Hypothetical question about 1997

[anjado]

Now everyone knows the 1997 was probably the worst period in Rugby League history. I know the discussion has mostly been done to death over who was right and who was wrong etc.

But my question is if both the ARL and Super League called a truce in say January 1997. The competitions were merged back together with no time to cull teams by the time the season begins there are 22 teams fighting out for a place in the top 10 my questions are who would you have had in your top ten ? Who would of won the wooden spoon ? and who would of won the premiership ?

I have taken time to write down in my opinion every team's full strength line up for that season i know i might not of had it all spot on but i think i am relatively close


ARL

Balmain Tigers

1. Tim Brasher
2. James Langaloa
3. William 'Bubba' Kennedy
4. Michael Withers
5. Laloa Milford
6. Michael Gillett
7. Adam Nable
8. Shane Walker
9. Darren Senter
10. Paul Sironen
11. Mark O'Neill
12. Mark Stimson
13. Glenn Morrison

14. Ellery Hanley
15. Hudson Smith
16. Adam Starr
17. Jason Webber


Gold Coast Chargers

1. Andrew King
2. Marcus Bai
3. Graham Mackay
4. Jason Nicol
5. Shane Russell
6. Tom O'Reilly
7. Wes Patten
8. Martin Bella
9. Jamie Goddard
10. Damien Driscoll
11. Jeremy Schloss
12. Scott Sattler
13. Brendan Hurst

14. Chris Orr
15. Stephen Parsons
16. Chris Nahi
17. Tony Durheim

Illawarra Steelers

1. Brendon Reeves
2. Rod Wishart
3. Shaun Timmins
4. Brett Rodwell
5. Wayne Clifford
6. Paul McGregor
7. Trent Barrett
8. Scott Cram
9. Dean Calloway
10. Craig Smith
11. Andrew Hart
12. John Cross
13. Brad Mackay

14. Glen Air
15. Chris Leikvoll
16. Terry Lamey
17. Darren Bradstreet

Manly - Warringah Sea Eagles

1. Shannon Nevin
2. Danny Moore
3. Terry Hill
4. Craig Innis
5. John Hopoate
6. Geoff Toovey
7. Craig Field
8. David Gillespie
9. Jim Sedaris
10. Mark Carroll
11. Steve Menzies
12. Daniel Gartner
13. Nik Kosef

14. Cliff Lyons
15. Neil Tierney
16. Anthony Colella
17. Craig Hancock

Newcastle Knights

1. Robbie O'Davis
2. Darren Albert
3. Owen Craigie
4. Matthew Gidley
5. Adam MacDougall
6. Matthew Johns
7. Andrew Johns
8. Tony Butterfield
9. Bill Peden
10. Paul Harragon
11. Adam Muir
12. Wayne Richards
13. Marc Glanville

14. Lee Jackson
15. Mark Hughes
16. Troy Fletcher
17. Scott Conley

North Sydney Bears

1. Matt Seers
2. Brett Dallas
3. Ben Ikin
4. Michael Buettner
5. Nigel Roy
6. Greg Florimo
7. Jason Taylor
8. Steve Trindall
9. Mark Soden
10. Josh Stuart
11. Gary Larson
12. David Fairleigh
13. Billy Moore

14. Danny Williams
15. Brenton Pomery
16. Chris Caruana
17. David Hall

Parramatta Eels

1. David Riolo
2. Shane Whereat
3. Stuart Kelly
4. David Woods
5. Nathan Barnes
6. Jason Smith
7. John Simon
8. Peter Johnston
9. Aaron Raper
10. Dean Pay
11. Jason Smith
12. Jarrod McCracken
13. Jim Dymock

14. Jason Bell
15. Brett Horsnell
16. Justin Morgan
17. Karl Lovell

St George Dragons

1. Lee Murphy
2. Adrian Brunker
3. Mark Coyne
4. Mark Bell
5. Jamie Ainscough
6. Jeff Hardy
7. Gavin Clinch
8. Tony Hearn
9. Nathan Brown
10. Colin Ward
11. Darren Treacy
12. Lance Thompson
13. Wayne Bartrim

14. Andrew Tangata-Toa
15. Daniel Wagon
16. Damien Smith
17. Corey Pearson

South Queensland Crushers

1. Clinton Schifcofske
2. Aaron Moule
3. Matt Toshack
4. Michael Eager
5. Jason Hudson
6. Dave Watson
7. Troy Pezet
8. Clinton O'Brien
9. Craig Teevan
10. Steele Retchless
11. Mark Protheroe
12. John Jones
13. Craig Wilson

14. Nathan Antonik
15. Danny Nutley
16. Mark Tookey
17. Matt Bickerstaff

South Sydney Rabbitohs

1. Brendan O'Meara
2. Marty Moore
3. Phil Howlett
4. David Penna
5. Jeff Orford
6. Julian O'Neill
7. Darrell Trindall
8. Ian Rubin
9. Shannon Donato
10. Matt Parsons
11. Michael Ostini
12. Paul Quinn
13. Darren Burns

14. Scott Murray
15. Craig Simon
16. Peter Driscoll
17. Troy Slattery

Sydney City Roosters

1. Andrew Walker
2. Darren Junee
3. Ivan Cleary
4. Matt Sing
5. Jack Elsegood
6. Brad Fittler
7. Adrian Lam
8. Jason Lowrie
9. Simon Bonetti
10. Terry Hermansson
11. David Barnhill
12. Scott Gourley
13. Luke Ricketson

14. Nathan Wood
15. Shane Rigon
16. Brandon Pearson
17. Brian Fletcher

Western Suburbs Magpies

1. Andrew Leeds
2. Brett Hodgson
3. Ken McGuinness
4. Kevin McGuinness
5. Darren Willis
6. Andrew Willis
7. Steve Georgallis
8. Harvey Howard
9. Cherry Mescia
10. John Skandalis
11. Damian Kennedy
12. Bill Dunn
13. Paul Langmack

14. Des Hasler
15. Shane Millard
16. Jim Smith
17. Adam Doyle

Super League

Adelaide Rams

1. Rod Maybon
2. Joe Tamani
3. Chris Quinn
4. Kurt Wrigley
5. Wayne Simonds
6. Luke Williamson
7. Dean Schifilitti
8. Andrew Hick
9. Kerrod Walters
10. Mark Corvo
11. David Broughton
12. Cameron Blair
13. Kevin Campion

14. Steve Stone
15. Andrew Pierce
16. Alan Cann
17. David Kidwell

Auckland Warriors

1. Matthew Ridge
2. Marc Ellis
3. Tea Ropati
4. Anthony Swann
5. Sean Hoppe
6. Gene Ngamu
7. Stacey Jones
8. Joe Vagana
9. Syd Eru
10. Brady Malam
11. Denis Betts
12. Stephen Kearney
13. Logan Swann

14. Iva Ropati
15. Grant Young
16. Tony Tuimavave
17. Mark Horo

Brisbane Broncos

1. Darren Lockyer
2. Michael De Vere
3. Steve Renouf
4. Darren Smith
5. Wendell Sailor
6. Kevin Walters
7. Allan Langer
8. Glenn Lazarus
9. John Driscoll
10. Shane Webcke
11. Gordan Tallis
12. Brad Thorn
13. Peter Ryan

14. John Plath
15. Andrew Gee
16. Michael Hancock
17. Anthony Mundine

Canberra Raiders

1. Brett Mullins
2. Ken Nagas
3. Royston Lightning
4. Ruben Wiki
5. Noa Nadruku
6. Laurie Daley
7. Ricky Stuart
8. Luke Davico
9. Luke Priddis
10. Quentin Pongia
11. Ben Kennedy
12. David Furner
13. Bradley Clyde

14. Simon Woolford
15. Todd Payten
16. Brett Hetherington
17. Jason Croker

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Rod Silva
2. Hazem El Masri
3. John Timu
4. Matthew Ryan
5. Daryl Halligan
6. Glen Hughes
7. Craig Polla-Mounter
8. Darren Britt
9. Jason Hetherington
10. Steve Price
11. Solomon Haumono
12. Simon Gillies
13. Travis Norton

14. Duncan McRae
15. Robert Relf
16. Mitch Newton
17. Steve Reardon

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

1. David Peachey
2. Richard Barnett
3. Andrew Ettingshausen
4. Russell Richardson
5. Mat Rogers
6. Mitch Healey
7. Paul Green
8. Danny Lee
9. Dean Treister
10. Jason Stevens
11. Les Davidson
12. Chris McKenna
13. Tawera Nikau

14. Geoff Bell
15. Nathan Long
16. Sean Ryan
17. Craig Greenhill

Hunter Mariners

1. Robbie Ross
2. Keith Beauchamp
3. John Carlaw
4. Kevin Iro
5. Nick Zisti
6. Scott Hill
7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Troy Stone
9. Robbie McCormack
10. Tim Maddison
11. Paul Marquet
12. Neil Piccinelli
13. Tyran Smith

14. Richard Swain
15. Tony Iro
16. Anthony Brann
17. Noel Goldthorpe

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Luke Phillips
2. Reggie Cressbrook
3. Ray Mercy
4. Paul Bowman
5. Scott Mahon
6. Andrew Dunemann
7. Jason Ferris
8. Ian Roberts
9. Steve Walters
10. John Lomax
11. Kyle Warren
12. Peter Jones
13. Owen Cunningham

14. John Doyle
15. Mark Shipway
16. Martin Locke
17. Jason Death

Penrith Panthers

1. Peter Jorgenson
2. Robbie Beckett
3. Ryan Girdler
4. Sid Domic
5. Jason Williams
6. Steve Carter
7. Greg Alexander
8. Carl Macnamara
9. Craig Gower
10. Jody Gall
11. Matt Adamson
12. Phil Adamson
13. Darren Brown

14. Brett Boyd
15. Tony Puletua
16. Bobby Thompson
17. Duncan MacGillivray

Perth Reds

1. Scott Wilson
2. Matt Geyer
3. Paul Bell
4. Chris Ryan
5. Greg Fleming
6. Dale Fritz
7. Matthew Rodwell
8. Robbie Kearns
9. Matt Fuller
10. Rodney Howe
11. Mark Geyer
12. Peter Shiels
13. Darren Higgins

14. Matt Daylight
15. Wayne Evans
16. Jon Grieve
17. Damien Chapman

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=6741270

 

[anjado]

Top ten -

Brisbane
Manly
Canberra
Newcastle
North Sydney
Cronulla
Roosters
Bulldogs
Parramatta
Penrith

Rest

Illawarra
Hunter Mariners
Western Suburbs
Auckland
Perth
Gold Coast
Balmain
St George
Adelaide
North Queensland
Souths
South Queensland

Grand Final - Brisbane vs Manly

Premiers - Brisbane

Wooden Spoon - South Queensland

 

[gUt]

Brisbane would have completely dominated this comp.

 

[madunit]

Brisbane
Canberra
Cronulla
Manly
Newcastle
Penrith
Roosters
Norths
Auckland
Parramatta

Spoon - South Queensland or North Queensland
Grand Final - Brisbane v Canberra
Premiers - Brisbane

 

[butchmcdick]

Oh Cowboys all the way Hey seeing as this can't be proven or disproven it is as valid an answer as any other.

 

[gUt]

We can but look to 1998 as our guide.

 

[Johns Magic]

We can but look to 1998 as our guide.

I don't think that's a realistic view.

How did the Broncos go in 2007? The Tigers in 2006? In fact every year in recent memory you could say the same thing.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

People should also remember that the Broncos only won the 1998 minor premiership on for and against from memory. They only beat Souths by a try in the last game to secure it.

I think the top five for 1997 would probably have been Brisbane, Manly, Newcastle, Norths and Canberra but the Roosters only lost to Manly by a point in the semis so they were right up there too. SL might have had the best side in Brisbane but the ARL top five were pretty close together.

 

[gUt]

That Cronulla side looks pretty good on paper.

 

[user_nat]

Broncos would have been hard to beat, but really it is impossible to say.


One thing that is certain though, is that the other Queensland teams would have still sucked.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Jason Croker played mostly centre in 97 and a bit of backrow when Big Mal switched Nagas to fullback and Mullins to the centres to partner Wiki. (Pretty interesting centre combo that one.)

Royston Lightning played a few random games on the wing.

 

[anjado]

Jason Croker played mostly centre in 97 and a bit of backrow when Big Mal switched Nagas to fullback and Mullins to the centres to partner Wiki. (Pretty interesting centre combo that one.)

Royston Lightning played a few random games on the wing.

I was actually going to put Croker in the centre's but Royston Lightning started more matches that season and i remember him killing Penrith in one of the Super League matches which is why i put him there.

Either way that Canberra team was stacked with talent electrifying outside backs, one of the best halves combination's of all time, A very good front row and one of the best back rows of all time.

 

[muzby]

mary mcgregor was as much a 5/8 as he was a successful strength & conditioning trainer..

 

[Eels Dude]

Parra and Gold Coast should be higher out of the ARL sides. Eels finished 3rd on the table in '97 while the old Chargers made the semis also yet you've got them well outside. Cronulla were a far better side than Canberra in the Super league and thoroughly deserved to be runners up ahead of them.

 

[Rockin Ronny]

One comment.

As we remmember - the North Sydney Bears were such a strong team then and throughout the 90's.
The Bears also agreed to relocate to Gosford -as they were instructed - and were given a regional licence.

Only in rugby league could it somehow be arranged that they get kicked out of the comp 2 years later AND then are prevented from re-entering for 11 years and counting.

And you wonder why rugby league has zero credibility?

 

[Gippsy]

nah, the dragons would have won it. How can you go past the skill & class of the likes of Murphy, Brunker & Bell in the backline, superbly lead around the park by the little general Clinch.

 

[adamkungl]

Roosters would have won it...

 

[Eels Dude]

Melbourne would have found a way to have won it...

 

[nqcowboy87]

I was actually going to put Croker in the centre's but Royston Lightning started more matches that season and i remember him killing Penrith in one of the Super League matches which is why i put him there.
.

royston lightning i remeber him killing it in the cairns comp as an overwight five eighth a few years ago, almost made a rocky like comeback to the cowboys but is back in sarina

but on another note cowboys and souths to bring up the rear in that merged comp idea, seriously we where s####house back then (well more than we are now

 

[Raiders_Premiers]

Royston Lightning had all the talent in the world..... Just an extremely lazy bastard