Like most clubs, the Brisbane Broncos have had their fair share of big boppers over the years, many of them legends of the game.
From the early years, there was Greg Dowling who ran out in their inaugural team back in 1988, Sam Backo who joined him from Canberra just a year later, big Andrew Gee who had 255 games for the club and Glenn Lazarus who was a key factor in their first Premiership win in 1992.
They were followed by the cross-Tasman dual international Brad Thorn who had two stints with the club, damaging backrower stalwarts Gordon Tallis and Sam Thaiday and one of the best pair of bookends of all time in Shane Webcke and Peter Civoniceva.
Throw in the likes of big men in Carl Webb, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Greg Eastwood, Ben Hannant, Adam Blair, Tevita Pangai Junior and the enigmatic Dave Taylor and the self-serve buffet at the Broncos forwards’ reunion is going to require some serious investment.
All very big boys, and most of them had the ability to match their size – sorry “Coal Train” – but the club usually only had no more than two or three of the big boppers at their disposal at any one time.
Now compare that to today’s Broncos forward lineup, where any number of them would need to book two seats on a domestic flight.
Check these guys out:
Fletcher Baker: 197cm 107kg
Patrick Carrigan: 190cm 106kg
Payne Haas: 194cm 114kg
Jaiden Hunt: 191cm 111kg
Corey Jensen: 188cm 107kg
Jordan Riki: 190cm 105kg
Marty Taupau: 190cm 112kg
Benjamin Te Kura: 205cm 122kg
Xavier Willison: 199cm 114kg
That’s “Land of the Giants” material in anyone’s book.
Just to put the size of the modern middle forward into perspective when compared to the great front rowers of the past, rugby league immortal and front row wrecking ball of the 1960s and 1970s Arthur Beetson was 188cm tall and played at 105kg.
Big, mobile forwards are hard to combat, and with this lot averaging just a shade over 25 years of age – even allowing for the 35-year-old Marty Taupau – they could be terrorising opponents at Suncorp Stadium for many years to come.
No wonder the Broncos did so well last year and are one of the favourites for this year’s premiership. Surely no other team can boast a pack as big as this?
Nat
Roar Guru
I watched that game at the pub. Every time I looked up someone was behind the posts.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Manly are big, but don't put in like the Broncos. Take Jurbo out and they are in all sorts of strife. The winless Titans put 30 on them this week ?
Nat
Roar Guru
Ironically Hetherington hits harder than all the boppers. Still not many punters talk about Jensen either. Ave 50mins he gives 135rm, 30+ tackles and rarely misses. Manly are right up there as well for size in their starting pack but lose a bit off the bench.
Albo
Roar Rookie
But they are not only big today, but they run like gazelles as well ! The real key is get a couple of big front rowers who run like the wind for 60 minutes, do 35 tackles, and still get up quickly to play the ball each time. The perfect weapon for todays game.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! I think Willison is a beauty ! Got him in my SC team with Captain Pat. I would just like him to get more game time too. The Broncos are going to have an awesome pack over the next few years. Once Piakura and Haas are back they will easily be the biggest pack going around this year.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Yep big all right but how mobile? Can they get sideways and back again. Can they make 2nd and 3rd efforts? With the ball awesome but without it?
Tony
Roar Guru
Wouldn't want to be feeding him
Nat
Roar Guru
It seems Kevvie has adopted that philosophy. I’ve been waiting for Willison to get more consistent time forgetting he’s still just 21yo himself.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I saw an old game recently where little Paul Taylor played second row!
Tony
Roar Guru
If they do they'll win far more games than they lose
Tony
Roar Guru
Amazing isn't it.
Maso
Roar Rookie
Mitch Pearce weighed more than his father during their careers.
Maso
Roar Rookie
Its a scary prospect knowing there is alot of growth and development left for this young pack. Will they be able to keep them all? Probably not
Tony
Roar Guru
Were Plowman and Taylor on the same diet?
andrew
Roar Rookie
Geez Tony you're close. I just googled him. He was 106 kg. Oh well, what's a couple of kilos, a carton of XXXX :laughing:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
In 2006 you could have seen Webcke, Petero, Coal Train Dave Taylor, Greg Eastwood, Neville Costigan with the bench of Dane Carlaw, Ben Hannant and Nick Kenny. Probably need find a spot somewhere for Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker though. Surely Brett Plowman as a winger counts as something? He was 5 feet tall and weighed 300 kilos
Tony
Roar Guru
Nev Hornery....geez, he'd be off in 10 minutes under today's rules :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
He had to be around 110kgs Andrew
Tony
Roar Guru
And Ted Walton, one of Jack Gibson's favourites. Too small for even half back these days.
Tony
Roar Guru
That's a daunting proposition