Best of the past 25 years 1986-2011

[anjado]

I have had a fair bit of time on my hands this past week so i decided i would try and write down the best team each club could provide over the past 25 years. The teams might not be completely accurate or balanced i more used merit which is why some teams have 2 backs on the bench.

I was wondering what would be your top 8 out of these teams there are 21 in total.




Auckland Warriors

1 - Ivan Cleary
2 - Manu Vatuvei
3 - Clinton Toopi
4 - Nigel Vagana
5 - Francis Meli
6 - James Maloney
7 - Stacey Jones
13 - Kevin Campion
12 - Rueben Wiki
11 - Ali Lauititi
10 - Steve Price
9 - PJ Marsh
8 - Jerry Seu Seu

14 - Lance Hohaia
15 - Joe Vagana
16 - Simon Mannering
17 - Logan Swann

Coach - Daniel Anderson



Balmain Tigers

1 - Garry Jack
2 - Ross Conlon
3 - Tim Brasher
4 - Ellery Hanley
5 - James Grant
6 - Scott Gale
7 - Gary Freeman
13 - Wayne Pearce
12 - Glenn Morrison
11 - Paul Sironen
10 - Bruce McGuire
9 - Benny Elias
8 - Steve Roach

14 - Jacin Sinclair
15 - Shane Walker
16 - Darren Senter
17 - Steve Edmed

Coach - Warren Ryan



Brisbane Broncos

1 - Darren Lockyer
2 - Lote Tuqiri
3 - Steve Renouf
4 - Justin Hodges
5 - Wendell Sailor
6 - Kevin Walters
7 - Allan Langer
13 - Sam Thaiday
12 - Brad Thorn
11 - Gordon Tallis
10 - Glenn Lazarus
9 - Kerrod Walters
8 - Shane Webcke

14 - Petero Civoniceva
15 - Michael Hancock
16 - Darren Smith
17 - Tonie Carroll

Coach - Wayne Bennett



Canberra Raiders

1 - Gary Belcher
2 - Brett Mullins
3 - Mal Meninga
4 - Ruben Wiki
5 - Noa Nadruku
6 - Laurie Daley
7 - Ricky Stuart
13 - Bradley Clyde
12 - David Furner
11 - Jason Croker
10 - John Lomax
9 - Steve Walters
8 - Glenn Lazarus

14 - Peter Jackson
15 - Gary Coyne
16 - Tom Learoyd Lahrs
17 - Josh Dugan

Coach - Tim Sheens



Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

1 - Luke Patten
2 - Hazem El-Masri
3 - Andrew Farrer
4 - Nigel Vagana
5 - Daryl Halligan
6 - Terry Lamb
7 - Steve Mortimer
13 - Paul Langmack
12 - Dean Pay
11 - Jason Smith
10 - Steve Price
9 - Jason Hetherington
8 - Peter Kelly

14 - Sonny Bill Williams
15 - Willie Mason
16 - Jim Dymock
17 - Darren Britt

Coach - Chris Anderson



Cronulla Sharks

1 - David Peachey
2 - Mat Rogers
3 - Andrew Ettingshausen
4 - Mark McGaw
5 - Richie Barnett
6 - Preston Campbell
7 - Brett Kimmorley
13 - Gavin Miller
12 - Paul Gallen
11 - Greg Bird
10 - Jason Stevens
9 - Aaron Raper
8 - Kade Snowden

14 - Marin Lang
15 - Luke Douglas
16 - David Hatch
17 - Paul Green

Coach - John Lang



Eastern Suburbs Roosters

1 - Anthony Minichello
2 - Sam Perrett
3 - Ryan Cross
4 - Shaun Kenny-Dowell
5 - Matt Sing
6 - Brad Fittler
7 - Adrian Lam
13 - Luke Ricketson
12 - Hugh McGahan
11 - Craig Fitzgibbon
10 - Adrian Morley
9 - Craig Wing
8 - Craig Salvatori

14 - Andrew Walker
15 - Brian Fletcher
16 - Michael Crocker
17 - Gary Freeman

Coach - Phil Gould



Gold Coast Titans/Chargers/Gladiator/Seagulls/Giants

1 - Preston Campbell
2 - Graham Mackay
3 - Mat Rogers
4 - Andrew King
5 - Kevin Gordon
6 - Wally Lewis
7 - Scott Prince
13 - Wayne Bartrim
12 - Anthony Laffranchi
11 - Mark Minichello
10 - Luke Bailey
9 - Jamie Goddard
8 - Brent Todd

14 - Greg Bird
15 - Nathan Friend
16 - Brendan Hurst
17 - Ashley Harrison

Coach - John Cartwright



Illawarra Steelers

1 - David Riolo
2 - Rod Wishart
3 - Brett Rodwell
4 - Paul McGregor
5 - Alan McIndoe
6 - Trent Barrett
7 - John Simon
13 - Brad Mackay
12 - John Cross
11 - Ian Russell
10 - Darren Fritz
9 - Dean Schifiletti
8 - Chris Walsh

14 - Shaun Timmins
15 - Neil Piccinelli
16 - Craig Smith
17 - Brian Hetherington

Coach - Graham Murray



Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

1 - Brett Stewart
2 - Dale Shearer
3 - Michael O'Connor
4 - Jamie Lyon
5 - John Hopoate
6 - Cliff Lyons
7 - Geoff Toovey
13 - Des Hasler
12 - Glenn Stewart
11 - Steve Menzies
10 - Ian Roberts
9 - Mal Cochrane
8 - Mark Carroll

14 - David Gillespie
15 - Anthony Watmough
16 - Nik Kosef
17 - Terry Hill

Coach - Bob Fulton



Melbourne Storm

1 - Billy Slater
2 - Matt Geyer
3 - Greg Inglis
4 - Israel Folau
5 - Marcus Bai
6 - Scott Hill
7 - Cooper Cronk
13 - Tawera Nikau
12 - Steve Kearney
11 - Dallas Johnson
10 - Robbie Kearns
9 - Cameron Smith
8 - Glenn Lazarus

14 - Adam Blair
15 - Rodney Howe
16 - Ryan Hoffman
17 - Brett Kimmorley

Coach - Craig Bellamy



Newcastle Knights

1 - Robbie O'Davis
2 - Akuila Uate
3 - Matt Gidley
4 - Adam McDougall
5 - Timana Tahu
6 - Matthew Johns
7 - Andrew Johns
13 - Ben Kennedy
12 - Steve Simpson
11 - Adam Muir
10 - Paul Harrogan
9 - Danny Buderus
8 - Mark Sargent

14 - David Fairleigh
15 - Bill Peden
16 - Tony Butterfield
17 - Kurt Gidley

Coach - Malcolm Reilly



North Queensland Cowboys

1 - Matt Bowen
2 - Ty Williams
3 - Willie Tonga
4 - Paul Bowman
5 - Matt Sing
6 - Scott Prince
7 - Jonathan Thurston
13 - Travis Norton
12 - Glenn Morrison
11 - Luke O'Donnell
10 - Matthew Scott
9 - Aaron Payne
8 - Paul Rauhihi

14 - Adrian Vowles
15 - Peter Jones
16 - John Buttegeig
17 - Tariq Sims

Coach - Graham Murray



North Sydney Bears

1 - Matt Seers
2 - Brett Dallas
3 - Michael Buettner
4 - Ben Ikin
5 - Les Kiss
6 - Greg Florimo
7 - Jason Taylor
13 - Billy Moore
12 - David Fairleigh
11 - Gary Larson
10 - Mario Fenech
9 - Mark Soden
8 - Martin Bella

14 - Gavin Jones
15 - Adam Muir
16 - Peter Jackson
17 - David Hall

Coach - Peter Louis



Parramatta Eels

1 - Jarryd Hayne
2 - Luke Burt
3 - Mick Cronin
4 - Steve Ella
5 - Eric Grothe
6 - Brett Kenny
7 - Peter Stirling
13 - Ray Price
12 - Jason Smith
11 - Nathan Hindmarsh
10 - Dean Pay
9 - Brad Drew
8 - Nathan Cayless

14 - Jim Dymock
15 - Fui Fui Moi Moi
16 - Tim Manneh
17 - Jarrod McCracken

Coach - Brian Smith



Penrith Panthers

1 - Rhys Wesser
2 - Alan McIndoe
3 - Ryan Girdler
4 - Brad Izzard
5 - Luke Rooney
6 - Brad Fittler
7 - Greg Alexander
13 - Luke Lewis
12 - John Cartwright
11 - Mark Geyer
10 - Petero Civoniceva
9 - Royce Simmons
8 - Martin Lang

14 - Tony Puletua
15 - Preston Campbell
16 - Ben Ross
17 - Craig Gower

Coach - Phil Gould



St George Dragons

1 - Michael Potter
2 - Ricky Walford
3 - Mark Coyne
4 - Brian Johnston
5 - Martin Offiah
6 - Anthony Mundine
7 - Noel Goldthorpe
13 - Brad Mackey
12 - David Barnhill
11 - Scott Gourley
10 - Craig Young
9 - Nathan Brown
8 - Jason Stevens

14 - Lance Thompson
15 - Jeff Hardy
16 - Wally Fullerton-Smith
17 - Wayne Bartrim

Coach - Brian Smith



St George Illawarra Dragons

1 - Darius Boyd
2 - Nathan Blacklock
3 - Mark Gasnier
4 - Matt Cooper
5 - Brett Morris
6 - Trent Barrett
7 - Ben Hornby
13 - Shaun Timmins
12 - Ben Creagh
11 - Lance Thompson
10 - Luke Bailey
9 - Dean Young
8 - Michael Weyman

14 - Jason Ryles
15 - Craig Smith
16 - Beau Scott
17 - Jamie Soward

Coach - Wayne Bennett



South Sydney Rabbitohs

1 - Tim Brasher
2 - Nathan Merritt
3 - Greg Inglis
4 - Beau Champion
5 - Graham Lyons
6 - Phil Blake
7 - Craig Field
13 - Ashley Harrison
12 - Sam Burgess
11 - Les Davidson
10 - Ian Roberts
9 - Mario Fenech
8 - Mark Carroll

14 - Michael Andrews
15 - Luke Stuart
16 - Craig Wing
17 - Isaac Luke

Coach - George Piggins



Western Suburbs Magpies

1 - Andrew Leeds
2 - Darren Willis
3 - Terry Hill
4 - Ken McGuinness
5 - Kevin McGuinness
6 - Steve Georgallis
7 - Jason Taylor
13 - Paul Langmack
12 - Bob Lindner
11 - David Gillespie
10 - John Skandalis
9 - Jim Sedaris
8 - Darren Britt

14 - Harvey Howard
15 - Cherry Mescia
16 - Steve Kearney
17 - Jason Lidden

Coach - Warren Ryan



Wests Tigers

1 - Brett Hodgson
2 - Lote Tuqiri
3 - Chris Lawrence
4 - Paul Whatuira
5 - Pat Richards
6 - Benji Marshall
7 - Scott Prince
13 - Chris Heighington
12 - Anthony Laffranchi
11 - Gareth Ellis
10 - Keith Galloway
9 - Robbie Farah
8 - John Skandalis

14 - Todd Payten
15 - Ben Galea
16 - Luke O'Donnell
17 - Mark O'Neil

Coach - Tim Sheens


Some of these teams might be wrong i might of missed some glaringly obvious player i feel like i have from the Roosters three quarter line. Teams are by there old names too Eastern Suburbs, Auckland etc.

I didn't do the teams that were only around for 5 minutes like the Crushers and Beagles.


anyways here is how i would rank them

1. Brisbane Broncos
2. Canberra Raiders
3. Parramatta Eels
4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
5. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
6. Newcastle Knights
7. Melbourne Storm
8. Eastern Suburbs Roosters

9. Penrith Panthers
10. St George Dragons
11. Balmain Tigers
12. St George-Illawarra Dragons
13. Cronulla Sharks
14. North Sydney Bears
15. South Sydney Rabbitohs
16. Auckland Warriors
17. Wests Tigers
18. Western Suburbs Magpies
19. North Queensland Cowboys
20. Gold Coast Titans
21. Illawarra Steelers

 

[natheel]

Done some good work there I'll have a look at them when I've had sleep and make my ladder

 

[bad boy bubby]

In regards to Cronulla,
Kade Snowden over Les Davidson???
Snow's achievements are nowhere near Davo's, and I dare say, never will be.
And put Presto at 7 and Dykes or Healey at 6.
I might have to link this over to the Sharks forum, there hasn't been a good Nobby bashing in months.

 

[Moffo]

The dogs team could do with some tlc.

I'd say broncos first

 

[anjado]

In regards to Cronulla,
Kade Snowden over Les Davidson???
Snow's achievements are nowhere near Davo's, and I dare say, never will be.
And put Presto at 7 and Dykes or Healey at 6.
I might have to link this over to the Sharks forum, there hasn't been a good Nobby bashing in months.

Les Davidson i agree is unlucky some of these teams are on the fly, I perhaps should of put him ahead of Douglas, Dan Stains too was unlucky. Snowden has played for Australia and NSW which is why i gave him the nod over Davidson. So technically he does have these achievements over Les Davidson which is why he got in.

Dykes again was very good for the Sharks and it was between him and Paul Green for a spot on the bench. I chose Green because he won the Rothmans medal in 95 and was pretty great throughout his Cronulla spell.

I disagree about Brett Kimmorley i thought he did a fine job at the Sharks he led you to 2 Grand Final qualifiers during his time with the club. If Chris Anderson had moved Campbell to five eighth in 2002 thus maybe keeping him happy i think Cronulla would of at least made a Grand Final during this time.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[anjado]

The dogs team could do with some tlc.

I'd say broncos first

Bulldogs were by far and away the most difficult team to pick. So many quality forwards over the past 25 years.

 

[The_Joey_Show]

Reckon you've got the Knights spot on.

 

[anjado]

Reckon you've got the Knights spot on.

Yeah the knights were pretty easy, basically the 97-01 team with Kurt Gidley,Akuila Uate and Mark Sargent thrown in. Biggest decision was Bill Peden or Sam Stewart.

 

[Raudonikis]

Magpies v Bears GF out of that lot

 

[no name]

Great read. I think Matt King would have to be in the Storm side possibly over Matt Geyer. Also I think Robbie Ross could have been in either Storm or Knights somewhere, but both teams are strong in his position as well as wing. It's good to read over the teams and think about who you would add/omit etc.
Good thread.

 

[seaeagle sam]

Anj, pretty good job on the Sea Eagles. Craig Innes and Matthew Ridge need to be there but I can't dislodge who you have picked. Another two slots please ?

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Nice work,very close to mark on a lot of teams.

 

[gypsy]

Nice work,very close to mark on a lot of teams.

It's rare of you to venture out of your Burrow Newcastlerabbit, welcome!
Also, well done on not posting a link. Good stuff.

 

[typicalfan]

I think Priddis > K Walters and even though it might sound harsh Priddis > Simmons at Penrith.

Priddis a key man in both premierships he played in, overall a better player than Kerrod and 2003 CCM was one of the more dominant individual performances IMO.

But a lot is good maybe a little tweak here and there I might see what possibilities I could throw up for each side.

 

[seaeagle sam]

That Manly team would shit all over the Raiders and canterbury.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Wests Tigers pretty close but tuiaki had been out best winger.

 

[gypsy]

Wests Tigers pretty close but tuiaki had been out best winger.

:lol: NSW cup at best.

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

:lol: NSW cup at best.

Poor judge of good winger you are. One of the best in the comp he was.

For mine, I'd not swap him for quids. Sad he was forced into early retirement.

 

[Big Pete]

I think Priddis > K Walters and even though it might sound harsh Priddis > Simmons at Penrith.

Priddis a key man in both premierships he played in, overall a better player than Kerrod and 2003 CCM was one of the more dominant individual performances IMO.

But a lot is good maybe a little tweak here and there I might see what possibilities I could throw up for each side.

I can live with the Walters decision. Comparing both players based solely during their stints at the Broncos - Walters has an extra premiership, played more games and worked his way into the Australian side. I certainly think Priddis ended up having a better career but in terms of their stints at the Broncos I'd have to side with Walters.

Fairly accurate line-up anjado, you definitely know your stuff. At first I was a little critical of including Tuqiri ahead of Hancock but when I thought about it I could see why you came to such a decision and even agree with it.

The only complaints I have are nit-picks really. I'm being a little strict but Thaiday has never played lock in the NRL so I'd swap him and TC around. Also, was never that big a fan of Hancock off the bench, it was late in his career and he did well to remain relevant after receiving the dreaded Bennett tap in '96 but I think there are better options. Personally I'd select Shaun Berrigan - handy player who could fill a variety of positions and was a big part of our 2006 premiership run.

Otherwise as I said, you've done a bang up job and it's good to see some quality threads on LU.

 

[Vic Mackey]

:lol: NSW cup at best.

There's a YouTube video of tuiakis tries during his career. Many of them no other winger would have scored, not even vatuvai. He was just an absolute machine. Was voted the best winger in the world for a reason in 2009.