As we count down to the 2025 pre-season trials, I reckon we’re all champing at the bit for the on-field action to begin. So why not spice up the off-field conversation with some spirited debate about the relative merits of some of the greatest players to have ever pulled on the fabled blue and gold jersey?
This is the first of a series of nine articles where I will attempt to rank the top 3 players of the last 50 years of Parramatta Eels history. This will involve naming the best three players since 1975 for the following positions:
· Fullback
· Winger
· Centre
· Five eighth
· Halfback
· Prop
· Hooker
· 2nd Row
· Lock
The Rules:
* I will only cover the last 50 years of Parramatta history.
Full disclaimer, I was born in the early 80’s so I can’t discuss with any sort of authority the merits of players from the first 30 years of the club’s history. So, with profound apologies to the likes of Vic Hey, Ken & Dick Thornett & Brian Hambly, I’ll stick to the last 50 years where I have seen most of the candidates in person and watched significant footage of all of them.
* These are the greatest players IN the Parramatta jersey, not the greatest players who played for Parramatta at some stage of their career.
With due respect to some of the infamous recruiting classes of 2010 – 2016, this will mean that champion players such as Carl Webb, Paul Whatuira, Chris Walker & Anthony Watmough will almost certainly not make the cut. These players were fabulous players for other clubs but won’t make the high bar of being top 3 in Parramatta club history for their respective positions.
* Only on-field performances will be taken into account in this assessment. Off field contributions to the club (coaching/management), or off field indiscretions, will not be considered
Part one now begins.
The Fullbacks
The sport has changed tremendously over the last half century, but it’s hard to think of a position where the role of that player has changed as significantly as fullback.
From being primarily a ‘custodian’ to now being the fulcrum of a large portion of most team’s attacking schemes, the evolution of the fullback role is reflected in the hugely different players I have chosen for my top 3.
Honourable Mentions
* Brett Hodgson
A courageous, under sized fullback who was also a deadeye goalkicker. Hodgson was a tremendous pickup from Western Suburbs after that club was wound up as a single entity.
His time with Parramatta will unfortunately be remembered for being rag-dolled across the sideline by ‘The Raging Bull’, Gorden Tallis, in a 2002 State of Origin game. However, I’ll always remember him as a wholehearted player and strong leader at the back.
Hodgson was a huge loss when he departed for the Wests Tigers in 2004 but on a personal level, I was pleased to see he and Pat Richards win a premiership with the Tigers in 2005 after Hodgson had narrowly missed out on a title with Parramatta in 2001.
* Scott Mahon
This is admittedly a bit of a sentimental pick. I was quite young when watching the great teams of the 1980’s so most of my formative years were spent watching mediocre to terrible Parramatta teams of the early to mid 90’s.
It’s arguable whether Scotty Mahon belongs on this list with a number of other rep players, however, as my favourite player for a number of years, I’m happy to throw him in here.
A speedy, rangy outside back and fullback with a flowing mullet in the early years of his career, Mahon was a teenage prodigy who matured into a crucial player at fullback through the mid 1990’s.
* Clinton Schifcofske
Schifcofske was similar to Hodgson in that Parramatta was able to pick him up from a club that went defunct as collateral damage from the Super League war.
Even though Schifcofske was one of the mighty South Queensland Crusher’s best players, his game came on in leaps and bounds at Parramatta. He was one of Parramatta’s best in his three seasons with the club, with all three years resulting in preliminary finals appearances (losses).
Like Brett Hodgson, he was a sharpshooter with the boot, solid in defence and could sniff out a try. Following his time at Parramatta he went on to play for Queensland in State of Origin and Super Rugby while also having a great career at Canberra. The 1998 and 1999 prelim finals are particularly haunting results for Parramatta fans, however Schifcofske had solid games in both.
Third Place: Paul Taylor
Years at Parramatta: 1982-1989
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 104
Premierships: 3
Representative Games: NA
Personal Honours: NA
In some respects, a precursor to Brett Hodgson. Taylor was the definition of a player who played above their weight. He was a former halfback who switched to the fullback position and played there in the club’s 1982, 83 and 86 grand final victories (Steve McKenzie played there in 1981).
Paul Taylor
Famously, Taylor would defend in the first line of defence, allowing star halfback Peter Sterling to defend out of the firing line at fullback. This led to Taylor occasionally making over 50 tackles in a game, something almost unheard of for a fullback.
There have been few players as courageous as Paul Taylor in the history of Australian rugby league, and his contributions to the brilliant Parramatta teams of the 1980’s give him a place in my top three.
Second Place: Clint Gutherson
Years at Parramatta: 2017-2024
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 167
Premierships: 0
Representative Games: 2 x City Origin, 1 x PM’s XIII, 4 x NSW Origin
Personal Honours: 2020, 2023 Ken Thornett Medallist
My love for ‘The King’ is best covered in this previous article titled ‘Gutho And The Evolution Of The Mindset Of A Parra Fan . This was written after it was confirmed that Gutherson would be leaving the club and articulates how I feel about him as a player as well as my thoughts on him leaving.
Clint Gutherson
For the best part of a decade, ‘King Gutho’ was the heartbeat of a fairly successful Parramatta team.
The fullback role has evolved significantly since the 1980’s and as such he is a different player to Paul Taylor. Where they are similar though is the heart and passion with which they play(ed) the game and represented the club.
Gutherson was Parramatta’s Mr. Fix It during his time at the club. Bobbing up everywhere in attack, setting up and scoring tries, expertly organising the defence, and rallying the troops during every stoppage.
On top of this, he was a handy goalkicker and the first to put his hand up to cover unfamiliar positions as injury cover.
Although he will be wearing the unfamiliar colours of St George Illawarra in 2025, his efforts for the club will mean he always has a special place in the hearts of Parramatta fans.
First Place: Jarryd Hayne
Years at Parramatta: 2006-2014, 2018
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 117
Premierships: 0
Representative Games: 5 x City Origin, 23 x NSW Origin, 11 x Australia, 10 x Fiji
Personal Honours: 2009, 2014 Dally M player of the year; 2006 Dally M rookie of the year; 2007 Dally M winger of the year; 2009, 2014 Dally M Fullback of the year; 2007, 2009, 2014 NSW State of Origin player of the year, 2009 & 2010 Ken Thornett Medallist
It took a special talent to keep King Gutho from the top of this list and Jarryd Hayne was exactly that.
The ‘Hayne Plane’ was perhaps the most talented player to have ever pulled on the blue and gold jersey. Brilliant, exhilarating, mercurial and at times infuriating, there aren’t enough adjectives to describe Parramatta’s brilliant number one.
Much like Brett Kenny has a strong case to being a better 5/8 than one of the Immortals in Wally Lewis, Jarryd Hayne was at times an undoubtedly better player than Billy Slater, a likely future Immortal.
There have been few players in the history of the game who could impact and take over a game in the way that Hayne could.
Jarryd Hayne
He burst onto the scene as a teenage winger in 2006, turning around a poor season for the Eels and helping them make an unlikely charge to the semi finals under Jason Taylor.
When he was finally unleashed at fullback, he was a force of nature. His 2009 run of match winning performances is the stuff of legend, almost single-handedly carrying a moderate Parramatta team from lower table mediocrity into finals football, and ultimately on a miraculous charge from 8th place to an unlikely grand final berth.
In the grand final, Parra narrowly lost 23-16 to a Melbourne team which was subsequently found to be systematically cheating the salary cap, and consequently stripped of the title (the fact that the record books show no premiers in 2009 is just another quirk in the long list of painful Parramatta moments).
Hayne continued to be impactful during some dark times from 2010-2013 before turning in another magnificent season in 2014, once again winning the Dally M.
In 2014, he was also the focal point of a NSW team which finally broke the 8 year Origin drought.
Sadly, Hayne then chose to pursue a dream of his by trying out for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and left the NRL at the peak of his powers. Full credit to him, he was able to play several NFL games after making the first team squad despite having no background in the sport, an incredible achievement.
After returning to the NRL in 2016 with the Titans and then playing a season with Parra in 2018, Hayne was never the same player and fizzled out of the sport at the same time as he was having some off field troubles which have been widely publicized in the years since.
Seemingly lazy and disinterested on his worst days but a lightning bolt of pure electricity on his best days, Jarryd Hayne none the less deserves his spot at the top of this list.
I’ve often said that if you could combine Clint Gutherson’s willpower and effort with Hayne’s sheer talent, that you’d have the greatest fullback the game has ever seen.
As it is, he will have to settle for being my vote as Parramatta’s greatest ever fullback.
Stand by for Part 2: The Wingers
Chris Ricketts
Haynes definitely
Impossible to go past
Jarryd Hayne is definitely number one, In attack I would have Brett Hodgson over Gutho. Both Hodgson and Lyon completely changed the way Parra played from a defensive side to an attacking side in 2000 and 2001 but Gutho had better leadership and defence.
Interesting take Iron Mike. Gutho hedges out Hodgson for mine, especially given his length of tenure.
Good stuff Chris. Hard to disagree with any of this, other than one edit – if you combined Hayne and Gutho, it would be the best player to have every played the game, not just the best FB!
Fair call Mick.
A most stimulating article and impossible to argue with the top 3. Maybe Mark Levy and Phil Mann may have scored honorable mentions.
Good points Noel. I was a huge fan of Spider.
I loved Mann when I was a kid. Although I remember one game (can’t remember who against) where the opposition made a break and chipped over Mann’s head to score. I was a short little 8/9 year old and didn’t think it was possible to chip over Spider – it was bit like finding out that Santa wasn’t quite what I had been told!
That happened in the grand final against the Dragons in 77. Ted Goodwin chip kicked and knocked himself out grounding the ball in the deep SCG in goal.
Yeah, you’re right! I was there standing on six empty KB steel cans placed on top of an esky my dad and his mates had brought in. It was also the first game my dad had ever taken me to.
I’m the first to admit that some of those guys are a bit of a blind spot for me. I’m a fraction too young to have fully appreciated them in the way that some of our longer tenured fans might.
The wider nrl tend to diminish hayne because he doesn’t have a premiership but he should be up there with slater. Two dally ms. Big, fast, strong, elite ball playing, could kick. Greatest individual season in nrl – carried an average parra team to gf against cheating Melbourne and beat strong teams on the way to the gf unlike turbo who had that great season (under different rules re: 6 again) but didn’t beat any top 4 teams and got smashed by storm and souths in finals that year.
Hayne also carried an average nsw team to beat qld in 2014. That was once of the best runs of games I’ve ever seen played at rep level – Game 1 2014 especially. He was also kicking the ball on 5th in second game of 2014 as he had huge boot and nsw scrapped for field position.
Our administration let him down massively as they couldn’t build around him (similar to knights and ponga) while slater got to play club footy with 3 other hall of famers (Cronk, smith, Inglis) and Nz internationals (proctor, Adam Blair, Jesse bromwhich, Tohu Harris)
I hope parra get hayne involved in low key capacity down the line with juniors after a nsw Supreme Court judge said there was a significant possibility an innocent man had been convicted and all judges agreed to quash his wrongful conviction. The whole situation is a shame for all parties involved.
I have Hayne at the top of my most talented Eel list. Not the best player, but the most talented one.
Filitar Mateo probably matched Hayne for talent. His was a classic case of exploiting a talent, not serving it. Add Clint’s dedication to him and what a footballer we would have had.
And Krishna Inu
It’s arguable that the game came too easy to some of these players.
Sixties that is the difference between some of those gifted players and others like MM and Gutho.
Those two work hard to elevate their gifted talents to make themselves better players. Continuous improvement.
He could play Noel, no doubt.
I get what you mean 60s and agree. I would put it as: hayne is the best eel ever ( focusing more on individual talent) but he is not the greatest eel (as he doesn’t have the team accolades Kenny, sterlo, price do nor the cultural impact etc).
Ron I simply always put it as the most talented but not the best. He could do things that others couldn’t, but others contributed greater and over longer periods. What would someone of Hayne’s talent have been like in that 80s team?
A fullback of Jarryd:s class was the missing link of the eighties team
Add him and maybe Fui to the 1983 side and you would have had probably the greatest club Rugby League team ever. Or substitute Thornttt for Hayne.
Agree with all your sentiments about Hayne who played in some very ordinary Eel’s teams and carried them on his back. Maybe that burden finally wore him down leading to some very poor efforts in his game and in his life later on.
Ultimately his talent was wasted by both choice (decisions) and circumstance (the teams he played in).
Thank you, a fine summation of our custodians. While I appreciate the field is limited to the last 50 years I can’t think fullback and not see the Mayor of Parramatta, Ken Thornett – what a presence on a football field AND he played in an era rather like modern times when there was an amazing number of outstanding fullbacks. I’ve worn baggy shorts all my life in honour of him. If you ever get the chance to see any footage of him go for it you won’t be disappointed.
Even at my advanced age I only have dim memories of the Mayor (I was too young when he was at his peak). However, Dad always said that nobody compared to him.
I have the same dim memories.
I agree Jimmy. This position is the toughest one because I know that Ken Thornett should be on the list based on the respected opinions of others. I’m guessing the fact that part of the stadium was named after him is a fair indication of his greatness!
We loved our eels in the fifties but they were not much generally respected – they came last regularly and one year didn’t win a game. Ken Thornttt arrived, turned in dominant displays and lifted us to the finals. He gave us dignity. I had a girlfriend who worked in the leagues club at the time and she remarked on his charm and decency when he was in the. Club. He was Australia’s full back in a time of many elite full backs and was the first Australian full back to score a try in a test. He was a very, very big deal.
When I look back on fullbacks from the 80s legends to today, Hayne was incomparable, being lucky enough to see all our GF wins was fantastic, but nothing beats the euphoria of the 2009 run to the GF, Jarryd Hayne managed to improve every player in that team from Mortimer , Guru Jr , baacially all,of them who just had to follow him.
That run , and the tries were as spectacular as he was.
Ego and bad management, both from his own end and the club diminished his standing, still far and away the best natural fullback.
The most talented Eel ever, no question in my mind.
When a quarter of a million people blocked Parramatta and burnt the old Cumberland to the ground after our first win in 81. Now that’s ” euphoria”. With a touch of anarchy thrown in.
Unforgettable night, yet there are parts that are a blur 😂
Everyone loves the flashy players and indeed
Hayne was a brilliant player. Arguably went missing at times. But 2009 Hayne dragged us to the GF to his full credit.
But, Paul Taylor was tough as teak and could tackle all day! 3 premierships. So I’d have to put him above Hayne because without those tackles would we have won?
Steve McKenzie special mention
For mine Gutho is persona non grata these days and is now dead to me lol So
Garry Dowling special mention.
Yeah, Gary Dowling was good. Remember him getting bashed from pillar to post at Lidcombe Oval one game. He died way to young unfortunately and was doing a lot of good stuff for rugby league on the Gold Coast at the time.
Nam, Lidcombe, and if I remember correctly, Graeme Olling attracted the attention of that ‘physical’ Wests pack that day as well, then next meeting at Cumberland he copped it again.
Yeah, there was a lot of blood about on that day. Wests we’re very brutal, and it worked for them.
Yes he was a gun player and played Origin (at fullback) he had explosive pace.
represented New South Wales ( in 1975) and 1980 at Parra and for the Australian national side in two tests against New Zealand, also in 1980 – he was named Player of the Series.
Unfortunately died in 1983 far too young… A great player
There has been general agreement regarding fullbacks. I suspect that there will be far more debate when we get to prop forwards.
Too right! It was anything goes out there
Fair observations Pete.
Dowling at no. 2, he was a gun
Can’t go past Hayne. Gus Gould knew he was the key to beating Qld and basically challenged him to be that person, and he delivered.
I always wished Hayne played with a cape.
He was literally faster than a speeding bullet and hit like a freight train.
From memory Slaters best year stats are half of what Haynes best year stats were.
Slater was a dirty cheap shot merchant, all knees and elbows.
My memory of Billy Slater is his dive for a penalty in the 2009 grand final, which unbelievably fooled a first grade referee and ended our unlikely come back.
Luke you’re right abt Slater a v good player in a v good team albeit cheats.
Also Moi Moi copped a bad call late in the GF too. But remember who was ref??
We also let Inglis take that bomb for a soft try….
Every new dirty tactic has come from Storm and this was yet another one. Storm, Roosters and the Broncos are the favoured children of the NRL who turn a blind eye to their tactics until the other supporters start yelling loud enough. That Slater dropped ball (supposedly field goal attempt) that lead to a try was one of the worse along with his foot in opponent’s faces when catching a high ball for which he was never penalised.
Thanks Chris,
Can’t complain abt the players and comments – Hayne talent wise yes. But if you could Add Squiz Taylor’s discipline and or Gutho to him then you’d have a great.
I’m so glad you added Scott Mahon – I followed that era v close and saw some really tough games and Scott was by far talented and a v good player. We had some good kids back then – Penna / Bell : Crnkovich and Liddiard as backs! They just needed Sterlo / Kenny to be two years younger and some better experienced forwards .
Scott was v good and he deserved that mention. Put him in a Canberra team for example and he’d be up there.
I have approached this task by deciding who cant possibly be left out. In order
to include Sterlo ive harnessed him up with Kenny , hell they played alongside one another
and complimented each other so well. So for my three Its Sterlo/kenny , Price , Hayne.
And it breaks my heart i cant get Gutho in.
This review is only for the fullbacks Matthew, so Pricey, Kenny, Sterling etc will have to wait their turn. Spoiler alert, I expect they’ll feature in other positions.
sorry bout that, though i note sterlo debuted for parra in a gf v manly as a fb
And it breaks my heart i cant get Gutho in.
I loved Hayne. I was at 2006 game against the Tigers where he took an intercept and scored. And then watched him plenty of times and pretty much agree with everyone else in terms of his talent. The 2009 season was remarkable. And his liabilities. Sadly he was never the same after the NFL stint and bringing him back to the club in 2018 was a disaster. A little less ego and a touch more application would have made the greatest full back of his era.
In support of Jim Muir’s comments and Sixties father I cannot overlook the contribution of Ken Thornett. From 1956 to 1961 we held the wooden spoon without a near challenger. Ken Thornett arrived well after the start of season 1962. He played with us for half that season before returning to Leeds. We were undefeated while he was here. When he left there were 4 rounds left and we lost them all. Still at least we made the semis for the first time. Over the following seasons with Ken’s return we were semi final regulars. Hail to the Mayor.
I saw Ken Thornett play against Manly at the SCG, and oppose Eric Simms at Cumberland Oval.
Even in his last year, he was incredible.
Hayne and Gutho both spent half their time arguing with referees but like chalk and cheese.
Gutho argues like a KC versus a country circuit magistrate.
Hayne was like a sovereign citizen arguing with a cop.
Gutho had the guts, Hayne had the talent.
I’m sure there are plenty of NRL & ex NRL players who think about Hayne – but for the grace of God, there go I.
I watched Ken Thornett up close at most of his games and Hayne from afar through the media broadcast. Ken Thornett was a revelation who lifted Parra out of the doldrums and inspired the team. Sometimes he did not have a lot of support and like Hayne carried the team. Having watched Hayne from afar I would consider him equal to Thornett because he too lifted and inspired the team. Hayne started out on the wing and we may recall he was a bit of an intercept specialist. He reminded me of Ken Foord who was unmatched as the intercept king. Hayne was that much better than Slater who as most agree played with almost a rep team across the paddock. Hayne, for what I can recall was never a player who resorted to grubby practices, unlike Slater who found out he lives in a glass house. Hayne had it all – step, pace, vision, power and defence. I think he was a step ahead of Ken Thornett but in the end he let himself down with bad life choices. Paul Taylor is up there because of blood and guts but in line with the theme “The King” is after Hayne with daylight separating them. The King was very good but his captaincy let him down at times again with wrong decisions at the wrong time. Parra has had some good fullbacks but I can’t say I recall Dowling. By the way West under Masters were a team of thugs and many should have been charged with on field assault.
Hodgson and Schiffoske were great fullbacks and why we let them go is still a mystery. They played their best with the other team. Had Hayne stayed with Parra I believe he would have played 5/8th and would have been as good as Kenny. We will never know.
Hayne as everyone has said. The player you would go to see him play alone. His talent was the ultimate.
None of the comparisons even get close and Paul Taylor may have had the one on his back but the main reason was he would take on Sterling’s defensive role when Parra was not in possession. A fine player not someone that can be compared to the fullback’s role notwithstanding.
Those memories of Ken Thornett bring a different level just the same.
No one is going to beat Ray Price when it comes to locks, but the greatest test is that somewhere between the Mayor and Price our greatest ever player lives.
Poppa, Taylor may have been up front on the defensive line but I clearly remember him always there when the opposition kicked on the last. He rarely dropped a ball. Taylor might not have been the traditional fullback but he was not only good but safe and reliable.
Most people remember Jarryd for what he did in 09, and rightly so, he brought the rest of the league to its knees for four months. But I remember him in 2010. We were struggling to reproduce the magic of 09, (inevitably) and we were playing Manly @ Brookvale on a Friday night. They had a clear plan to kick it to our right hand corner, similar to what teams did to Inglis & Slater, and they just smashed him for 80 minutes that night. Absolutely belted him at every chance. Not once did he shirk it, every kick return he took the tough, hard run back into the teeth of Manly’s kick chase. He never tried to get cute with it, no chip n chase, no long passes, no short cuts, he took his medicine all night, walked off after 80 minutes absolutely bruised & battered, but he stood tall when his teammates fell apart. We lost badly, but he was outstanding for his selfless toughness that night.
Expanding on your 2010 reference, I actually remember him for another game as well. I was at Penrith to watch us storm back from 22-0 down to beat the Panthers 34-28. After a slow start to the season, it looked as though a switch had flipped and we were going to recreate the magic of 2009. Sadly that wasn’t to be but Hayne was insanely good that night.
I remember that game. He was just on another level.
Luke Burt was also a very handy custodian so I’m surprised no one has mentioned him, though maybe he’s being considered for wing…
Prolific pointscorer and always backed up a bit like Gutho. Otherwise agree with your choices. Hayne hands down!!
Great write up Chris, I’ll look forward to the next instalment.
I remember going to Lidcombe Oval with my Dad, 67 or 68. From a scrum in our 20 Ken Thornett made an extra man outside the 5/8 and split the defence. Can’t remember if he ran the length of the field.
Best individual try I’ve seen was Hayne v the entire St George side: a swerve, a change of pace, amazing acceleration and strength and then he was putting the ball down.
The King is/was a damn good fb but Hayne was another class altogether. Same for the non flashy team man and Sterlo lookalike, Taylor.
Hodgson was good but he dropped the ball first set against Newcastle and the rest, as they say, is history.
All the others are good players but cannot be compared to the Hayne Plane at his peak.
Interesting observations from a fan who remembers the Mayor. As I said, I was just too young to really remember the mayor at his peak.
I had it suggested to me today that Wade McKinnon deserved an honourable mention. I can’t argue with that.
True, Wade should be in the mix.
Awesome Chris.
I loved Paul Taylor, tough as nails and ultra reliable.
Hayne should’ve gone down in history as the greatest of all time. I doubt I’ll ever see a player of his calibre again.
I never saw a player before or after him that could light up field like Hayne could.
One of my favourite memories is Hayne just taking a run, accelerates, palms Greg the grub Bird into the turf and streaks away for a try.
Aaah what could have been. You could deadset make a movie about Hayne.