So we have made it to the end of this series and to finish things off, we have last but not least, the lock forwards.

Like being the last player in to pack the scrum, the locks are going to casually stroll over to the scrum base, loosely pack in, and then it’s play on.

Like a few of the other positions, the number one position on this list won’t be much of a surprise (spoiler alert, it’s not Todd Lowrie), but that should not be seen as a slight on all of the other very talented players that have represented the blue and gold in the famous number 13 (or 8) jersey.

Honourable Mentions

* Mark Laurie

For those concerned that ‘Pebbles’ didn’t get a call up at second row, he will get his recognition here. The younger brother of Robert ‘Rocky’ Laurie, Mark Laurie was a stalwart of the Parramatta club for a decade. Laurie narrowly missed out on a spot in my top three here, with the deciding factor being that he wasn’t as recognised for awards or rep footy as some of those who made the final cut.

In his early career with the club, Laurie sat behind the likes of Price, Sharp and Muggleton in the pecking order but was still able to come off the bench in the 1982 and 83 grand finals to win competitions. By 1986, he was a starting second rower in that grand final winning team, meaning that he was as able to collect three premierships in his career.

Following Ray Price’s retirement, Laurie was able to have an extended run at lock but maintained his versatility, playing in other positions as required for the club. I have never had the privilege of meeting Mark, but I’ve heard from many sources what a true gentleman of the game he is.

* Nathan Brown

It’s unfortunate that Nathan Brown’s Parramatta career ended the way it did, with him seemingly on the outer with then coach, Brad Arthur. Up until that point, his time with the Eels had been a wonderful redemption story.

Despite his obvious talent and physical presence, Brown had already left two clubs (Wests and Souths) by the age of 23 due to his inability to control his aggression on the field, coupled with rumoured attitude issues.

Upon arrival at Parramatta, he immediately started to reach his potential. He got into great physical condition and was able to channel his aggression in a way that complemented the rest of Parramatta’s fearsome pack.

The winner of the Ken Thornett Medal in 2017 for club best and fairest, Brown went from strength to strength from that point, representing Italy in 6 test matches, the Australian 9’s team and ultimately, two caps for NSW in the 2020 State of origin series.

Despite being out of favour for much of 2022, Brown was parachuted into the Grand Final team to play Penrith, highlighting the value placed on his ability by the coaching staff.

The name of this column is ‘Off the Cumberland Fence’ and there is perhaps no player who better epitomised that Nathan Brown, who would wind up and fly into the defensive line with scant regard for his personal welfare. As the long-time intro for the Tip Sheet said, “BROWN SAYS, GET THAT INTO YA… BIG BOY!”

Third Place – Daniel Wagon

Years at Parramatta: 1999-2008

1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 79

Premierships: 0

Representative Games: 3 x Queensland

Personal Honours: 2001 Dally M Lock of the year, 2003 Ken Thornett Medal winner

Daniel Wagon was a phenomenal and very versatile player for Parramatta for almost a decade. Across his career, he played more than 20 games on the wing, at centre, at 5/8, in the second row and at lock. This versatility made him incredibly valuable for his team.

None of that should diminish the work that Wagon did at St George. Wagon joined Parramatta in 1999 and succeeded Jim Dymock at the lock position following Dymock’s departure after the 2000 season.

Hard as nails, he played 5/8 for Queensland in the 2001 State of Origin series (made famous by Allan Langer’s return for game 3) and performed admirably there.

Like many other players of his generation, he was part of teams that got as close to winning a premiership as possible before ultimately falling short. A stout defender in the middle, his early days as an outside back also meant he was a deceptive runner of the ball.

Playing in four preliminary finals and one grand final, Wagon’s position as a favourite son of the Blue and Gold army is secure.

Second Place – Jim Dymock

Years at Parramatta: 1996-2000

1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 86

Premierships: 0 (1 with Sydney Bulldogs)

Representative Games: 3 x NSW City, 2 x Tonga, 6 x Australia, 6 x NSW Origin

Personal Honours: 1993, 1995, 1996 Dally M Lock of the year

The mercurial Jim Dymock comes in at second place on the list.

Dymock was my favourite player of the big four Bulldogs who came across to the Eels during the Super League war. After starting his career at Wests, Dymock moved to Canterbury where he was named Dally M Lock of the year twice, won a premiership and was part of the 1995 World Cup winning Kangaroos team.

It was with great excitement that this already very accomplished player was welcomed to the club and Dymock didn’t disappoint.

A nuggety back rower who converted to 5/8 in his later career, Dymock was an excitement machine. Although not the fastest player in the game, there have been few forwards to represent the club who have been as talented as he was.

A brilliant ball playing back rower, with deft hands and the best offload at the club since Arthur Beetson, Dymock provided the creative fulcrum for the near miss sides of the late 90’s. Although he did play some limited representative football, I always felt it was a tragedy that he didn’t receive greater recognition in that area across his career.

First Place – Ray Price

Years at Parramatta: 1976-1986

1st Grade games for Parramatta at the position: 244 (259 total)

Premierships: 4 (1981, 82, 83, 86)

Representative Games: 15 x NSW, 22 x Australia, 5 x City (7 x Wallabies)

Personal Honours: 1982 Dally M player of the year, 1979 Rothman’s medal winner, 1982, 83, 84, 85, 86 Dally M lock of the year

It’s fitting that the final person that I cover on these lists is the man who has the bronze statue in his honour out the front of the stadium.

Ray Price, he is ‘Mr Perpetual Motion’ himself, the greatest lock forward our club has seen, in the conversation with Johnny Raper as the greatest lock forward the game has seen, and undeniably on the Parramatta Eels Mount Rushmore for greatest players in our history.

There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe the profound impact that Ray Price had on the club. Along with his great mate, Mick Cronin, he turned the club from also rans into one of the most dominant teams the game has seen.

While Sterling and Kenny may have received a lot of the plaudits with their involvement at the scrumbase, and Cronin, Grothe, Ella and Hunt may have scored a lot of the tries, it was Price who was in the engine room, the beating heart of the Parramatta machine of the late 70’s and early 80’s.

A dual international who came across as a current Wallaby from the Rugby Union ranks, Price threw himself into the game with more passion and courage than just about any player to come before or after him. An undersized but mobile forward, he succeeded Steve Edge as captain of the team but had already been the talismanic on field leader for some time before that.

Whether it was for NSW, Australia or our beloved Parramatta Eels (he had the privilege to captain all three teams at various stages), Price would leave his blood, sweat and tears on the field during every game.

Is there a more iconic photograph in club history than the image of Price and Cronin hoisting the Winfield cup aloft after the 1986 Grand Final triumph?

There could be no more fitting conclusion to this series than to award first place on the list to the man who championed the tackling technique after which this website is named.

Ray Price, you are a Blue and Gold champion.

Chris Ricketts

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