Hypothetical question about 1997

[Bobby DIGital]

ahhh, the 9 million dollar duds if I remember, we flogged Norths in the first game and then the rest of comp including the crushers spanked us.

After everyone went through us like a cheap whore, we went on a big run right through to the Prelim final where Stu Kelly broke his leg and the refs handed drugcastle the win on a steroid covered platter.

I lost $10 on that game to a mate at school (bet Parra would go further in the finals). I should of asked for my f*ckin money back the next season due to the roids.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Broncs would win of course!

But my main observation from those team lists is...man there was a lot of talent in footy back in those days! More talent accross the board than before or since i reckon.

There was even more talent running around 88-92. A lot of the players had extended natural retirement to take in superleague pay cheques. I have been griping that there is less league talent for years now.

I think its Union going professional and offering way bigger bucks for way less work. They must be syphoning off the talent from the schools. Well clearly league does not get the rugby schoolboys anymore in the same quantitites as previously.

Removing the salary cap would enable to keep and attract more talented players - but union will always have the bigger cheque book to spend on fewer players. At least the salary cap seems to give most clubs a shot at at least once finals over a four year period.

 

[Azkatro]

In all fairness, there was a good deal of daylight behind Brisbane and Manly. Those two would have made for a top notch grand final. I don't think Manly were given enough credit for the epic-ness of their choke against Newcastle ... because that's exactly what it was.

 

[anjado]

I thought i would put down another couple of seasons. I guess this could be an expansion statement.

Many people say 1989 and 1994 were the two best seasons of the modern era so i thought i would put those sides down

Balmain Tigers


1989 1994
1. Garry Jack 1. Tim Brasher
2. James Grant 2. Graham Lyons
3. Andy Courier 3. Morvin Edwards
4. Tim Brasher 4. Greg Bourke
5. Steve O'Brien 5. John Bentley
6. Michael Neill 6. Will Robinson
7. Gary Freeman 7. Nathan Wood
8. Steve Roach 8. Martin Masella
9. Benny Elias 9. Benny Elias
10. Steve Edmed 10. Steve Edmed
11. Paul Sironen 11. Paul Sironen
12. Bruce McGuire 12. Des Clark
13. Wayne Pearce 13. Matt Munro

14. Michael Pobje 14. Michael Neil
15. Shaun Edwards 15. Shane Powell
16. David Brooks 16. Derek McVey
17. Kevin Hardwick 17. Michael Gillett

Brisbane Broncos


1989 1994
1. Tony Currie 1. Julian O'Neill
2. Michael Hancock 2. Michael Hancock
3. Peter Jackson 3. Steve Renouf
4. Chris Johns 4. Chris Johns
5. Joe Kilroy 5. Wendell Sailor
6. Wally Lewis 6. Kevin Walters
7. Allan Langer 7. Allan Langer
8. Greg Dowling 8. Glenn Lazarus
9. Kerrod Walters 9. Kerrod Walters
10. Sam Backo 10. Andrew Gee
11. Gene Miles 11. Mark Hohn
12. Brett Le Man 12. Alan Cann
13. Terry Matterson 13. Terry Matterson

14. James Donnelly 14. John Plath
15. Scott Tronc 15. Brett Galea
16. Andrew Gee 16. Peter Ryan
17. Gary French 17. Willie Carne

Canberra Raiders


1989 1994
1. Gary Belcher 1. Brett Mullins
2. Matthew Wood 2. Noa Nadruku
3. Mal Meninga 3. Mal Meninga
4. Laurie Daley 4. Ruben Wiki
5. John Ferguson 5. Ken Nagas
6. Chris O'Sullivan 6. Laurie Daley
7. Ricky Stuart 7. Ricky Stuart
8. Glenn Lazarus 8. Quientin Pongia
9. Steve Walters 9. Steve Walters
10. Brent Todd 10. John Lomax
11. Dean Lance 11. Jason Croker
12. Gary Coyne 12. David Furner
13. Bradley Clyde 13. Bradley Clyde

14. Ivan Henjack 14. Paul Osborne
15. Kevin Walters 15. David Westley
16. Craig Diamond 16. Brett Hetherington
17. Steve Jackson 17. Albert Fulivai

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs


1989 1994
1. Jason Alchin 1. Scott Wilson
2. Robin Thorne 2. Jason Williams
3. Andrew Farrar 3. Jarrod McCracken
4. Jamie Cocoran 4. Darren Smith
5. Glen Nissen 5. Daryl Halligan
6. Terry Lamb 6. Terry Lamb
7. Greg Mackey 7. Craig Polla-Mounter
8. Peter Tunks 8. Darren Britt
9. Joe Thomas 9. Jason Hetherington
10. Paul Dunn 10. Martin Bella
11. Steve Folkes 11. Dean Pay
12. David Gillespie 12. Jason Smith
13. Paul Langmack 13. Jim Dymock

14. Brandon Lee 14. Matt Ryan
15. Henry Raymond 15. Simon Gillies
16. Darren Currie 16. Mark Brokenshire
17. Geordi Peats 17. Steven Hughes

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks


1989 1994
1. Jonathan Docking 1. David Watson
2. Alan Wilson 2. Richard Barnett
3. Andrew Ettingshausen 3. Andrew Ettingshausen
4. Mark McGaw 4. Geoff Bell
5. John Davidson 5. Eion Crossan
6. Michael Speechley 6. Mitch Healey
7. Barry Russell 7. Paul Green
8. Dane Sorensen 8. Danny Lee
9. Michael Porter 9. Adam Neave
10. Danny Lee 10. Dan Stains
11. Dan Stains 11. Les Davidson
12. Gavin Miller 12. Andrew Hick
13. David Hatch 13. David Boughton

14. Guy Picken 14. David Peachey
15. Glenn Coleman 15. Andrew Pierce
16. Paul Bishop 16. Adam Ritson
17. Arthur Pappas 17. Robbie Kearns


Eastern Suburbs Roosters


1989 1994
1. Rod Silva 1. Rod Silva
2. David Smith 2. Shane Whereat
3. Tony Melrose 3. Luke Ricketson
4. Joe Lydon 4. Jason Hudson
5. Martin Offiah 5. Jeff Orford
6. Kurt Sherlock 6. Brendan Hall
7. Laurie Spina 7. Adrian Lam
8. Pat Jarvis 8. Jason Lowrie
9. David Trewhella 9. Sean Garlick
10. Craig Salvatori 10. Craig Salvatori
11. Trevor Gillmeister 11. Mark Protheroe
12. Mike McClean 12. Tony Iro
13. Hugh McGahan 13. Nigel Gaffey

14. Steve Hardy 14. Bruce Sinclair
15. Brendan Hall 15. Clinton O'Brien
16. Sandy Campbell 16. Jason Keough
17. Michael Cook 17. Jason Tassell

Gold Coast- Tweed Heads Giants/Seagulls


1989 1994
1. Tony Dardengo 1. Danny Peacock
2. Ben Gonzales 2. David Bouveng
3. Paul Benson 3. Adrian Vowles
4. Mark Gee 4. John Skardon
5. Scott Mieni 5. Clinton Mohr
6. Michael Eden 6. Dale Shearer
7. Geoff Bagnall 7. Craig Coleman
8. John Cowell 8. David Woods
9. Billy Johnstone 9. Eddie Fallins
10. Chris Close 10. Scott Freestone
11. Ron Gibbs 11. Brett Horsnell
12. Robert Simpkins 12. Wayne Bartrim
13. Bob Lindner 13. Peter Gill

14. Graeme Steadman 14. Darren Wolens
15. Joe Vitanza 15. Russell Bussian
16. Mark Ross 16. Kevin Campion
17. Brett Rolls 17. Adrian Brunker

Illawarra Steelers


1989 1994
1. Steve Hampson 1. David Riolo
2. Rod Wishart 2. Rod Wishart
3. Brett Rodwell 3. Brett Rodwell
4. Jeff Hardy 4. Paul McGregor
5. Jason Moon 5. Nigel Roy
6. Tony Smith 6. Craig Simon
7. Andy Gregory 7. John Simon
8. Chris Walsh 8. Darren Fritz
9. Dean Schifilliti 9. Dean Callaway
10. Cavil Heugh 10. Peter Johnston
11. Les Morrisey 11. Neil Piccinelli
12. Neil Piccinelli 12. John Cross
13. Ian Russell 13. Andrew Farrer

14. Trevor Kissell 14. Joe Thomas
15. Michael Carberry 15. Jody Rudd
16. Dean Hanson 16. Barry Ward
17. Michael Bolt 17. David Walsh

Manly-Warringah Sea-Eagles


1989 1994
1. Darrell Williams 1. Matthew Ridge
2. Craig Hancock 2. Craig Hancock
3. Michael O'Connor 3. Terry Hill
4. Dale Shearer 4. Danny Moore
5. Sean Townsend 5. Jack Elsegood
6. Cliff Lyons 6. Cliff Lyons
7. Geoff Toovey 7. Geoff Toovey
8. Phil Daley 8. Ian Roberts
9. Mal Cochrane 9. David O'Donnell
10. Glenn Bourne 10. Mark Carroll
11. Owen Cunningham 11. David Gillespie
12. Paul Vautin 12. Steve Menzies
13. Des Hasler 13. Owen Cunningham

14. Michael Burke 14. Daniel Gartner
15. Hugh Waddell 15. Matt Dunford
16. Glenn Ryan 16. Chris Ryan
17. Mark Pocock 17. Scott Fulton

Newcastle Knights


1989 1994
1. Gary Wurth 1. Robbie O'Davis
2. Glenn Frendo 2. Brad Godden
3. Tony Kemp 3. Nathan Barnes
4. Jeff Doyle 4. Russell Wyer
5. Glenn Miller 5. Jamie Ainscough
6. Michael Hagan 6. Matthew Johns
7. Steve Fulmer 7. Andrew Johns
8. Mark Sargent 8. Mark Sargent
9. Scott Carter 9. Robbie McCormack
10. Peter Johnston 10. Paul Harrogan
11. Sam Stewart 11. Tony Butterfield
12. Tony Butterfield 12. Adam Muir
13. David Boyd 13. Marc Glanville

14. Paul Harragon 14. Darren Treacy
15. James Goulding 15. Steve Crowe
16. Steve Walters 16. Wayne Richards
17. Michael McKiernen 17. Robbie Ross

North Sydney Bears


1989 1994
1. John Dorahy 1. Matt Seers
2. Les Kiss 2. David Hall
3. Brett French 3. Chris Caruana
4. John McArthur 4. Ivan Cleary
5. Kerry Boustead 5. Sean Hoppe
6. Greg Florimo 6. Greg Florimo
7. Scott Gale 7. Jason Taylor
8. Martin Bella 8. Gavin Jones
9. Tony Rea 9. Mark Soden
10. Steve Hanson 10. Mario Fenech
11. Gary Larson 11. Gary Larson
12. Kevin Marr 12. David Fairleigh
13. Paul Beaven 13. Billy Moore

14. Bruce Sinclair 14. Craig Wilson
15. Gavin Jones 15. Tony Hearn
16. Clayton Friend 16. Josh Stuart
17. Kelly Egan 17. Matt Toshack

Parramatta Eels


1989 1994
1. Andrew Leeds 1. Scott Mahon
2. Michael Erickson 2. Brett Plowman
3. David Woods 3. David Woods
4. Brian Jackson 4. Michael Buettner
5. Eric Grothe 5. Lee Oudenryn
6. Brett Kenny 6. Keith Blackett
7. Peter Sterling 7. Stu Galbraith
8. Geoff Bugden 8. Paul Dunn
9. Paul Taylor 9. Peter McPhail
10. Mark Clinton 10. Paul Clarke
11. Craig Izzard 11. Chris King
12. Peter Wynn 12. Cameron Blair
13. Mark Laurie 13. Michael Speechley

14. Greg Drake 14. Tulsen Tollett
15. Jeremy Ticehurst 15. Iva Ropati
16. Mark Bugden 16. John Fearnley
17. Mark Barnes 17. Robert Muchmore

Penrith Panthers


1989 1994
1. Neil Baker 1. Greg Alexander
2. Andrew Simons 2. Graham Mackay
3. Graeme Bradley 3. Matt Sing
4. Col Bentley 4. Ryan Girdler
5. Alan McIndoe 5. Robbie Beckett
6. Chris Mortimer 6. Steve Carter
7. Greg Alexander 7. Gary Freeman
8. Geoff Gerard 8. Barry Walker
9. Royce Simmons 9. Danny Farrer
10. Peter Kelly 10. Carl MacNamara
11. Mark Geyer 11. Trevor Gillmiester
12. John Cartwright 12. John Cartwright
13. Col Van Der Voort 13. Brad Fittler

14. Brad Izzard 14. Jason Lidden
15. Brad Fittler 15. Matt Adamson
16. Mark Carroll 16. Phil Adamson
17. Steve Carter 17. Mark Bell

St George Dragons


1989 1994
1. Darren South 1. Rod Maybon
2. Ricky Walford 2. Ian Herron
3. Brian Johnston 3. Mark Coyne
4. Michael Beattie 4. Graeme Bradley
5. Clinton Mohr 5. Ricky Walford
6. Michael Potter 6. Anthony Mundine
7. Steve Linnane 7. Noel Goldthorpe
8. Paul Osborne 8. Tony Priddle
9. Trevor Bailey 9. Nathan Brown
10. Shane Kelly 10. Jason Stevens
11. Billy Noke 11. David Barnhill
12. Wally Fullerton-Smith 12. Scott Gourley
13. Brad Mackay 13. Brad Mackay

14. John Fifita 14. Andrew Walker
15. Mark Coyne 15. Gorden Tallis
16. Peter Gill 16. Jeff Hardy
17. Jason Hoogerwerf 17. Phil Blake

South Sydney Rabbitohs


1989 1994
1. Bronko Djura 1. Darrell Trindall
2. Graham Lyons 2. Vaea Taliai
3. Paul Roberts 3. Jacin Sinclair
4. Steve Mavin 4. David Penna
5. Ross Harrington 5. Paul Mellor
6. Phil Blake 6. Jason Bell
7. Craig Coleman 7. Craig Field
8. Ian Roberts 8. Brett Goldspink
9. Mario Fenech 9. Dean Schifilliti
10. David Boyle 10. Tony Hermansson
11. Les Davidson 11. Jeremy Donougher
12. Wayne Chisholm 12. Tony Mestrov
13. Michael Andrews 13. Tyran Smith

14. Jim Sedaris 14. Mark McGaw
15. Bruce Longbottom 15. Duncan McRae
16. Mark Ellison 16. Anthony Kaberry
17. Darren Brown 17. John Elias

Western Suburbs Magpies


1989 1994
1. Danny Peacock 1. Andrew Leeds
2. Graham Mackay 2. Darren Willis
3. Jason Stafford 3. Ken McGuiness
4. Garry Schofield 4. Brandon Pearson
5. Wayne Simonds 5. Paul Smith
6. Jason Lidden 6. Steve Georgallis
7. Richard Smith 7. Josh White
8. Pat O'Doherty 8. Brent Stuart
9. Shane Flanagan 9. Jim Sedaris
10. David Woods 10. Neil Tierney
11. Cameron Blair 11. Glenn Grief
12. Brendan Tuuta 12. Stephen Kearney
13. Ellery Hanley 13. Paul Langmack

14. Trevor Cogger 14. Jason Alchin
15. Craig Teitzel 15. Mark Afflick
16. Gary Bukowski 16. Damien McGarry
17. Kelvin Skerrett 17. Bill Dunn

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Many people say 1989 and 1994 were the two best seasons of the modern era

I have never heard anyone ever say that.

 

[anjado]

I have never heard anyone ever say that.

Really ? When people talk about the glory days of modern Rugby League people often refer to these two seasons. Then again looking at the Parramatta side from that era i can understand why you don't agree.

What seasons do you think were the best in the modern era ?

 

[MightyBronco]

hahahah, the OP sure does like lists!

But yeah, looking at the talent from those two seasons, i still reckon 97 had more talent going around. But that may be as antilag said, old players holding off retirement for the moolah....

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Really ? When people talk about the glory days of modern Rugby League people often refer to these two seasons. Then again looking at the Parramatta side from that era i can understand why you don't agree.

What seasons do you think were the best in the modern era ?

I think 2005 was an excellent year for Rugby League. 1995, despite the SL war, the crowds were pretty good, 5 teams averaged over 20'000 in a 20 team comp. Last year was pretty decent, the game had alot of good attention from outside the sport.

On field wise, 89-99 was probably the best we have ever had. I never heard anyone point to 89 and 94 as the best years, especially 94.

 

[davi]

So it would be down to those 3 depending on on game day. But I reckon the Broncos were ultimately the best performers in 1997 and would have won the combined comp, hypothetically of course.

I agree with this comment the most, that Brisbane would have likely won. But the Sharks were not in the same league as Brisbane, Newcastle, and Manly that year. ARL probably had the tougher competition but Brisbane were probably the best team.

 

[umina panther]

why would anyone else have won the comp besides the broncos, sharks, knights or manly? They were the grand finalists so its out of them who turns up to play on the day.

Shut up idiot

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Ok Grahame.

 

[Perth Red]

Would have been interesting to see if eventually the grass roots grew enough to sustain 22 clubs at a decent level? Some say you need more grass roots, others you need to give grass roots more opportunities to make first grade. In Perth the Reds brought over about 40 players to bolster the local comp and run a reserve and jnr grade side. Wonder how that higher quality influence coupled with greater profile for the game would have translated to eventual first grade. 20 years on would we now be seeing a predominantly WA grown first team I wonder?

 

[carcharias]

Would have been interesting to see if eventually the grass roots grew enough to sustain 22 clubs at a decent level? Some say you need more grass roots, others you need to give grass roots more opportunities to make first grade. In Perth the Reds brought over about 40 players to bolster the local comp and run a reserve and jnr grade side. Wonder how that higher quality influence coupled with greater profile for the game would have translated to eventual first grade. 20 years on would we now be seeing a predominantly WA grown first team I wonder?

Blame the fans
They just stopped going

 

[Perth Red]

yeh if we could have sustained them we might even be reaching 15k now lol

 

[carcharias]

yeh if we could have sustained them we might even be reaching 15k now lol

Doubt it.

It is a tough business .
It's on TV .
People can easily watch it there.
Only the dedicated stick it out until the end.

WA was an experiment that failed because of the fans .
They left in droves once the novelty wore off.

 

[Perth Red]

Of curse the split, the war and the screwing of the game had no bearing on crowd drop off for any club. Sharks actually increased, shows the quality of the fans eh?

 

[shaggs]

Isn't the force being wound up by the ARU as well. Do the wildcats still exist. Perhaps Perth can't sustain any other sport except AFL??

 

[Perth Red]

Wildcats are the best supported basketball team in country, crickets doing well,msoccer sucks mainly due to an idiot owner, force will be bigger than half of NRL clubs if they can ever put a winning team together. The afl clubs are two of the biggest sports clubs in the country. Not bad for a city of 2mill.

 

[undertaker]

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.

This.

A scrappy 16-10 win vs Souths edged the Knights out on F/A. Knights shock loss to Illawarra 3 weeks earlier (courtesy of a Trent Barrett hat-trick and Craig Fitzgibbon conversion after the siren) pretty much put the Broncos as favourites for the minor-premiership.

Roosters definitely got screwed over in the 1998 finals. The NRL scheduled one Preliminary Final for QE II Stadium and the other for the SFS. Roosters vs Broncos was originally supposed to be played at the SFS (and Parramatta vs Canterbury at QE II Stadium) before being shifted to QE II due to fears of a poor crowd for the Parra vs Canterbury game. As a result, the NRL gave the Broncos a home final they didn't deserve, and they took the most of it, winning 46-18 on a warm Saturday afternoon. We will never know how things may have panned out had it been at the SFS, but the Broncos were not as dominant in 1998 as they were in 1992.

Because of this disasterous mix-up having fixed PFs interstate, the NRL canned the idea the next season.

 

[JamesRustle]

Perth would have been thoroughly beaten by the Sharks.