The utility. Every club has them. The guy who will play anywhere. The bloke who will go on for an injury cover and play out of position. The guy who can slot in wherever there’s a gap.
More often than not these players aren’t the stars. They’re the hard workers that hold a club together. Think of Luke Lewis, for example. Played fullback, wing, centre, halfback, second row and lock.
I’m pretty sure he’s propped and hooked at some time too.
Inspired by that example, below is a team based on the utility players going around in the current NRL season. Each player has been selected in one of their positions that they can cover, but each player can play more than one position, giving us a super flexible side.
1. Clint Gutherson
Fullback, centre, wing, five-eighth
The man known as “King Gutho” can play anywhere in the backline. Super committed and always gives 100 per cent.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
2. Michael Gordon
Fullback, wing, centre
‘Flash’ is renowned as a fullback, played Origin on the wing and has been quoted as saying “I’d be happy playing anywhere… I’ve played just about every position in my career.”
3. Tyrone Peachey
Fullback, wing, centre, five-eighth, second row, hooker, lock
Peachey is your classic utility – forwards, backs, anywhere. Good enough to play a number of positions at Origin level.
4. Ben Hampton
Fullback, wing, centre, five-eighth, halfback
Recruited as a backup half, Hampton has played fullback, wing and centre as well for the Cowboys. Another that can play anywhere in the backline.
5. Peta Hiku
Fullback, centre, wing, five-eighth
Hiku is best renowned as a centre, but played in the halves for New Zealand and can cover wing or fullback. Another wholehearted performer.
6. Tohu Harris
Second row, front row, five-eighth, halfback
Harris has been picked to play in the halves on occasion for the Storm and now the Warriors. Excellent skills for a big man.
7. John Asiata
Prop, second row, halfback
Rounding out a massive halves pairing, Asiata plays prop more often than not, but has played in the halves for the Cowboys.
8. Isaac Liu
Prop, lock, second row
The Iceman plugs any gaps in the forwards for the reigning premiers and fills one of the prop roles here
9. Brandon Smith
Hooker, lock, second row, halfback
The heir apparent to the Storm number 9 jersey is used as a running forward with Cameron Smith on the field. Plays like a much bigger man.
10. Kyle Turner
Second row, centre, prop, lock
Currently playing centre for the Rabbitohs, Turner has played in basically every position in the Bunnies pack.
11. Mitchell Aubusson
Second row, centre, five-eighth, halfback, hooker
‘Aubo’ is another of the classic utility men. He can play on either edge, in the centres, halves or even hooker.
12. Sam Burgess
Prop, lock, second row, centre
Sam is a big man and can play as a middle forward, edge forward or even centre.
(AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
13. Victor Radley
Lock, hooker, second row
Now the Roosters first-choice hooker with Friend injured, Radley is also a hard-hitting lock forward.
Rounding out the side is a bench consisting of Origin forward Kalyn Ponga, backline utility Connor Watson, centre, second rower and lock Isaiah Yeo, and prop, lock and second rower Shaun Lane.
What do you make of the side? Who else could make this team?
matth
Roar Guru
How about Lockyer winning the golden boot at fullback and five eighth
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Lance Hohia and Robbie Paul
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I think it says a lot about the evolution of the game that there are so many utilities. Nowadays players must have skill in all different areas and not specific to a position. Today most back rowers can throw passes that in the 80s and 90s would be domain of the halfback and the halfback only. Back rowers and centers are pretty interchangeable. Think how wingers have moved from the people who hang around with footballers to today's 100 plus kg extra forwards. Those of us old enough to remember the 90s and earlier what would've happened to a winger taking first hit up from a tap restart.
James T
Guest
Pretty sure Jason Croker played pretty much every position on the field at some stage. Ultimate utility is probably Freddy Fittler, played rep footy at lock, 5/8 and centre.
James T
Guest
I would imagine 13 Haynes would push him a fair way, especially before he left for the USA.
Burwale
Guest
Can I add Martin Lang to the list?. Ok I mean as the most non-versatile player
Dutski
Roar Guru
It’s a massive contrast, isn’t it?
Wayne Turner
Guest
A big one,I don't think mentioned,and retired last season:- Luke Lewis - Everywhere except prop. Another: Kurt Gidley - Fullback,5/8,7,hooker.
Nat
Roar Guru
What about Asiata? He's avour to line up in the halves again this weekend! Of all these guys, how many play 7 & 8?
Matt
Guest
Matt Geyer
Big Daddy
Guest
The best 3 I could think of were Paul Sait and Arthur Branighan from south's and Lindsay Drake who played for Manly and St George.
Sometimes Steve
Roar Rookie
Not really in keeping with the theme (and showing my age) as most only play 2 or 3 positions but they all did very well in those. Brad Clyde is in as he tried and mostly succeeded in playing 5 positions each game. I'm sure I could do better with more thought but that's no fun. 1. Phil Blake 2. Tim Brasher 3. Laurie Daley 4. Ellery Hanley 5. Steve Morris 6. Steve Ella 7. Terry Lamb 13. Brad Fittler 12. Smell Ma Finger 11. Gene Miles 10. Brad Clyde 9. Andrew Johns 8. Wiki leeks Maybe Hasler in for Ella
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Latrell Mitchell could fill any position on the field and cause a lot of damage.
Albo
Roar Rookie
And both could in the backrow . Morgan is big enough and Munster started off as a hooker. Both have the defence and toughness to play in the pack. I would add Jack Bird too as an ideal utility as backrower, centre, fullback or halfback.
Peter Piper
Guest
Paul Gallen - Lock, second row, front row, 5/8, halfback, Gal has started first grade games in every one of those positions......he's actually started more games in the halves than he has at prop, the man is a legend and can do anything
Rellum
Roar Guru
Phil Blake, Jason Smith
john
Guest
Surprised no one has mentioned Lockyer, fullback and 5/8, Thurston for halfback and 5/8 could be probably get a mention too.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
Steve Funnel played Fullback, centre, second row and lock. Good player, lots of talent but a tad lazy it looked at times.
Sammy
Guest
I guess you could add: Lance Hohaia John Plath Chris Flannery Des Hasler Greg Inglis
Harry
Guest
Sia Soliola's had a similar career trajectory to Ruben Wiki and he's still playing. Still has a fair bit of pace too when he gets into the open, or at least he did a few years ago when I remember him scoring a runaway try in the corner at the end of a game while filling in at centre.