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Where too start?
Toovey was a great player.
Yes I'm a Manly fan and biased, but I can look at the game somewhat objectively.
The thing with Toovey is that he was not a particularly skillful player. He didn't have a flash passing, kicking or running game. He was very good, just not as good as Langer, Stuart, Johns etc.
What Toovey had was a defensive game that someone his size should not of had. He was 168cm and 70 kg. Smaller than Allan Langer, yet could tackle like Trevor Gillmeister. That may be taking it a bit far, but Toovey was tough. It's cliche I know but pound for pound he was one of the toughest players ever.
What Newcastle did too Toovey in that 1997 grand final gets glossed over by some. Paul Harragon especially crushed him so many times. MacDougall stomped on his face with the spikes of his boots. Somehow Toovey kept going.
Anyone that does not recognise Toovey as one of the best halfback/hookers of our time just doesn't appreciate toughness in their footballers. All they care about is how skillful they are.
Rant over.
Toovey was a great player.
Yes I'm a Manly fan and biased, but I can look at the game somewhat objectively.
The thing with Toovey is that he was not a particularly skillful player. He didn't have a flash passing, kicking or running game. He was very good, just not as good as Langer, Stuart, Johns etc.
What Toovey had was a defensive game that someone his size should not of had. He was 168cm and 70 kg. Smaller than Allan Langer, yet could tackle like Trevor Gillmeister. That may be taking it a bit far, but Toovey was tough. It's cliche I know but pound for pound he was one of the toughest players ever.
What Newcastle did too Toovey in that 1997 grand final gets glossed over by some. Paul Harragon especially crushed him so many times. MacDougall stomped on his face with the spikes of his boots. Somehow Toovey kept going.
Anyone that does not recognise Toovey as one of the best halfback/hookers of our time just doesn't appreciate toughness in their footballers. All they care about is how skillful they are.
Rant over.