In tribute to Tim Holt’s article asking you for your favourite cricketers, I’ve put together my own list of my favourite rugby league players.
1. Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
The long haired second rower with the funny bum had a work ethic unmatched in the rugby league world.
A barnstorming second rower in his early days, Hindmarsh moved to the middle of the field later in his career and his defence became his greatest asset.
Many a time he was the last man chasing a runaway winger, forcing him to touch down out wide rather than under the posts.
His ability to pull off that try-saving tackle was unbelievable, often coming from nowhere to either drag his opposition down or hold him up.
The carefree attitude of ‘Hindy’ was also an endearing quality and his imitation of Jamie Soward in his farewell match was just icing on the cake.
2. Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)
Off-field dramas aside, ‘Joey’ was a fantastic and exciting player to watch. His ability to control a match practically on his own is nearly unparalleled in the modern game.
It pains me to say this but his performance in the 2001 grand final was sublime. I’m a Parramatta fan but Johns tore my beloved Eels to shreds in the first 40 minutes.
Joey was also a symbol of greatness for all New South Welshmen. He dominated Queensland and by the end of his career was probably the most respected Blues man north of the border.
Even if those cane toads don’t show it.
3. Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos)
Where would Brisbane be without their future immortal? Lockyer drove not only Brisbane, but Queensland and Australia as well to long periods of dominance.
He proved he was the best in the world in two positions and was a true gentleman of the game.
I’ll never forget how he got Brisbane out of jail against the Eels in 2008. He wasn’t even supposed to play the game but his perfectly weighted kick on full time delivered the Broncos an unbelievable four point win.
He adapted and played to his strengths meaning he went out on top of his game.
Once blessed with quick feet and the ability to glide across the field, age caught up with him. But where his feet grew slow his mind grew fast.
He developed one of the greatest kicking and passing games that rugby league will ever see.
Effortless and pinpoint accurate.
4. Jason Smith (Canterbury, Parramatta, North Queensland, Canberra)
One of the toughest players in the modern era, he left his mark at each of his four Australian clubs.
Blessed with some of the softest hands and an unbelievable timing that belied his oft-frequented position of lock, Smith was one player I really respected.
I remember during his time at Parramatta how he would command the ball, time and again putting his outside backs through the smallest of gaps.
His toughness allowed him to leave his passes until the final second, often seeing him pummelled by defenders but managing to put his man into space; a trait still not seen in most halves today.
He did all this on a diet of cigarettes, beer and meat pies.
The last I heard of Jason was him playing country rugby league, setting up a few tries before being sent off for “misconduct”.
5. Luke Burt (Parramatta Eels)
The diminutive back is a legend out Parramatta way and one of the Eels’ most loyal servants.
His career saw the end of the small outside backs and the rise of the freakish super athletes in the modern game.
Although he was small, Burt had an amazing turn of speed which he carried throughout his career and what he lacked in size he made up for with his brain.
In another life he would’ve been a perfect halfback – a position he played in once and the Eels won.
He had a near sixth sense of how to out-smart the opposition.
I still remember when, on a last tackle against the Bulldogs, he spotted a set of tired markers and no fullback at home. He stabbed a grubber in behind the line and scored unchallenged.
He made a habit of beating the first defender on almost every one of his kick returns during his peak.
A consistent goal kicker, Burt was underrated in that department, yet many a time he landed the pressure kick from the sideline.
You can have your Jharal Yow-Yehs and Blake Fergusons, I’ll take Burt any day.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Andrew Johns, No one even comes close to his skill set. Martin Lang was nuts the way he ran. Steve Renouf, Matt Bowen, Rhys Wesser, Stacy Jones, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Menzies, Hazem El Masri, Wayne Pearce and Fui Fui Moi Moi are other favorites that I have seen a lot of.
Haz
Guest
Parra fan much? Steven Menzies. Greatest forward of all time. Try scorer, hole runner, brilliant defender. Became a better ballplayer with age (he often played as #6 in Manly's 2008 Premiership run). Watching him break the line and run into open space was poetry.
Leaguegirl
Guest
Darren Lockyer. A game changer nearly every time he's on the field. (His last couple of seasons not included.) Cooper Cronk reminds me of Lockyer in his style of play while Cam Smith reminds me of Lockyer in ability to predict and change a game. Jarroyd Haynes. When he's on form, I truly believe he's the best player in the world. He is unpredictable and entertainment personified when at his peak. His inconsistency though will rob him of ever living up to his potential. Hopefully he can work his way back to his best form this year. Fingers crossed. ST xxx
Brad.H
Guest
AT , "That's a Bingo" on the entire 1983 Parramatta side . :-)
Brad.H
Guest
No Particular order: Mark Carroll Brent Tate Justin Hodges Eric Grothe Steve Ella Sterlo Shane Webcke The Chief Paul Sironen and of course Brett Kenny :-)
AT
Guest
Arthur Beetson, because he was the first modern day player. Russell Fairfax changed the way fullbacks played Wally Lewis, when he wanted ti win, he won Brad Fittler, when he wanted to win, he won Scott Prince, because he plays with his heart and leaves nothing on the field Darren Lockyer, because he plays for 80 minutes. The entire 1974/1975 Roosters the first super team in my lifetime, including Reg Clough The entire 1983 Parramatta side, the second super team The big hitters, Adrian Morley, Les Boyd, Bunny Reilly, Trevor Gilmeister and Dallas Donnelly Seriously, where do you stop? I had a look at some of the other posts and names like Greg Alexander, Dale Shearer, Kerry Bostead, Noel Cleal, how could you leave them out. This is an impossible task. I love them all, even Cameron Smith(Grub). Bring on Season 2014!!!!!
Bigjohn
Guest
Nathan Hindmarsh Brent Tate Greg Dowling Kerry Boustead Matty Bowen
Blues Recovery
Guest
Ron Coote Brad Fittler Steve Rogers Brett Kenny Artie Beetson Special mentions Mick Oconnor Anthony Minichello Kerry Boustead Mark Harris Adrian Morley Luke Ricketson Brett and Bill Mullins Brad Clyde Craig Salvatori Mark Mcgaw Tommy Bishop Steve Gearin John Sattler Steve Menzies
RPollock
Guest
Any chance you where a Bears supporter?
DubbleBubble
Guest
Love him or hate him Elias is one of the greatest number 9's in the games history. He'd easily make the top 5 hookers of the past 25 years.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Shaun Timmons!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
My top 5 backs and forwards- B Stewart D Lockyer J Lyon A Johns DC Evans C Smith S Walters S Menzies G Lazarus G Stewart
Bluebag
Guest
Apart from Chicka Ferguson, what about the likes of Scott Gale (he was explosive at his best), Trevor Gillmeister (what a def technique), Mark Graham (sheer class) and Ron Gibbs, who was a destructive tackler.
Scrubbit
Guest
1. Young Lockyer 2. A young sailor 3. Lyon 4. Inglis 5. YowYeh 6. Fittler 7. Langer 8. Webcke 9. Buderus 10. Civoneceva 11. Tallis 12. Lewis 13. Parker 14. Hodges 15. Tate 16. Gower 17. Marshall in 2005. Idk about you lot but he was very mediocre after those injuries and didnt come good until 2010, but he still wasn't the same as that kid who exploded onto the scene and mystified everyone in 05. Coach: Wayne "the guy who'll retire via cardiac arrest" Bennett. Reserves: 18. Johns ( didnt get in my team because he was taking drugs his entire career) 19. Smith (Cameron smith that is. Didn't make it In my team because he was a part of the cheating.) 20. Lockyer at 5/8 (I couldn't have two lockyers in my team so I had to choose between him at FB an 5/8 and I guess his FB won.) 21. Willie mason (always liked him but just couldn't fit him in) 22. The beaver (same as willie) 23. Shaun berrigan (could have been on the bench if I was doing a proper bench as my utility but there's the breaks.) 24. Kimmorley 25. Barba (hasn't been around long enough and he's in a dark place right now. Still one of my favourite current players to watch.) Assistant coaches: Hasler, Henry. Now for my most hated 17. 1. Slater 2. King (he has been moved to wing for this.) 3. Jennings 4. Hurrell 5. Vidot 6. Ben Roberts. 7. Pearce 8. Shillington 9. Ennis 10. Tamou 11. Watmough 12. SBW 13. Sutton (moved to lock) 14. Elias 15. Gallen 16. Foran 17. SKD Coach: Ricky "the team destroyer" Stuart. Assistant coaches: Bellamy, Toovey
Adrien
Guest
The guy was awesome when he flew over France to play for catalans. I remember in the early days of the catalans in superleague, we had players like Stacey Jones, Adam Mogg, Casey Mcguire, Clint Greenshield, Jason Croker, Alex Chan, Justin Murphy, John Wilson, Jérôme Guisset... They were the Good times.
Buzzard
Guest
Wally Lewis Olsen Filipaina Brad Clyde Mark Graham Ellery Hanky Gary Scofield
Ryno
Guest
1. Tim Brasher 2. Wendell Sailor 3. Steve Renouf 4. Matt Gidley 5. Adam MacDougall 6. Terry Lamb 7. Andrew Johns (c) 8. Glenn Lazarus 9. Danny Buderus 10. Paul Harragon 11. Gordon Tallis 12. Ben Kennedy 13. Brad Clyde - 14. Shane Webcke 15. Dean Pay 16. Jim Dymock 17. Brad Fittler - 18. Greg Bird 19. Brett Kenny
Ryno
Guest
1. Tim Brasher 2. Wendell Sailor 3. Steve Renouf 4. Matt Gidley 5. Adam MacDougall 6. Terry Lamb 7. Andrew Johns (c) 8. Glenn Lazarus 9. Danny Buderus 10. Paul Harragon 11. Gordon Tallis 12. Ben Kennedy 13. Brad Clyde - 14. Shane Webcke 15. Dean Pay 16. Jim Dymock 17. Brad Fittler - 18. Greg Bird 19. Brett Kenny
blackcaviar&broncos
Guest
Shaun Berrigan..the best Utility player ever for me. Run on side on rep games in 3 different positions, Centre( Kangaroos), Half ( QLD SoO), Hooker(2006 GF) Lockyer..legend of the game.. Matt Sing..sometimes I wonder if he got springs, mounted in his shoes.. Beaver..true ambassador of the game. Benji..awesome to watch when he is on his A-game. ...... Notable mentions Mat Rogers my favourite goal kicker Langer A.Johns K.Hunt Hindy- work rate is unbelievable Tahu.
a
Guest
Wally Lewis is