Jape
Keith
Naylor

In that order

Hape is a clear winner, but Nero is well under-rated on here even though he was one of the few backs that flourished during the felt-tip pen tinted Macca years.


Bring back Neromania

Penguin and Hape.

Gone for Hape and Naylor. There has been some quality in the centres though, looking down the list it almost takes the breath away, with such as Ben Harris, Danny Peacock and 'Penguin' Graeme Bradley. Happy with my choices though.

Quite so. For me Lulia could turn out (nearly )as good as Shontayne. I agonised between Naylor Harris Peacock and Bradley for my 3rd choice and finally plumped for the Penguin. However he was such a distinct character with a definite view on everything, I'm not sure how he would interact with some of the other probable selections for the Dream Team!

A lot of overseas talent on that list, although I always rated Naylor during his prime. A shame you could not retain Atkins and Bridge, as Bradford's loss was definitely Warrington's gain.

You never know how things are going to turn out, do you. Atkins was around fifth in line for a spot when he left and TBH, and in the games he did play he hadn't done anything to scream "pick me" at the coach so the move was the best decision. Bridge was a disciplinary thing though so not the same.

Always loved Peacock. The number of times he burst through and was caught just short of the line was ridiculous. But for a teeny tiny bit more pace he'd have scored a bucket-load. So him, the penguin and hape. We've had some talent at our club but Hape was, for a time, world class.

I felt I had to discount Lulia due to his short term of playing so far, even though he may continue hss form and become one of the great players.

Shontayne tops my list -a class act with just about all the skills, power and pace needed as a centre.

My second choice of Scott Naylor could never be accused of being classy. Nor was he particularly fast or having any guile whatsover. His presence in attack and defence was oustandingly brutal and often a game changer. It was an "OOOOH" moment when he was homing in on an unfortunte ball carrier.

Third is a real problem between my next 5 candidates such is the quality of centres on offer.
Peacock by a cockhair

Shontayne Hape and Scott Naylor it is then.

Danny Peacock just about takes third place and will go into the Subs vote.

Easy Hape for sheer class, Scott Naylor for uncompromising brutality. He wins a place for me on his performance in the 2001 Grand Final alone, when he gave Steve Renouf a pasting. Hard for third between Peacock, Calland and Bradley. But for influence in matches I go for Bradley.

no paul newlove?

he did, but he did play for the bulls as well as northern

If memory serves, he spent the biggest part of his last season at the club with a 'bad back' and rarely played. Luckily, it cleared up pretty instantly when he got his transfer...