It's ironic that Topliss is mentioned as one of the best players and coaches......(on my list too) yet he bought and played one of the worst players in Todd. How does that work.

I think you've hit the nail there with JG. Without doubt the biggest disappointment of all RL signings ever, after joining with such a fan fair! He was rubbish!

Maybe he signed Todd on the recommendation of Mark Graham?
If Graham would have stayed, Todd may have been a different player?

He was also responsible for buying players like Andy Mason, Mark Conway, Keith and Kevin Rayne, Phil Fox, Steve Ella, Andy Wilson etc...

Todd came to Wakey recovering from a serious injury and didn't produce. Yet went back and played a lot of NRL and International Rugby afterwards....Topliss signed him up seeing a proven track record, can't be blamed for that.

'Kiwi Test prop (originally from Christchurch) signed with Canberra after playing against Australia in the 1986 Trans Tasman series. Todd made his Test debut against Great Britain in 1985 after being named as a late replacement on the Kiwi tour of England. He proved to be a rock-solid force in four grand final appearances with the Raiders (1987 & 1989-91). Todd was not a flashy player (his five seasons at Canberra did not yield a point) but he got through a mountain of work. After suffering a broken arm in 1988 he spent the off-season with Wakefield Trinity. Todd played in all three Tests against Australia in 1989 and six Test matches in 1990. Further Tests against Papua New Guinea (1991), Great Britain (1992) and Australia (1993) took his career Test total to 28. A victim of Canberra's self-imposed salary cap, he linked with G’Coast in 1992 but despite leading from the front, could not inspire the Seagulls in his two seasons with the club. Todd retired at the end of 1993 when injury ruled him out of the Kiwis’ Tour of Great Britain and France.'

Already been mentioned but I'll mention him again. Aaron Whittaker. NZ international half back who came over with a decent reputation but didn't look up to much. To be fair though, in those days NZ internationals weren't quite up to the standard they are these days.

Also remember Lino Foai, Western Samoan rugby union centre. Looked the part but that's about it.

Mitch Brennan was the coach when Foai, Copesake and Corcoran came over.
Brennan had been a State of Origin player and probably knew these players were a risks with their injury background but hoped that taking a gamble at a club like Wakey, that were short on money, these players may come off.
Foai showed he had the ability when fit, Copesake looked a talent but but knees no good and Corcoran just disappeared after a few games and am sure he was living down Horbury Junction doing roofing after that!

My first thought but then JARROD I LOVE MY BURGERS HICKEY.....no contest. He was a disgrace to himself the club and Rugby League

I will never forgive Hickey for turning up at Belle Vue like that or the management who let it happen. I think it is useful to recall this, not just some negative thrill fest. We need to remember not to repeat this behaviour!

The sad thing was that Hickey seemed to have the size and the ability but didn't seem to have the desire to get and stay fit for a professional rugby league player. He was also more than unfit and as we all know turned up obese which the club should have also taken some responsibility for, they can't have skyped him at all prior to him leaving Aus. Had he been fit I'm sure he would have had a decent Super League career. He appears to now be playing Rugby Union in Aus at Amateur level... www.sportingpulse.com/get_file.cgi?id=3051816

The sad thing was that Hickey seemed to have the size and the ability but didn't seem to have the desire to get and stay fit for a professional rugby league player. He was also more than unfit and as we all know turned up obese which the club should have also taken some responsibility for, they can't have skyped him at all prior to him leaving Aus. Had he been fit I'm sure he would have had a decent Super League career. He appears to now be playing Rugby Union in Aus at Amateur level... www.sportingpulse.com/get_file.cgi?id=3051816

The other sad thing is the club continued to try to play him despite the fact that he should of been no where near the first team.

Who was that giant forward somoan lad Charlie xxxxxx ?? 6ft 6 He could have been special just needed time !!! 2009 ish

Charlie Leano

Thee Wakefield Trinity heritage site has posted a team photo from 2006 on Facebook, with Foai, Copsake and co.
The team doesn't look half bad, with Davis and Ford in the halves.
Can name most of them, a few, I have no idea.

1996 I think you mean!

Oops! Schoolboy error! Yep 1996