True Utility

[petetheileet]

Ok guys, i was just wondering who you guys thought was the best utility player in the last 10-15 years or so, this doesn't mean players changing into a different position later in their career, but as utility value, which player can cover the most positions adequately??

My vote would go to Luke Lewis

Having played considerable time in his career in the centres, 5/8, lock, second row, halfback and even wing, granted i think wing is behind him now i really think he is one of the more complete footballers i have ever seen.

Granted he doesn't really have a kicking game but gee i dont think there is another bloke out there who would be comfrtable and successful in so many positions...

 

[perverse]

it would have to be lewis or wing... with a possible nomination for berrigan, but i'm not sure he was in the same league skill-wise.

i think you're forgetting just how good wing was in his prime.

 

[Noa]

Inglis ?

1 > 6, and I got no doubt he could play any position in the pack apart from 9.

But of those who have actually switched between the pack and backs, Craig Wing.

 

[Mr Saab]

John Morris. Should be an immortal

 

[adamkungl]

Lewis or Wing.

Any nominations for Gidley? :sarcasm:

 

[Johns Magic]

Inglis ?

1 > 6, and I got no doubt he could play any position in the pack apart from 9.

But of those who have actually switched between the pack and backs, Craig Wing.

He would never play in the forwards, and half the centres in the comp can play 1-6.

 

[Tigers_are_Pro]

John Morris, anywhere except prop. JMO 4 Lyf!

 

[Loudstrat]

1) Travis Norton
2) Simon Mannering
Can't call Wing a ute - hooker and half are interchangeable. Nor Inglis, who plays the same regardless of his position

Yes, good call on Lewis. A class act.

 

[Gaba]

ben hornby

fullback .centre,5/8,halfback,hooker ?,

 

[petetheileet]

nah Gaba

Could Wing have played lock?

and i think could have played in the Centres if needed

 

[Noa]

He would never play in the forwards, and half the centres in the comp can play 1-6.

The way his bodys changed he may be a back-rower at some stage. It would be interesting to see how he would go there. Your right on the 2nd point, at least 1-5.

 

[Loudstrat]

Corey Pearson. Prop and halfback - Eels fans will never forget the Smith era.

 

[nyx]

Daniel Fitzhenry.

 

[Special K]

Wing played for Australia in the centres

 

[Tom Ace]

Chris Flannery played all over the place too.

 

[MightyBronco]

True utilities play off the bench.

 

[Loudstrat]

Chris Flannery played all over the place too.

Yep - played for George Freeman, Lenny McPherson, the Moran family, Robert Trimbole......;-)

When people nominate, can they explain which positions they played in? I think Norton played pivot, lock, second row, centre and hooker. Morris played wing, hooker, pivot and half (badly). Mannering has played second row, lock centre and I think wing.

Hayne and Inglis have played every position from fullback to pivot.

Thinking about it, Preston Campbell, although only having played fullback, pivot and half, demonstrated his immense utility value on Friday night, and deserves a big mention.

 

[Loudstrat]

True utilities play off the bench.

Rubbish. Read the story of Jimmy Craig.

 

[yobbo84]

A bit from left-field, but Shane Rigon played all over the shop. Wing, centre, five-eighth, hooker, second-row, lock and off the bench to be precise.

 

[NAS]

1) Craig Wing- Played as a utility at the highest level for a lot of years.
2) Luke Lewis- The most underrated player in the game today. But as a sheer ulilty, I don't think he could have achieved it at rep level, the way that Wing did.
3) Kurt Gidley- Less than Wing because whilst he's a great player, he's never done it at the higher level.

I think that a utility needs to be distinguished from someone who played multiple positions. Ben Hornby's played numerous positions, and Todd Carney has as well, but I don't think you could classify them as genuine utilities, who simply fit in to a team seemlessly, although they've been brought on to play a role. This is where Wing truly outshines all of them.....He'd be brought on to play any position and would (more times than not) show a good account of himself........be it at fullback, wing, centre, 5/8, half, lock, back row or hooker.........

But that's just my opinion.....