The top ten league players to never win a grand final

Every sport has its heroes, but what about those poor buggers that despite all their accomplishments, never got the chance to raise the premiership cup on grand final day?

I feel their pain. I made four grand finals and lost the lot.

Some of these players have won Dally M Medals, have had statues named after them and even streets, but they never won the big one.

For this list, the players must have retired, and never won a grand final in either NSWRL, ARL, NRL or Super League competitions. Queensland cup, NSW Cup and U20s will not qualify as some players on this list have won in those comps. This is the big-time only.

10. Stacey Jones
Probably the best Kiwi to play in the NRL and never hold up the cup, his list of representative achievements speaks for itself. Jones’ style and skill on the field was unmatchable.

Although he made the grand final in 2002 with the Warriors, a premiership did not happen for him.

9. Matt Sing
As a Rocky boy, like me, Sing had all the skills to make a great career in the NRL, but unlike yours truly he actually did it. Sing was the best winger of his generation to not become a grand final champion.

Having made the grand final twice with two different clubs, despite all his speed, talent and skill, he just wasn’t lucky enough to be in the right team on the day.

8. Paul Sironen
Big Siro was one of the best second rowers not just of his day, but of all time.

As a member of the 1989 Balmain team, he easily falls into the category of players to never win the big one, but he sure deserved to, having also represented his country and state. He also scored one of the best ever grand final tries.

7. Benny Elias
Elias was the greatest milker of penalties of all time, the last great hooker – meaning that he actually hooked for the ball in a scrum instead of just standing there like they do today – and a brilliant leader.

Possibly Elias’ most memorable moment was giving his mum a kiss, while his face was covered in blood, after NSW won the opening Origin game of 1992.

6. Wayne (Junior) Pearce
Ok, this is the last person from the Tigers otherwise this will be just the Balmain Tigers 1988-89 grand final sides. However, you would have to agree Junior had a great career.

I’m sure that Wayne was very proud when his son Mitchell won in 2013, but I’m sure he was wishing it was him too. Wayne went to play for a few years longer with the Tigers, but never got another crack at the grand final after 1989.

5. Steve Rogers
The great Steve Rogers was one of the best lock forwards of his time, having made two grand finals, and three if you count the replay in 1978, though he just could not get over the line. Steve was awarded the Dally M Medal in 1981 and named in the best Sharks team of all time.

Sadly he passed away in 2006 and never got to see the Sharks win a premiership. However, I have no doubt he would have been looking down on grand final night and smiling knowing that the Sharks finally brought home the trophy.

4. Trent Barrett
Barrett was a great five-eighth, with skill and talent that made him unique. Barrett played for the 1999 St George Illawarra Dragons side that went down to the Storm. He was awarded the Dally M Medal in 2000.

3. Nathan Hindmarsh
Hindmarsh was just at the wrong club at the wrong time. If he had been born a generation earlier he would four premierships to his name, because he definitely deserved at least one.

A member of the 300 club and the longest serving member to never win a title, Hindmarsh was loyal to his beloved Eels his entire career. Even though they made it to the grand final in 2009, they lost, and worse still, the Storm was later stripped of the title for salary cap breaches.

2. Wally Lewis
Hail to the King. The greatest to ever play the game, Lewis never had the chance to lead his team to the big dance let alone raise the trophy.

He left the Broncos a year before they hit the big time and finished his career at the Seagulls. He led his state and country to many victories with one of the best ever resumes. The King rightfully has a statue to immortalise him at the old Lang Park, so all will have the chance to see the King for many decades to come.

Yet as much as the King deserved to be a premiership winner, there is one man that above all deserved a premiership win more than anybody.

1. Andrew Ettingshausen
ET, the most deserving man ever, is the Dan Marino of the NRL.

As the greatest Shark ever, ET must have been over the moon when his side finally won last Sunday night, but I reckon he would have given anything to switch with one of the players in that side.

Even though he made it to the Super League dance in 1997, Brisbane got the win.

In 1999, the Sharks won the minor premiership and looked like they would finally break the curse, but they were beaten by the Dragons, and the Sharks would have to wait almost twenty more years.

ET is the only other member of the 300 club to never win a title, with a representative resume that is second to none.

Do you agree with my list? Who is your favourite player to never win a premiership? Tell me your thoughts with a comment below, more lists coming soon.