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On the 12th May 06 I received several emails from Jason Buffier (Buff) and Matt Sullivan (Sullos) from Sydney, who told me of their recent campaigns to compile Aussie and International Representative Teams consisting of Hardmen - Madmen etc etc... in response to some recent current Dream Team nominations - they wanted a team/s as they say in their words..........
“We wanted to pick the most feared team God ever put breath into”.

The Criteria......
1. Would this player take matters into his own hands and throw the first punch?
2. How would this player have fared in the 1973 GFor the abandoned 1954 NSW v GB game?
but before we start going any further I feel that we should acknowledge the guys sources of information.... do it the right way. The BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Encyclopedia of Australian Rugby League Players (1993) Alan Whiticker and Glen Hudson
The Sun Book of Rugby League (1983) Gary Lester
Rugby League The Australian Way (1970) Jack Pollard
Rugby League Week 25 Sensations Years (1995) David Middleton
The Finals. The History of NSW Rugby League Finals (1992) Steve Haddan
www.eraofthebiff.com ( "hey I know that one" said Quigs)

Quigs here interrupting .. I am attempting to get this into some chronological order for ease of reading.

Buff & Sullos wrote,

After much deliberation, argument and consideration Sullos and I are pleased to announce our Rugby League Dream Teams (see below). You will note that in our quoted sources there is a web page. We would strongly recommend a visit to this site.

Those of you who received the final draft last week will note only one change. Graeme "Penguin" Bradley was dropped for Chris "Choppy" Close – essentially on the strength of his SOO back handers.



You may comment that the selected fullbacks do not quite fit the profile of their team mates. We went with goal kickers (to take advantage of the high penalty count), who also happened to be the best players ever in their position. There were no fullbacks we could truly class as hard or mad.

As previously mentioned, when selecting the teams there were two main questions that Sullos & I asked ourselves:

1. Would this player take matters into his own hands and throw the first punch?
2. How would this player have fared in the 1973 GF or the abandoned 1954 NSW v GB game?

Essentially, when we thought or heard of a new player we were forced to consider who to remove from the teams as they stand? Obviously there are some hard luck stories for players who missed out. We contemplated naming them but where do you draw the line?

At the end of the day we hope to submit these teams to RLW & have them run a competition where people write a match report of the game between the Aussie teams, with the victor to take on the International XIII. The matches would be played under a 5m, 6 tackle, contested scrum, no replacement, 3 pt try, 1 pt field goal rules. It would start at 3pm on a Sunday at the SCG. All players are required to wear black boots with white laces (except Langlands). Keith Page, the man in charge of 1973 GF has been appointed referee. Greg Hartley and Barry Gomersall to run the touch lines. Frank Hyde is timekeeper and commentator and will also sing the national anthem.

Thank you to all who contributed.

Rugby League. The Greatest Game of All.
Buff & Sullos.

THE TEAMS - 12th May 2006

Quigs here .. A lot of these players are in the Era Hardmen and Heroes list and I have made links to their respective pages. - Just in case you wanted to find out more.

Quigs here .. Below is more of the correspondence regarding this very important selection process.

Gents,

Thank you again for your contributions.

It is worth noting at the outset that only XIII were selected for each team rather than the modern fashion of 17 due to (a) no replacement rule, and (b) you couldn't drag them off anyway.

In terms of potential hard men nominated, we make the following comments (I have ignored the Cats, Crims, Coppers & Dickheads – not even I have that much time on my hands)……

Rex "The Moose" Mossop – very close to selection, his 1959 GF send off with Harry Bath highly commended. In the end, his admission that he could never get the better of Vince Karalius kept him out of the side.
Rex and Harry

George Piggins – equal with Moose. His fight with Mal Reilly where they were headbutting each other whilst laying side by side on the ground was highly commended.

At the end of the day, Billy "Capt Blood" Wilson & Noel "Ned" Kelly are ahead of him due to their knuckle experience during the GB hard nut era.

Terry Reagan, "Rambo" Ronnie Gibbs, Barry Lennon & Mark Geyer – fondly mentioned in discussions but were more "mad" than "hard".

Steve Bowden & Wally Lewis – were in the first draft team. Unlucky to miss out.


Mark Broadhurst & Geoff Dowling – this team is more about throwing the first punch rather than copping it.


David Grant, Brendon Tuuta, Michael Crocker, Mark Carroll, Les Kiss, Olsen Filipana – handy, but not up to this class.

Steve Linnane, Hoppa, Danny Williams – whilst the nominated teams didn't abide by Marquis of Queensbury rules, gouging, cheap shots & rectal examinations weren't the only weapons in their armoury.

David Furner – mentioned in dispatches, but to make these teams you need to be inclined to start it as well as being able to finish it.

Chris Walker, Terry Wickey, Matt Goodwin, Mark "Sparkles" "Hammer" McGaw, Whiz Freeman, Jason Ryles – just no.

Brett Mullins – fullback has been by far the hardest position to fill in all three teams. Accordingly, we have decided to issue the teams on Monday with a rider that someone needed to be able to kick for goal (given the anticipated high penalty count).


Bob Cooper – still not out of it. Roy Masters described the wild brawl thus…. “.. and Cooper stood like King Kong, with the Illawarra players acting as the by-planes which he merely swatted away….” He made the 2nd team draft and is essentially fighting Steve Kneen for one spot. Although Kneen only received a 12 month suspension from Jim Comans, he does have International experience.

John Atkinson – in the team. Just the temperament & attributes we are looking for. Thank you Miles.
John saying hello to Eric Simms just at the end of 1970 World Cup - lets just say that John put his head on the line

Mike Sullivan – behind Atkinson & Des Drummond.

When selecting the teams there were two main questions that Sullos & I asked ourselves:

1. Would this player throw the first punch?
2. How would this player have fared in the 1973 GF or the abandoned 1954 NSW v GB game?

Essentially, when we think or hear of a new player we are forced to consider who to remove from the teams as they stand?

At the end of the day we hope to submit these teams to RLW & have them run a competition where people write a match report of the game between the Aussie teams, with the victor to take on the International XIII.

The match would be played under a 5m, 6 tackle, contested scrum, no replacement, 3 pt try rules. It would start at 3pm on a Sunday at the SCG. All players are required to wear black boots with white laces (except Langlands).

I remain, as always, your humble servant……….

Jason Buffier

Quigs here, Some of the pre-selection banter that went on prior to the nominations - just for your information.

Subject: RE: RL Dream Teams

Ok Mr Canberra, a few insights from Mr Penrith:

I have personally observed Terry Wickey go the biff and think he could justify a spot on the bench

Mark Carroll and Mark Geyer were both fairly handy (and dirty) on their day

Have to agree with Dave re the penguin - only thing he was good for was carrying a bag of marbles between his legs whilst sprinting



Matty Goodwin, absolute hard man, cave man looks combined with amazing strength for his size - I was at Leichhardt oval for a Panasonic Cup semi against Balmain in the mid 80's when he took on Blocker and Sirro at the same time. Pretty to watch.

If you are looking for a winger then Les Kiss is your man - complete Cock Sparrow, remember him and Roycey in the in-goal during a Lang Park state of origin?

Greg Dowling - who can forget his stink against the Kiwi's at Lang Park!

Wally Lewis - always giving lip and able to back it up when it really matters (no backward steps against MG)

Mark 'sparkles' McGaw wasn't a dirty player but can recall him going toe to toe on several occasions and seemed to hit the mark on a regular basis

The international team should have a spot for Gary 'the Whiz' Freeman and Olsen Fillipino?

and finally, my all time favourite, Bazza Lennon - absolute crazy man, swung like a machine and never resorted to the squirrel grip like some of his St Dominic's and Cambridge Park team mates
Yours in sport
Kellsy

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Jeez Buff, you plumbed the depths to get some of these guys in here. Since when did the Penguin ever throw a punch in anger? Frankly, when did he ever do anything?

I would nominate:

David (Nana/Home Loan) Grant - inaugural Raiders Captain. RIP. Punchy at any opportunity.

Steve Linnane - a gouger, but violent nonetheless.

Hoppa - keen for a touch-up in any way possible.

David Furner - best fighter in the game, along with the Man.

Possibilities: Michael Crocker (if you bump into him in the Beach Palace), plus Chris Walker (bump into him anywhere).

Brendon Tuuta - who can forget him kicking the King in the head?

There is no way John (Joe Cool) Dorahy would be in this list. Not an angry bone in his body. Brett Mullins would be my choice.

And the king of all punchies:

Bob Cooper - Wests, 1982. Longest suspension in league history. Ran 30 metres - two punches, two broken jaws. Ended the careers of Steelers Greg Cook and Lee Pomfret.

And Buff, I hope you have now filled out the timesheet for the day.

Dave

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From: Robert McDonald)'

Subject: RE: RL Dream Teams

Don’t start Damian or you’ll end up in the time-filling vortex from which Buffier cannot escape – like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it.

More to the point – how do you reckon The Moose, Georgie Piggins, Terry Reagan & Rambo Ronnie feel. Geez you’d just about give Steve Bowden a wing spot in this team (only if Mark Broadhurst gets sent out there with the international team for a rematch of course).

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From: Damian

Subject: RE: RL Dream Teams

I think Mark “the Javelin” Bell has been hard done by for a wing spot

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Subject: RL Dream Teams

Gents,

Sullos, Sean & myself embarked on a project last Friday evening to pick a “dream” rugby league team with a certain flavour.

After much deliberation we decided that we needed to pick two teams to play off for the right to play an International XIII.

The attached document represents our third draft team selections.

We are cognisant that the fullbacks appear weak, although we have decided against picking players out of position.

Your erudite & considered suggestions, opinions and nominations would be appreciated prior to the naming of the final teams tomorrow evening (Occidental Hotel @ 5.30pm).

Please only nominate players prepared to throw the first punch.

Yours…..
Jason Buffier

And finally………

Buff

A sound analysis indeed.

Please note that players should also be wearing cotton jerseys with collars (not bloody t shirts) and no head gear.

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