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Small diminutive very tough guys that played first grade

Gareth67

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,834
Barry ‘ Bunny ‘ Reilly . A rorter , but jeeze that bloke knew how to tackle .

And don’t forget our own Brian ‘ Poppa ‘ Clay - use to love the way he would grab a player like an iron fist and spear them head first into the turf .

Mind you it was all perfectly legal in those days when some of the players were either bar-room brawlers or bouncers or both ! 😳

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Gareth67

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,834
Revesby boy said:
Small, Tough…… Greatest ever W.Smith
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I recall a Saturday ‘ Match of the Day ‘ between Souths
and Saints , the Dragons had many of their regular 1st graders playing in the Test match against England .

So they moved Billy Smith from his half back role out to the centre’s , well he tackled those wascal wabbits to a standstill . Thanks to his efforts - and those of his teammates ( many of whom were reserve graders ) they won the match against the odds .

Mind you it was not as if Smith was unaccustomed to the position as that is where I believe he first began his career with the mighty Saints . 😇
 
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T

The fox

Juniors
Messages
280
T
Gareth67 said:
I recall a Saturday ‘ Match of the Day ‘ between Souths
and Saints , the Dragons had many of their regular 1st graders playing in the Test match in Brisbane .

So they moved wee Billy from his half back role out to the centre’s , well he tackled those wascal wabbits to a standstill . Thanks to his efforts - and those of his teammates they won the match .

Mind you it was not as if Smith was unaccustomed to the position as that is where I believe he first began his career with the mighty Saints . 😇
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Alan Cann comes to mind , he was one tough dude, who was as wide as he was tall , the bugger scored a few against us in 92 GF.
 
Slippery Morris

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
7,895
You won't see these type of players anymore, those days are gone. This generation of player is far to sensitive when it comes to sledging or copping a big hit. Plus players now would rather lay down and get a player sin binned or earn their team a penalty than get up and play the ball if they get the slightest touch above the shoulders We can blame the bunker for this and some coaches.
 
Gareth67

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,834
Slippery Morris said:
You won't see these type of players anymore, those days are gone. This generation of player is far to sensitive when it comes to sledging or copping a big hit. Plus players now would rather lay down and get a player sin binned or earn their team a penalty than get up and play the ball if they get the slightest touch above the shoulders We can blame the bunker for this and some coaches.
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You are certainly right about that Slippery , a huge , huge difference , in fact like comparing chalk to cheese .

How many of todays props do you see with the traditional cauliflower ears or broken nose that any self respecting forward in those bygone days would not be seen dead without ?
 
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