Wallace was a tough nut for sure Blaza, as was Adam Dykes, Craig Gower & Brett Finch among others.
As far as the 2015 CC medal award, I thought JT was deserving. Milford carved up with his running game, but his kicking game was virtually non-existent and that proved the difference between the two teams. JT basically had to go it alone as well, I don't think fans remember but Morgan was having a pretty poor game until THAT pass.
Say what you want, but it can't be called a fluke either given Morgan pulled off something similar to keep the 17 Origin series alive. (Also another JT clutch moment)
JT's biggest competition for the CC was actually Tamou. The 2012 version of Tamou decided to rock up for the Grand Final instead of the lazy burn out Tamou that had resurfaced in recent seasons and he was the best forward on the park. Granny was also in contention, but his second stint was really poor and nerves really got the better of him. In a way, it probably proved a blessing because the bounce pass that ultimately led to the Feldt try caused Blair to rush out which set off the chain reaction.
I think it's a disservice to say the 2015 Cowboys blew away the 1997 and 2001 Knights on paper. Both were pretty strong teams without ever being run-away favourites. The thing about that Cowboys side is that there were so many games (12 or 13?) where they trailed at half-time, came back and won. The most famous example was the Round 4 clash where JT pulled off the most remarkable get out of jail performance I've seen from a half. Up against Melbourne, he out-clutches Cronk, resurrects the Cowboys from the dead and pulls off a premiership that many thought were dead and buried in Brisbane after Round 3.
A remarkable achievement.
As was that 2001 Newcastle Knights victory. The thing about Newcastle that year was that they could obliterate teams unlike few teams in the competition. And they weren't flat-track bullies either, they'd smash top teams like the Broncos, Roosters and Parramatta. In a way, it was odd that the Eels were so heavily favoured in the GF. Earlier in the season, the Knights pulled off a similar performance and just smashed the Eels effortlessly in the first half. They copied that blue-print and the rest is history. As great as the Roosters were this year, I've yet to see a first half that dominant in the Grand Final.
The biggest what if is could the Knights have gone back to back if Joey didn't get injured in 02. Their form heading into the finals was up and down, but they had the feeling of a team waiting for September. If Joey stays fit, they beat St. George in the First Week and then they'd face off against Sydney in the Prelim which would have been an awesome showdown. Newcastle with Johns were a much bigger challenge than the Broncos that year and it would have been the third consecutive finals series where both teams went head to head.
Both wonderful players, it's a shame these threads invite people to say 'why not' instead of celebrating what they brought to the game.
