This is the fifth article in a series where I’ll name who I think were the best players to play in a grand-final in each decade, focusing this time on the turbulent 1990s.
The criteria I have used are:
• The player must have actually played in at least one grand-final, including Super League, in the decade in question.
• A player is only considered for selection in one decade, even if he played in grand-finals in more than one decade.
• The player’s form in the decade is taken into account.
The winds of change certainly blew hard and long in the 1990s. The competition was expanded to 20 teams in 1995 when the North Queensland Cowboys, the Auckland Warriors, the Western Reds and the South Queensland Crushers all joined.
Then, just two years later, the rugby league world was split into two with the advent of the Super League. Eight teams switched allegiances from the ARL to the Super League, and were joined in the new competition by two new clubs – the Hunter Mariners and the Adelaide Rams, leaving a total of 22 teams across the two competitions.
Confused? Hang on, there’s more to come.
Fast forward twelve months to 1998 and the Super League split is over, with the united competition now known as the NRL. Melbourne have been added as a new team, while the South Queensland Crushers, the Western Reds and the Hunter Mariners have all disappeared as if they never existed, leaving a 20-team competition.
Then,1999 saw it reduced to 17-team competition, following the merger of the St George Dragons with the Illawarra Steelers into the St George Illawarra Dragons, together with the departure of both Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
In the 1990s, out of the total of 24 teams who played in the decade, including in the Super League, only nine made it as far as the grand-final:
• Brisbane dominated the decade with four grand-final wins from as many starts.
• Canberra won twice and were runners-up once.
• Both Canterbury and Manly won once and lost twice.
• Penrith were winners once and lost once.
• Both Newcastle and Melbourne won a grand-final each.
• St George/St George Illawarra were runners-up four times.
• Cronulla were runners up once.
There were some wonderful players running around in the 1990s, and the players unfortunately left out of this list are some of the best ever. Anyway, here’s my pick of the best of the best who made it to the biggest game of the year. All references to grand finals played relate only to grand-finals in this decade
Fullback: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane)
Lockyer played in winning grand-finals in both Super League and the ARL and established himself as the number one fullback in the game. Julian O’Neill from Brisbane and Manly’s Matthew Ridge also had great success in the 90s.
Wings: Michael Hancock and Wendell Sailor (Both from Brisbane)
Both of these wingers were a nightmare for defenders. Hancock won three grand-finals from as many starts and Sailor won two from two. Speedsters Ricky Walford and Nathan Blacklock from the Dragons, Newcastle’s Darren Albert, and the Canberra pair of Ken Nagas and Noa Nadruku also had some memorable moments.
Centres: Steve Renouf (Brisbane) and Andrew Ettingshausen (Cronulla)
Steve Renouf was in a class of his own in the 90s and scored four tries in his four grand-final wins. Ettingshausen wasn’t far behind him, but appeared in only one grand-final when he lead his team out in the 1997 decider. Mark Coyne from the Dragons was also a contender.
Five Eighth: Laurie Daley (Canberra)
Just as effective at either centre or five eighth, Daley starred in three grand-finals for Canberra, winning two. Kevin Walters from the Broncos, Canterbury’s Terry Lamb and Manly’s Cliff Lyons were unlucky to miss out.
Steve Walters, Ricky Stuart, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde and Brett Mullins of the Raiders celebrate after winning the 1994 ARL Grand Final (Photo by Getty Images)
Halfback: Allan Langer (Brisbane)
Won four grand finals from as many starts, was captain in three and was the chief architect of the Broncos’ success throughout the 1990s. He wasn’t the only top notch halfback running around though, and players like Greg Alexander from Penrith, Ricky Stuart from Canberra, Geoff Toovey from Manly and Andrew Johns from Newcastle were all lighting it up.
Lock Forward : Bradley Clyde (Canberra)
Clyde played in two grand-finals, winning once, and was one of the best backrowers to ever play the game. Terry Matterson from the Broncos, Nik Kosef from Manly and Jim Dymock from the Bulldogs were also impressive.
Second Row : Steve Menzies (Manly) and Gorden Tallis (St George Illawarra and Brisbane)
Menzies played in three grand-finals, winning one, and was one of the best ball runners the game has ever seen, and knew the way to the try line like no one else.
Tallis, an absolute weapon on the field, played in one losing grand final for the Dragons, before switching to the Broncos to win two premierships. Other contenders for the second row were David Barnhill (Canberra and St George Illawarra), Mark Geyer (Penrith), David Furner and Jason Croker (both from Canberra) and Adam Muir (Newcastle).
Gorden Tallis: one of the most powerful men to play in the NRL. (Photo by Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)
Front Row : Glenn Lazarus (Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne) and Shane Webcke (Brisbane)
Incredibly, Lazarus won grand-finals for three different clubs – Canberra (1), Brisbane (2) and Melbourne (1) – in the 90s and was also runner-up with Canberra in 1991. Webcke wasn’t far behind Lazarus as a player and won two grand-finals after making his first grade debut in 1995. Canterbury’s pair of Dean Pay and Darren Britt also impressed.
Hooker : Steve Walters (Canberra)
Walters was the best in the game in the early 90’s and appeared in three grand-finals, winning two. He also had strong competition for his spot in this team from younger brother Kerrod from Brisbane and Penrith’s Royce Simmons.
Reserves
Brad Mackay (St George) who played in three losing grand-finals for the Dragons, and knew his way around the interchange bench. Mark Carroll (Manly) who played in three deciders, winning one, and a fearsome front rower. The equally fearsome Paul Harragon (Newcastle) who lead his team to victory in their only grand-final in the 90s. Trevor Gillmeister (Brisbane), a devastating defender who won two grand-finals from as many starts.
BillV
Guest
Not even a mention for Fittler at centre. I feel gaslighted.
Michael_1984
Roar Rookie
Just read the 80's article and I see Meninga is in that team so he can't be in the 90's team - haha, I should have suspected that he was going to make the 80's team first!
Michael_1984
Roar Rookie
I personally would have put Meninga in instead of Ettinghausen - I might still have Ettinghausen in the team and move him to the wing at the expense of Hancock. It is interesting how many Broncos are in this team but very much to be expected given how well they did in the 90s.
Klee Gluckman
Guest
No Meninga.
Billy Goat
Guest
Alf captained all four GF victories mate.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Now I remember. I think I asked you about the Denis Pittard diving tackle on Graeme Langlands and what year that was. It was a finals game but the facts from my memory don't match up with the scorelines of the finals during that period. To date no one one The ROAR has been able to answer the question of what game the famous black and white photo of the diving tackle of Denis Pittard on Graeme Langlands occurred. THAT was the first live game I remember attending and I was around 3 or 4 years old. My uncle, a Dragons supporter, took me to the game and I was sitting on his shoulders and we were behind the goalposts at the Moore Park entrance end of the SCG. The Langlands intercepted the ball on the Dragons goal line and ran about 97 metres before being brought down just short of the try line by Pittard, the only Rabbitohs player who chased Langlands. Souths had to hang on for the next minute or two defending their line. My uncle told me that Souths were now in the GF and the Dragons were either finished or had to play Manly if I remember correctly. My recollection was that a try by the Dragons at the death would have won them the game but there are no results from finals football from 1968 - 1971 that back that up. Does ANY ONE on The ROAR remember that game?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes my uncle took me to the 1964 grand final and I was hooked. Balmain were unlucky to lose that game. Bob Boland failed to find touch due to some Graeme Langlands brilliance and the Balmain defence were walking to a scrum and didn't have a defensive line. Was your first game the 1970 grand final where John Sattler played on with a broken jaw?
Tony
Roar Guru
Good call Larry
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Are you a Dragons fan TB3? It's hard to keep track of everyone's orientation. Or is it politically incorrect to ask a person what their orientation is? :laughing:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
All those Charity Shields have rekindled your South Sydney Superiority complex.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
When your team was doing well… Ah, remember the days Tony, andrew, AMD? :silly:
Larry1950
Guest
Might not agree on every selection but we’re all subjective in our thoughts. Four forwards on the bench is overkill for that decade, Kevvie Walters would cover all bases with Daley able to move out a spot if required.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
They would've been right at home writing in the 'St.George Call', the local paper for the St.George Shire. They had all the St.George JRLFC results in it so it was never to be missed when your team was doing well.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
In 1992 Brisbane did it in a cantor. They were minor premiers finishing on 36 pts {18-0-4} with St.George 2nd on 30 pts {15-0-7} and Illawarra 3rd on 27 pts {13-1-8}. St.George were never in it with Brisbane winning the grand final 28-8.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
In 1993 St.George were unlucky to lose Jason Stevens in the first few minutes with a terrible hand injury. They had beaten Brisbane a few weeks before with Stevens dominant but were flaccid in attack without the virile young prop.
Tony
Roar Guru
There's certainly some talent there mate. Just imagine coming up against that forward pack :shocked:
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah I think poor Seers suffered from an expectation gap after that. I was in NY during linsanity which was the ultimate in flash in the pan performances
kk
Roar Pro
Tony, Of all the teams you have assembled this one stopped my clock. Such is their superiority that oppositions would be reduces to dust in the first twenty minutes. This listing is a standard setter.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Atta boy !
Tony
Roar Guru
Peter who? :laughing: