40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

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Who are the Canberra Raiders' greatest ever centres?

David Boyle
0
No votes
Jarrod Croker
29
29%
Blake Ferguson
1
1%
Ron Giteau
0
No votes
Phil Graham
1
1%
Peter Jackson
8
8%
Joey Leilua
8
8%
Mal Meninga
47
47%
Brett Mullins
4
4%
Adam Mogg
1
1%
Joel Monaghan
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 99

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greeneyed
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40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

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To help celebrate the Canberra Raiders 40th season, The Greenhouse is conducting a series of polls in the off season to determine The Greenhouse 40 Year Dream Team... the best squad of 17 players in the Canberra Raiders' history.

Since the club's 25th anniversary, we have polled the readers of The Greenhouse on their Raiders Dream Team every five years. This was the team chosen by the fans five years ago, following a season in which the Raiders qualified for a Preliminary Final:



So has the passing of an additional five years made a difference?

In familiar fashion, we're taking it position by position. Players need to have played 40 or more first grade games for Canberra to qualify to be part of each poll. They must also have played 25 games in a particular position for the Raiders to be nominated for that position. Effectively, to qualify, a player must have played at least two good seasons for the club... and at least one season in a particular position. Only the records of a player at the Raiders is taken into consideration. If you'd like to vote for a player not mentioned in the poll, you just have to post the player's name.

To add to the fun, list your top five in order. And we will finish with some polls to determine the top 30 squad of all time.

You have TWO votes in this poll. Please choose carefully, no re-voting is permitted. If you are reading the site via Tapatalk, please take the time to log into the site directly on your device so you can vote in the poll. Remember, if you want to see a player selected in another position, don't vote for them here. Once selected, the player is ineligible for later polls.

We will now move to the outside backs and here are the nominations for centre. Mark Bell is a grand final centre who does not qualify for the poll due to insufficient matches, while Laurie Daley and Ruben Wiki are grand final centres who are unavailable as they have been selected in other positions.

David Boyle: Born in the NSW south coast town of Bega, David Boyle made his first grade debut from the bench in the Round 4 1991 clash with the Gold Coast Seagulls at Bruce Stadium. Boyle scored a try on debut. A tough and solid defensive centre, Boyle played in three preliminary finals for the club. He was part of the 1994 Grand Final squad - but did not make it onto the field. He started at centre in both the 1995 and 1997 preliminary finals. After finishing with the Raiders, Boyle played 56 games in the English Super League with Bradford.

Raiders record: 1991-1998, 117 games, 35 tries, two goals, 144 points
66 games at centre, 16 on the wing, 35 off the bench
Three preliminary finals, eight finals games, four at centre, four off the bench

Representative record: Nil



Jarrod Croker: Hailing from the regional town of Goulburn, Jarrod Croker came through the Canberra Raiders junior grades. He was an Australian Schoolboy representative and NSW Under 18s representative. He was a part of the Raiders' National Youth Competition premiership team, and a part of the famous golden try which sealed the grand final in extra time. He made his NRL debut in Round 2 of 2009 against the Sydney Roosters and had gone on to break multiple point scoring records in the NRL and the club. He is second only to Jason Croker for most games at the club - and holds the record for most tries, goals and points at the club. He ranks third for most career points of all time in the NRL . He won the Provan Summons Medal in 2016, voted the best player in the NRL by the fans. He has also won the Meninga Medal (2014) and twice won the Fans' Choice Player of the Year. Appointed captain of the club in 2014, he was named Dally M Captain of the Year in 2016. He is one of just three players to lead the Raiders onto the field in a grand final - in 2019. The readers of The Greenhouse selected him at centre in the 35 Year Dream Team and the 2010s Team of the Decade.

Raiders record: 2009-2021, 291 games, 133 tries, 853 goals, 2,238 points
290 games at centre, one on the wing
One grand final, three preliminary finals, 12 finals games, all at centre
Dally M Captain of the Year 2016
Provan Summons Medal 2016
NRL Top pointscorer 2012, 2015, 2016
Third for most points scored in the NRL - 2,238
Equal fourth for most points scored in a season in the NRL - 296
Meninga Medal 2014
Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year 2013, 2014
Raiders Club Person of the Year, 2019
Most points for club - 2,238
Most tries for club - 133
Most goals for club - 853
Most points in a season at club - Jarrod Croker 296 (18T, 112G), 2016, also ranks third, fourth, fifth and ninth
Second for most games at club - 291
Equal third for most goals in a game at the club - Nine against Knights, Canberra Stadium, September 2, 2017
Fourth for most points in a game at the club - 24 (2T, 8G) against Titans, Canberra Stadium, May 9, 2015
Ninth for most tries in a season at the club - 18, 2014, 2016

Representative record: 2015-2017 NRL/World All Stars, three games
2015-2016 NSW Country, two games
2015 Prime Minister's XIII

Blake Ferguson: Blake Ferguson was recruited to the Raiders from the Cronulla Sharks on a two year deal, starting in 2011. He was the club's top try scorer (13) in both of his first two seasons in green. A powerful, explosive runner, he established a productive partnership with winger Sandor Earl. He effectively walked out of the club, after more than one off field incident. After his contract was terminated by the Raiders, he went on to play 90 games for the Roosters (2015-2018) and 57 for the Eels (2019-2021). After leaving the Raiders he also made seven appearances for Australia and a further eight for the Blues, all on the wing.

Raiders record: 2011-2013, 60 games, 36 tries, 14 goals, 172 points
30 games on the wing, 27 at centre, three at fullback
Two finals games, both at centre
Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year 2012, shared with Shaun Fensom

Representative record*: 2013 New South Wales, one game
2012 NSW Country, one game
2013 Indigenous All Stars, one game
2011 Prime Minister's XIII, one game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

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Ron Giteau: Ron Giteau joined the Raiders in 1983, after playing 96 games for the Magpies (1974-1980) and 46 for the Roosters (1981-1982). He took over as captain from Allan McMahon in 1984 and held that honour for two seasons. He was a prolific goal kicker, and is still sixth for most points scored at the club.

Raiders record: 1983-1986, 78 games, 14 tries, 234 goals, three field goals, 527 points
65 games at centre, six on the wing, four at fullback, three off the bench
Sixth for most points at the club - 527
Twelfth for most points in a season at the club - 193 (5T, 86G, 1FG), 1983

Representative record: Nil

Phil Graham: Born in Tamworth, Phil Graham was playing with the Redcliffe Dolphins before being recruited to the Raiders in 2002. He was the club's Rookie of the Year in his debut season in green, topping the try scoring list for the Raiders (13). Graham had speed to burn and was fond of an intercept. He headed to the Roosters at the end of 2009 (34 games, 2010-2011) and then the Gold Coast (two games, 2012). The readers of The Greenhouse voted him into the 2000's Team of the Decade on the wing. He was also named on the wing in the Raiders' official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2002-2009, 111 games, 68 tries, 10 goals, 292 points
73 games at centre, 32 on the wing, three at fullback, three off the bench
Two finals games, one at centre, one on the wing
Raiders Rookie of the Year 2002
Scored four tries in a game once: Against Brisbane, Canberra Stadium, August 1, 2009

Representative record: 2007 NSW Country, one game

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Peter Jackson: Peter Jackson, born in Brisbane, played with Brisbane Souths before he was recruited to the Raiders on a two year deal, starting in 1987. He had just broken into the Maroons' ranks, playing one game for Queensland in 1986. He was a regular selection for Queensland while with the Raiders, and was selected for Australia from the club in 1988. Jackson was a key player in the club's charge to its first grand final, partnering Mal Meninga in the centres in the 1987 decider. He was poached by Wayne Bennett, joining the Brisbane Broncos in 1989 (29 games, 1989-90), before heading to the North Sydney Bears (31 games, 1991-1993). He also played 20 games for Leeds, in England, during the off season while with Canberra. He played a total of nine Tests for Australia and 16 games for Queensland. Jackson was voted in at centre in the 25 and 30 Year Dream Teams by the members of the Greenhouse. He was included in the club's official list of the 25 best players of the Raiders' first 25 years and named at centre in the Canberra Raiders' official 20 Years Greatest Ever Team.

Raiders record: 1987-1988, 43 games, 15 tries, six goals, 72 points
42 games at centre, one at five eighth
One grand final, six finals games, all at centre

Representative record*: 1988 Australia, four games, including one World Cup game
1987-1988 Queensland, seven games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs



Joey Leilua: Joey Leilua was a 2015 mid season recruit to the Raiders from the Newcastle Knights (54 games, 2013-2015) . He'd previously made his NRL debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2010 (59 games, 2010-2012). An explosive runner, Leilua reached the best form of his career with Canberra - forming a lethal partnership with winger Jordan Rapana. The duo became known as "Leipana" He set up one of the most memorable tries in Raiders history in the final round of 2016 at Leichhardt Oval, when he ran backwards towards the try line, before throwing a flick pass around his back to Rapana, who scored. He was named Dally M Centre of the Year twice, while with the Raiders. His one finals bench start occurred because he got some debris in his eye from from fireworks as he ran onto the field in the Week 1 2019 final in Melbourne. He finished with the club after the 2019 Grand Final, heading to the Wests Tigers (21 games, 2020-21).

Raiders record: 2015-2019, 91 games, 39 tries, 156 points
89 games at centre, two off the bench
One grand final, six finals games, five at centre, one off the bench
Dally M Centre of the Year 2016, 2018
Raiders Coaches Award 2016

Representative record*: 1988 Samoa, eight games, including four World Cup games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs



Mal Meninga: Mal Meninga is one of only 13 Immortals of the game in Australia - and the only Raiders Immortal. He is widely regarded as the club's best ever signing, the catalyst for the Raiders' golden age of the late 1980s to mid 1990s. Born in Bundaberg, Meninga joined the Raiders in 1986 and went on to play in five grand finals and win three premierships with the club. He was a colossus at centre, a barnstorming, unstoppable runner and a punishing defender. He was appointed Raiders captain in 1989 and led the team to each of its three premierships. When he retired, he had set multiple records for Australia and Queensland. He had made an unprecedented four Kangaroos Tours, captaining two, scored the most points in Test rugby league (272), captained Australia in 23 Tests, made the most appearances in State of Origin (32), and scored the most points in Origin (161). He played over 400 first class games with the Raiders and Brisbane Souths - and appeared in 11 grand finals with the two clubs. He also won two premierships in Brisbane. The members of The Greenhouse voted him in at centre in the 25, 30 and 35 Year Dream Teams. They also named him as the greatest Raider of all time in 2007. Meninga was included in the club's list of the top 25 players on the occasion of the 25th anniversary. He was also named at centre in the club's official 20 Years Greatest Ever Team.

Raiders record: 1986-1994, 166 games, 74 tries, 283 goals, two field goals, 864 points
160 games at centre, three in the second row, two at five eighth, one off the bench
Three premierships, five grand finals, 19 finals games, 18 at centre, one at five eighth
Golden Boot 1990, Best Player in the World
Rugby League Week Player of the Year 1990
Dally M Centre of the Year 1990, 1991
Dally M Captain of the Year 1994
Raiders Players' Player 1991
Raiders Best Player 1990
Fourth most points for the club - 864 (74T, 283G, 2FG), 1986-1994
Sixth most tries for the club - 74, 1986-1994
Most points in a match for the club - 38 (5T, 9G) V Easts, Bruce Stadium, August 22, 1993, also ranks third
Only player to score five tries for the club - against the Roosters, Bruce Stadium, April 15, 1990
Equal third most goals for the club - nine against the Roosters, Bruce Stadium, April 15, 1990
Equal tenth most tries in a season for the club - 17, 1990
Eighth most points in a season for the club - 212 (17T, 72G), 1990
Australian Team of the Century, 2008
Queensland Team of the Century, 2008
NRL Immortal
NRL Hall of Fame
Raiders Hall of Fame

Representative record*: 1986-1994 Australia, 34 games, including 11 World Cup games
1986-1994 Queensland, 19 games
1988 Australian President's XIII, against Great Britain Lions, Queanbeyan
1990-1994 Australian captain
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs



Brett Mullins: Speedster Brett Mullins rose from the Raiders' junior ranks to become one of the club's top try scorers of all time. He scored 105 tries - one of only three Raiders to score more than 100 four pointers. He and his father Bill became the first father-son combination to score more than a century of tries. At times, the things he did on the field were exhilarating - such as the "miracle try" scored against the Broncos one night at Canberra Statdium. That double kick and chase has gone down in Raiders folklore. He memorably scored four long range tries against the Knights at Newcastle in 1994. He went to England to play with Leeds in the 2001 season. He then linked with Ricky Stuart and the Roosters in 2002 for a premiership winning season, playing mostly on the wing. Primarily a fullback, he also played 48 games at centre at the Raiders. As he only played 12 games on the wing for the Raiders he is not eligible for that position. He made the 25 year Dream Team on the bench, but has not featured in the top 17 since. He won the Dally M Fullback of the Year once, in 1994.

Raiders record: 1990-2000, 183 games, 105 tries, 420 points
113 games at fullback, 48 at centre, 12 at winger, 10 off the bench
One premiership, one grand final, 17 finals matches. Eight finals games at fullback, including the 1994 grand final. Eight finals games at centre and one on the wing.
Raiders Sponsors Award 1994
Dally M Fullback of the Year 1994
Third most tries: 105, 1990-2000
Equal second for most tries in a season: 22, 1994
Twice scored four tries in a game: four against the Rabbitohs, Sydney Football Stadium, July 24, 1994
four against the Knights, Newcastle, July 29, 1994
Ninth most points: 420 (105T) 1990-2000

Representative record: 1994-1997 Australia nine games, including three with Super League
1994-1997 New South Wales seven games, including two with Super League
1992-1996 NSW Country four games

Adam Mogg: Adam Mogg, born in Toowoomba, joined the Raiders in 2003 after spending one season with the Parramatta Eels (2002, nine games). He played five seasons with the Redcliffe Dolphins before his NRL debut. Mogg was one of the oldest players to make his Origin debut for Queensland, after Greg Inglis was ruled out through injury in 2006. The headlines read "Adam Who?" in Sydney, but he scored three tries in his two games, helping the Maroons win the series - after they had lost the first game. Mogg headed to the Catalan Dragons after the 2006 season (2007-2010, 84 games), before returning to the Green Machine for the 2010 season. He was voted in at centre by the members of The Greenhouse in the 2000s Team of the Decade. He was also named at centre in the club's official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2003-2006, 2010, 96 games, 38 tries, 152 points
79 games at centre, eight on the wing, three at halfback, one at fullback, five off the bench
Four finals games, all at centre

Representative record: 2006 Queensland, two games



Joel Monaghan: Joel Monaghan, born in Canberra, rose through the Raiders' juniors, representing the Australian Schoolboys in 2000. He made his NRL début in green in Round 10 of 2001 against the Penrith Panthers and spent four seasons at the club before being poached by the Sydney Roosters (44 games, 2005-2007). He returned to the Green Machine in 2008, winning the Meninga Medal and reaching representative level with the Kangaroos and the Blues. After an off season incident, he resigned from the club and headed to England in 2011, where he played with the Warrington Wolves (2011-2015, 144 games) and Casteleford Tigers (2016-2017, 34 games). He was voted in at centre by the members of The Greenhouse in the 2000s Team of the Decade. He was also named at centre in the club's official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2001-2004, 2008-2010, 129 games, 69 tries, six goals, 288 points
87 games at centre, 41 on the wing, one off the bench
Seven finals games, five at centre, two on the wing
Meninga Medal 2008
Equal fifth for most tries in a season for club - 21, 2003
Equal eighth for most tries for club - 69
Scored four tries in a game for club - against Sea Eagles, Brookvale Oval, August 10, 2003

Representative record: 2008 Australia, five games
2008-2019 New South Wales, three games
2008-2009 NSW Country, two games
2008-2009 Prime Minister's XIII, two games
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Seiffert82
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Seiffert82 »

Toots made the 35 year all-time team didn't he?

This will be interesting.

Jarrod Croker is definitely up there as far as his contribution goes over a long period of time. Jacko was a gun for a couple of seasons and Leilua was arguably the best centre in the NRL at his peak. Monas was also top shelf for a period there, and easy to forget.

I'd say Daley was our second best centre behind Mal, but he's also our best 5/8, so can't be considered.

IMO the other four all have genuine claims to the spot. Leilua probably harmed his legacy post 2019, which didn't help.

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greeneyed
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

I voted for Mal Meninga and Peter Jackson last time, but I think Jarrod Croker has overtaken Jackson. Jackson played for both Queensland and Australia from the club, but only spent two years in Canberra. Both Croker and Jackson have one grand final appearance, no premierships, but I think overall, Croker has been a clearly stronger performer for the club. Croker has won Raiders Player of the Year, Jackson did not.

I didn't do a top five five years ago, but my top three were the same, just in a different order. Joey Leilua is the only Raider apart from Mal Meninga, to win the Dally M Centre of the Year (both players won twice), so he's justifiably in the top five, despite his inconsistency. Joel Monaghan takes fifth, given his representative record. I don't think Mullins was at his best at centre.

1. Mal Meninga
2. Jarrod Croker
3. Peter Jackson
4. Joey Leilua
5. Joel Monaghan
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Botman
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by julian87 »

Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
I'd take Brad over Brett tbh.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by hrundi89 »

I was going to select Wiki but as I can't I'm going to to raise my middle finger instead as none of the options not named Mal interest me.

Joey above Joel? Short memories...
You may remember me from such forum usernames as hrundi99 and... hrundi99.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by -PJ- »

Mal is two centre spots.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank :shock:
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Crash Ball »

My top 5
1. Meninga
2. Daley
3. Wiki
4. Jackson
5. Croker

I went for Jackson and Meninga in the vote. While Croker has great longevity I don't believe he influenced a successful side to the same degree as Jackson or performed at near the same level outside maybe 2016, and he has declined quite a lot since then.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Wiki Special »

Why is Jason Croker not offered as a Centre option?
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greeneyed
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
Just as well I didn't give Jason a nomination for his 2003 finals series!

So who are your top five?
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greeneyed
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

Wiki Special wrote: November 30, 2021, 4:35 pm Why is Jason Croker not offered as a Centre option?
He's been nominated for second row and lock. When you look at his career, he's primarily a forward. He has the number of games at centre to qualify, so if people would like to vote for him here, you can post it.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Matt »

Mal and whom???
I've gone Jarrod. I know that will be unpopular with many, but holds too many club records to not be in the team.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Matt »

Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
Thats a who's who.
No room for Allwood?
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by afgtnk »

Look, on one hand, I do respect the will of the fans to an extent. I also respect Jarrod Croker's enormous contribution to this club, and the records he's set. It'll take a while for them to be surpassed. Having the kind of longevity he's had and playing for the one club, in this day an age, is honourable.

On the other, Jarrod Croker does not belong in a lineup choc full of rep stars and players who can lay claim to being amongst the greatest ever in their positions. He is not the second best centre to ever play for this club, and it's not even close. He'd have rings run around him by other 'GOAT' sides, and would be the very clear weak link in a side that could very possibly be named as the greatest out of any club. I'm sorry, but it makes this whole process a bit of a farce.

EDIT
Last edited by greeneyed on November 30, 2021, 7:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Over the top criticism
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Wiki Special »

greeneyed wrote: November 30, 2021, 5:09 pm
Wiki Special wrote: November 30, 2021, 4:35 pm Why is Jason Croker not offered as a Centre option?
He's been nominated for second row and lock. When you look at his career, he's primarily a forward. He has the number of games at centre to qualify, so if people would like to vote for him here, you can post it.
Although I should be voting Meninga and Wiki here I would like to vote for Jason Croker as an option please. And to your point that he was primarily a forward, of the 308 games he started 158 were in the forwards and 150 in the backs. Hardly primarily a forward.

Serious 'Yes or No' Question;

Of the players eligible to play centre and second row for this Dream Team, are the best 4 Raiders Meninga, Wiki, Jason Croker, Furner?
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

Yes, but Croker won his only premiership in the second row and the only Dally M positional award he won was Dally M Lock of the Year... and which was the year when he won the equivalent of the Meninga Medal. His performances in the forwards were a step above those in the backs, in my view (particularly the 57 he played at five eighth). I definitely considered Croker for this poll.

I have asked people to make their nominations in the general threads on the 40 Year Dream Team, but I can't remember any. I trail through every finals game and all the lists of records to identify the possible candidates. For the polls that involve more than one player, it takes a good part of a couple of days to set up the polls and write the player profiles and outline the records. Just trying to do my best, sorry if it is not up to scratch.
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Wiki Special »

He was a gun player in most positiins he played but I get your point. Which is why it really should be;

3. Meninga
4. Wiki (who also won his only Premiership at Centre if we are counting things like that, played an almost identical number of games at Centre as Second Row too - and more Finals games at Centre)

11. Jason Croker
12. Furner
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

:lol: well this is going entirely as expected.
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greeneyed
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

That certainly would be a creditable outcome, but most people still voted for Wiki in the forwards, knowing that that Daley and Wiki would be unavailable for centre...
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

greeneyed wrote: November 30, 2021, 5:07 pm
Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
Just as well I didn't give Jason a nomination for his 2003 finals series!

So who are your top five?
Of the options available to me, and based on players i personally watched enough to have a very strong opinion of (so the 80's guys are not included)
Meninga, Jarrod Croker, BJ, Monnas and Moggles

Wouldnt consider Jason Croker for a spot here for the same reasons i wouldnt have considered Wiki, no one will remember Jason Croker for him contributions in the outside backs. He did his best work and played far and away his best footy in the forwards. That's how i view it anyways and i really only consider contributions to the Raiders. Otherwise Ben Kennedy would be an easy inclusion, but that hurts someone like Monnas and to some extend BJ, both whom spent large parts of their careers at other clubs

Phil Graham had he played at a different time i think could have been in the discussion. Mogg was a damn good player though. Not enough to get my vote but a good shout.

Its Meninga and Daley if you could double up on players though. They are definitely the clubs best individual players who played enough centre for me to think it's justified in selecting them
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Wiki Special »

Like I said at the time in the Second Row Poll, if you put the Centre Poll up first Wiki would have made it as Centre.

Honestly, our best 13 of eligible players is pretty clear cut - I honestly would be surprised if most didn't agree it was;

1. Belcher
2. Ferguson
3. Meninga (c)
4. Wiki
5. Rapana
6. Daley
7. Stuart
8. Papalii
9. Walters
10. Lazarus
11. Jason Croker
12. Furner
13. Clyde
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greeneyed
Don Furner
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by greeneyed »

But as I mentioned in another thread, if we did centre first, then Laurie Daley would probably be judged the best centre... and Wiki would still be included in the second row, but we'd have no five eighth.

If I were unconstrained my top five centres would probably be:

1. Meninga
2. Daley
3. Wiki
4. Croker
5. Jackson
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Hong Kong Raider »

I voted Mal and Peter Jackson. I think the late Peter Jackson played his best football for us rather than at Brisbane or Norths. Was better than Wiki in the centres, although both players were of international standard.

I note Mal voted for Jackson and Wiki in the centres in his all time team last year. Would be interesting to see other former Raiders' votes as well.

We all knew what was going to happen with this poll !
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Crash Ball
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Crash Ball »

I guess its hard to judge players from that long ago for most of us, but fwiw Mal selected Jackson as the captain of his greatest Raiders team last year and he would probably have a clue.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 40fcb14727
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Seiffert82
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Seiffert82 »

FWIW, with Daley and Wiki out of the running this is my list...

1. Meninga
2. Leilua (can't get past the fact he was the best in the NRL for about 2 seasons)
3. Jackson (probably was at his best after leaving the club)
4. Croker (it's a pity his last season or so has tainted his legacy)
5. Monaghan


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BadnMean
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by BadnMean »

Seiffert82 wrote: November 30, 2021, 8:06 pm FWIW, with Daley and Wiki out of the running this is my list...

1. Meninga
2. Leilua (can't get past the fact he was the best in the NRL for about 2 seasons)
3. Jackson (probably was at his best after leaving the club)
4. Croker (it's a pity his last season or so has tainted his legacy)
5. Monaghan


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Botman
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

julian87 wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:48 pm
Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
I'd take Brad over Brett tbh.
VERY fair call. Think i meant Brett :lol:
both worthy considerations though

Mostly this task is one of great pain... this one kind... i sort of enjoyed it... boy we've had some grim centress
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Botman
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

Matt wrote: November 30, 2021, 5:27 pm
Botman wrote: November 30, 2021, 3:42 pm My bottom 5 centres:

- Brad Kelly
- Craig Frawley
- Curtis Scott
- David Schrader
- Jason Bulgarelli
Thats a who's who.
No room for Allwood?
Not even consideration... IIRC he was involved in one of the best tactical games from a raiders team in living memory.. we exclusively kicked to Inglis to Allwood's side and he chief amongst the kick chasers completely shut down down a PEAK greg inglis who was tearing **** up, and led to a very comfortable win
that alone got him out of the running for me
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Hong Kong Raider »

If the voting for wingers go the way I think it will (Chicka and Rapana or Noa), this team is full of representative players of the highest calibre, who have played for their countries. They have also played SOO if eligible. It's really the greatest of the greatest. Even Test and SOO stars like Brett Mullins, Sam Backo, Peter Jackson and Dally M/Clive Churchill winner Jack Wighton cannot make the 1st 13.

One player from this team sticks out like a sore thumb.
Billy Walker
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Billy Walker »

I went with Mal and the late great Peter Jackson. Croker will be selected in the second centre role. He won’t retire having represented his state, country or having won a premiership unlike many others on the list, but that isn’t the reason he doesn’t get my vote.

He doesn’t get my vote because a dream team should be filled with players that have brought success to the club. JC has played in more losses than wins (147 L v 143W). For perspective the record 147 losses for the club is more than Jackson, BJ, Boyle, Fergo and Mogg played in combined (129). Those 5 players also chalked up 181 wins.

I struggle to make a case for a player in an all time great team, when that player hasn’t played representative football and has played in more losses for the club than any other player in its history.

Not sure you’d find that in any other dream team across the NRL.
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Andymachine
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Andymachine »

greeneyed wrote: November 30, 2021, 7:52 pm But as I mentioned in another thread, if we did centre first, then Laurie Daley would probably be judged the best centre... and Wiki would still be included in the second row, but we'd have no five eighth.

If I were unconstrained my top five centres would be:

1. Meninga
2. Daley
3. Wiki
4. Croker
5. Jackson
I don't think that's true. I think everyone would have saved their Laurie vote for 5/8 regardless.

Anyway, looks like Jarrod's going to get a spot in this on the back of his:
a) Longevity
b) goalkicking

I can't help but feel that he has not been the best centre at the club during his tenure here, let alone an all time great who should be making the 40 year dream team. Point scoring (goalkicking) aside, his on-field contributions have been well below Joey's (2x centre of the year) for the 5 years they played together. Before that, Ferguson (NSW/Aus) was an absolute beast at centre before he walked out and before that Monnas (NSW/Aus) was our go-to centre who was making the NSW team at wing but playing centre for us. We've even had Jack Wighton (NSW/Aus, CC, Dally M) being picked at left centre for the blues so arguably Jarrod's been the 3rd best centre in the team for quite a while.

Like others, I think that a player who couldn't crack a rep squad and has spent most of his career being a defensive target is the clear outlier in this team but he's played for a long time and he gives his headgear to the kids so c'est la vie. FTR I voted Mal and Joey.
Last edited by Andymachine on December 1, 2021, 8:21 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Wiki Special »

greeneyed wrote: November 30, 2021, 7:52 pm But as I mentioned in another thread, if we did centre first, then Laurie Daley would probably be judged the best centre... and Wiki would still be included in the second row, but we'd have no five eighth.

If I were unconstrained my top five centres would be:

1. Meninga
2. Daley
3. Wiki
4. Croker
5. Jackson
I didn't mean Centre first, I meant Centre before Second Row. You were right to do the spine first.
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Botman
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Botman »

i have to say im positively tickled by how pained some people are over Croker being voted into this side.
We should run this every year
Raiders666
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Raiders666 »

Lol I voted for Croker thinking it was Jason...Oops 🤷
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres

Post by Raiders666 »

Just a question...Would we be a better side with Daley and Meninga In the centres and Wighton at 5/8 ? I will probably get laughed at...Just a thought though
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