Well, we have covered off Fullbacks and Wingers and so far, I have gotten off largely unscathed. Thank you everyone for the feedback, I have thoroughly enjoyed the respectful debate.
As always, I am blown away by the depth of knowledge of our readers in the comments section, or on TCT’s socials. It is humbling to discuss the history of the club with those who have supported the team since close to or from its inception. Some of these readers have even supported the club longer than Sixties, hard to believe given his advanced years!
Before we dive into the Centres, I’ll reiterate the rule that players will only be eligible for one position. That’s not to discredit their performances in another position but rather to focus on the area for which they are best known.
That means that Brett Kenny will not be a part of this list (spoiler alert, I expect he will feature quite heavily in another position). Further, apologies to players such as Barry Rushworth who played too early to be eligible.
So, let’s get into it!
Honourable Mentions
Of the three positions reviewed so far, the jostling for spots on the list was the fiercest at centre. I’d like to briefly acknowledge Timana Tahu, Michael Jennings, Ed Sulkowicz, Joel Reddy, Brian Jackson and Ben Smith, who all narrowly missed the cut.
There are good cases to be made for all of these players, however these lists are a cutthroat business, and difficult decisions must be made. No doubt those cases will be made, or perhaps a few more, in the replies.
* David Woods
As a teenager, I loved how David Woods played.
David Woods
Seen as the next big thing when he debuted as a teenager in 1989, he probably had unfair expectations placed on him from a fan base eager to quickly return to past glories (we’ve definitely been forced to learn patience since!).
A classy outside back with great touch, Woods was a slippery runner with the ball in hand. At his best, he was a representative quality player, earning selection for Country Origin a couple of times in the mid 90’s.
Unfortunately, his career was cruelled by injury and in nine years with Parramatta, never played a full season. In fact, he only tallied 97 games across all of those seasons, at an average of around 11 games per year. A real shame for such an immense talent.
* Jamie Lyon
Adding Jamie stings a little, given the way he left the club. Leaving in acrimonious circumstances to ultimately land at one of our fiercest rivals and then go on to win multiple premierships with them, was a bitter pill for thousands of Parra fans to swallow.
Jamie Lyon
That said, the mark he left on the club on his all too brief stint with us is undeniable.
Making his first-grade debut in 2000 at only 18 years old, he made an immediate impact on what was already a very good side. By 2001, it had transformed into a record breaking outfit.
He represented NSW and Australia as a teenager and was a key cog in the Eels side for four seasons. In his last full season with the club, Lyon ran in five tries in a club record 74 – 4 win over Cronulla.
As a neutral observer, he was a fantastic player. As a fan, it’s impossible not to look at what he achieved after leaving Parramatta and wonder what might have been.
* Stuart Kelly
Although Stuart Kelly ended up having a decorated career and represented Queensland in State of Origin, I still felt as though he was underrated by many.
Stuart Kelly
After joining from the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1996, Kelly would be instrumental in a successful period in Parra’s history, with the Eels qualifying for finals footy in four out of the five seasons he played with the club, including three straight preliminary finals.
A great defender and silky runner of the ball, Kelly was yet another of the production line of strong Parramatta centres from the 90’s and early 2000’s. Although only a young player during his stint with the Blue and Gold, his on-field leadership was pivotal towards the end of his time with the club.
Kelly chose to return home to Queensland to play for Brisbane for the 2001 season and missed out on the club’s charge to the decider (ironically being knocked out by Parra in the preliminary final).
Third Place: Michael Buettner
Years at Parramatta: 1992-95, 2001-02
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 86
Premierships: 0
Representative Games: 1 x NSW City, 1 x NSW Origin, 1 x Australia
Personal Honours: 1992 Parramatta Rookie of the year, 2025 OAM
This is a very topical selection given that just seven days ago Michael received the ‘Medal of the Order of Australia’ as part of the Australia Day honours.
Michael Buettner
However, I’m sure if asked, Michael would acknowledge that the far greater honour was to be named by TCT as one of the three greatest Parramatta centres of the last 50 years.
Although Buettner evolved into a brilliant five-eighth later in his career (representing Australia against PNG at 5/8 in 1996), he played 86 of his 129 Parramatta games at Centre.
It was a tough decision to have him in my top three based purely on his body of work as a Parramatta centre. For the entirety of his body of work over his career at both centre and five-eighth he was a certainty to be picked in this list, however at centre alone it was a close-run thing.
Buettner was brilliant in the centre position during his first stint at the club. A fast, elusive, ball playing tyro with a powerful game belying someone his young age, it was disappointing to lose him to Norths after the 1995 season, particularly as Parramatta had gone on a major recruitment drive themselves leading into the 96 season.
Buettner went close several times to winning the competition, being part of a fantastic Bears team (bring them back!) in the late 90’s before returning to Parramatta and being part of the 2001 Minor premiership winning and Grand Final losing side at Parramatta (at five-eighth).
If I were being truly objective, there’s a good argument for Jamie Lyon to sit in this spot. But I am first and foremost an Eels fan.
Therefore, I’ll go with the bloke who came back to the club and almost won a premiership with us rather than the one who left the club and had a fractious relationship with Parramatta fans for the rest of his career.
Second Place: Steve Ella
Years at Parramatta: 1979-1988
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 120
Premierships: 4 (1981, 82, 83, 86)
Representative Games: 2 x City, 8 x NSW Origin, 4 x Australia, 1x Rest of the World
Personal Honours: 3x Dally M Centre of the year (1982, 84, 85), Eels Hall of Fame
‘Zip Zip’, as he was effectively known, would be in first place on the equivalent ‘best centres’ list for most other clubs. Unfortunately, he is up against his centre partner from the early 80’s and a candidate for the greatest Australian player at the position of all time.
Steve Ella
However, none of that detracts from anything that Steve Ella accomplished over his career.
A four-time premiership winner, who played multiple games for state and country, Ella was a freakish talent.
There have been few more elusive ball runners in the history of the game and as a natural five-eighth, he had incredible ball skills. If not for Brett Kenny, he would likely have been a representative quality five-eighth for Parramatta. The fact that he played centre to accommodate an all-time great is testimony to his amazing versatility.
Steve was a member of the famous Ella footballing family, and he was in my mind at least the equal of his Rugby Union playing cousins.
Sadly, recurring shoulder injuries meant that he retired after the 1988 season, at only 28 years old.
This signalled a dark period for Parramatta as results plummeted from the halcyon days of the early 80’s, and coincided with a spate of retirements to superstar players.
The Eels may have had a more prolonged period at the top if not for major injuries which prematurely ended the careers of the likes of Ella, Grothe and Sterling.
First Place: Michael Cronin
Years at Parramatta: 1977 – 1986
1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 244
Premierships: 4 (1981, 82, 83, 86)
Representative Games: 4 x Country, 6 x City, 25 x NSW, 33 x Australia
Personal Honours: 4 x Dally M centre of the year (1980, 81, 82, 83), Country Player of the Year (1974), 2x Rothmans Medal (1977,78), Rugby League Week Player of the Year (1977), Australian Sports Medal (2000), Centenary Medal (2001), ARL Hall of Fame, NSWRL Hall of Fame, Parramatta Hall of Fame, Champion of Parramatta, 100 Greatest Players List, Order of Australia Medal.
Michael Cronin is the greatest Parramatta centre of all time and arguably in the conversation for the greatest Rugby League centre of all time. The extensive list of personal achievements is indicative of his performances, and the esteem in which he continues to be held.
Michael Cronin
Cronin set the record for most first grade points scored (1971), a record that stood for 14 years until broken by Daryl Halligan. He was a key member of four premiership winning sides and was a 4 x Dally M centre of the year winner.
Despite this, “the Crow’s” NSWRL premiership career only tells part of his story.
By the time he joined Parramatta in 1977, Mick had already played eight seasons of senior football for his local team, Gerringong.
In a different era for the game, Cronin was selected straight out of bush footy (after starring performances for Country against City) to go on the 1973 Kangaroo tour. Before coming to Parramatta, he was already a well-established Australian player and considered the best centre in the world.
As a player, he was the complete package. Although not the quickest, his shuffling running style made his pace deceptive and he could score tries, set them up, and was a brilliant defender.
In an era where offloading centres weren’t as prevalent, Cronin stood out from his peers with his brilliant passing game and offloading. His try scoring slowed down in later seasons as his pace started to decline but in spite of that, he was still one of the most important players in the all-conquering Parramatta team of the early to mid-80’s.
Despite a serious eye injury at the start of his final season, he came back to play a pivotal role in the 1986 premiership win.
There has never been another career like Mick Cronin’s and there probably never will be again. He set a record for most points that is still impressive by modern standards, despite kicking a heavy leather ball with his toe.
Crow was one of the last players to be taken straight out of country football to play for his country. He remained that same country boy throughout his career, travelling to and from Gerringong to train and play each week and shunning the spotlight like few before and few after him.
During his time at the Eels the club played finals football in nine of the ten seasons, qualifying for six grand finals, winning four. After he retired alongside Ray Price in 1986, it took until 1997 for Parra to play their next finals match.
Despite only playing half of his career in the blue and gold there is nobody to compare with Mick Cronin, our club’s greatest ever centre.
Chris Ricketts
Nailed it once again Chris, great stuff. I think 6,7and 13 (8) will be a lock in so we will just need to agree on the minor placings.
This was such a great walk down memory lane for me. I have been lucky to watch each one of these centres play for Parra that you have mentioned in your article, and even further back beyond the 50 year cap.
For me Michael Cronin was such a talent, as you mentioned he had a running style that was uniquely his own, but get the job done he did in bucket loads.
Michael Cronin was such a gentleman on and off the football field. You never saw any rubbish from him, he just did his job and got on with it.
Lynbeth, Mick is an absolute gentleman. He used to park his brown Fairmont under the stands at Belmore, I knew this and I would wait for him to arrive. After a few games, he would look out for me, ask me how I’m doing, give a pat on the back and say, see you next time.
I was 12 at the time. Many years later I found myself in Gerringong, of course I had to visit Mick’s pub. As luck would have it, Mick was there. He took one look at me and said “I remember you”
He shouted me lunch. One of the best memories of my life.
And Zip, I paid my way into a golf function held for the premiership winning teams, this was in early 2000’s. All the guys were fantastic and I have many stories from that day. It was my mission to shout every player a beer. I got a tap on the shoulder and when I turned around, it was Steve shouting me a beer. He spent the most time with me and treated me like his buddy. Great player and even greater bloke.
Great story mate good to hear
Awesome Joseph! Great story.
I love these stories, Joseph. It’s always wonderful when you hear that the players that we idolise for their on field heroics are superstars both on and off the field.
Chris, last long winded story I promise. I know you’re a jersey guy so you might appreciate this story.
Back in the day you could buy knockoff jerseys. I can’t remember the brands but Pearless and Freemont come to mind, you might know.
I hated knockoff jerseys even as a 10 year old. The gold was yellow and the blue was too blue. My family wasn’t flush with cash so a genuine Classic jersey was a stretch for us. Having the nagging power that would put Bart Simpson to shame, mum finally relented and bought me an authentic Classic home jersey.
Mum insisted that the jersey should be several sizes bigger than my skinny 10 year old body so it would last. And boy did it last, despite owning several jerseys today, that jersey is the only one I wear to game days.
Thanks for sharing, what a great story. Mighty Mick was my favourite player through our golden era.
Thanks so much Archie. I agree that several of the top spots on these lists pick themselves but I’m having a lot of fun going through and choosing the minor placings. It also allows me to give kudos to some guys who might not be front of mind for modern fans.
Really enjoying these articles – we have had some elite centres at the club over the years just by looking at those who couldn’t make this list.
I can’t argue with the final placings however Ella and Cronin were just before my time.
Of the Eels sides I’ve watched Lyon was the best centre I’ve seen. His exit from the club was painful and I’m not sure the full story has ever been told (no inside knowledge it has just never really added up). A great player who achieved a lot in the game and despite his exit, my favourite Eels centre.
Absolutely nailed it. Exactly as I put it.
I was procrastinating before the article how you would handle Jamie Lyon, and I would’ve done exactly as you did. If only he had stayed at parra…..
Fantastic Chris, nailed it for sure.
Tahu was awesome for us during his first stint.
Who is this Jamie Lyon you speak of? Never heard of the guy.
I thought Brad Takairangi and Kristen Inu served the club well. Willie Tonga wasn’t around long enough, he would have made the list if he wasn’t released to keep a player who dogged us, leaving us short of outside backs that season.
Crow and Zip, without doubt the best centre pairing to play for the club.
I’ll never forget watching the Eels v Dogs at Belmore. Crow stood in a tackle and pops the ball to Zip on the run around, throws an inside ball back to Crow who gets caught and pushes a pass back to Zip on a reverse run around who scores under the posts.
Crow was famous for turning up 20 minutes before a game, having a quick stretch and running out.
The Crow was never dead in a tackle and I don’t recall Zip every being run down when in the clear, “put down your glasses, they won’t catch the Zip Zip man”
Just a thought, what about coaches?
I don’t disagree with the top 3 in the wings or centres, but I also agree Krisnan Inu should have made the cut in the honorable mentions of one of them. Mr Hayne certainly got the press in the 2009 run but Grothe Jnr and Inu were brilliant that year Didn’t overachieve in the NRL but he was solid performer for us for a good few years was Inu
Grothe Jnr did have great 09. He look the intercept on our line that changed the game against the Dragons in the final.
Jnr could have been one of great wingers, he had the size and pace but lacked motivation. He is a bit of free spirit.
I remember running in to him in a memorabilia store on Church street. The owner knew him and said “ aren’t you supposed to be at training?”
Jnr casually said “oh yeah, I better get going”
After handsome agreement re fullbacks and wingers I”m sure there’ll be plenty of debate around these choices. No arguments about Mick. Apart from his other qualities he should. be remembered for his remarkable physical strength. Then – Michael Beutnerr left us as promising with his potential at that stage unfulfilled. He played his best football for us at y in the Brian Smith years. I can’t believe that Michael Jennings didn’t make the three He may have been past his best when he came aboard but he was a consistent force for professional performance, and what a hard man! I remember shame against Penrith when Isiah Yeo was giving some of our young forwards a terrible afternoon. Michael got ten minutes in the bin for delivering a. crisp little right hand to the point of the chin. Isiah was knocked out cold and took no further part in the match. Comments from his parents-in-law from his first marriage leve plenty of doubt about bis later difficulties. I’d have Michael a. contender for our all time top we 13.
Woods was talented. It played plenty of second grade.
Took an overseas visitor all the way to Cronulla to see the Eels , David Woods destroyed them that day, was easy to predict Woods being a rep player and long time almost elite first grade centre. Injuries just made that predication a memory, he was so good and yet think we all felt disappointment for Woodsy and his future. So close to being more than an honourable mention.
Spot on with the final 3, Chris.
St. Michael Cronin one of the all time great Eels and a wonderful man to boot. If you ever get the chance to head down to his pub at Gerringong, preferably on a slow midweek afternoon, you might be lucky enough to have a footy chat with the great man himself. He loves talking footy and has plenty to share about his great mates at the eels and beyond. As you would expect, he’s a little reticent to talk as much about himself but get him going about his teammates and others like Tommy Radonikus and John Singleton and you’re in for a treat.
Hard to not agree with top 2, well put together Chris. I’m a bit in the Michael Jennings camp for No 3 and Timana Tahu always made you feel confident about his impact on a game. Jennings would have given Ella a run for No 2 but we got him a bit later and he finished in the mist. For all those who said our defensive woes out wide were a systematic problem starting from closer to the ruck, Jennings came along and showed you were right, his knowledge, skill and experience played a link between the ruck and the sideline and we were better when he was on the park, not fixed but better, Jennings couldn’t solve it by himself. And the Crow,legend, the only player my wife still mentions as her favourite ever, we went to Gerringong one day but he was not on duty damn it!
Steve Ella was fast but don’t forget he suffered a knee ligament tear in his early years.
He had the operation, one of the first, and that wouldn’t have slowed him. Imagine his speed if he hadn’t had the operation.
Going back to the last one, there has been a couple of test match highlights against the poms uploaded to YouTube with Eric Grothe in full flight.
He was good. To see him in full stretch was awesome.
Steve had that severe knee injury in 79 but fought back through extreme adversity to be picked in first grade by Gibbo round 1, 1981. He was Offered 3 times his Parramatta money to go to souths under Bill Anderson. He refused and stuck loyal because Parramatta stood by him during injury. Maybe Dylan Brown needs to study some Parra history.
Too true.
Thanks Chris,
Another great read and, as others have said, hard to disagree. One centre I remember and liked from when I was a wee lad was Glenn West. Didn’t play a lot for us but had a lot of pace running off Cronin when centres were inside, outside rather than left and right.
Another reason he has stuck in my memory is that at the start of every game he seemed to have about five litres of horse liniment on each leg. If it was a sunny afternoon at Cumberland you’d need sunnies to reflect the glare!
For pure ability in the centre position, Lyon, Tahu and Jennings all a long way ahead of Buettner in my opinion.
If we are bringing loyalty to Parra and good bloke status into it then I get it.
Hey Tony, I agree that I wasn’t personally sold on the Buettner choice at 3. I may have broken my own rule and been influenced by factors other than on field performance for leaving Jennings and Lyon out. I can certainly see the argument for having them in the top three.
Well Chris I believe you got Zip Zip and Michael Cronin in the right order. It was a shame about Zip Zip not only was he a special player with almost perfect pedigree but he was incredibly quick off the mark. Knee injuries slowed him a little bit but certainly not between the ears. Michael Cronin was a match winner and it was to Terry Fearnley’s credit he got Cronin away from country football to play in the big league.
My third choice is a little divided and certainly not Michael Buttner. I have fond memories of Ed Sulkowitz. I watch Reg Gasnier play and he was a silly smooth mover and Ed S was of the same mold. His running style belonged to the classics and at times because of that it looked like he was in slow motion. But he knew how to run and was an excellent center. I liked Stu Kelly and Jamie Lyons but walking out like he did and then later signing with Manly – he doesn’t belong in this discussion. Those who leave where they got their start become an unpleasant memory.
Can’t recall Brian Jackson but I did see Barry Rusworth. I was there that day against Saint George at the SCG when he made that break down the right sideline and into the clear. A try was certain until Johnny Raper somehow flew through the air and brought him down. That was a miracle tackle that is still clear in my mind and became a classic photo of the year. What year – can’t recall. Rusworth was a Lithgow boy and we had high expectations of him. He was also a kangaroo.
Zero58, Brian Jackson was about 5’8″ and 85 kilos I reckon. Play against him in a touch football comp and I stepped off right foot, then quickly left foot (Owen Stephens style) got outside him and outpaced him in a 30 metre run to the line. My mates still laugh/stir me about it.
Great read!
Zip Zip and The Crow absolutely loved those guys!
All point-scoring records including Halligans el Masri should have a large asterix* because they are using an easy ball. Mick would have been even better with this ball.
I watched Cronin play his first game for Parra, when asked the next day on my opinion of him, I said he is like a Rolls Royce, all class.
Cronin and Ella then daylight. I wasn’t a great fan of Buttner. His hands would let him down often
One from left field would be Mark Laurie. Probably played as much second row as centre but he was a great player who Gibbo obviously had a lot of time for and defensively was amazing.
Maybe he could be first choice as 14?
Getting 4 wins from 4 games is a great way to start the clubs 2025 campaign. It doesn’t really mean anything as an omen for the coming season and as has been noted by a number of posters on here we had some luck along the way in getting those results.
However notwithstanding I will take four wins over four losses any day!
Being 60 years old, the premiership Eels players are etched in my mind forever. Much has been made about the amazing attacking talents but defensively they were a real joy to watch. Steve Ella was my favourite player. Brilliant attack but tough as nails and SMART in defence as well. He used his speed extremely well. Fantastic elusive runner. He moved to 5/8 at the start of one year (I think Kenny hadn’t returned from the UK from memory?) and absolutely brained them. My all-time favourite Eel possibly. I cried when he retired. I went into shock and I believe I still haven’t recovered. Statistics don’t lie and Cronin is the all-time greatest eels centre, a truly remarkable talent. But on a personal level, I cheered on Steve Ella more loudly than any other player in my life. I still miss him!!!
Again pretty much spot on. The Crow is the reason why I start following Parramatta all those years ago. I might be biased but I still think he is underrated compared to other great centres who get all the plaudits these days. The way he could stand in a tackle and get the ball away was second to none. Plus the conditions he had to play in, especially those muddy fields (there is some great footage of Grothe, Kenny and Cronin scoring tries against Easts in a 1982 game where the field is just a mess of mud in the middle). The goal kickers these days have it all to easy with good drainage, the plastic tees and synthetic footballs that don’t carry water. Bring back poor drainange, the sand and toe poking heavy leather footies! That will show us who the real goal kickers are!
I got to meet Mick briefly at a season opening a few years back. It was brief chat but not so much about footy, he was more interested in that we share a surname. A genuinely nice bloke.
If Lyon had stayed at Parra his whole career, he would be number one.
Timana Tahu was a better centre than Michael Buettner. Buettner was a better 5/8 than centre in my opinion.
Dave Woods was a natural player and beautiful to watch with the ball in hand.
As previously stated he was cruelled by injury at times.
I remember he played in a City/ Country game in Newcastle and broke BOTH of his collar bones which set him back immensely.
A great player.
Agreed – gee he was good and v talented
You can’t go past a lot of the 80’s players in any position. We legitimately had the best players.
I hope that parra wins the comp again some day. I think what the issue is partially (and it’s obvious).
We do not have the cattle to win the comp most of the time. You look at our 80’s teams, there’s names there which are still relevant in rugby league almost 40 years later.
It’s easier said then done, but hopefully we can build up a comp winning squad again one day and return to glory.
If one club deserves to win a comp it’s parra eels, Our fan base is the most passionate and loyal in the entire nrl.
Cronin is the obvious great one. I thought Tahu in his day was good. Turncoat Jamie Lyon was too. Jennings was a good centre. So good, he somehow worked himself back into the roosters squad (which is jam packed with backs depth compared to us), a testimony of how good Jennings even still is at his age. It’s pretty remarkable.
Either Ella or Crow, both very good But they played with an amazing team and had wonderful coaches. An amazing era. They had Sterlo / Kenny / Price and co. Both extremely good in their own way. Zip was superb.
I’d have Dave Woods there as he was belted by injury and an era where we had some v good juniors without the required experience around them. If Dave Woods had less injures and played in the Cronin era we’d be talking about him like the Crow and Zip Zip. Dave was superb! Injuries cut him short badly. As others have said – can recall a Bronco game where we were in it at half time but then Dave was hurt and from memories some more injuries and hence Brisbane put on abt 60 against us. I was devastated
Does anyone have the Scanlens Mick Cronin footy card? I had the entire team except Mick! Back in the day. I chewed through so much gum but never got it lol.
I’ve never really understood the shift away from toe tappers.
As a kid I always kicked the ball of the toe, without boots at training.
I think Terry Matterson was the last and that’s 30 years ago.
Kickers like Cronin, Simms, Eadie, Barnes and so many more.
The other great Parra kicker from my childhood was Keith Campbell.
He slotted plenty from halfway and his style of kicking the top of the ball at kickoff was genius. I don’t know why it isn’t used today.
The saddest thing about this list is that only two relatively modern players will top the list.
One already revealed, the other, I think, obvious.
It’s that long since we have had a dominant team.
57 Years makes a major point – lots and lots of players named so far and not one current or recent player. ThAt will change when we get to the halves and props, but it really is very revealing.
I was a wanna be toe poker in my junior days but round the corner is far more accurate style of kicking and thanks to Halligan via NZ rugby a very refined part of the game now. The Crow was an accurate kicker given his points scoring records but while I don’t have his average success rate, I’d say it was less that Halligan or El Masri. They had the advantages of plastic tees and the synthetic footies and well drained fields as I mentioned elsewhere. Which probably makes that Mick did even more impressive.
I can’t go past the Crow and Zip-zip as 1 & 2. Great to see someone mentioned Glen West. Man, that guy was like lightning! The perfect foil to the Crow’s off loading ability – he was able to put West into a gap and then it was “put the glasses down”! This combo was a precursor to the glory years of Cronin and Ella. I remember when the league declared that players should look more professional at training. Channel 9 shot some footage of Parramatta training…I seem to remember Glen West doing “star jumps” in a pair of blue overalls and wearing a pair of thongs – must have just gone to training from his job as a lift mechanic! They were the days…
I was working at Springwood High School when Glenn West was aboard. It was the days when footballers had jobs. He turned up in a team doing some building work around the school. Schoolboys continually pestered him, tried to get his attention, asked him questions. He showed them great patience.
Nice guy.
Just a few others that I enjoyed watching were John Vincent who would switch around centre/2nd row and wing, Geoff Gerard played some centre in his early days, Mal McMartin (threw the infamous intercept pass to Branighan in 1975 semi), John Moran and I thought Olaf Prattl was a hoot. Olaf would realise he was out of position in defence and run 40 metres behind the other players across to the other side of the field. Olaf was a good centre and always seemed to have a smile on his face. Where are you now Olaf?