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Joined April 2014
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Men are born for games. Nothing else. Every child knows that play is nobler than work. He knows too that the worth or merit of a game is not inherent in the game itself but rather in the value of that which is put at hazard. Games of chance require a wager to have meaning at all. Games of sport involve the skill and strength of the opponents and the humiliation of defeat and the pride of victory are in themselves sufficient stake because they inhere in the worth of the principals and define them. But the trial of chance or trial of worth all games aspire to the condition of war for here that which is wagered swallows up game, player, all. What man would not be a dancer if he could? It's a great thing, the dance.
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The 2017 season may end up as a testament to what could have been for North Queensland. After two dramatic golden point victories to…
After a three-year sabbatical, I have decided to return to writing Roar articles. I believe there is a greater opportunity now than there was…
We are gathered here today to hear the case of Inglis v Slater, with the judgement to decide who will play fullback for Queensland…
Well, I’m unashamedly a Queenslander joe. I could never rate NSW players as being the best at anything ;). Jokes aside, I rated Lockyer-Thurston higher because they played more representative football togeter. Kenny-Stirling were both phenominal players, but didn’t get the chance to partner each other at rep level more often. Definitely my favourite club level pairing of all time though.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Fair point Nambawan, they don’t really play next to each other so much in the current game. I’d like to see teams be a bit more adventurous in their attack, but the rise of the fullback in the modern day as another playmaker might have something to do with that.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Thanks for the reference there Nerval. I’m always eager to learn more about the Northern Hemisphere players of yore. Being rated as the best English player by the King himself is quite the rap.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
One of my favourite JT-Lockyer moments Jimmy. Poetry in motion as Vossy says.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Fair point regarding Marshall and Fien, but you need to give the Kiwi fans something 😉
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
No I certainly agree with you Scott, I actually thought about those two yesterday. Soward and Hornby won a premiership and two minors, as well as a world club challenge. I think they were quite underrated and whilst not flashy, did make St-George Illawarra the best team in the league for a few seasons. I should have included them in the honorable mentions.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Cheers Barry, I thought it would be refreshing to actually talk about the game rather than drugs, scheduling etc.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Thanks for the suggestion Ray. After checking their records I agree, they are very impressive. A few Ashes wins, and I love a playmaker than can kick dropgoals proficiently. I’m excited the Kangaroos/Lions tours are making a return and hopefully the Northern Hemisphere can improve their standard of play, so we can see some more classic test matches in the future.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Haha yes it doesn’t quite have the same prestige as some of the other names on this list. I included him purely because together with Marshall they actually managed to topple Australia in a World Cup final. No other foreign halves pairing has managed to do that in some time. I agree the Fittler-Johns was outstanding but checking the records, they unfortunately didn’t play together in the halves as much as I think they should have. I still rate them as NSW’s second best pairing though, despite the lack of matches they played alongside each other.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
That’s right Albo. They had two great partnerships during that period and I really could have gone either way. Clay was an outstanding footballer.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Yes I agree, they certainly would rank amongst the greats if they win another premiership this year or next. Milford-Hunt haven’t quite hit the same heights as they did during 2015 but they’ve still got 2/3rds of a season to guide Brisbane to that drought breaking title.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Indeed you are quite right Griffo. I completely forgot about that. Well I guess Thurston and Cronk can join them this year then. Perhaps I should give an honorable mention to Thurston-Prince as well.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Indeed they had a great combination as well. It’s fair to say they have been a bit lost in recent times without each other. I’d rate them as one of the best NRL level partnerships since Walters-Langer along with Maloney-Pearce.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
I thought it was only fair to include the great Sinfield in the list. Unfortunately he never achieved international accolades like his rivals but he dominated at club level. I can’t believe McGuire and Burrow are still playing. You can never write off Leeds with those two running around.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Hi Matth, yes I did read that Lewis and Murray were a large factor behind Queensland’s early series victories. I agree I should have put them in as an honorable mention, so I’ll give them kudos now.
Yes that’s right, they just had more options when they were dominant, rather than having a clear cut best no.6 and 7 like Queensland has. Daley played in the centers when the Raiders won their first two premierships, and I seem to have forgotten to include they won a premiership playing together in the halves in 1994.
Nice list of honorable mentions, hopefully the Morgan-Thurston combo has more to achieve as a Cowboys supporter.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
That’s a good point Pedro. Their record stands at four series wins which is incredible. That ties them with Lewis-Langer and if they can secure a fifth this year they’ll move into outright second. I still think the Thurston-Lockyer combo looked the more compatible though. Queensland’s attack just seemed to hum seamlessly with those two steering the team.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Do I think Thurston is better than Langer? Yes I do. I might be biased as a Cowboys supporter and the fact I only really remember Langer during his twilight years. Both are legends in their own right and one could make the case that Langer was more successful, in terms of premierships.
No Thurston, no worries as Cowboys beat hapless Bulldogs
Hi Max. Thankyou for the positive testimony. I couldn’t argue with you there. Sterling and Kenny would be worth every dollar and you’d build a team around them.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Indeed, the spine they played with was also the best in Queensland’s history. It would have to rate as nigh on the best spine in rugby league history also.
Judgement time: The ten best halves partnerships in rugby league history
Here’s an interesting stat. The Cowboys are undefeated this season in matches which Lachlan Coote has played. Is he more influential to the team now than Thurston?
No Thurston, no worries as Cowboys beat hapless Bulldogs
Yeah I’ll support him through thick and thin as a player regardless of which jersey he wears, but I’ll always despise the Tigers. Hopefully he can make a difference to that side though.
No Thurston, no worries as Cowboys beat hapless Bulldogs
Yep, absolutely nothing else to discuss about the game.
No Thurston, no worries as Cowboys beat hapless Bulldogs
Indeed Scott, he made two mistakes in the game, one which led directly to a try and the other which gave the dogs field position at a time where we were down to 12 men. Instead of kicking for the Dog’s ingoal he should have rolled it over the sideline, given his teammates a rest and forced the Berries to work it off their own end. Besides that, his game management and kicks in general play were fantastic. Both of the Cowboys edges really stepped up their game in defence.
No Thurston, no worries as Cowboys beat hapless Bulldogs
Green said in the post-match interview that Coote had twisted his ankle a little at the end of the game but it was fine. On Fox they said Granville had a corked thigh. Both should be fit for next week.
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys highlights: NRL scores, blog
I can agree with you on Bellamy but Neil Henry? He is yet to achieve anything of significance with any of the team’s he has been involved with. If he can guide the Titans to a top 4 berth from here I’ll give him kudos.
Titanic! Gold Coast get the points, pulling off a miracle