Players who could have been

[851]

There is an Indigenous player by the name of Steve Lane who trialled for a Sydney club many years ago but suffered some kind of accident so he returned to the bush. He and his 40 odd year old partner in crime William 'Bubba' Kennedy are still wreaking havoc in Group 10.

Lane is a 5/8 who can dummy to pass to the left and throw the ball over his left shoulder back to 'Bubba' running diagonally towards the right and rarely miss. The bloke, in spasms is as good as any 5/8 I've seen play the game and loves the niggle. Makes you wonder how many there are like him that with discipline and a little luck could be household names

Bubba is still playing at bathurst panthers,his brother inlaw Steve Lane is at oberon this year,they have played some years and had some clubs,when they retire they will have their work cut out getting to reunions.

 

[Patorick]

Adam Hayden was cut down by injury. I cannot remember if it was a broken ankle or a broken leg to be honest. However, he was rated that highly that Brad Fittler played lock when he Hayden came into first grade that is how highly he was thought of. It was only his injury which saw Freddy pretty much move fulltime to five eight. When Hayden came back he was never the same, lost a lot of speed and some of his confidence too. Moved to Manly to try and resurrect his career but after 2 years there was out of first grade rugby league for good.

As to James Matthews, you are correct H.H. The Roosters do name their Clubman of the Year Award after him. Most years the club have had James' parents at the awards night when it is presented.

Otherwise Brett Papworth is the other I'd nominate. Had so much talent yet injuries cruelled him.

Also an honourable mention to Phil Clarke. Had made a name in England playing for Wigan was recruited by the Roosters. Never got to show his wares in Australia as he suffered a broken neck which ended his career in his first season with the Roosters.

Second season.

http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/phil-clarke/summary.html

 

[H.H]

Steve Hewson Queanbeyan United 1975 Country and NSW half , good judges rated him better than Steve Mortimer.

Very good call. Have heard his story.

Another of that era was a young fullback by the name of Starling. Absolutely blitzed them early on, then contracted an illness which developed into a staph infection of sorts. Bit hazy on that one, but regardless he was never the same after that.

 

[soc123_au]

Craig Trindall. Heaps of talent, just couldnt get his shit together.

 

[--Storm--]

All due respects too Alex McKinnon he wasn't going to be anything special, was just a battler, was lucky to be in First Grade.

 

[Nice Beaver]

These may have been said
But the ones that spring to my mind (and im not reading through 8 pages....)

Taniela Tuiaki
Jharal Yow Yeh
Alex McKinnon
Sonny Fai could have been anything

To an extent, Jerome Ropati, could have been anything, but the last 3 or 4 years has been nothing but injuries, poor bugger!

Forgot about Tuiaki. Good player.

 

[Lambretta]

Justin carney had a real bright future before his ankle/foot shatter.

He has put on weight and ended up in Castleford

If you yearn to be a fat Northern bastard then follow the Carney career plan

 

[THE CHAMP]

Yow yeh.
Broncos still getting over that one. Huge loss.
Nick kosef.
Big and bluddy fast just had either bad knees or bad luck.

 

[Leaguelegend20]

All due respects too Alex McKinnon he wasn't going to be anything special, was just a battler, was lucky to be in First Grade.

I'll bite. A representative jersey for NSW Country by the time he was 21 says otherwise. Was a very talented player who was no doubt going to play for NSW.

 

[muzby]

A representative jersey for NSW Country by the time he was 21 says otherwise.

sam williams played country origin at the age of 20.

he's now off playing in uzbekistan..


tim moltzen played country origin at the age of 22..

 

[PhilGould]

All due respects too Alex McKinnon he wasn't going to be anything special, was just a battler, was lucky to be in First Grade.

Not at all. Was very talented and had played for NSW U20's and Country before the injury. Not saying he would have played for NSW or Australia in first grade but he wasn't just "lucky to be in first grade".

 

[axl rose]

Bubba is still playing at bathurst panthers,his brother inlaw Steve Lane is at oberon this year,they have played some years and had some clubs,when they retire they will have their work cut out getting to reunions.

Bubba killed it for the Tigers in 97 but faded badly in 98.

Balmain fans 'favorite' son Glenn Morrison was another one. Couple of great seasons with Balmain then off to Norths, Cows, Parra for an average career. Waste. Could have done much better.

 

[THE CHAMP]

Ill give Chris walker a mention .
Should have never left the Broncos.
Had nothin but shit luck after he did.
One of the fastest Ive seen pre injuries

 

[851]

Very good call. Have heard his story.

Another of that era was a young fullback by the name of Starling. Absolutely blitzed them early on, then contracted an illness which developed into a staph infection of sorts. Bit hazy on that one, but regardless he was never the same after that.

Geoff Starling was a centre for balmain,played 65 games and was the youngest player to play for australia at 18 and 181 days,he was only 22 in 1974 when he contracted a disease that took all his energy.
This disease went undiagnosed for years,too late for a footy career,the disease was addisons disease,the experts say he was going to be a superstar,as he had already played 11 tests and a world cup final as well as a kangaroo tour.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

All due respects too Alex McKinnon he wasn't going to be anything special, was just a battler, was lucky to be in First Grade.

He was better than the likes of Lowrie and Blair.

 

[Tom Shines]

Dean Byrne was the first one that came to mind

 

[H.H]

Geoff Starling was a centre for balmain,played 65 games and was the youngest player to play for australia at 18 and 181 days,he was only 22 in 1974 when he contracted a disease that took all his energy.
This disease went undiagnosed for years,too late for a footy career,the disease was addisons disease,the experts say he was going to be a superstar,as he had already played 11 tests and a world cup final as well as a kangaroo tour.

Much more accurate account than mine!

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Noa]

Yep. Bring out his highlights for Australia. Winning NZ the game is my personal favourite. Prior to his injury, Mini was the best fullback in the game and Slater would never have taken his Kangaroos spot away from him IMO.

Slater is better in some areas, but Mini was just Damn near perfect back then.

Another one who whacks the rose coloured specs on when looking back at Mini.Slater is/was better in most areas.

This was from 09, personally I dont think Slater has been quite as good since then at NRL level but better in SOO. But still the gap between them has only increased greatly

Theres a struck match between them. Minichello may have been the stronger ball runner and a bit safer - though he could be woeful with the ball on the ground - but Slater has him covered in cleaning up, ball-playing and that most critical factor of a FB, postioning.

Edited to add looking at Mini's peak period from 04-06 and Slaters from 07-09 there are some interesting stats there.

Minichello 141 errors, Slater 112
Minichello 42 tries, Slater 44
Minichello 15 try-assists, Slater 48
Minichello 59 line-breaks, Slater 60
Minchello 16 LB assists, Slater 49.

Those are some pretty compelling numbers for Slater over Minichello and thats not even taking into account that Slater had some pretty decent years from 04-06. Of course Minichello looked more comfortable in SOO then Billy, but I think thats because his style of game is more suited then Bills, who doesnt have near as much freedom at that level as he does for the Storm.

 

[umina panther]

Yeah but Mini has the advantage of not being a piece of shit who purposely kicks people

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

It's not his go, either the first time or the 11th.

Skando just has a kickable face perhaps?