sidelined

As part of the centenary celebrations for rugby league in Australia, the top 100 players of all time have been announced. As such lists do, it has sparked argument considering that only Darren Lockyer is the only current player to make the list.

Roy Masters, who was one of those eligible to vote, outlines the process and argues that out of the 120 who were eligible to vote, that fact that only 68 did so, affected the results.

but if anyone let them down, it was the members of the Australian Rugby League voting college who neglected to vote. Of the 120 eligible to vote, only 68 did so.

So close were some of the selections that, had a few more voted, some players would have been out of the top 100 and others in.

Voters were only required to name 64 players because the college had already inducted 36 players into a hall of fame.

Except for the truly brilliant, it is rare for a player to achieve greatness during their career. Often it isn’t till a few years, or even the odd decade, after a player hangs up their boots that their place in the game becomes clear. Take two second rowers on the list. Steve Menzies has served the game well and is second on the all time try scorers lists. And Nathan Hindmarsh has given his all for club, state and country. Both players are already legends for their respective clubs while still playing. Their place in the game is assured but what about their standing against 100 years of league? It is a hard call.

I’m sure it will dominate discussion in the pubs and at the trail games over the weekend. But instead of focusing on who is left out, what about those who made the list? The great names are well known but many lesser lights, simply because time has eroded the popular memories of their achievements, may puzzle contemporary fans but delight the historians. Surely the deserve a place just as much as those who occupy our current view of the game?

Enjoy the list. And enjoy the game. 2008 promises to be another great season and 100 years on, league is healthy and the players just as good those who have ran onto the fields before them.