After years of watching the game, studying statistics and reviewing old clips, I have assembled my rugby league dream team.
Fullback: Graeme Langlands
The all-time highest point-scorer for St George Dragons set a very good platform for the custodian position.
Wings: Ken Irvine and Harold Horder
Irvine has scored the most amount of tries in the history of the game, while Horder was the original ‘wonder winger’ of the game back in the 1910-20s.
Centres: Mick Cronin and Andrew Ettinghausen
Cronin is the highest point-scoring centre of all time. During the 1970s and ’80s he became the highest all-time point scorer for the Parramatta Eels.
Ettinghausen is the highest try-scoring centre of all time, highest try scorer for the Sharks, and has played the most games for Cronulla.
Five-eighth: Terry Lamb
Labm was a top-notch five-eighth and the best support player ever. If he set up a line break, he would always support it, and that’s why he is the highest try-scoring No.6.
Halfback: Andrew Johns (c)
The Newcastle Knights legend was a phenomenal halfback, and is without a doubt the greatest player to ever step on a football field. He made other players better, as his presence brought the best out of everyone. Also, he has scored the most tries and points for a halfback.
How couldn’t I pick him?
Props: Paul Harragon and Arthur Beetson
Both hard-hitting wrecking machines who led their team on the football field. Harragon always would do rampaging hit-ups and Beetson was an offload master.
Hooker: Danny Buderus
Buderus could always lead the team around the park and was a very good ball-running dummy half.
Second row: Nathan Hindmarsh and Steve Menzies
Hindmarsh was an outstanding ball-running forward and always motivated his Parramatta teammates.
Menzies is the highest try-scoring forward of all time and the highest try-scoring player for Manly Sea Eagles.
Lock: Frank Burge
The one player back in the 1910s and ’20s you didn’t want running at you, Burge would always go full-steam ahead. Also, he holds the record for most tries scored in one match: eight. He achieved this against University back in 1920, and he kicked four goals, scoring 32 of Glebe’s 41 points in that match.
Interchange: Phil Blake, Brad Mackay, Glenn Lazarus and Bradley Clyde
Blake could play pretty much any position on the field, except for prop, hence he is my utility.
Mackay was a top second-rower.
Lazarus was a hard-hitting forward and metre-eater.
Clyde was a utility forward and could fill in as a centre if necessary.
Team sheet
Fullback, Graeme Langlands: 227 games, 86 tries, 648 goals and 1554 points
Wing, Ken Irvine: 236 games, 212 tries, 70 goals and 778 points
Centre, Mick Cronin: 216 games, 75 tries, 865 goals, 2 field goals and 1971 points
Centre, Andrew Ettinghausen: 324 games, 166 tries, 1 goal and 666 points
Wing, Harold Horder: 127 games, 152 tries, 150 goals and 756 points
Five-eighth, Terry Lamb: 164 tries, 386 points, 44 field goals and 1442 points
Halfback, Andrew Johns (c): 80 tries, 917 goals, 22 field goals and 2176 points
Front row, Paul Harragon: 169 games, 19 tries and 76 points
Hooker, Danny Buderus: 257 games, 61 tries, 1 goal and 246 points
Front row, Arthur Beetson: 233 games, 25 tries, 1 field goal and 77 points
Second row, Nathan Hindmarsh: 330 games, 60 tries, 1 goal and 242 points
Second row, Steve Menzies: 349 games, 180 tries, 1 goal and 742 points
Lock, Frank Burge: 167 games, 146 tries, 50 goals and 538 points
Interchange
Phil Blake: 268 games, 138 tries, 8 goals, 15 field goals and 574 points
Brad Mackay: 217 games, 38 tries, 22 goals and 196 points
Glenn Lazarus: 251 games, 21 tires, 1 goal and 86 points
Bradley Clyde: 214 games, 46 tries and 184 points
Total games: 4184
Total tries: 1669
Total points: 12,304
Average games: 246.12
Average tries: 98.18
Average points: 723.76
isaac
Guest
a typical nsw. so funny???in your dreams
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I hope he stacks up well because he was legitimate.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Those were good years for Mullins. Didn't really notice him much when he moved to the Roosters but during his Canberra years, all I saw was a hot carving knife slicing through butter. And watching him play when Ray Warren could actually commentate was good fun, "Mullins. Mullins! MULLINS!!" As for Williams, he was good value when he played for Canterbury. I just liked his running style and how quick he could just stop and accelerate back to top speed in a step or two. I'd heard that he had a lot of foot problems because of his running style. Interestingly, it was a run of his in extra-time where he stepped Nagas to race 40 metres or so to give Canterbury good field position to win a finals match against the Raiders. I think he moved to Penrith a year or so after with nothing much coming of it. Like I said, I chose my team and him in it because I enjoyed watching those players play. Having said that though, Williams did represent New Zealand, played in two Grand Finals with Canterbury and won one of them so it's hard to say he didn't have a good career. Hope he is doing well now.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
I've wanted to write an article on this for a while now. Mine is as follows - a bespoke selection that has method to the madness... Hayne Sailor Meninga Inglis Tuqiri Lockyer (c) Johns Price Smith Civoniceva Clyde Menzies Parker Fittler Bromwich Harragon Roberts (Ian).
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
Where does Andy Farrell stack up in the minds of the Brits? As I recall, he was one of England's very few genuinely world class players in the late 90s; absolutely carried Wigan and GB at times (arguably took on too much playmaking, which detracted from his running game). Also switched to prop later in his career and won a Golden Boot from the position. Not bad...
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
In 94-95 Mullins was untouchable. I've seen a few old games on Foxtel from those times and with that era's staggered kick-chase lines, he was brilliant to watch returning kicks. I mainly remember Jason Williams knocking on and missing tackles, but I am probably thinking of later in his career...
Albo
Guest
Call that Sydney suburban dream team ? How about this one : 1. Teddy Goodwin 2. John Hopoate 3. Peter Dimond 4. Steve Matai 5. Ruben Wiki 6. Terry Lamb 7. Tommy Raudonikis 8. Dallas Donnelly 9. Noel Kelly 10 John O'Neill 11. Terry Randall 12. Les Boyd 13. Mal Reilly 14. Cliff Watson 15. John Sattler 16. Peter Kelly 17. Chris Mortimer Coach - Ron Willey Anyone looking for a rumble down at Pratten Park ?
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
I've selected a strictly Sydney based team with a really suburban flavour. Danny Loftus Wayne Miranda Terry Hill Scot Minto Kevin Gordon Steve Sydenham Frank Stanmore Craig Greenhill Gavin Miller Robbie Kearns John Cartwright Les Davidson Brad Clyde Greg Eastwood Johnny Rhodes Michael Mosman Gordon Willoughby
Adsa
Guest
That is a hard hitting interchange bench!
Matth
Guest
A team to watch: Darren Lockyer Dale Shearer Steve Rogers Chris Close Brett Plowman King Wally Steve Mortimer Gavin Miller Trevor Gillmeister Bobby Lindner Geoff Robinson Kerrod Walters Shane Webcke Brett Kenny Carl Webb Gordon Tallis Mark Geyer
Tom Rock
Expert
No Jamie Ainscough? Are you serious??
Tripehound
Guest
No current players, some of these blokes have played in Australia: 1. Jason Robinson 2. Tom Van Vollenhoven 3. Duggie Greenall 4. Eric Ashton 5. Billy Boston 6. Alex Murphy 7. Tommy Bishop 8. Alan Prescott (c) 9. Keiron Cunningham 10. Cliff Watson 11. Paul Sculthorpe 12. Vince Karalius 13. Ellery Hanley 14. Mal Reilly 15. Brian McTigue 16. Adrian Morley 17. Kevin Ward Some folk may need to ask their great grandad!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I just liked watching Mullins slice through gaps. And Jason Williams had this fascinating ability to suddenly stop and suddenly get up to top speed in the next step. Fascinating to watch!
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I was pretty keen to squeeze Mullins into my team as well...Matty Bowen too. Just can't go past Darren Lockyer though. Jason Williams is a name long forgotten!
MAX
Guest
On today's market my team is 17 seven figure $ players. That's a lot of brown paper bags or annual holidays in Lichtenstein. I dream of an unheralded Bradley Clyde type strolling into Belmore for a trial.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Everyone will have an opinion on this article. Mine is...Buderus..seriously?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
My dream team changes depending upon what I want to see. At the moment, these are the players whom I had fun watching play, irrespective of their achievements or lack of within the sport. 1. Brett Mullins 2. Jason Williams 3. Steve Ella 4. Steve Renouf 5. Ryan Hall 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Stacy Jones 8. Shane Webcke 9. Steve Walters 10. James Graham 11. Sonny Bill Williams 12. Jason Croker 13. Bradley Clyde 14. Jason Smith 15. Martin Tapau 16. Roy Asotasi 17. Shaun Johnson
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I've been watching league since 1994, so my team is limited to the last 22 years...This isn't necessarily based on career achievement or statistics, but it's the best players I've seen. 1. Darren Lockyer 2. Wendell Sailor 3. Greg Inglis 4. Mark Gasnier 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowell 6. Brad Fittler 7. Johnathon Thurston 8. Matt Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Sam Burgess 11. Gorden Tallis 12. Ben Kennedy 13. Bradley Clyde 14. Andrew Johns 15. Stuart Fielden 16. Jason Smith 17. Sonny Bill Williams It's a bit sad to leave out internationals like Stacey Jones, Nigel Vagana, Ruben Wiki, the Paul brothers, Paul Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson, Adrian Morley, Kieron Cunningham etc. as well as a host of champion Aussies (Daley, Langer, Ettingshausen, Renouf, Mullins, Walters, Cronk, Bowen, Webcke, Hayne and so on)
ChubbzyK96
Guest
The forwards have been kicking lately, Burgess, Thiaday and a Titan all did it in the last round.
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I think there was more creativity and self-expression in previous years, so the great players stand out more in your mind. These days only fullbacks and the occasional halfback are allowed to roam around the field or play what they see in front of them...lock forwards like Brad Fittler, Jason Smith or even Brad Clyde simply don't exist anymore. Nowadays they're mostly Paul Gallen/Sam Burgess types - outstanding at what they do, but also pretty limited in their roles.