| FORUMS > The Virtual Terrace > 'Top class' centres |
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| International Star | 414 | No
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| Jan 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Sep 2015 | Sep 2015 | LINK |
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Gary Prohm was the best centre I've seen at HKR back in in the mid-80s. Real beast of a player.
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| International Chairman | 1470 |  |
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| Dec 2001 | 23 years | |
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| Jan 1970 | Jun 2022 | LINK |
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| Quote: Maple Leaf "They all have to look up to this guy.
His pace, strength and positional play were second to none.
He is the template for them all.
As great a player as Meninga was he was no artisan as a centre, pace & strength and no certain amount of guts I'll grant you
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| Player Coach | 562 | No
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| Nov 2009 | 15 years | |
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| Apr 2017 | Nov 2016 | LINK |
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Always liked the look of David Stephenson when I've seen him play - admittedly only on VHS or DVD. Really classy centre from the looks of it. There's a try he sets up for Carl Gibson in the '88 Yorkshire Cup final that just oozes quality centre play. As the OP states, there isn't a lot of genuine centre play around these days.
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 1155 | No
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| Jul 2011 | 13 years | |
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| Nov 2024 | Oct 2023 | LINK |
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As a Leeds fan I expected Watkins name to be mentioned a few times but on occasions Moon has been outstanding in the number 4 shirt this year. Those little one handed flick passes he manages to get away mid tackle, I don't think Ive ever seen it completed as much!
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 4940 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Nov 2024 | Nov 2024 | LINK |
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| Quote: Barbed Wire "I understand your point, yet Matthew Gidley, who in my opinion re-wrote the book of how to play centre, carried the ball predominantly one handed. He had a strong left hand fend and a great one handed pass. Something that many have tried to replicate since.
But again, I agree, the creation of space comes from the creation on doubt. Hence why Lyon is pulling up tree's at the moment, never know whether he will run, pass or kick and he does all with distinction.'"
Gene miles was doing it long before Gidley. |
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| International Star | 4940 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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there has always been variation in centre play. Neil Fox was very much biff and barge, with good hands. Australia had Mal Meninga and gene miles the big and barge and the sublime.
Brad Gooden anyone, not the biggest or quickest but the best I have seen in the super league era for putting his winger away.
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| International Chairman | 19907 | No
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| May 2002 | 23 years | |
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| Nov 2024 | Oct 2018 | LINK |
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| Quote: Barbed Wire "I understand your point, yet Matthew Gidley, who in my opinion re-wrote the book of how to play centre, carried the ball predominantly one handed. He had a strong left hand fend and a great one handed pass. Something that many have tried to replicate since.
But again, I agree, the creation of space comes from the creation on doubt. Hence why Lyon is pulling up tree's at the moment, never know whether he will run, pass or kick and he does all with distinction.'"
If I am honest, I had forgotten about Gidley. The exception that proves the rule perhaps? One thing I would say about that style, is that it would be easier to attack the ball than the player. Plus, it is quite dependent on getting on the outside of the defender. But that would mean defending from the outside shoulder; no mean feat in itself.
PS
One thing I would say with Gidley/that style, it limits your option to give an inside pass. |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 4940 | No
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| Feb 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Nov 2024 | Nov 2024 | LINK |
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| Quote: Jim Bergerac "Always liked the look of David Stephenson when I've seen him play - admittedly only on VHS or DVD. Really classy centre from the looks of it. There's a try he sets up for Carl Gibson in the '88 Yorkshire Cup final that just oozes quality centre play. As the OP states, there isn't a lot of genuine centre play around these days.'"
good player Stephenson only thing he lacked was real pace brilliant wingers centre. |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Board Member | 14986 |  |
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| Aug 2002 | 22 years | |
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| Feb 2018 | Feb 2018 | LINK |
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Greg Austin and Darrel Shelford were an awesome pairing for Fartown in the mid 90's
At the moment we have Cudjoe and Wardle who will both be top players for years to come !
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 718 | No
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| Sep 2012 | 12 years | |
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| Nov 2018 | Aug 2018 | LINK |
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From the Aussies.
Steve Rodgers was a good centre
Andrew Ettingshausen had a pretty complete game.
Brett Kenny was a Club Stand off and Test Centre in many matches and he had pretty well everything including a rock solid defense.
Nowadays the benchmark is based on Athleticism in all positions in the game.
Greg Inglis can beat a man with pace or strength but still has sublime skills.
It is not black and white or one or another its a combination of skills and build.
youtu.be/Aor6x0BRAp8
youtu.be/IpxVmWHZd4E |
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From the Aussies.
Steve Rodgers was a good centre
Andrew Ettingshausen had a pretty complete game.
Brett Kenny was a Club Stand off and Test Centre in many matches and he had pretty well everything including a rock solid defense.
Nowadays the benchmark is based on Athleticism in all positions in the game.
Greg Inglis can beat a man with pace or strength but still has sublime skills.
It is not black and white or one or another its a combination of skills and build.
youtu.be/Aor6x0BRAp8
youtu.be/IpxVmWHZd4E | |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 215 | No
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| Apr 2011 | 14 years | |
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| Dec 2014 | Mar 2014 | LINK |
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I always liked Loughlin from Saints. He always made space for his winger. He made a star out of Les Quirk. He could also go it alone if he had to. His interception try against the Aussies at old Trafford almost won the ashes until that other great centre, Meninga, snatched them back in the last minute.
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| Player Coach | 1419 | No
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| Dec 2008 | 16 years | |
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| Nov 2014 | Oct 2014 | LINK |
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| Quote: Buggo "From the Aussies.
Steve Rodgers was a good centre
Andrew Ettingshausen had a pretty complete game.
Brett Kenny was a Club Stand off and Test Centre in many matches and he had pretty well everything including a rock solid defense.
Nowadays the benchmark is based on Athleticism in all positions in the game.
Greg Inglis can beat a man with pace or strength but still has sublime skills.
It is not black and white or one or another its a combination of skills and build.
Absolutely, I think the point is more that the skills side does seem to be in shorter supply as the arms race for athletic centres builds up. The best players will always be the ones with all of the aspects needed in their position.
As for Inglis, he's simply the best all round athlete and rugby player I've ever seen. He's amazing. Boyd owes his entire rep career to him.
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Board Member | 6734 | No
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| Jan 2003 | 22 years | |
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| Jul 2021 | Jun 2021 | LINK |
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in my time supporting hull (35 years) i can say we have only had a handful of world class centres. the 2 standouts were garry schofield, and above all james leuluai. honoury mention to richie barnett who was unfortunate with injury yet was still class. ben crooks has the potential to get up there
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| International Chairman | 32302 | No
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| Feb 2002 | 23 years | |
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| Nov 2018 | Oct 2016 | LINK |
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Kallum Watkins has it all. Size, pace, footwork and great hands. He could become anything he wants to be. However, as has been said, he is criminally under used on Leeds right hand side.
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Chairman | 651 |  |
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| Dec 2001 | 23 years | |
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| Sep 2024 | Jan 2022 | LINK |
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Paul Newlove, Paul Oloughlin and Alan Bateman for me---players who would get outside their man and put their wingers in space
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