris Anderson and halfback Brett Kimmorley, Melbourne played flat and fast.
It may have finished with Kimmorley, but it started in the engine room. Captain Lazarus, Stephen Kearney and Tawera Nikau were the guys that got the Storm moving.
Unfortunately for them, the Raiders would have won 22-10 in a canter.
Next up is a clash between the 1997 ARL Champions Newcastle Knights and the 1998 Brisbane Broncos.
There should be plenty of opinion regarding this one considering all the scandal of the mid 1990s. With the competition split in ’97, the Knights and the Broncos won their respective competitions. Brisbane would follow up by winning the inaugural National Rugby League title.
You have to go with the ’98 Broncos. Despite the Knights having the Johns brothers and Paul Harragon, Brisbane were simply too dominant to pass up.
Alan Langer calling the shots behind a giant forward pack that included Gorden Tallis, Shane Webcke, Brad Thorn and Tonie Carroll. A backline with Darren Lockyer, Steve Renouf and Wendell Sailor?
Hate to say it, but Broncos by 28-8.
The next battle is between the 1995 Sydney Bulldogs and the 1993 Broncos.
Terry Lamb’s men did well just to get to the ‘95 decider after a tumultuous year. They then upset the Manly Sea Eagles at the Sydney Football Stadium to win the last Winfield Cup.
But in this contest, they come up against one of the great sides of the modern era.
The ’93 Broncos were littered with Internationals from 1 to 13 and could challenge any side from any era. Langer, Renouf, Kevin Walters, Willie Carne, Michael Hancock, Chris Johns and Julian O’Neill. That’s some kind of backline.
Broncos over the Bulldogs 32-12.
In part two, we will see the 1991 Penrith Panthers v 1994 Canberra Raiders and the 1992 Brisbane Broncos v 1996 Manly Sea Eagles, before revealing who is the greatest side of the 90s.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I think it'd be out of 94 raiders and 93 broncs. from there its a toss up
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Broncos 93: O'Neill, Hancock, Renouf, Johns, Carne, Walters, Langer, Lazarus, Walters, Hohn, Gillmeister, Cann, Matterson. Raiders 90: Belcher, Martin, Meninga, Daley, Ferguson, O'Sullivan, Stuart, Todd, Walters, Lazarus, Gaffey, Coyne, Lance. Raiders 94: Mullins, Nagas, Meninga, Wiki, Nadruku, Daley, Stuart, Pongia, Walters, Osborne, Furner, Croker, Clyde. Eagles 96: Ridge, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Lyons, Toovey, Gillespie, Serdaris, Carroll, Menzies, Gartner, Kosef. I've 1990 Raiders fourth in that pack.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I dunno. I thought the late 90s early 2000s broncos were a better side, but maybe thats because I remember more from that time. For any team to be better then the early 90s Raiders though would have to be a cracker of a team. Especially when you look at the Raiders spine (Walters, Stuart, Laurie, Belcher/Mullins), then add to that superstars such as Meninga, Lazarus, Clyde, Furner, Nagus and Nadruku on the wings. Geez it was a good side.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Cant base it on the WCC. If the Aus teams actually cared about it, it would be a very different story.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Leeds 39 Bulldogs 32
betts
Guest
Gotta say early 90s broncos had that raiders side covered.. so im guessing we are going to see broncos vs early 2000s roosters or bulldogs in the fantasy match
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Roosters 2002 are coming up
Andy
Guest
Didn't the dogs lose to leeds in the WCC.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Weve had this debate at the pub a few times, and we always end up with 3 teams: The early 90's raiders, the late 90's early 2000's Broncos and the 2004ish Bulldogs. I am of the opinion that the early 90's Raiders are the best side I can remember. I could rattle off all the names but im sure you know who they are. My mate reckons they 04 Dogs, saying any team with Asotasi and SBW on the bench is unstoppable (although we do agree that the use of the bench has changed from early 90s until 04). The other side we agree on is the Broncs. Like the Raiders littered with legends. Havent been able to get any further than that thus far.
Go warriors
Guest
What about the Roosters side from 2002 to 2004. To be in 3 consecutive grand finals during those years when the competition was so even I thought would have been worth a mention. Very well coached and lead by the great Freddy Fittler.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Ripping off a yellow t-shirt in World Championship Wrestling?
Andy
Guest
Year of the fast play the ball Parramatta 2001 for 839 Against 406. Year of the wrestle Melbourne 2007 for 627 Against 277. Year of the first wrestling coach Manly 1996 for 549 against 191. Dont ask me what happened to the first wrestling coach.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Lost? They were flogged sir. But yes you are right. They were an awesome side.
sledgeross
Guest
Shame its premiership sides, I think the most statistically dominant side in NRL history was Parra in 2001, where I think they just lost the GF to the Knights.
Ken
Guest
Brisbane were far more dominant the year earlier, if I remember rightly (and I'm a Dragons fan so those years kinda stick in the memory a bit), the Broncs came from 5th, in a 5 team finals series, that year to win. I remember in '92 Saints were just the team that won the right to lose to Brisbane in the GF, '93 though they were vulnerable.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Probably the hardest to call so far
Eagle1
Guest
Flip of a coin job Eagles 96 v Broncos 92 .. I expect a tight score if nothing else!!!
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Thats what part II is for sir.. you can wait :p
betts
Guest
Stats or controversy Curtis?
Andy
Guest
However if you want to base the contest purely off season statistics with the 92 Brisbane side being 506 for and 311against in 22 games. Compared to the 96 side which had 549 for and 191 against in 22 games then you would say that backing Manly might be a safer bet.