Most recently, Nathan Hindmarsh was voted by NRL fans as the greatest player to never win a Premiership.
This got me thinking.
With only four premierships in our 73 years, the Eels have a “rich history” of not being able to win titles. Therefore, the register of quality Parra players to never hold up a trophy on grand final day would be quite extensive.
It was time to have a crack at compiling a team of the greatest Eels players to have never won a Premiership.
Geoff Gerard
This was not an easy task. In compiling this greatest list, it became necessary to create two eras. With the four titles arriving during a six year period, it was easy to find the dividing line of “pre” and “post” Premierships.
Consequently, the Team List Tuesday for the next two weeks will be broken into two sections.
This week will feature players who donned the Blue and Gold jersey prior to 1981.
To be eligible for this list, the players are not allowed to have won a title at another club, or with the Eels from 1981 onwards. Therefore players such as Jim Porter, Arthur Beetson or John Peard are ineligible.
What was evident in putting this post together, was that the depth chart in the forwards was much greater than its backline equivalent. The inclusion of the bench made it easier to accommodate quality forwards who didn’t deserve omission.
Nonetheless, I’m confident that the backline named would cause problems for any opponents. All bar Mick Pattison earned at least state representation. That said, Pattinson did play for City Firsts, and only cruel injuries and bad luck robbed the highly talented five-eighth of achieving higher honours. With the capacity to also play lock, he’s the ideal foil to partner the tough but diminutive John Kolc in the halves.
There’s a few players listed in this 1975 Eels team
I’ve awarded the captaincy to the legendary Ken Thornett. The “Mayor of Parramatta” had the respect of team mates as well as the champion players of his era. He was a generational footballer who changed the face of fullback play
My most controversial selection is probably that of Geoff Gerard in the centres. I’ve included him at the expense of one of my favourite players – 1977 grand final try scorer, Ed Sulkowicz. However, Gerard played at centre in his first two years of first grade, winning the Eels rookie of the year award in 1974. He was quite dynamic out wide in the early part of his career.
I’ve opted for the professional sprinter and goal kicker, Arch Brown, to play outside of Gerard. This would take advantage of Gerard’s ball skills. Likewise, I’ve put the evasive Neville Glover outside of Aussie rep Barry Rushworth. Given half a chance, the goose stepping Nifty would regularly beat his opponent.
There really is a wealth of talent in this Eels pack, and I’d back those selected to be successful in any era.
Ron “Thirsty” Lynch
If you braved the middle of a rugby league field in the 1960s and 1970s you learned to grow eyes in the back of your head. Contested scrums weren’t for the faint-hearted, whilst stiff arm tackles and cheap shots were all part of the softening up period for those blokes.
To reach representative status as a forward you had to be both ridiculously tough and skilful. And if you played for a team which couldn’t win a title, there was even more kudos for your selection. All of this pack did just that.
Given the pre 1981 time frame, a combination of scrum winning prowess and pace in general play sees McMartin get the nod ahead of Rayner, who instead gains a spot on the bench.
McMartin is propped by lanky representative front rower Dennis Fitzgerald and 60s hard man, Brian Hambly. The multi-talented Dick Thornett partners the hard nosed Ray Higgs in the back row, with another captaincy contender, Ron Lynch locking the pack.
As for the bench, every one of the players earned an Aussie jersey and could easily lay claim to a starting position. Billy Rayner gets the second rake spot, whilst John Quayle would be a handy inclusion for his scrum base combination with Kolc. In his prime, Keith Campbell was a mobile lock who could also play centre, whereas there were few props tougher than Graham Olling.
The team list:
Backs
Fullback: Ken Thornett (1962 -1971) – 129 games, 3 NSW, 12 Australia
Wing: Neville Glover (1975 – 1981) – 119 games, 1 NSW, 2 Australia
Centre: Barry Rushworth (1964 – 1971) – 104 games, 2 NSW, 1 Australia
Centre: Geoff Gerard (1974 – 1980) – 122 games, 2 NSW, 6 Australia
Wing: Arch Brown (1965 – 1979) – 72 games, 4 Qld
Five-eighth: Mick Pattison (1978 – 1980, 1983-1984) – 53 games
Half: John Kolc (1972 – 1981) – 100 games, 1 Australia
Forwards
Prop: Dennis Fitzgerald (1970 – 1977) – 145 games, 5 NSW, 5 Australia
Dummy Half: John McMartin (1966 – 1975) – 167 games, 1 NSW
Prop: Brian Hambly (1961 – 1967) – 105 games, 11 NSW, 18 Australia
Back Row: Dick Thornett (1963 – 1971) – 160 games, 13 NSW, 11 Australia
Back Row: Ray Higgs (1975 – 1977) – 70 games, 3 QLD, 7 NSW, 9 Australia
Lock: Ron Lynch (1961 – 1971) – 194 games, 17 NSW, 12 Australia
Bench
Billy Rayner (1956 – 1967) – 195 games, 2 NSW, 2 Australia
John Quayle (1973 – 1976) – 57 games, 2 NSW, 3 Australia
Keith Campbell (1968 – 1975) – 111 games, 2 NSW, 1 Australia
Graham Olling (1975 – 1980) – 88 games, 3 NSW, 6 Australia
There you have it.
Some names might not be familiar with Eels supporters under the age of 50, but viewing the representative honours earned by each player would probably provide readers with some idea about their quality.
It definitely contains a number of players who deserved to win a title.
Are there any other players who should have been named? I’ll let you be the judge.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Roy Fisher who played 170 (161 in FG) consecutive grade games for the club should be in the 21. Roy must have been a tough bugger. Those games were in the front row between 53 & 62. WW3 in the scrum in that time period
Fair call. Obviously, I never saw Roy play, but I’d be interested in the comments from any readers who did see him play. Dad remembers him as very consistent in a time where the Eels were regularly near the bottom of the table. Said that he was so consistent in his play that he’d be the first player you’d pick for the team each week. That number of consecutive games is extraordinary in any era, let alone back then.
My late dad, spoke highly of him.
A look elsewhere as to where the eels are/has been.
https://www.nrl.com/tv/shows/documentaries/2020/rugby-league-dynasties-parramatta-eels/
Watched that today Colin. Great memories of an amazing time.
sixties, I find these sort of posts really great, but its darn hard to often pick one player over another, meaning at times the one chosen has a better player on their day that is not even on the bench.
When looking at Glover, his dropped ball meaning we lost a GF makes it hard to pick him, I often think of the player we got from Canberra who came as a second rower and played a lot on the left wing, and let no one down
Brett Atkins
That’s the one. Having some health issues atm and his name totally escaped me, I thought he was a good pick up.
Colin, that’s the beauty of looking back like that. You think of players that maybe deserve a spot, and then the memories of others come flooding bsck. They might be a personal favourite or a fan favourite, or even have matches when they had a day out. Older readers than me remember players like Roy Fisher or Mitchell Wallace etc. Younger readers will be able to debate Forty’s next team list of 87 onwards next week.
sixties, I can remember some games in the 50’s not a lot and the same with the players, sitting next to my dad he knew them all, and called them by name during the games.
The Thornett brothers are stand outs for me, as was Thirsty, Lingard, MacMartin and a few others. There are others that escape me now. but picking a team would not be easy really as there really have been so many great ones over the years that were very much worthy of selections.
I picture a player again his name is on the tip of my tongue and others may identify him, a tall solid player in much the same build as Provan, always a jovial person and great to be around, he was a different person on the field though and nowhere near his off field joviality.
I will try and find his name, it sort of was like and Colin Alterator’s name also comes up.
Thanks for that Col. Fantastic stuff.
Cheers.
Agreed, and this was at a time when the game was a passion, they still need to front up to work the next day.
Roy Fisher was my uncle, and I can vouch that there was not a tougher man alive at the time. He was of the level and tenacity of Ray Price and Hindy. He was years ahead of his era in fitness and as you say at a time where the team floundered.
Thanks for adding that here Paul. That record of consecutive matches is astonishing.
Mitchell Wallace played in a losing GF side at Balmain. Scored 57 tries in 66 games for Parra. Deserves a spot in the 21 too
Would you go so far as to replace any of the named players?
Moby might have to kick the goals
Drop goals?
I meet Mitchell Wallace at a trade night in the seventies. We sat together a dinner and had a great chat about the early days. About a week later received a parcel from him it was his jersey from 1949. A year or so later I asked my wife if she had seen it she said yes it had holes in it so I put it in the rag bag. I cried.
Nooooo!!!! I would have cried too!
Big Artie didn’t get a run in the front row? Otherwise not a bad looking team. Big fan of Ronnie Lynch.
Sorry Jeff. Big Artie won titles with the Roosters. He didn’t qualify, as specified in the post. Ron Lynch – a lock in the era of Johnny Raper would have to have been very good to get noticed by rep selectors.
Ah, missed that point. Haha. Thanks. Very good recollections.
Cheers mate.
Didn’t Arthur Beetson also win a title with Balmain against South Sydney in 1969?
Pretty sure he was suspended
He spent half the game claiming injury sitting on his butt slowing the South Sydney momentum but he did play
John, Beetson played in the major semi vs Souths but didn’t play in the preliminary final or the grand final in 1969.
Has my memory got that bad ?
My apology Parrathruandthru, just went to project.org. He was not there
No more off the cuff responses from me . I promise
It happens to the best of us!
All good mate was looking forward to catching you at the games this year
Me too
Arthur definitely played and was only 19 at the time off loaded a great ball to set up one try
Is there hope for my memory yet.
At one stage Ron played out of position second row I think just so they could have Raper and Lynch in the same team, so yeah very bloody good I’d say
Hey sorry I’m the anonymous comment about Ron Lynch
Appreciate you adding your recollection MimiK
I was born in 1970 Sixties so hard for me to recall some but Kolc, Ollo’s and HIggs were my favourites of that era along with Phil Mann……i cannot comment on much, but felt sorry for Higgs and co in 77. Have watched the GF and replay a few times and also 76 against Manly and what could have been. My father often mentioned Dick Thornett and spoke highly of him along with Ivor Lingard who he said was a good player and hence an English player. I am sure he coach one of our junior grades too.
I really enjoyed watching Phil Mann play, but nobody could displace the Mayor from fullback. Lingard came very close to being named – especially with his Cumberland Throws. But Pattison was on his way to being a great player before injuries took hold.
Outstanding team 60s however I would personally make a few adjustments.
Gerrard wouldnt make my team. Id preference Ron Graham. A tall strong center almost the prototype of the current NRL center. I think he was selected for NSW once but I’m not sure if he played or injury intervened? Id also replace Glover with Dave Irvine. He was the fastest player I ever saw. Irvine in the clear was a sight to behold. I close my eyes and I can still see him with the after burners on. I was also a huge fan of Joe Turski, another similar in size to current day wingers but couldn’t find a spot for him.
My halfs would be Graham Lye at 5/8 who joined The Eels with fellow Country Reps Laurie Wakefield, Terry Scurfield and Dennis Mount. At halfback Id select Ivor Lingard, a great little player.
In the forwards Id have to find a spot for Barry Leaney. Id also like to see Fred Pickup on the bench. An old fashioned, take no prisioners type of player. But who to leave out? Thats a pretty good forward pack.
Obviously we all have our favourites 60s.
Wonderful memories. Thanks 60s.
Gaz
Graham actually chose to stand down as he was getting married the day of the game , was never mentioned again .
The Doodler, Ronny Graham. He was pretty quick too for a big man. I oncxe saw him take an intercept on the 25 yard line and beat the field to the opposing tryline.
How did you rate him as a player Rowdy? I only have vague memories of him from late 60s/early 70s.
Ron Graham for sure. I had the pleasure of playing with him in the juniors ( in the same team) very fast an skilful and very humble. Also Kevin Macfarlane.
How many Parra players did you get to play with or against Slugg? Maybe you could compile your best of list?
I payed in the second division at Blacktown. We had a couple that played first grade for Penrith. Ron Graham and Kevin McFarlane were at Toongabbie while I was there. Quite a few ex first graders played second division hard to remember all of them. I do remember playing against Wenty and I know they had four or five ex Para players. I remember Ken Ford Rod Blundell and a couple of forwards. I did play one game against my friend Graham Olling in a knockout comp in Canberra. That was the day I thumped an old prop from Barmedman. Ron Crowe was his name, he laughed and said nice one sonny but don’t do it again’ I think I wet myself.
Didn’t you smash Ken Foord over the sideline in one game?
No Tragic someone else tackled him I just fell on top of him. But I did apologise.
Don’t do that again! Classic Slugg!
Rod Blundell “Knuckles” if I recall, was a great lock for Wenty, should have been playing for Parra
Good day guys I’ve been ready your emails and wondered if you played against my father,
Noel (storkey)Cornwall I was to young to watch him play but here of the player he was
I hope that a couple of these blokes read your reply Anon. I’m sure some of our older readers remember him.
I remember the name but not sure I saw him play, we had a neighbor in Northmead, Eric Cornwall who was a staunch eels supporter, wonder if any relation.
It wouldn’t be the most common name would it?
Noel Cornwall was better known at Wests than when he played for Parramatta.
The only changes to your team would be Olling for Fitzgerald Ron Graham for Gerard. Gerard on the bench for Campbell.
Fair call Slugg, had to have another peep and the named team when you took Keith Campbell out as he was great goal kicker, on top of his general play. The aspect of having Arch Brown in the side puts Keith out I would think, as he was pretty fair with the boot also.
I think I’d have to find a spot for Fitzy on the bench if you left him out of the starting team. He was a very good forward.
Ron Graham, Garry Pethybridge and Kevin McFarlane were my favourites. Ian Walsh was instrumental in Ron’s demise and the other two going to St George. A real shame: if they had all stayed together a lot of the humiliation of ’72 – ’74 could have been avoided. I shed a lot of tears back then. Often felt like I was the only supporter at away games.
Really?? He pulled out through injury. I was there.
Dennis ,laurie and terry were average but ivor was as tough as they come gaz , not a world beaters but i loved dave cotter and johnny baker myself , going back the poms mike jackson and derek hallas could move and phil jelley had some toe mate .you must be as old as me !!
Dave Cotter played a big role in that 75 preseason title if I recall correctly Higgsy.
Dave Cotter kicked the goals in The Wills Cup preseason in 75 but our other winger John Vincent dived over in the corner to score the winning try. John Moran hasn’t had a mention yet? I would have Moran in the centres instead of Gerard and have Gerard on the bench just ahead of Keith Campbell.
I considered that Tragic, but then I thought back to Gerards immediate impact when he hit first grade in the centre’s and I couldn’t ignore it.
Yeah I forgot John Baker. He was a beauty.
I went to my first game at Cumberland in 1964. Great family fun.
Dennis Mount was a better goal kicker than he was a player. I remember being so excited when the Big 4 Country Players signed for Parra. As I said Lye was outstanding but I did like Scurfield. Wakefield had his moments. He was another in the long line of Fullbacks in the never ending search for a Ken Thotnett replacement. Bland Liles, Barry Norden, Kerry Burke, Danny Crnkovich, Phil Mann, Len Stacker. The list goes on.
Gary Pethebridge is another outstanding center who could easilly make 60s team.
Cheers Higgsy.
I considered Garry Pethybridge for a spot, but I wondered whether he played his best footy after leaving Parra?
Neither Len Stacker nor Garry Pethybridge was a fullback!
Stacker was a fullback, Pethybridge was a centre mainly.
Did Pethybridge play fullback at the Dragons?
John I tend to remember he did but mainly centre.
Names I’d forgotten. Dave Vitter brings back memories
Bloody auto correct.
Dave Cotter
Cheers Gaz. I just couldn’t leave out Glover. I reckon you’d have to swap Irvine and Brown.
Are you serious? Dave Irvine??? Would not tackle in a pink fit. Someone else mentioned Scurfield and someone else the dreaded Phil “Turnstiles” Jelley. Honestly, some of you blokes have forgotten why the Club was hopeless before Norm Provan arrived.
Next I’ll be reading what a great coach Ian Walsh was…
I watched Phil play his first game for the Eels at the Sydney Sports ground against the Roosters.
The Roosters sent Mark Harris at him all day. Never missed him once.
I guess we were sitting at different ends of the ground
That’s a great pack sixties. I recall Ron Lynch one day at Sydney Sportsground playing against that killer Souths pack. To this day I reckon he played them by himself, I know he didn’t but he had a blinder. He was consistently good.
And thanks Gazzamatta for some old left-field memories. Joe Turski had a brother, Mick, who was an A Grade hard man prop and a TV cameraman at the football. So there was a bit of size in the genes. Len Stacker was also a gun cricketer as a lad, I faced him a few times and couldn’t get the ball off the square.
Terrific anecdotes BDon.
My family in the late fifties and through the sixties hardly ever missed a game.
All those forgotten parks. Henson Park.
Pratten Park. Sports Ground. The SCG. Long days with many losing memories particularly with Saint George.
Names from the past who gave Parra great service.
Ken Ford the intercept king.
Mike Jackson both wingers.
Derek Hallas – centre who was better than Barry Rushwortg.
Ivor Linguard. 5/8
Brian Hambly the toughest front row forward ever who matched it with Noel Kelly.
Ken Thornett was the greatest as was his brother Dick who played his best at Easts.
Anyone who played for Parra and went to Manly should not count.
Ray Higgs. Geoff Gerard.
Cement head Billy Rayner was either fearless or stupid. Probably both.
Noel Cornwall – second rower/prop who actually played with a broken leg.
Robin Gair – half back was so quick he would set the grass on fire.
Those are some names from that era who were darn good players.
That’s it – my memory taken back to those darks days of hidings from Souths Saints and Manly.
I think Ken Thornett played his first game at Leichhardt Oval against the Tigers. I sure he caught the ball with one hand – the other was shading his eyes from the sun.
The team we have today. is the best since the mid eighties. But it is good to recall those from the past.
That’s some terrific names from the past. Thanks for the anecdotes on each mate.
Seeing you had a photo the 1975 team Sixties, we might as well see them in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmu5Y1w-yEo&feature=youtu.be
I attended our last 5 games for that season.
The six or seven day break between Canterbury and Manly games stopped our momentum🏉
I still say Ray Branighan was offside when he took the intercept. Mal McMartin had a terrible habit of turning his back to the defence when passing but Branighan was offside. I wagged school to attend all those games also
I believe he was too Tragic, but Fitzy did knock on at dummy half before our first try.
How good was the scrum base move Tragic!
I still can’t believe how many times they got away with it
I’m not sure whether it would work now. Why? Because the players in the scrum barely bind.
It is still one of the joys of my life every time I watch it (apart from marriage and child birth – incase my wife sees this) Reynolds/Quayle and then Kolc/Quayle. It’s Easter, so please dear God, can we do that move just once if we play again this year. It couldn’t do any harm and our attack inside the 20 needs a boost anyway
Great clip Tragic. I believe I was at everyone of those games.
I’de never seen such heart from a football team before or since.