We hear often enough that rugby league is a young man’s game.
Who’d argue with that when you see both the speed of the game under the new rules and the collision impact that players are subjected to week in, week out? You only have to scroll through the injury list to gain some appreciation of the physical stress the modern player receives. To illustrate, there are currently over twenty players who have sustained season-ending injuries.
A quick Google tells us that the average length of an NRL player’s career is just 43 games. So, players starting out at age 20 could expect to be doing something else with their weekends well before they reach 25 birthday. Despite that, many players manage to defy the odds, avoid the worst injuries, and enjoy long careers.
I was surprised to find that currently there are around 60 players aged 30 years or over going around each week in the NRL. We’re not talking hack players here either. Quite the opposite, as these players are invariably the best of the best.
Here’s a team made up of players who are currently 30 years of age or older:
1. Josh Dugan (30) has represented both his state and country and plays his best football at fullback.
2. Blake Ferguson (30) is still one of the most effective wingers in the game, despite currently going through a try drought.
3. Michael Jennings (32) has really hit some form this year and is playing well enough to have re-signed with the Eels for another two years.
4. Josh Morris (33) is possibly the best player in his position at the moment and always capable of making the big plays.
5. Brett Morris (33) see Josh Morris.
6. Kieran Foran (30) is currently injury-free for the first time in a while and showing how it’s done each week despite playing in beaten sides.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (31) is the incumbent Queensland and Australian halfback and in good form for Manly.
8. Jesse Bromwhich (31) is still among the best front-rowers in the world and a large contributor to the Storm’s success this year.
9. Cameron Smith (37) – nothing needs to be said.
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has led the Roosters pack to back-to-back premierships and continues to dominate his opponents.
11. Kevin Proctor (31) the New Zealand international is doing good things at the Titans.
12. Mitch Aubusson (32) is a super-reliable competitor who never plays a bad game.
13. Josh McGuire (30) is a tough competitor who never takes a backward step. Wouldn’t the Broncos like him back?
14. Ben Hunt (30) a Queensland and Australian representative who plays well off the bench.
15. Andrew Fifita (31) is still one of the most destructive forwards in the game on his day.
16. Marty Taupau (30) is an unstoppable international who is feared by opposition forwards, possibly with the exception of Jack Hetherington.
17. James Tamou (31) has a new lease of life this season and may very well lead the young Panthers team to a premiership this year.
I reckon they’d be hard to beat.
kk
Roar Pro
The 8M rule has surreptitiously imposed itself on the GGoA. It may be season 2020 but the referee panel does not appear to consistently enjoy the same eyesight rating.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I was standing on the concourse in front of the Brewongle stand. I remember losing all three grades that day. Canterbury won the 2nd and 3rd grades making it a long day.
Tony
Roar Guru
Tim, you've got a better memory than I have. I was there at the Paddington end. The Dragons did well to get that close given the international pack of forwards they were up against.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
In the 1971 grand final Barry Beath scored the try that put Saints 1 point behind with 15 minutes to go. They went close to scoring but it was their 2nd grade hooker George Piggins who raked the ball back, when the play the ball could be contested, on numerous occasions that won them the game. Souths scored a late try to win 16-10.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
There were a few exceptions. Harry Eden was huge, a very strong prop who played for St.George in the 1971 grand final. In the first half with no score he crashed through the Souths forwards but ran at a stationary Eric Simms and was tackled.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
DP in my opinion the best way to fix the game is burn that little book called "Interpretations for NRL" and actually use the proper rule book which funnily enough gives the refs plenty of control over the game.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah. No doubt about that. Poor Darius didn't make either team.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Great team Barry, who's the coach? If you are taking the old players at 30, then the coach has to be over 60.. Step up Uncle Benny :) :thumbup:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Another thing they could do to control the game a bit (NB I did say control, not manipulate..) and slow it down to a manageable pace is some more enforcement in the ruck. Not just with play the balls, but when a guy (my pet irritant at the moment) gets up and walks well off the mark to play the ball, don't have to penalise, just tell him to go back (as some are doing these days) and play the ball at the right spot.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
A couple of those would be pipped off that they didn't make the A team..
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
If they keep bulking up, playing non stop.. not many
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Onya BB .owe to be 30 years young
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes Paul, the dollars are certainly an incentive to play on now (often for too long) even at the expense of injuries. I'm just amazed that so many good players have made it this far.
Paul
Roar Guru
Terrific story Barry. You're right, it would take a pretty exceptional team to beat them. I think in many ways, being a professional footballer has helped extend many careers, too. Yes the guys are bigger, the game is faster etc, but way back when, a lot of guys called time on their careers, often because of pressures from their other job. Throw in a few injuries that are now treatable and plenty of guys are still out there doing good things, many of whom would have had to hang up the boots, in years gone by.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I reckon it is actually now too fast, taken a lot of the old skills out of the game and becoming more and more like touch footy. Just a couple of small things like making sure the ruck was clear and the front marker being able to strike for the ball, would certainly make them play the ball properly. How about a proper scrum, I see no point in having one under present rules. Not only that if they interpreted the knock on rule correctly there would be much more broken play "play on" situations which make the game far more exciting.what you may lose in one area you would gain in another. Oh and have to pack that scrum by the correct numbers not whatever they want at the time.
matth
Roar Guru
The Don is in no man’s shadow!
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Not only that as a human being he is the salt of the earth, I worked with Barry for around 7 years and a mate caught up with him down Cootamundra last year and he certainly does not look a day older than he did 12 odd years ago.
Tony
Roar Guru
Further, with the now faster game under the "six again" rule, is there an argument to go back to 5 metres instead of 10?
Tony
Roar Guru
Good point - I think they worked on the 3 metre rule back in the day. Very similar impact potential as the Rugby ruck.
Harry
Guest
The 10m rule is another reason why collisions are so much more intense in modern rugby league compared to the old days - you've got bigger, fitter, stronger players running enough of a distance to be able to collide with each-other at full speed. It's also a major reason why collisions are so much bigger in league than in union.