There’s nothing more painful as a rugby league supporter than watching one of your team’s best players set sail for fresh waters. But sometimes in life, changing colours doesn’t work out, and fans are left saying, “I’m glad we let him go.”
The following is the top five players who moved clubs as a hero and arrived and performed as a zero.
5. Benji Marshall to St George Illawarra Dragons, 2014
Once one of the NRL’s most exciting and impersonated players, Benji Marshall decided to leave his beloved Wests Tigers at the end of the 2013 season, to pursue a career in union.
His time in Auckland was short-lived, and he returned to the NRL for the Red V, half the player he once was.
He is only at five on this list due to the fact that his form towards the end of his time with the Tigers was slumping, and if he stayed there he wouldn’t be much better.
The Dragons’ attack in 2016 has been less than impressive, and with Marshall having a reputation of being one of the most lethal attacking weapons in the competition, you wonder where it all went wrong.
4. Trent Hodkinson to Newcastle Knights, 2016
The general behind a mighty Bulldogs forward pack for most of his career, he helped get Canterbury to two grand finals in five years, and rarely missed a finals series. His decision to move to Newcastle was mostly based off Des Hasler’s choice to use Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds in the halves for 2016.
Nevertheless, Hodkinson went from one of the best organising halves in the NRL, to just another player contributing to the Knights’ horror 2016 season.
He’ll be watching his former teammates in September, sitting in his living room with the wooden spoon in hand.
3. Adam Blair to Wests Tigers 2012
It seemed Tim Sheens had snagged one of the best forwards in the game when Adam Blair put pen to paper for the Wests Tigers back in 2012. If this was a list of let downs, Blair would be number one.
As it stands, it may be unfair to put him on this list, considering Wayne Bennett saved his career in Brisbane, but when you go from one of the best in the business, to an overpaid, over-rated marshmallow, you deserve to be here.
As a Tigers supporter, he is the biggest waste of money the club has ever invested in.
2. Chris Sandow to Parramatta Eels, 2012
Leaving the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a cult hero, Sandow arrived in Parramatta with high expectations. But the only thing bigger than his paycheque was the disappointment of the Eels faithful.
He couldn’t fit into Parramatta’s structure, and failed to fire when games were on the line.
Sandow now resides in the Super League, where his ability seems to be more suited.
From South Sydney star, to Parramatta reserve grader. Career killed? I think so.
1. Anthony Watmough to Parramatta Eels, 2015
Parramatta have made some great recruitments in the past, with Corey Norman and Beau Scott proving their worth at the club. But Watmough has been completely forgotten since leaving fortress Brookvale, playing just 17 games for the Eels.
Now retired thanks to salary cap issues forcing him out of the club, Watmough would not have wanted to end his successful career in such a way.
Former teammate Kieran Foran may have joined him on this list, but he still has a chance to be saved. And yes, I know, “Why is Adam Blair on here if he got saved?” Look, I’m still salty about the whole situation, just let me have my rant.
Bugs
Guest
Yep - as a bit part bench player. But he was purchased by the Cowboys in the hope he would partner JT in the halves, and failed dismally. He looked good playing for Storm when required to fill in for missing 1st choice players, but couldn't cut the mustard at the Cowboys. The Storm team made him look better than he really is, ala Dane Nielsen. I think you'll find that there's plenty of guys who are premiership players who aren't anything flash (compared to the cream of the NRL, not to you and me!). Look at the Rabbitohs 2014 premiership side. Had some out and out stars, some middling players and some fillers, who got carried along for the ride, and were made to look better than they really are. Happens all the time. Just happens at the Storm more than anywhere else.
Griffo
Guest
You know that Rory Kostjasyn is premiership player now, don't you?
G-man
Guest
Anthony Mundine played for the Broncos once :/ Gavet played one game where he made three errors, then got suspended, then got injured for the rest of the season. #unlucky (I'm a Broncos fan)
Bugs
Guest
Antonio Kaufusi Ben Cross Matt King Ryan Tandy Brett White Jeff Lima Luke Kelly Rory Kostjasyn Todd Lowrie Maurice Blair Kurt Mann I'm sure there's more too
Bugs
Guest
Ha! Quite true. Although, Ashton Sims would be up there for me too, as well as Scott Anderson and Lagi Setu.
Bugs
Guest
Yes - somehow an Origin player... BUT, did the move kill a career, or just highlight his team (the high flying Dragons) were just making him look good??
Jake
Guest
Agreed mate. See my comment re Benii next year. He'll play somewhere and I'm confident they'll top the Dragons.
Jake
Guest
Of course - you had to throw in #5. Obviously you clowns missed Benji's 2015 season. He'll sign with a team next year and regardless of who this team is, they will be higher up the ladder than the Dragons in 2017. Mark my words.
ChubbzyK96
Guest
Jamal Idris to the Gold Coast
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Mario Fenech to the Sth Qld Crushers...the falcon was born during that period in his defence.
peeeko
Guest
people forget that widdop and benji played great when they first come to the dragons
boonboon
Roar Pro
Benji to Rugby was a failure but as you said he had a shocker in 2014 as his enthusiasm wained. However I have to say he did cme 2nd in the Dally Ms in his first full season with the Dragons and to me that makes the move itself a success
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Prince to Broncos though!!!!!!!! that's another thing!!!
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Mullen comes to mind. The poor bloke!!!
Rob
Guest
Feel for $1.8m Sandow leaving Souths to play under Ricky's Eels when Russell was buying up big for the Premiership. To much cash for a young bloke coming from the bush in a big city. So much like JT but different paths taken with vastly different outcomes.
lester
Guest
Dave taylor to gold coast?
Bryan
Guest
Ben Barba to broncos??
1st&10
Guest
Nathan long to the Dragons -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
bob johnson
Guest
How right. I wonder why?
Scott
Guest
Jamal Indris and Dave Taylor to Titans