Which players didn't become superstars straight away?

[lucablight]

I was just curious as to which stars didn't become superstars straight away. By this I mean either

a.) They weren't really standouts in the lower grades but when they came to first grade they excelled in their position

and/or

b.) They played first grade for a few years and didn't dominate the scene straight away and then exploded.

Although he's not a superstar just yet I would think that Ben Smith from the Eels didn't dominate in the lower grades but when given his chance in first grade earned a couple of man of the match performances.

On players who played in the NRL but didn't dominate straight away until they exploded I would say Dean Widders and Anthony Watmough come into this category. However I believe Dean Widders excelled in the SG ball.

 

[knights04]

Anthony Minichiello.

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm pretty sure Paul McGregor was a very late bloomer, didn't make his first grade debut until he was 24 and played represanative football about 2 years later. I think.

 

[Harold Bishop]

Anthony Watmough - He was dropped from the SG Ball side once i think, and came into the top grade a few years ago and has improved ever since.

 

[aids]

Willie Tonga?

 

[Stagger eel]

Willie Tonga?

wtf..he's about 22 years of age, isn't he??

 

[yobbo84]

John Sutton was nothing special in the lower grades, but has excelled in firsts. There are a lot of players like this though.. they give a lot more effort in first grade for one reason or another.

Someone else that comes to mind is Ben Creagh. He was deadset average his first year (half-year whatever) in first grade.

 

[lucablight]

John Sutton was nothing special in the lower grades, but has excelled in firsts. There are a lot of players like this though.. they give a lot more effort in first grade for one reason or another.

Someone else that comes to mind is Ben Creagh. He was deadset average his first year (half-year whatever) in first grade.

I heard Bob Fulton say that Sonny Bill Williams and John Sutton both dominated the lower grade comp they were in.

 

[yobbo84]

I heard Bob Fulton say that Sonny Bill Williams and John Sutton both dominated the lower grade comp they were in.

Then Bob Fulton is wrong. Sutton was in our Flegg side, but got dropped back to A Grade, only to make his way back to Flegg and then Premiers. He always looked like he had class.. showed great ball skills.. but hardly dominated.

On the other hand, SBW and Manase Manuokafoa used to clash regularly in the lower grades - Flegg especially. They were both bigger than a lot of the kids and used to have great clashes. Manase always stood out in Flegg IMO, but has had less of an impact in first grade.

 

[Smartman]

Willie Tonga?

He was highly regarded when playing in Parras lower grades but Brian Smith didnt give him enough opportunities.

Now hes a Bulldog gun

 

[Stagger eel]

He was highly regarded when playing in Parras lower grades but Brian Smith didnt give him enough opportunities.

Now hes a Bulldog gun

Anthony Minichello was a Canterbury junior himself, wasn't he???..he's know a gun at the roosters.

 

[Smartman]

Anthony Minichello was a Canterbury junior himself, wasn't he???..he's know a gun at the roosters.

Muppet show was never part of the Canterbury club.

 

[Stagger eel]

Muppet show was never part of the Canterbury club.

I didn't say he was, I said he was a Canterbury junior.

 

[ucantseeme]

Scott Sattler

He was a nifnuf until THAT tackle, now he is a footy legend more famous than his dad.

 

[Thunderstruck]

Brett White

 

[Stagger eel]

Scott Sattler

He was a nifnuf until THAT tackle, now he is a footy legend more famous than his dad.

harsh!..he's definetly not a world beater but he was good solid first grader who constantly shined in losing sides for most of his career.

 

[sooperdooper]

steve bell

 

[sooperdooper]

I was just curious as to which stars didn't become superstars straight away. By this I mean either

a.) They weren't really standouts in the lower grades but when they came to first grade they excelled in their position

and/or

b.) They played first grade for a few years and didn't dominate the scene straight away and then exploded.

Although he's not a superstar just yet I would think that Ben Smith from the Eels didn't dominate in the lower grades but when given his chance in first grade earned a couple of man of the match performances.

On players who played in the NRL but didn't dominate straight away until they exploded I would say Dean Widders and Anthony Watmough come into this category. However I believe Dean Widders excelled in the SG ball.

i strongly disagree with the ben smith comment, being an eels supporter. watching lower grades last yr before he debut he was dominent along with another eel named feleti mateo

 

[taxidriver]

Ben Hornby

 

[knights04]

Definately harsh. Sattler was easily one of the best players for the Gold Coast when he played. Gave good service also to Penrith, Tigers regardless of his brilliant tackle.