Wasted potential in former players

[Azkatro]

I thought I'd make a thread for people to try and identify who they think had the stacks of potential but for whatever reason, it went unfulfilled.

A few examples are guys who had discipline problems like Les Boyd, John Hopoate and Andrew Walker.

Then there are players who were cruelled by injuries, eg Adam Ritson, Nik Kosef, John Buttigieg and even Ricky Stuart to an extent.

After that you've got blokes who for whatever reason just left the game. Aaron Moule and Jamie Lyon both kind of did but ended up playing in England. Several players you don't read or hear about much have given up playing to go back to the simpler rural life.

Then you've got guys who have been, for whatever reason, cruelled by selectors. Aside from the controversy around players like Peachey and Blacklock, more recently you could site examples such as Orford and Schifcofske.

And last of all, the most tragic circumstance behind wasted potential - premature death. The most obvious example here is of course the untimely death of Ben Alexander, who was shaping up as a tremendous talent.

I'm very curious to read about people's thoughts on other players who they believe had plenty of potential but didn't put it into action.

 

[The Colonel]

David Woods - ex Parramatta and Penrith centre. Many believed he would have played for Australia had he not been injured so often. The injuries he had were not the normal run of the mill stuff and he could injure himself in the shower reaching for the soap. When he did play he was brilliant.

 

[Ghoulies]

Arthur Beetson rated Burleigh Bears' five-eighth Adam Hayden as equal with Darren Lockyer when they clashed in an U/19s SOO, but injuries have disrupted his career and he has only managed a handful of first grade games.

 

[legend]

Peter Jorgensen. Wait a minute, he never had any talent.

 

[legend]

Adam Nable whoever the hell he is.

 

[Mr Saab]

Jason "take me to the top" Martin
Brad Godden

 

[aqua_duck]

Mundine-if he wasn't such a supreme wanker he would've been a supreme player to everyone's eyes not just his own

 

[simon says]

I'll go for Jacin Sinclair.Absolue gun as a kid but never reached the heights that we all thought(well Tiger fans anyway) that he would and should.

 

[bazza]

Julian O'Niell - great player, but couldn't stay sober for more than a few hours
Owen Craigie - another skilled player who did some great things. Seemed to spend more time eating than training

 

[JJ]

I'd go for Brett Papworth - might not be popular here given he was a rah-rah, but a super talent who had the most ridiculous luck with injuries

 

[Pistol]

Adam Ritson was really taken out by too many high tackles. He was a victim of his own gigantic frame. Nik Kosef wasnt really wasted potential, he was just over rated. He did make a few Origin teams for the Blues.

I would say Brad Meyers is a big example of wasted potential. In 2001 he made his debut for QLD and he absolutely killed in Origin and then was selected as a starting second rower for Australia. Since then he was a bench player who had little impact whenever he came on.

I guess you could throw in Mark Geyer. This bloke was explosive. Absolutely demolished anyone in his path. He let a few temper problems get the better of him. After the death of his best mate "Boods" (Ben Alexander), he was never the same.

 

[Ozzwald]

GEOFF SELBY

Geoff was a tremendously talented lock forward for the Illawarra Steelers & St. George Dragons in the 1980's. A St George junior, he was g[size=-1]raded at Illawarra on the recommendation of his former high school teacher, Brian Smith.[/size]
[size=-1]He returned to St George and came under the guidance of Johnny Raper. Geoff was tragically killed in a car crash on 13 February, 1989.[/size]
A wonderful Rugby League talent that sadly went unfulfilled.

 

[albi]

I think that Mark Mclindin is on that list. Rookie of the year in '98, yet never really took off. Now in ESL.

 

[NPK]

Danny Bampton - played a few games for the Broncos inbetween serious injuries..I think he retired at about age 20.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Matthew Rodwell - former Newcastle half, like McLinden he was rookie of the year (in about '93) - but he disappeared within a couple of seasons!

 

[oldmancraigy]

David Woods - ex Parramatta and Penrith centre. Many believed he would have played for Australia had he not been injured so often. The injuries he had were not the normal run of the mill stuff and he could injure himself in the shower reaching for the soap. When he did play he was brilliant.

I know it's figurative and Woods never hurt himself reaching for the soap - but didn't John Simon actually injure himself while reaching for the soap? Cut his foot pretty badly I recall!!

 

[skeepe]

I do recall that James Evans from the Raiders popped a rib playing with his cat last year.

Anyway, back on topic, I would have to say Roysten Lightning easily belongs to this list. If only he could have stayed away from the fast food.

 

[eels_fan]

Danny Sullivan - i remember when he was coming up thru the grades at parra he was heralded as being a great prospect. Then a few bad injuries and he was gooonnneee.. havent heard of him since... anyone know what he's up to now??

 

[Scorpio30]

Danny Sullivan - i remember when he was coming up thru the grades at parra he was heralded as being a great prospect. Then a few bad injuries and he was gooonnneee.. havent heard of him since... anyone know what he's up to now??

Came to the Warriors for two seasons....Played Once? Has now retired.

 

[The Colonel]

I know it's figurative and Woods never hurt himself reaching for the soap - but didn't John Simon actually injure himself while reaching for the soap? Cut his foot pretty badly I recall!!

Stepped on a broke soap dish in the shower or was standing on the soap dish when it broke and cut through his foot and cut some tendons.