Stats available -

courtesy of Tony Adams great book The Hitmen - A tribute to League's tough guys.

I just did things on the spur of the moment. If I had a minute to stop and think I probably wouldn't have done a lot of them. But I never gouged or bit or kicked anyone - I never did anything I was ashamed of.

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STEVE ROACH MAKES WESTS TIGERS TEAM OF THE CENTURY
From West Tigers website - to visit click here


On the 20th April 1908 the first official game of Rugby League was played in the Sydney Premiership. The combatants were the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Balmain Tigers. Since that time, there have been a total of 15 Premierships won between the clubs and a host of State of Origin, Kangaroo and Premiership stars produced. A wealth of legendary moments played out by some of the true legends of the game. To celebrate the history and prestige associated with two of Australia's most famous Rugby League Teams, as well as embrace their recent unification into the Wests Tigers, it is time to celebrate the.

Wests Tigers TEAM OF THE CENTURY

A panel of judges spanning the different eras from both Clubs will select nominees according to strict criteria. The panel comprised Keith Barnes (Balmain), Kevin Humphreys (Balmain), John 'Chow' Hayes (Wests), Rick Wayde (Wests) and Ian Heads (Independent). A Western Suburbs and a Balmain Tigers team has been selected by the panel representing each club, before the unenviable task of selecting the best combined team took place.

Wests Tigers Team of the Century

Fullback: Keith Barnes (c)
Wingers: Peter Dimond, Alan Ridley
Centres: Charles Fraser, Harry Wells
Five-Eighth: Vic Hey
Halfback: Keith Holman
Lock: Wayne Pearce
Second Row: Paul Sironen, Arthur Beetson
Front Row: Steve Roach, Noel Kelly
Hooker: Ben Elias

Reserves: Kel O'Shea, Jim Craig, Tom Raudonikis, Harry Bath

Coach: Norm "Latchem" Robinson

Balmain Tigers Team of the Century

Fullback: Keith Barnes (c)
Wingers: Larry Corowa, Arthur Patton
Centres: Charles Fraser, Jim Craig
Five-Eighth: Jack Devery
Halfback: Arthur Halloway
Lock: Wayne Pearce
Second Row: Paul Sironen, Harry Bath
Front Row: Steve Roach, Arthur Beetson
Hooker: Ben Elias

Reserves: Tom Burke, Tim Brasher, Peter Provan, Bob Boland

Coach: Norm "Latchem" Robinson

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it was balmain v brisbane,cant remember what year,or ground,but the scrum had packed down.

I dont think the ball got fed before blocker stood up out of the pack, then his brisbane opposite,who i think was greg dowling, did the same, after which the big fella let go with a punch that he had started to throw a week before, dropping dowling and the scrum collapsed along with him.

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The Return Of The Invincibles (1986 Kangaroos) were a far superior team for any of the British Teams including GB although the 3rd Test at Wigan was a cracker....

St.Helens were top of the English league played 8 and won 8 averaging 37pts a game, when the Aussies arrived. As optimistic as we were, the Kangaroo back line read: Jack, Shearer, Kenny, Miles, Meninga, Lewis & Sterling. So we were at least honoured with a full test line up. Channel 9 broadcast the match live and from the off both sets of forwards gave it plenty.

For Saints (Tony Burke, Graham Liptrot, Paul Forber, Andy Platt, Roy Haggerty & Chris Arkwright / For Australia: Roach / Simmons / Dowling / Cleal / Niebling / Lindner)

Steve Roach was off the field after 2 minutes, he stiff armed Chris Arkwright and dislocated his elbow and was replaced by Paul Dunn.

Saints gave as good as they got and some of the off the ball challenges would make you cringe. With his back to the Saints posts Lewis laid off a typical pass and was hit by Arkwright (Grandson of Jack Arkwright) with a forearm in the back of his head.

Later in the game Paul 'Rambo' Round came on the park with one purpose in mind, to hit as many Aussies as possible. With partner and back-up Arkwright, Round hit Garry Jack and all hell let loose, Arkwright had his shirt ripped off and Round and Jack were sent to the sinbin, threatening each other all the way back down the tunnel.

The highlight of the game came from the Aussie commentator on the day as he was trying to work out the English accents in the crowd and the songs we were singing. Fred Lindop had just given a penalty to Australia when we were begging for a way back into the game. The Saints crowd, as one, started to sing, "Who's the bastard, who's the bastard, who's the bastard in the black ? "

The guy on Channel 9 repeated it word for word with a chuckle....I doubt if he's ever worked again !!!

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