Celebrating Indigenous Round - who are your favourites, best, and under-rated ...

[Bring back John Fifita]

So many come to mind for me...

My favourite player of all time is Nathan Blacklock..

Other “favourites” are Anthony Mundine, Jeff Hardy (an absolute workhorse who played everywhere), Andrew Walker and Ricky Walford. Yes, all dragons. Outside the dragons it’d be Matt Bowen n John Chicka Ferguson

Best - Greg Inglis. I never saw Beetson but heard so many stories inc from a mate who roped him into a touch footy team of his.. Thurston up there too.

Under-rated. David Peachey stands out for me. And Ian Russell.

 

[firechild]

Cliff Lyons - there were years where you could tell whether Manly would win or lose just based on whether he was having a good day or not. Not one for structure which made him hard for defenders to read or predict. There's few players that I've enjoyed watching more.

 

[Sphagnum]

Joel Thompson
Greg bird
Jack wighton
Adam Elliott
Connor Watson

 

[Jim Rockford]

He only played three seasons for Souths, but I used to really like Bruce Longbottom.

 

[yobbo84]

Good thread! Just from Souths I'll go...

Favourite all time: Nathan Merritt. No-one I've ever seen has the knack Merritt had to pop up right where he needed to be to finish off a try. Would play on one wing, a break would be made on the other side of the field and lo-and-behold there's Nathan backing up for the try.

Best: Greg Inglis. Left him out of the above because he was just the complete footy player snd the best athlete I've ever seen play the game.

Underrated: Chris Sandow. Probably the "funnest" footy player to watch and a serious talent in his prime. Certainly one of those "if only" players.

Others I enjoyed watching include David Peachey, Owen Craigie, Rhys Wesser, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell and Yileen Gordon.

 

[mongoose]

John chicka Ferguson. Scored important tries in both 89 and 90 GFs.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

John chicka Ferguson. Scored important tries in both 89 and 90 GFs.

After I posted I realised I’d overlooked him and added him in as one of my favourites. One of those players that whenever the ball went his way you’d lean forward in your seat...

A tip... watch the 1985 Challenge Cup final on YouTube - Hull v Wigan. It’s just so enjoyable to watch and Chicka Ferguson played a starring Role... inc an awesome try.

 

[T-Boon]

Best: Beetson
Favourite: Mundine (I was obsessed with his boxing career early on).
Under rated: Cliff Lyons
Most intriguing: Ewan McGrady

 

[chewsta]

Preston Campbell - Playing at the Sharks he was about 55 Kilo's and couldn't be stopped.
Went on and accomplished a lot of great things over his career on and off the field for the clubs he played at.

 

[kdalymc]

No love for Darryl Trindall??
Bloke was a fkn magician

 

[Tiger5150]

Favourite : LArry Corowa
Best: Cliffy/GI
Underrated: Bubba Kennedy

 

[Jim Rockford]

No love for Darryl Trindall??
Bloke was a fkn magician

I can't believe I forgot Tricky! Excellent call kdalmyc!

 

[zombiebloodlust]

 

[nick87]

Ill preface this by saying im 34, so im looking at players i watched closely, so anyone before about 93-94 probably isnt going to be on my personal radar

Best: Johnathan Thurston... just a remarkably great player who dominated at all levels of the game. His style was super fun too. I always put a premium on players who play in the spine because the importance of those roles is so significant in a footy team, so he's get the nod on that front too.

Favourite: Laurie Daley... Grew up watching him at his peak, gave me a lot of wonderful memories as a young Raiders fan. Just a brilliant player. His toughness, his attacking flair and that beautiful nose. Love him. Legend.

Underrated: Preston Campbell.... I think he's highly regarded but i think time has somewhat forgotten what a truly dominant player he was at his peak. Ridiculously talented and skillful player, usually the smallest guy on the park but had as much talent, heart and toughness as any. A joy to watch.


Others that have brought me joy to watch, which doesnt mean they're all super elite or consistent players but just guys ill remember watching with fondness:
Greg Inglis, Matt Bowen, Jack Wighton, Ken Nagas, Ricky Walford, Matt Sing, Reece Wesser, Blake Ferguson, Josh Addo-Carr, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Georgie Rose

 

[_Johnsy]

Under rated & another what if player Owen Cragie, man he had some natural talent.

 

[Rugged Rigid Robust Roy]

Big Artie

 

[myrrh ken]

Joel Thompson
Greg bird
Jack wighton
Adam Elliott
Connor Watson

Is there a theme here?

 

[Jim Rockford]

Under rated & another what if player Owen Cragie, man he had some natural talent.

Very talented. Just a shame he liked the pies so much.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Smokin' Joe Kilroy.

 

[GAZF]

Ill preface this by saying im 34, so im looking at players i watched closely, so anyone before about 93-94 probably isnt going to be on my personal radar

Best: Johnathan Thurston... just a remarkably great player who dominated at all levels of the game. His style was super fun too. I always put a premium on players who play in the spine because the importance of those roles is so significant in a footy team, so he's get the nod on that front too.

Favourite: Laurie Daley... Grew up watching him at his peak, gave me a lot of wonderful memories as a young Raiders fan. Just a brilliant player. His toughness, his attacking flair and that beautiful nose. Love him. Legend.

Underrated: Preston Campbell.... I think he's highly regarded but i think time has somewhat forgotten what a truly dominant player he was at his peak. Ridiculously talented and skillful player, usually the smallest guy on the park but had as much talent, heart and toughness as any. A joy to watch.


Others that have brought me joy to watch, which doesnt mean they're all super elite or consistent players but just guys ill remember watching with fondness:
Greg Inglis, Matt Bowen, Jack Wighton, Ken Nagas, Ricky Walford, Matt Sing, Reece Wesser, Blake Ferguson, Josh Addo-Carr, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Georgie Rose

You forgot Boogs.