NRL's 'ten-year men' prove the value of veterans

Rugby league seems to get faster each year – the speed of the play the balls, players are bigger, fitter and stronger than before – so what place for the older brigade?

A high percentage of players in the NRL are between 21 and 24 years old. Fans are quick to lament their veteran signings as past it, slow and a waste of money.

Yet the average NRL career is 43 games based on statistics provided by the NRL and RLPA, meaning the very few that make the NRL play less than five years. Of what value is that extra game time and experience?

I bet we could select a pretty good team with at least ten years’ professional experience who are currently active – let’s call them the ‘Ten-Year Men’.

These are players with vast game time, often playing for multiple teams.

So what are their secrets of longevity? Kava? Being injury free? Are they talented enough to see out a long professional career?

Maybe a long career requires all of the above. Let’s look at our team of Ten-Year Men and analyse any common patterns.

Fullback: Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters, NSW, Italy, Australia)
An institution at the back for the Roosters for the past 13 years and still a fine player, Minichiello captained the Roosters to a premiership last year to go with the 2002 triumph and was Australia’s No.1 fullback for a number of years.

Just as significant is his contribution with Italy – firstly helping them quality for the World Cup last year, then defeating Wales and drawing with Scotland in the group stages.

Wing: Lote Tuqiri (Brisbane Broncos, Wests Tigers, South Sydney, Queensland, Fiji, Australia)
A sign of Tuqiri’s value and ability was the fact he was selected for Australia nine years after his last Test match in 2001.

A prolific early career with the Broncos then a World Cup with Fiji in 2000, he was a hit for the Wallabies and Queensland Reds in rugby union over seven years.

Tuqiri joined South Sydney this year after a stint with the Tigers and still has great speed.

Centre: Jamie Lyon (Parramatta Eels, St Helens, Manly Sea Eagles, NSW, Australia)
Big League magazine’s 2001 grand final edition earmarks Jamie Lyon as having a bright future – 13 years later he remains one of the game’s finest centres, a classy player who really gets beaten in defence.

His stint in the Super League made him arguably a more complete player and honed his goal kicking. He last played for Australia in 2010 and is unlikely to again due to his self-enforced retirement from representative football, but remains vital for Manly.

Centre: Jerome Ropati (NZ Warriors, New Zealand)
It is hard to believe Ropati is in his eleventh season since his NRL debut given his injury-plagued last few years.

He’s a consistent player when fit for the Warriors and was a classy centre for the Kiwis, particularly in the 2008 World Cup. Still an important player for Warriors, he could be their missing link at centre after getting through pre-season unscathed.

Wing: Pat Richards (Paramatta Eels, Wests Tigers, Wigan Warriors, Ireland)
Most NRL fans will remember Richards for his feats for the Tigers in the 2005 grand final, yet his career is much more layered than this.

A fine Wigan Warriors player for eight years, he was named Man of Steel in 2010 and has played for Ireland since their 2008 World Cup.

An undervalued player who will add starch to a Tigers’ side full of youngsters, he scored a try in his first match back last week.

Five-eighth: Braith Anasta (Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers, NSW, Australia, Greece)
Good enough to play for Australia in his second year of NRL and has played five-eighth or lock in his 14-year career.

A loyal clubman with the Bulldogs (five years) and Roosters (six years), few players seem to get as much flak from the fans. He should be seen as a durable, skilled player whose leadership was obviously seen by the Tigers.

Halfback: Johnathan Thurston (Canterbury Bulldogs, North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland, Australia)
Now Australia’s greatest point scorer in Test history, his accolades include RLIF halfback and player of the year, Golden Boot winner and Dally M player of the year (twice).

Was named man of the match in four World Cup matches last year and remains a huge part of North Queensland, Maroons and Kangaroos teams. Twelve years of professional football is a testament to his skill and durability, and he is still only 30.

Prop: Brent Kite (St George Illawarra, Manly Sea Eagles, Penrith Panthers, NSW, Tonga, Australia)
A World Cup player for Tonga and Australia, Kite helped Manly to a golden period between 2005-2013 after an early career with St George.

He’s a little less mobile than before but will give Penrith great experience, leadership and toughness. Phil Gould knew what he was doing when getting Kite on board at Penrith.

Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm, Queensland, Australia)
Australia’s best ever hooker and one of the NRL’s best skippers. It’s poignant that he will go past Matt Geyer as Melbourne’s most capped player ever this weekend.

He already has 37 Tests and 30 Origins for Queensland and has at least a few more years left as captain of both teams. Smith has re-signed with the Storm and remains as vital as Craig Bellamy.

Prop: Willie Mason (Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, NSW, Tonga, Australia)
After a colourful 14-year career, Mason has surprisingly matured into a senior pro under Wayne Bennett’s Newcastle Knights.

Was a mainstay of Australia’s pack in the mid-2000s after an earlier World Cup with Tonga. His value (and changed approach) was rewarded with a two-year contract extension at the Knights.

Mason still polarises people, but is a tough and uncompromising prop.

Second-row: Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos, Queensland, Australia)
A Broncos regular since 2003, then graduating to a Queensland and Australian regular from 2006, Thaiday is still renowned for his mobility and skill in the back row.

More than 23 Tests later he is as consistent as they come and although he is no longer captain at Brisbane, is a tireless tackler and is looking to recapture his best form in 2014.

Second-row: Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos, Queensland, Australia)
It seems like Parker has been around forever – 13 years is a long time. Like Thaiday, has only ever played for Brisbane and has been rewarded in the latter part of his career with selection for Australia and Queensland.

Was named as skipper for the Broncos’ 2014 season after Thaiday stepped down, underlining his value. Ever-present.

Lock: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle Knights, New South Wales, Australia)
Gidley is another man who has played 13 years in the NRL and has achieved New South Wales and Australian jerseys later in his career. Still an integral part of Newcastle’s team with his utility value shining through – he is a competent fullback, five-eighth, halfback or hooker.  And when fit, he still commands a bench spot for Australia.

All of the above have great talent and all have plied their trade for more than one team, be it club or representative. Most have remained fairly injury-free, suggesting a mixture of durability, luck and quality conditioning.

Granted, these are some of the NRL’s top players, however the common themes are all have great experience, can bring different perspectives and know how to overcome setbacks – all golden traits for any club.

So don’t lambast your veterans just yet, even if they aren’t on this list.