NRL Journeymen: Jersey-hunters, misfits and desperates

Such was the doona cover design of NRL jumpers in the 1990s; Nathan Hindmarsh could’ve swum laps in his first jersey. But the blueprint slowly diminished until a shoe-horn and constipated screams accompanied his last.

While the fashions narrowed, the colours never changed. Just another blue-and-gold in a cupboard of failed James Hardie remakes.

Even 18 seasons of unwavering loyalty weren’t enough for Andrew Ettingshausen to lay hands on the Shire’s maiden trophy.

For these two, grand final week must be worse than a Forrest Gump flashback – yet for their supporters, it’s recognition of rare devotion.

But like vinyl footies and tattooed necks, it hasn’t always been this way.

Back in the 70s, district-tribalism cut deeper than body ink, where only the thickest of skin braved removal. Ken Irvine and Ron Coote famously betrayed the faith before Manly’s shameless raids fuelled the ugly Fibro-Silvertail era.

By the time Super League rolled into town two decades later, the reason for treason didn’t discriminate.

Now talent drifts between clubs in stride with commercialism and although club-hopping doesn’t carry the stigma it once did, it’s a rung below where Robbie Farah wanted to finish.

The lifelong Tiger pined to roll with the one-club elites but underestimated the amount of steel in Jason Taylor’s free-swinging right boot.

Long before heading solo up the Leichhardt Oval scoreboard, Farah – as irony would have it – once claimed a bitter rival had no mates. Back then, Michael Ennis was a Bronco playing for a third club in as many seasons.

Years later, the ex- skipper’s bravado probably became a twitch with the arrival of Kevin Naiqama.
All things being equal, mumbled exchanges probably stopped with salt and pepper trades after the flying Fijian made the Wests Tigers his third home in three years.

Stories like this alongside mid-season trades are now as common as contorted wingers.

Long single-club careers are rewards only for the gifted. Flashes of brilliance may shake the negotiating table, but those playing under the radar best pack an atlas.

You can imagine the battler’s angst last week when Kalyn Ponga hit the jackpot.

Blokes like David Gower – on the cusp of club five – craving salary-cap-leftovers just to fill his plate.

For some, the annual ritual is a van of unpacked boxes.

At last count, the 2017 transfer list included 12 itchy-footed journeymen now committed to joining at least their fourth NRL club. Topping the laundry basket with five jerseys are Blake Green, Jeremy Latimore and Jonathan Wright

But hey, they’re all there; one time freaks in a race against time, identity depraved fringe-dwellers and fallen salary-cap kingpins – there’s even relapsed misfits and bloodline defiant offspring.

So like a snubbed prop devouring KFC, let’s gorge ourselves on today’s greasy journeys with a touch of spice from yesteryear.

Ahead of his time like pop-up Kombis, a chip-kick back to the 80s finds Manly teenage sensation Phil Blake. Red boots, cheeks puffed – sliding onto a half-volley for another try. Almost a Kangaroo in his debut season, then 27 tries in his next.

Manly through and through they said, that is until he was plonked on the wing for guarding tackling bags. Souths bit first and an unprecedented four clubs followed.

Now it’s former young guns Dave Taylor and Jamal Idris, stars in a modern remake fearing additions to a four-club script.

Glenn Hall was anything but a teenage star in 2002. The once Mark ‘Ogre’ O’Meley look-a-like took four clubs to realise success isn’t measured by the player you fake. A trimmed physique coincided with a flourish in form and a premiership, then five quality seasons in Townsville.

Siosaia Vave could be on the same path. After six flabby years on the fringe, the planets of opportunity collided in 2016. And even though Brad Arthur swooped on the jovial juggernaut’s aggressive inner beast, the return of the park-footy persona is the danger in the deal.

As far as revivals go, Bryan Norrie’s rise from the ashes ranks among the best. Craig Bellamy’s knack status as the ‘journeyman whisperer’ is to thank and a new Raider is destined to be the next added to the list.

Dunamis Lui‎’s career has tracked south since Brisbane, with each move edging closer to Melbourne. Ricky Stuart’s plan might grow legs, but once the sawn-off backrower twigs, a fifth and final move to the Victorian capital seems but a formality.

Few take Des Hasler for a ride let alone his money, but Canterbury fans watched in bewilderment as Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams mixed illusion and slow motion to nail both.

With the top-dollar deals long banked, the heavy-legged enigma’s final days start at Cronulla. Logic dictates a winding Willie Mason-esqe road of diminishing take-it or leave-it deals.

One time Canterbury supremo Peter “Bullfrog” Moore’s affinity for tobacco and family values were synonymous. Poised for generation next, Daniel Mortimer snuffed the romance in deal with arch rival’s Parramatta.

Now well clear of old man Peter’s one-club shadow, his career holds a unique symmetry of its own. Following three years at each of his three previous clubs, will Cronulla deliver a repeat?

If Shane Flanagan could repeat anything, unravelling the complexity between Ben Barba’s ears should be priority one. As an experienced misfit handler, he knows perceived breakthroughs can be one step further from the truth.

At 23, James Roberts is a four-club miscreant still negotiating the corner of redemption. Danny Wicks found the straight, signed a new deal then promptly left the track.

But that’s the beauty of rugby league’s journeyman – always on the move, always entertaining and always unpredictable.

With removal costs exceeding today’s salary-cap, my Hitchhikers-XIII mightn’t match the One-House Wonders on the park, but they’d certainly be untouchable around the Lazy-Susan with their head spinning yarns.

1. Phil Blake (6 NRL clubs)
2. Luke MacDougall (6)
3. Dane Nielsen (5)
4. Terry Hill (5)
5. Chris Walker (6)
6. Scott Gale (5)
7. Brett Kimmorley (6)
13. Tyran Smith (7)
12. John Elias (6)
11. Kevin Campion (6)
10. Richie Fa’aoso (6)
9. Michael Ennis (5)
8. Willie Mason (5)