The Best Rooster of all time?

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

I've been watching Easts since the early 90s and so have a bias towards players from the last 35 odd years.

In saying that if I had to choose an all time team (based on reputation and records) it would be:

1. James Tedesco
2. Anthony Minichello
3. Dally Messenger
4. Dave Brown
5. Bill Mullins
6. Brad Flitter
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Arthur Beatson
9. Jake Friend
10. Ron Coote
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Craig Fitzgibbon
13. Sonnybill Williams
14. Craig Wing
15. Ray Stehr
16. Jarred Waerea-Hargraves
17. Adrian Morley

The honourable mentions making up a 2nds:
1. Russell Fairfax
2. Daniel Tupou
3. John Brass
4. Mark Harris
5. Joey Manu
6. Luke Keary
7. Kevin Hastings
8. Harry Jersey Flegg
9. Sandy Pearce
10. Barry Reilly
11. Mitchell Auboson
12. Joe Pearce
13. Luke Ricketson

[Vasco]

Waverley old boy when they used to play league.

Yep, they've produced some handy footy players over the years.

[Steakface]

Here is an interesting thought.

If JWH leads us to a Premiership this year, I argue he is the equal to Beetson.

You could make a good case already that he is his equal.
Other may suggest Artie's captaincy and international deeds perhaps give him a slight edge.

JWH

- 309 first grade matches as a Rooster
- Forward Pack leader for 3 premierships '13, '18, '19
- Forward Pack leader for 4 Grand Final appearances '10, '13, '18, '19
- A phenomenal victory ratio for the Roosters when he playing v when he is not playing (i don't have the precise stat handy, but it's incredible).
- State Of Origin: n/a
- Internationals: 33

ARTIE

- 131 first grade matches as a Rooster
- Forward Pack leader for 2 premierships '75, '76
- Forward Pack leader for 3 Grand Final appearances '72, '75, '76
- Victory ratio unknown (tbc)
- State Of Origin: 3 (including Captain)
- Internationals: 29 (including some as Captain)

[ism22]

Is Teddy just about there? I have never seen a player with his work ethics or involvement in a game ever .
When we are up he goes and goes when we are down he goes more .I kinda freak when I watch him play. My fave is Artie . Got JWH up there too.. Ron Coote -what a player.
IF Teddy can bring the trophy home with half his spine missing ..it will be a mean feat.
If the forwards do what they did last week we win.

IMO it's too subjective. I like the way Ian Thorpe put it when asked if he was our best swimmer ever... he said something like 'each era has its best and I was definitely up there during my era... internationally Phelps has clearly schooled me during this era and lots of Australians have broken my records so whatevz really... I'm just happy celebrating my achievements without having to compare them to others'.

Teddy the best ever? The history books will say something like...

- Dally M = old fart who there's limited footage of, but you'll get mocked for challenging as context is all and he's the first true professional.

- Artie = old fart who most on here woulda seen play footy. Definitely not the sorta physical specimen you'd expect of today's era (and his smoking/drinking clearly got to him in the end) but I mean... he's Artie. Few within NRL circles would disrespect him.

- Freddy = best of the early NRL era and probably a future immortal once the NRL's worked out the what/how of 'immortalising' players. IMO shoulda been picked instead of Disco Johns. I dunno though! It was the early NRL era where people were just getting used to the increased media scrutiny. I don't blame them and TBH the footage of the Johns brothers running amok after their premiership is better than Lego. IMO what happened in the 90's should be shielded from today's standards

- This era? Teddy... sure? Names like Cronk, Minichiello, Cordner, Friend, SBW...etc would also need to get thrown out there. IMO it would be between Teddy and Cords though as both have captained Australia. Cronk's probably the most talented/influential but I think it'd be pretty cheeky of us to over-celebrate a guy who's clearly a product of the Storm's systems and only came here for 2 seasons. Same goes for SBW... I just don't think he was with us long enough to be our MOST influential player. Maybe that's the answer for Teddy v Cords though? Back our one club man and say Cords... maybe!

[Steakface]

IMO it's too subjective. I like the way Ian Thorpe put it when asked if he was our best swimmer ever... he said something like 'each era has its best and I was definitely up there during my era... internationally Phelps has clearly schooled me during this era and lots of Australians have broken my records so whatevz really... I'm just happy celebrating my achievements without having to compare them to others'.

Teddy the best ever? The history books will say something like...

- Dally M = old fart who there's limited footage of, but you'll get mocked for challenging as context is all and he's the first true professional.

- Artie = old fart who most on here woulda seen play footy. Definitely not the sorta physical specimen you'd expect of today's era (and his smoking/drinking clearly got to him in the end) but I mean... he's Artie. Few within NRL circles would disrespect him.

- Freddy = best of the early NRL era and probably a future immortal once the NRL's worked out the what/how of 'immortalising' players. IMO shoulda been picked instead of Disco Johns. I dunno though! It was the early NRL era where people were just getting used to the increased media scrutiny. I don't blame them and TBH the footage of the Johns brothers running amok after their premiership is better than Lego. IMO what happened in the 90's should be shielded from today's standards

- This era? Teddy... sure? Names like Cronk, Minichiello, Cordner, Friend, SBW...etc would also need to get thrown out there. IMO it would be between Teddy and Cords though as both have captained Australia. Cronk's probably the most talented/influential but I think it'd be pretty cheeky of us to over-celebrate a guy who's clearly a product of the Storm's systems and only came here for 2 seasons. Same goes for SBW... I just don't think he was with us long enough to be our MOST influential player. Maybe that's the answer for Teddy v Cords though? Back our one club man and say Cords... maybe!

Best approach to determine 'the best' might be a combination of various attributes

1. At the apex for natural talent
2. At the apex for achievement in the game
3. At the apex for leadership & influence

If we are talking raw natural talent only in the modern era (in no particular order):

Freddy
SBW
Tedesco
Mitchell

That of course leaves out players like JWH, Friend, Mini, Cords, Cronk, Keary, etc - all of whom were incredible talented players and are at the apex in achievement & influence........but who you would not have in the same category as the 4 above in terms of superhuman natural talent.

[Bondicigar]

Teddy has been red lining from the first minute of his career till now. Nobody competes harder imo

[caz]

I've been watching Easts since the early 90s and so have a bias towards players from the last 35 odd years.

In saying that if I had to choose an all time team (based on reputation and records) it would be:

1. James Tedesco
2. Anthony Minichello
3. Dally Messenger
4. Dave Brown
5. Bill Mullins
6. Brad Flitter
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Arthur Beatson
9. Jake Friend
10. Ron Coote
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Craig Fitzgibbon
13. Sonnybill Williams
14. Craig Wing
15. Ray Stehr
16. Jarred Waerea-Hargraves
17. Adrian Morley

The honourable mentions making up a 2nds:
1. Russell Fairfax
2. Daniel Tupou
3. John Brass
4. Mark Harris
5. Joey Manu
6. Luke Keary
7. Kevin Hastings
8. Harry Jersey Flegg
9. Sandy Pearce
10. Barry Reilly
11. Mitchell Auboson
12. Joe Pearce
13. Luke Ricketson

pretty good team but coote was a lock. jwh into starting prop and one of the backrowers to the bench. bill mullins was a very good player but i'd put toops ahead of him

[The Bondi spy]

I feel like we missed a trick by not signing sir Robert Helpmann to a big contract in the 70s. Could you imagine him running off artie and Johnny Mayes?!

[Showsh]

For me it’s Kevin Horry Hastings. Best player ever NOT to represent his country

[Salvatori Grubber]

5. Mini
4. Freddy
3. Beetson
2. Messenger
1. Nick

With Cordner a close 6.

Im thinking in terms of significance.

[caz]

5. Mini
4. Freddy
3. Beetson
2. Messenger
1. Nick

With Cordner a close 6.

Im thinking in terms of significance.

fair list but with an eye on the big picture i'd have gus gould at 5. without him, freddy and nick in the 1990s we'd be running around in the knock on effect cup

[Mr Whippet]

5. Mini
4. Freddy
3. Beetson
2. Messenger
1. Nick

With Cordner a close 6.

Im thinking in terms of significance.

In that vein, maybe Ron Jones who saved the club when was near dead and buried.

[Johnny73]

Barney Dalton.

[trewhella]

Maybe not the best, but gee I loved the development and brutality of the great Adrian Morley. Lukey Phillips one of my favs also….squeezed every ounce of talent out, similar to Ivan Cleary as,a player.
Freddy Horry Arthur Mini Teddy Top tier
second tier, Lammy, JWH, Fitzy Ricko Jake Friend

honourable mentions to Fitzy and Craig Wing and even guys like Aubo and Daniel Tupou

[roosterchook]

Beetson by a mile.