sportsbarWho is in The Team of The Century?
December 19th 2007 23:34
Who is going to make the team of the Century?
This is always going to spark wild debate, and is a very subjective process. How do you determine the best team of the past 100 years? How can you pick a person that you have never seen with your own eyes?
Are Raper and Langlands assured of a starting spot? What about the battle for Half-back and five-eighth?
Just look at the names for Five Eighth and tell me who is most worthy, given that if they do not make it at five-eighth they most likely will miss the side altogether…
Brad Fittler,
Brett Kenny,
Wally Lewis
Bob Fulton
Laurie Daley
Vic Hay
Terry Lamb
(To name a few!!)
There is only one five-eighth position and most of these players - legendary they may be – will miss out on being in the 17 man Team of the Century list. It seems so cruel that so many great players will miss out… But that is the nature of picking a team of this caliber, it prompted one of the panel members to utter; “Can we pick two teams?” to rapturous laughter.
Greg Alexander of Penrith Panthers fame was part of the 30-man selection panel and admitted that picking the halves was one of the toughest positions.
“How do you pick?” Alexander lamented.
“It was so hard to split them, there is a split hair between all the five-eighths. You throw Terry Lamb in there as well – was there a better club footballer than Terry Lamb, ever - I don’t know?
“You have Wally Lewis who dominated at State of Origin level and then you have Laurie Daley who was Canberra’s main stay for so many years.”
“I mean they are all so talented, and I found picking one of them the hardest thing to do in being a part of picking the Team of the Century.”
Whilst the votes are in the vault - the announcement won’t be made until around week 6 of the season. Who would make your team? The criteria is a 17 man squad, but picked as if it would actually play… so you have to pick players in their positions… No Utilities (a part from the Bench)
So many options… Will Churchill make your team? Who will play up front? Is Joey the best Halfback or does his indiscretions prevent his selection? Remember, other Halves in the day also played up – it was celebrated back then though…
What about players pre the war? Some really great players, some pioneers – some who changed the game forever… Where do they fit into the scheme of things?
Players like Duncan Thompson and Bryan Bevan - Forgotten by our modern generation, but superstars back in the day.
Also a really interesting thing to consider is the No.9… This is one position that is unrecognisable across the different era’s. In the days of actual scrums, the hookers role was to win the ball… Fighting it out with the forwards. Now-a-days this part of the game is non existent and how can you pick the best hooker ever if the position has changed? - Just food for thought…
Also, you are required to pick a coach of the Century to coach the greatest team…
Have fun…
This is always going to spark wild debate, and is a very subjective process. How do you determine the best team of the past 100 years? How can you pick a person that you have never seen with your own eyes?
Are Raper and Langlands assured of a starting spot? What about the battle for Half-back and five-eighth?
Just look at the names for Five Eighth and tell me who is most worthy, given that if they do not make it at five-eighth they most likely will miss the side altogether…
Brad Fittler,
Brett Kenny,
Wally Lewis
Bob Fulton
Laurie Daley
Vic Hay
Terry Lamb
(To name a few!!)
There is only one five-eighth position and most of these players - legendary they may be – will miss out on being in the 17 man Team of the Century list. It seems so cruel that so many great players will miss out… But that is the nature of picking a team of this caliber, it prompted one of the panel members to utter; “Can we pick two teams?” to rapturous laughter.
Greg Alexander of Penrith Panthers fame was part of the 30-man selection panel and admitted that picking the halves was one of the toughest positions.
“How do you pick?” Alexander lamented.
“It was so hard to split them, there is a split hair between all the five-eighths. You throw Terry Lamb in there as well – was there a better club footballer than Terry Lamb, ever - I don’t know?
“You have Wally Lewis who dominated at State of Origin level and then you have Laurie Daley who was Canberra’s main stay for so many years.”
“I mean they are all so talented, and I found picking one of them the hardest thing to do in being a part of picking the Team of the Century.”
Whilst the votes are in the vault - the announcement won’t be made until around week 6 of the season. Who would make your team? The criteria is a 17 man squad, but picked as if it would actually play… so you have to pick players in their positions… No Utilities (a part from the Bench)
So many options… Will Churchill make your team? Who will play up front? Is Joey the best Halfback or does his indiscretions prevent his selection? Remember, other Halves in the day also played up – it was celebrated back then though…
What about players pre the war? Some really great players, some pioneers – some who changed the game forever… Where do they fit into the scheme of things?
Players like Duncan Thompson and Bryan Bevan - Forgotten by our modern generation, but superstars back in the day.
Also a really interesting thing to consider is the No.9… This is one position that is unrecognisable across the different era’s. In the days of actual scrums, the hookers role was to win the ball… Fighting it out with the forwards. Now-a-days this part of the game is non existent and how can you pick the best hooker ever if the position has changed? - Just food for thought…
Also, you are required to pick a coach of the Century to coach the greatest team…
Have fun…
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I am not familiar with the rules, the play nor the players...but I did meet the man they call the Chief(?) once and he is a very lovely man. So that's it, that's my only claim to knowledge.
When we're talking Team of the Century...well (for me) there's only one sport and one team and I'm very one-eyed about it!
...everyone can go on and on about the '84 Alan Jones coached Grand Slam winning team but for me...it was the Rod MacQueen-John Eales era...and don't start me on who the best five-eighth is...but I think you already know my answer to that...!
Have a Merry Christmas my friend! 'See' you around next year I hope??
Dusk
Comment by sportsbar
Sports Bar
Fret X
Centenary, Toyota Cup, World Cup, One Community, Team of the Century, State of Origin... its all happening...
The Chief... Paul Harrigon - best known for winning the Premiership with Newcastle in 97... DON"T TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT!!! and his persenting role on "The Footy Show"
Hope you have a good Xmas Dusk.
I'll be around next year
Have fun,
Andy