sportsbarTeam of the Century - The Glitz, The Glamor - The Verdict
April 18th 2008 01:23
What a night, what more could you ask for?
The greatest gathering of Rugby League talent we are ever likely to see, the 100 greatest players of the Century with only a few omissions all turned up to the glitzy Royal Industries at Fox Studios for the naming of the Team of the Century.
Everywhere you looked you were surrounded by greatness – Summons, Provan, the King, Joey, Daley, Ron Coote – the list goes on and on… The Black tie event which featured the ‘Tap Dogs’ decked out in full Football clobber and tapping away with special video effects – the night had it all…
The night was always going to be contentious for some – but then again, it was meant to be… If it was designed to cause debate and interest – mission accomplished. An what an honor for the 17 men and coach picked in the Team.
The big talking point would be big Mal Meninga’s inclusion in the centres ahead of Langlands and Fulton – who were demoted to the bench – and what a bench! With Langlands, Fulton, Messenger and Frank Burge..
Here is the team that was announced last night
Fullback: Clive Churchill
Wingers: Ken Irvine, Brian Bevan
Centres: Reg Gasnier, Mal Meninga
Five-eighth: Wally Lewis
Halfback: Andrew Johns
Lock: John Raper
Second row: Ron Coote, Norm Provan
Front row: Duncan Hall, Arthur Beetson
Hooker: Noel Kelly
Reserves: Dally Messenger, Bob Fulton, Graeme Langlands, Frank Burge
Coach: Jack Gibson
These guys are a class act – all happy for an interview after the announcement and are a credit to the game –
Now for all those people who thought they knew the team… Nobody picked it, nil, zero, a duck… In sport there is always s a surprise… and last night was no different
I know people are likely to bag Joey in the coming days and how he could get picked… My response would be – how could you leave him out? Yes, he did the wrong thing, but if you think the players of yesteryear were saints think again – it would be very hypocritical and nieve to believe the old skool group didn’t get up to mischief – they just had the luxury of not having the media world we live in today. Joey had to be named in the team – and he was visibly moved by his inclusion. You could tell that it meant a lot to him – that some of his demons may have been laid to rest last night.
“I feel like the Rugby League World has forgiven me,” Johns said.
For an awesome look at the Team of the Century and players who were in the running, I strongly recommend you check out this site -
Really Long Link
The night also featured the best NRL ad campaigns in recent memory ... the first Rugby League Anthem...
no not the one your thinking it was actually "Thin Lizzy - The bopys are back in town" - Pure Gold!
And then of course the legendary Tina Turner - who revolutionized the way sport is marketing in this country and others...
"I get knocked down - but I get up again"
And then an old face from 1999 showed up on stage out of the blow to the imortal words - Blow that whistle Ref...
And of course - That's My team
---
It is heritage round this week – and if you can get to any game this year – go out and watch a game this week! The Tigers play Souths 100 years to the day of the first ever Rugby League game – Ironically that match was between Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers – who now form the Wests Tigers…
The game is at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground – Get there early and support Three Foundation Clubs…
The greatest gathering of Rugby League talent we are ever likely to see, the 100 greatest players of the Century with only a few omissions all turned up to the glitzy Royal Industries at Fox Studios for the naming of the Team of the Century.
Everywhere you looked you were surrounded by greatness – Summons, Provan, the King, Joey, Daley, Ron Coote – the list goes on and on… The Black tie event which featured the ‘Tap Dogs’ decked out in full Football clobber and tapping away with special video effects – the night had it all…
The night was always going to be contentious for some – but then again, it was meant to be… If it was designed to cause debate and interest – mission accomplished. An what an honor for the 17 men and coach picked in the Team.
The big talking point would be big Mal Meninga’s inclusion in the centres ahead of Langlands and Fulton – who were demoted to the bench – and what a bench! With Langlands, Fulton, Messenger and Frank Burge..
Here is the team that was announced last night
Fullback: Clive Churchill
Wingers: Ken Irvine, Brian Bevan
Centres: Reg Gasnier, Mal Meninga
Five-eighth: Wally Lewis
Halfback: Andrew Johns
Lock: John Raper
Second row: Ron Coote, Norm Provan
Front row: Duncan Hall, Arthur Beetson
Hooker: Noel Kelly
Reserves: Dally Messenger, Bob Fulton, Graeme Langlands, Frank Burge
Coach: Jack Gibson
These guys are a class act – all happy for an interview after the announcement and are a credit to the game –
Now for all those people who thought they knew the team… Nobody picked it, nil, zero, a duck… In sport there is always s a surprise… and last night was no different
I know people are likely to bag Joey in the coming days and how he could get picked… My response would be – how could you leave him out? Yes, he did the wrong thing, but if you think the players of yesteryear were saints think again – it would be very hypocritical and nieve to believe the old skool group didn’t get up to mischief – they just had the luxury of not having the media world we live in today. Joey had to be named in the team – and he was visibly moved by his inclusion. You could tell that it meant a lot to him – that some of his demons may have been laid to rest last night.
“I feel like the Rugby League World has forgiven me,” Johns said.
For an awesome look at the Team of the Century and players who were in the running, I strongly recommend you check out this site -
Really Long Link
The night also featured the best NRL ad campaigns in recent memory ... the first Rugby League Anthem...
no not the one your thinking it was actually "Thin Lizzy - The bopys are back in town" - Pure Gold!
And then of course the legendary Tina Turner - who revolutionized the way sport is marketing in this country and others...
"I get knocked down - but I get up again"
And then an old face from 1999 showed up on stage out of the blow to the imortal words - Blow that whistle Ref...
And of course - That's My team
---
It is heritage round this week – and if you can get to any game this year – go out and watch a game this week! The Tigers play Souths 100 years to the day of the first ever Rugby League game – Ironically that match was between Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers – who now form the Wests Tigers…
The game is at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground – Get there early and support Three Foundation Clubs…
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