Imagine if rugby league hall of fame nomination was based on attributes aligned to the game’s head-down, bum-up blue-collar building blocks.
Buzz Rothfield would blow his stack. Instead of Ricky Stuart and Gorden Tallis; he’d be frothing the exploits of crowd favourites like blood-nuts Mick Neil and Alan Tongue.
For every Gasnier and King Wally, there is a list of unsung and often maligned support acts whose unique charisma is the essence of rugby league.
And believe me, choosing a team is no easy task. I was like a dog chasing its tail before settling on this line-up from the last 30 years.
1. Corey Thompson (2014-18: Canterbury, Wests Tigers)
Sticking thick with league’s allegiance to controversy, at fullback is Bulldog reject Corey Thompson.
And sure, he’s missing the Johnathan Docking headgear. But with the hide of a greased pig and energy of a Mexican jumping bean, his evolution may yet surpass the 1980s Shark prototype.
2. Ian Herron (1990-98: St George, Sydney Tigers, Parramatta)
Ian ‘Chook’ Herron was a gun Australian Schoolboy who kicked on to consecutive grand final defeats with the Dragons in 1992-93. Famous for an awkward prey-mantis approach to his goal kicks, the rocks and diamonds winger became the poster boy for coach Brian Smith’s thigh-riding Torpedo underpants.
That’s Chook in full flight on his footy card below, but his most endearing image is drawn on the flipside with words that read, ‘maligned for his wing play.’
3. Adrian Brunker (1990-98: Newcastle, Gold Coast, St George)
Kieran Foran’s Good Friday shank from in front of the posts tickled my nerve, but it was Michael Ennis and his instinctive scream of the word ‘Brunker’ that saw my cashews spray across the couch.
Adrian ‘Archie’ Brunker was blessed with Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s knack of the ridiculous and cost the Knights from a similar position back in the early 1990s.
One of Fatty Vautin’s all-conquering 1995 Maroon battlers, Brunker’s turbulent NRL career wound down in 1998. But his lasting legacy was scribed by Roy Masters a year earlier after a slap-stick afternoon at Kogarah Oval.
“The rivalry between ‘Archie’ and Darren Albert was almost comic book, with each taking turns to be ‘Jughead’.
4. Paul Bowman (1995-2007: North Queensland)
Country raised players are among the game’s toughest and foundation Cowboy Paul Bowman was no different. Made of Newcastle steel and raised in North Queensland, the easy-going centre’s unyielding defence spanned 13 seasons.
And after helping restore Maroon pride following the embarrassment of 2000, he would eventually defy the odds and be carried into Origin folklore.
A bung medial cut short his night in the 2003-opener, but the cagey veteran still managed to drop a few Blues before coach Bennett waved the white flag that Bowman wouldn’t.
5. Matthew Wright (2009-18: Cronulla, North Queensland, Manly)
Back in 1991, Matt Wright must have been asleep in the womb when the Pace Fairy dropped by. That said, the three gears he missed made space for error-free genes and tradesman-like reliability.
Now with over 130 games under his belt, the unsung Manly utility’s name in conversation with 1990s mechanic-come-winger Craig Hancock is well deserved.
6. John Plath (1990-1999: Brisbane)
John Plath spent the majority of his playing days watching from the best seat in the house. Wayne Bennett’s Mr Fix-it of the 1990s made all but 50 of his 149 Broncos appearances from outside the top thirteen.
The understudy to everyone delivered from the pine in Brisbane’s first four premierships, and alongside the greats outside Suncorp Stadium, has done enough to warrant a bronzed bench.
7. Trevor Cogger (1981-91: Western Suburbs)
Name someone who loved playing footy more than Trevor Cogger and I’ll name a mountain higher than Everest.
Born within a stone’s throw of Lidcombe Oval, Cogger was more fibro than a Villawood house. No one represented the Western Suburbs Magpies in more grade games than Terry Lamb’s former halves partner.
With the locks of a 70s rocker, Cogger orchestrated a team of knockabouts in 161 top-grade matches. And while success was rare, shedding bark and raising a can with teammates carried just as much weight as his 35 victories.
8. Martin Lang (1996-2004: Cronulla, Penrith)
Martin Lang didn’t have a side-step, so learnt to compensate by running hard. The harder he ran, the more we winced. Tackle by tackle, year by year, and still, for a decade nothing changed.
Crash-Test-Marty was all recoil and whiplash and by his rules won every week.
Critics who claimed the Penrith premiership winner was one dimensional missed the point. He didn’t pass either – that’s why his Sharks footy card remains such a sort after collector’s item.
9. Mark Riddell (2001-2011: St George Illawarra, Parramatta, Sydney Roosters)
Hold the applause!
Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell welcomes himself, just like he did when he jumped the fence and clapped his own try against North Queensland in 2002.
And if that wasn’t enough, his post-match reflection deserved bottling, ‘I had to compose myself once I jumped over, because I thought I was going to go arse over head. It was good fun. The crowd enjoyed it, the boys enjoyed it, and that’s what it’s all about.’
10. Matt Goodwin (1983-92: Penrith, Parramatta, South Sydney)
If the dissolved remains of Kerry Hemsley and the lunatic Danny Nutley were combined in a test tube, by sun up you’d have Matt Goodwin. And just like every good scientific experiment, the uncompromising bookend was precise and repeatable with every outing.
11. Hitro Okesene (1995-97: Auckland Warriors)
Bullocking Hitro Okesene was undoubtedly the Warriors’ first crowd favourite. Think Marty Taupau stripped back minus the cornrows and offloads. That was ‘Nitro’ Okesene – fired up in all his feral glory.
12. Josh Miller (2004-2012: Canberra, St George Illawarra)
Big boppers Justin Poore and Michael Weyman probably wouldn’t hesitate to name the crazy-eyed Josh Miller as their Battlers Immortal. Like plenty, neither saw the free-swinging Forbes barn-door closing nor remembers the ferocity of its impact.
First impressions couldn’t have been further from the truth. The lightweight back-rower crossed within 90 seconds of his Raiders debut. But between then and his next try five years later was collateral damage that compounded until he could play no more at just 28.
But even on retirement, the hits kept rolling, “But talent, it’s overrated. If you’re willing to tough it out and have a go, you can play NRL.”
13. Owen Cunningham (1985-2000: Manly, North Queensland, Northern Eagles)
Unappreciated and undervalued – there’s no better compliment for a workaholic back-rower. Owen Cunningham was both and more. From taped head to rolled-up sleeves, the man better known as ‘OJ’ was everything right down to what Queenslanders claim the Blues selectors ignore.
A token Maroons appearance in his 11th year was just reward for the stocky Sea Eagle who never once shifted to reverse in 16 seasons.
So that’s that Roarers. Over to you, who makes your battlers hall of fame?
Birdy
Guest
The 13 best mullets. Sheer delight.?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I reckon it might be worth the effort of writing a peace about the best Mullet XIII.
Birdy
Guest
Thanks Jason. Terrible when a life long memory is proven incorrect. Some good RL blood lines in that Tiger team. Paul Cross'' was Ryan Cross'' father (Easts) Bob Smithies was voted rookie of the year by the nswrl then dumped 2 years later. He admits that he enjoyed the parties too much. He went to England for 2 successful years before teaming up again with Allan Fitzgibbon who took up a captain coach position at Dapto. Father of Craig Fitzgibbon. Together they turned the Canaries into a power house of Illawarra. Great memories in your article. PS , my favourite of all the battlers and mullets has to be Kevin Hardwick. Blocker describes him as the toughest player on or off the field he ever met. Hate to imagine what off the field capers they got up to. He took no prisoners on the field.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Evening Birdy, The following is from the book "The Finals, 100 Years of National Rugby League Finals", compiled and written by Steve Haddan, Third Edition 2008. The answer to your question starts on page 171 and finishes on page 172. "With two minutes on the clock and Manly leading 14-12, Balmain's English halfback David Bolten set himself on Manly's 25 for a last gasp field goal attempt. As the ball flew from the ruck, Bolten fumbled, but fullback Bob Smithies quickly recovered and swung a long pass to George Reubner stationed on the left wing. Reubner swerved and caught Manly winger Danny Gough off balance, stepped through his tackle, and then crashed through Bob Batty's attempted tackle for the try that put the Tigers in the grand final, 15-14" There is also a photograph showing Reubner outstretched in Batty's grasp grounding the ball. Cross is listed on the wing in the side that beat Manly. The write up continues with descriptions of the grand final - Syd Williams replaced an injured Reubner at halftime and scored the premiership winning try. Looks like Alan Fitzgibbon came into the grand final side meaning Cross missed out. Alan played centre meaning Reubner shift to the wing in place of Cross. Good stuff, I hope that clears it up. Cheers, Jason
Birdy
Guest
Jason my grand parents lived in Birchgrove My brother and I stayed there nearly every weekend, year round. My grand father was full on into surf lifesaving and RL. So all through summer it was the beach or Balmain pool and winter was Leichardt oval.He was taking us before we even started school. Leichardt oval was like a family , with Laurie Nicholls the head baby sitter. What a great man. My regular visits ended at 14 when we moved to the gong so my actual memories of the configuration are pretty vague now. It's more the environment that is lasting.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I'll do my best. I'll crack open the books tonight and see what I can dig up. Birdy/Albo - I'm a 1970s kid. So great to read your descriptions of Penrith Park. I'd heard about the Dragons victory but Albo made it sound real. Did you guys ever watch footy at Leichhardt when the ground ran the other way?
Birdy
Guest
That was timely Jason. I'm doing something you forced me to do about 2 years ago. Research. It's driving me nuts. When I google the 69 prelim final tigers v Manly it sayes Reubner scored the winning try for Balmain. My memory sayes Paul Cross'' scored it so I googled Paul Cross''. It sayes that despite him scoring the winning try against Manly in the preliminary final he was dropped for the GF. Can you please shed some light with your more advanced google ability.
Albo
Guest
Yeah Birdy ! I'd say we are of a similar vintage ! I remember the old Penrith Park well. It actually had a two railing fence around the oval with about 4 rows of splintered timber bench seats around the outside with a few mounds of earth behind that for a "hill" and the concrete stand on the western side that housed about a 1,000 people and half of them under cover. Pure luxury for the rich folk ! As a kid, I was at their 2nd home game in 1967 against the mighty St. George side coming off their 11th straight premiership. The Panthers had beaten Newtown in their first home game and the district was a buzz about their chances against the premiers. A mob of old Tiger rejects ( Bobby Boland, Georgie Piper & Laurie Fagan) with a bunch of young country & local kids gave the Dragons a mighty whooping 24-12 ! Reg Gasnier wouldn't return for the 2nd half after being belted a number of times by opposing Panther centres Wayne Peckham & Dave Applebee who became immediate local heroes for their big hitting tackles. Later a few more old Tigers found their way to Penrith , like Bobby Mara & Phil Franks. Since those days I have seen hundreds of games at Penrith Stadium from my favourite spot, standing on the northern hill, but I reckon the best ground ever to watch a good game of footy is still Leichhardt Oval for pure atmospherics and view of the action.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Birdy, I enjoy your feedback mate. I'm working on something, another week or two.
Birdy
Guest
Hi Albo, We almost have a similar history. I was at the prelim final in 69 against Manly. One of my life long memories was Bob Smithies sending a 30 m spiral onto Paul Cross'' chest to score in the corner and snatch victory Couldn't believe you said Ruebner scored . So I googled it, lost another beer and you have destroyed another childhood memory ?. Everyone in my family, including the ones that married into it were mad tigers supporters. Except my father who hated them. He took us to a lot of Penrith games to try and convert us. Never happened. I still have vague memories of their ground, A dust bowl with a make shift stand, no fence, and star pickets on the outer perimeter making it so easy for kids to get in free. Totally lacked the moderrn amenities and sofistacation of Leichardt..? More nostalgic articles please Jason.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Swanners!!! Toole was a chance, great Scanlens card with him standing behind Greg McCullum, who has 10 fingers raised above his head. Bolt unlucky too but you know how these things work - Piggy offered something easier to write about.
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
The Penguin, pure gold ☺☺
Ron Swanson
Roar Guru
Good side though Michael Bolt had to be the rake...had to. I'd even have Robbie McCormack ahead of Piggy. Adrian Toole ever a chance Hosko??
Davrob
Guest
What about the Penguin- Graeme Bradley...voted most hated player in rugby league two years running. Actually, a lovely quietly spoken bloke - just had a big dose of the niggle. Probably began when he made his first grade debut and was elbowed in the throat by Chris Mortimer.
Danno1
Guest
I was at the game, Morris went off injured, which threw the woks strategy out the window. He had been replacing Tommy with Wilson to close games out. Morris being injured meant Tommy played the whole game, and Kenny was on for longer than normal, which helped the Jets kicking game but not their attack. On another note once heard the Wok say that of all the players he coached Kenny Wilson was the one who could best implement the structure and game management that he wanted. Considering who he coached that is some praise for Kenny Wilson
Danno1
Guest
good story from a panther l know who was there same time as Wickey, They were having a lean trot and the coach bought in a hypontherapist to motivate the team. Had them all lie down in a darkened room and started talking viualisation and focus....after a couple of minutes they could hear some snoring...apparently TW was visualising sheep and had nodded off. the session did not go well after that.
Danno1
Guest
I think his younger brother may have played for Jets when they got back in the NSW Cup, maybe around early 90s he was a handy player. There were a whole bunch of Speechley's in a touch footy team in the comp that played at Beaman and Gough Whitlam parks in Earlwood. Pretty sure there was Michael, his brother, dad and uncle, perhaps another Speechley or 2, plus Jeff Fenech, they were a fast and mean team, damn good. Not sure if they are related to the Mounties namesake, but the family is steeped in rugby league history so would not surprise if they were.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Glad you enjoyed the read Barry. I’ll see what else I can dig up and go again. Ian Heads wrote a top account of WD’s run in the 1974 Amco ‘the night the music died’. It was the first I’d heard of TV Ted, so many characters.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
And Wests and a foundation Giant.
Barry Moore
Guest
Loved the article, Jason. And everyone's comments. This is like the gift that keeps on giving. What a trip down memory lane! And here's one right out of left field: "T.V. Ted Ellery". He was a hard nut and a battler but never sported a mullet because he didn't have a hair on his head. And by that I mean completely bald. Unlike current players who shave their heads. In his era the only guys with shaven heads were Skull Murphy, Brute Bernard and Professor Tanaka of World Championship Wrestling fame. And who in their right mind was going to have a shot at them for shaving their heads? For those who weren't around in the 1970's, T.V. Ted was in the Western Division team which won the first Amco Cup in 1974. This was a mid week competition which was played on Wednesday nights and televised on Channel 10. In the early years all the Sydney clubs and New South Wales country divisions played in it. Most of the matches were played at Leichardt Oval but some were played in the country at locations such as Wade Park, Orange; Scully Park, Tamworth and Seiffert Oval, Quenbeyan. And against all the odds, Western Division who were a team of battlers from places such as Orange, Cowra, Mudgee, Dubbo and Bathurst beat Penrith 6 - 2 in the final to win the Cup. And one of the stars was T.V. Ted, a fettler from Lithgow, who scored a spectacular try and became an overnight media sensation. Sadly Ted passed away in 2008 at the age of 66 but his exploits for Western Division will live on whenever the Amco Cup is talked about. Vale T.V Ted and thanks for the memories.