TOUGHEST PLAYERS

[Gareth67]

Manly Warringah had a chap by the name of Allan Thomson ( not to be confused with the 5/8 with a similar name or the prop Ian Thompson ) who played for them in the late 60’s . A hard as teak 2nd row forward who was the one player that the South Sydney pack would steer clear of . Very similar to Randall but could be one tough beggar if pushed too far .

 

[Old Timer]

Bunny Reilly (the original axe) played well above his weight and better than Gilmeister
Olsen Filipaino made out of granite and caused many a headache from those thighs of his.

 

[merahputih]

I met Inosi way back. Introduced himself simply as “Toga”.

His brother Apasai Toga was no powder puff either. Played from 1968 to early 70''s. Died from a poisoned foot picked up back home in Fiji in 1973 .More than held his own against Souths feared pack during that period in some classic "Match of the Day"'s at the SCG I attended.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Define "toughest"...………..is it the one who plays on with broken bones, yeah that's tough, or one who has blood everywhere but keeps playing, yeah that's tough, or is it someone who just hits someone hard, yeah that's tough, or is it the little #6 below

that's pretty tough to me.

 

[The Damo]

Define "toughest"...………..is it the one who plays on with broken bones, yeah that's tough, or one who has blood everywhere but keeps playing, yeah that's tough, or is it someone who just hits someone hard, yeah that's tough, or is it the little #6 below

that's pretty tough to me.

Much respect to that little guy

 

[Drag Queen]

The Jim Beam "Toughest 12" are: Kevin Ryan, Shane Webcke, Noel Kelly, John Sattler, Malcolm Reilly, Ray Price, John O'Neill (dec), Mal Meninga, Geoff Toovey, Terry Randall, Trevor Gillmeister and Tom Raudonikis. How do today's players stack up ? , for me Pat Jarvis , and always liked the way Graeme O'Grady played his footy ... Thoughts ........

I'd have to say Jimmy Graham. Last game with blood spurting out everywhere and clearly concussed, he managed to stay on the field much longer than he should have. Mal Meninga up there as well. Check his story out on SBS On Demand.

 

[The Groundsman]

Wayne Bennett said once that Dean Young played most of his career on one leg. That's pretty tough in my opinion.

 

[Gareth67]

His brother Apasai Toga was no powder puff either. Played from 1968 to early 70''s. Died from a poisoned foot picked up back home in Fiji in 1973 .More than held his own against Souths feared pack during that period in some classic "Match of the Day"'s at the SCG I attended.

merahputh , was that match of the day the one where Apasai was diving to score a try at the Paddington end of the field and the South Sydney player ( a reserve grade player by the name of Morgan I believe) came in and kicked him in the head ?

I remember the fans calling “ you animal Morgan “ and also the great Souths player Ron Coote shaking his head at Morgan in total disbelief that he would resort to such an act . But whether or not it was the same match I agree that Apasai Toga was one tough cookie also .

 

[ALSGI]

I can imagine that the hotel must had done a roaring trade on those nights , packed with many of the Saints fans and regulars . In fact the publican would had been a wealthy man .

Mate, we knew one of the bar staff who told us the club put on free beer for the players after training. Different times. I saw cops load them into the station waggon and drive them home.
Different times indeed.

 

[hazzbeen]

Mate, we knew one of the bar staff who told us the club put on free beer for the players after training. Different times. I saw cops load them into the station waggon and drive them home.
Different times indeed.

Those were the days my friend ........

 

[blacksafake]

Great names mentioned in this thread. Toughness to me is someone who just never gives up no matter the situation, not a thug & continues to come up with the clutch plays when fatigued or injured. For me maybe with a bit of bias Billy Smith & Changa are right up there. Others are Rocket,Albert,Jarvis, Mark Graham. Later day playersPeters,Joey,Fittler

 

[Gareth67]

Mate, we knew one of the bar staff who told us the club put on free beer for the players after training. Different times. I saw cops load them into the station waggon and drive them home.
Different times indeed.

They certainly were ALSGI , there was a good relationship between the police and footballers in those days , I don’t know if that was because they , the footballers were police officers or that they were publicans .

 

[Happy Old Dragon]

Define "toughest"...………..is it the one who plays on with broken bones, yeah that's tough, or one who has blood everywhere but keeps playing, yeah that's tough, or is it someone who just hits someone hard, yeah that's tough, or is it the little #6 below

that's pretty tough to me.

Agree with all of that Dragonslayer.
And the photo is amazing.

Hope you are ok #6

Can I be in your team?

 

[Coffs dragon]

Great names mentioned in this thread. Toughness to me is someone who just never gives up no matter the situation, not a thug & continues to come up with the clutch plays when fatigued or injured. For me maybe with a bit of bias Billy Smith & Changa are right up there. Others are Rocket,Albert,Jarvis, Mark Graham. Later day playersPeters,Joey,Fittler

Hey Blacksafake I agree with all your nominations except Peters! Would that be (Zorba) Peter Peters or the diminutive Halfback Willie Peters? IMO Zorba Is TOUGH to listen to with his biased Manly crap.

 

[gitano]

Benny Kusto and Leapin Lee Murphy for mine

 

[merahputih]

merahputh , was that match of the day the one where Apasai was diving to score a try at the Paddington end of the field and the South Sydney player ( a reserve grade player by the name of Morgan I believe) came in and kicked him in the head ?

I remember the fans calling “ you animal Morgan “ and also the great Souths player Ron Coote shaking his head at Morgan in total disbelief that he would resort to such an act . But whether or not it was the same match I agree that Apasai Toga was one tough cookie also .

Gareth, I guess that would have been Jimmy Morgan who was a regular reserve prop. I can't remember that specific incident, but it would have been typical of the period.

 

[blacksafake]

Hey Blacksafake I agree with all your nominations except Peters! Would that be (Zorba) Peter Peters or the diminutive Halfback Willie Peters? IMO Zorba Is TOUGH to listen to with his biased Manly crap.

Coffs it was supposed to be Petero C??