Quest Newspapers’ top 50 Wynnum Manly Seagulls players in history
From ‘The King’ to talents who made history and premiership heroes – we have named our top 50 players in the history of one of Queensland’s legendary clubs, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. SEE WHO MADE IT
Southeast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southeast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From immortals to key figures who made history and premiership heroes – the Wynnum Manly Seagulls are on of the country’s most historic rugby league clubs.
This year, the club celebrates the anniversary of not only their legendary 1982 premiership but also their 2012 titles.
So in this significant year, we have decided to name our Quest Newspapers top 50 Wynnum Manly players in history.
Our top 50 comes from when Wynnum Manly were admitted to the BRL (Brisbane Rugby League) competition in 1951.
But it must be remembered Wynnum also played from 1914 under the Wynnum District Football team banner in the Queensland Rugby League competition.
In that era, the club had greats like Bill Patten, a winger who played two Tests and a remarkable 42 matches for Queensland, and Glen Crouch, a member of the powerful Queensland teams of the mid-1920s whose brother and son also played in Wynnum colours.
Other legends of that pre-1950 era include Charlie Roff, a local junior who captained Wynnum in their first game before becoming a long serving committee member, and John Cloherty (1930s), the Seagulls first president who held the role for decades.
The list of the club’s top 50 players is so full of talent, so many legends, including 2015 Courier Mail Medal winner Patrick Templeman couldn’t even grab a spot.
See the full list below.
QUEST NEWSPAPERS’ TOP 50 WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS PLAYERS EVER
50. Warren Green
A two-time premiership winning winger, Warren Green was a goal kicking ace. A Darling Downs talent who once kicked Toowoomba to victory over Great Britain, Green ensured three point tries were turned into five points with his ace kicking.
49. Mitch Cronin
The hill at the legendary Kougari Oval is now named ‘Mitch Cronin Hill’ and there’s a reason for that. Before Cronin’s tragic passing in 2020, the versatile hooker played eight seasons for the Seagulls and was skipper for two of those, leading Wynnum Manly to the 2019 grand final.
48. Mathew Seamark
The little general who was the halfback for Wynnum Manly’s back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012, Seamark, a Townsville product, is also the club’s most-capped player and played an international Test match for Wales.
47. Clayton Maher
A Wynnum Manly junior and no-nonsense forward, who went on to play first grade for the Gold Coast Chargers, but also helped the Seagulls claim the 1995 Brisbane Rugby League grand final with a 32-24 victory over Easts. Maher played 13 seasons with the Seagulls.
46. Keith Brown
When Wynnum Manly we’re the easy beats when entering the competition in the early 50s, the club turned their attention to bring Keith ‘Bomber’ Brown to the seagulls to change their fortunes. Brown was the complete player and had all the skills and was a leader on and off the field being Wynnum’s captain coach for a five-year period between 1954-58. Brown also led Wynnum to their first finals appearance in 1956. Brown was a representative centre for Brisbane in the Bulimba Cup and probably should have played for QLD.
45. Peter Dawes
Dawes was a master general in a champion side, helping Wynnum to win the 1982 premiership. Initially from Illawarra, he was a steady type, the perfect foil to some of the brilliance which prevailed. When Terry Saunder went down with injury, Dawes stood tall in the key position of halfback.
44. Mitchell Dodds
A tough prop who was known for his tackling technique, would leave runners on the ground for minutes after his bone crunching tackles. Is a junior for the club and went on to win two titles and have a good career with the Brisbane Broncos.
43. Alan Monaghan
Meet the first player to 100 top flight matches for the Seagulls. He was goal kicking second rower Alan Monaghan, who played in the 1960s.
42. Mal Green
Green was like a runaway freight train – minus the train carriages. He was slightly built for a second rower, but boy, didn’t he hit hard in defence. He was a hit man of the BRL in the 1980s and gave Wynnum additional toughness on their way to premiership success in that era.
41. Ricky Taylor
After suffering a heavy defeat from Easts in the major semi-final, Wynnum bounced back, inspired by skipper Ricky Taylor to defeat Brothers in the preliminary final and qualify for their first Grand Final appearance in a decade.
40/39. Lou and Bob Greenhill
Twin brothers Bob and Lou Greenhill were part of the fabric of Wynnum teams in the 1950s and early 60s. Both forwards they were imposing figures that stood at 120kg plus, with great off loading skills and defensively could handle any situation. The Greenhill brothers were local products and very well known in a Wynnum football community. Bob was player of match when Wynnum captured their first piece of silverware winning the 1959 Presidents Cup. Lou and Bob both represented Brisbane in the Bulimba Cup.
38. John Wittenberg
Wittenberg went in the other direction to Noel Gallagher (see above) – he was a Bundaberg native who moved to Brisbane – and Sydney – to further his career. Wittenberg played for NSW and Queensland, and also in six Tests as a front rower.
37. Dane Carlaw
Carlaw was simple to Lew Platz – mentioned above – in that he was a long striding edge forward who, when wound up, could run with the speed of a three-quarter. He twice had the honour of scoring winning tries for Queensland at Origin level. Although he was a Brother junior and Broncos servant, Carlaw etched his name in Seagulls’ folklore by helping Wynnun to back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.
36. Terry Saunders
Saunders was a brilliant halfback who was sadly robbed of a State of Origin match in 1981 after being injured (shoulder) playing for Wynnum. He had lightning acceleration, but played in a strong era of No.7s which included former Test halfback, Greg Oliphant, an emerging Mark Murray and reliable Ross Henrick. Injury also cost him a place in the 1982 Wynnum premiership side and by 1985 he was retired. But was a top flight footballer.
35. Terry Butler
Butler was a popular crowd favourite at Kougari Oval, a slightly built winger who would flash onto pass and pin his ears back in a race for the corner post. A country boy who came to the big smoke as a half, Butler found his home on the wing and had the honour of playing in the club’s first premiership side – and then for Queensland – all in the same year – 1982.
34. Paul Green
A tough and hardworking playmaker who showed he was a star on the rise when he won the Rothman’s Medal in 1993 with Easts after starting his career with Wynnum Manly. Went on to have an impressive career with the Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys as well as Queensland and Australia. Later coached Wynnum Manly to back-to-back premierships and the Cowboys to their first ever title.
33. Johnny Gleeson
A Darling Downs product, Gleeson was a prized recruit in the late 1960s. Wynnum got him in his prime for two season, including having the joy of seeing him make his Test debut from the club. He was a classy five-eight who played 25 games for Queensland.
32. John Plath
Plath was a ripping footy player from the bayside, an all or nothing type who played above his weight as a dummy half or halfback. Tough, he was an inaugural Broncos’ premiership winner who returned to Wynnum as a development officer and CEO.
31. John Dowling
Dowling was the glue of the Wynnum forward pack in the late 1970s, a wonderful hooker who would have played many time for Queensland if he had not been in the same era as Easts Tigers champion John Lang. An unlucky omission from the 1982 Kangaroos touring squad when he was playing with St George, Dowling was a tough defender and solid runner who took great pride in defending either side of the ruck.
30. Nev Hornery
The man was tough as they come represented Wynnum from 1973 to 1977. Hornery had a great sidestep, could put a player through a gap, hard tackling and led from the front. Hornery goes down as one of the toughest players ever to lace a boot for the Seagulls.
29. David Seage
Currently an assistant coach for the Seagulls, David Seage is still the all-time leading try scorer for the club, crossing the line 76 times in the Queensland Cup. Seage, a fullback/winger, played Queensland Residents in his decorated career, where he also played 16 NRL games for the Newcastle Knights before injury took its toll.
28. Neil Tierney
A prop forward, Tierney kicked-off his career with the Seagulls and won the Brisbane Rugby League’s Rothmans Medal in 1989. In 1990, Tierney moved to Sydney to play for the St George Dragons. Tierney would play three Origin games in his career along with 159 NRL games for the Dragons, Western Suburbs and Manly Sea Eagles.
27. Brett French
Slightly built, French had speed to burn and was a go to man in the Wynnum Manly backline during the 1980s. The brother of Ian French, he formed a wonderful associated with Wally Lewis and Colin Scott in a lethal back division. He played five matches for Queensland and scored a winning grand final try in an outstanding career that included playing in the NRWRL (NRL) for the North Sydney Bears and Gold Coast.
26. Jake Granville
One of the all time fan favourites at the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Granville stamped his name on the scene in 2011 where he helped the Seagulls win the premiership while playing fullback in defence and hooker in attack. An incredible playmaker from dummy half and a strong defender, Granville also starred in Wynnum Manly’s 2012 premiership win and went on to have one of his best games in the 2015 NRL grand final.
25. Craig Greenhill
A Wynnum Manly junior, Greenhill played 204 top flight matches in either the NRL or the English Super League. A front rower, he was also a veteran of six Origin matches for Queensland, and was once sent from the field in an Origin encounter. He is a part of a famous bayside family – his father and two three of his uncles (Bob, Les, Roy and Harry) also played for Wynnum in the 1950s.
24. Chris McKenna
McKenna was a fantastic local junior, powerful centre who became a Queensland State of Origin star in the 2021 series win. McKenna’s career started off somewhat slowly before he moved to the Cronulla Sharks, where he starred in the national competition and earned a spot in seven State of Origin matches for Queensland and two Tests for Australia.
23. Gary Seaton
A former Brisbane Colt of the Year, Seaton started his BRL career with Wynnum before switching to Norths – only to return to the club as a second rower and help Wynnum to its inaugural premiership in 1982. He would also become the club’s coach in 1992.
22. Des Morris
Morris is immortalised at Kougari Oval for coaching the Seagulls to their first ever premiership in 1982. An Easts Tigers legend, an regarded as the best Queensland forward never to play for Australia, Morris accepted a lifeline from Wynnum in at the twilight of his career (1980-81) before being non-playing coach in 1982. A four-time premiership winner with Easts during the 1970s, he brought his winning ways – and his brother Rod – to the club which culminated in a glorious grand final win in 1982.
21. Rod Morris
Morris has been included high on Wynnum’s honours list despite playing just one season – the year the club won the premiership in 1982. Indeed he unloaded a pass in a tackle for his halfback Peter Dawes to score the last try of the game. The younger brother of Des, Morris was a tighthead front rower who had won BRL premierships with Easts, captained the Balmain Tigers in Sydney, played for Australia from both Sydney and Brisbane and played in the first five State of Origin matches for Queensland (four wins from five games). He was a winner and his presence in that sole season for the club can never be diminished.
20. Luke Dalziel-Don
One of the club’s greatest ever players and captains. A no nonsense forward who got the job done almost every game and led the Seagulls to the 2011 and 2012 titles. Was destined for a career in the NRL after signing with the Brisbane Broncos for the 2013 season before suffering a serious knee injury in the 2012 grand final, which hindered his progress and forced an early retirement.
19. Brian Walsh
Has there been a better utility player in BRL history than Walsh? Maybe not. A multiple premiership winner with the Seagulls, the Murwillumbah Brothers product played everywhere from fullback to second row, and played all positions very, very well. was a regular on the reserves bench for Brisbane representative teams in the 1980s.
18. Gary Coyne
Coyne was given his first big break by Wynnum Manly whom he helped to the 1984 premiership title. In three seasons with the Seagulls playing prop or second row, he was a played every teammate loved longside of him. Coyne later when on to win several premiership with Canberra in the NWRL (NRL), winning Queensland and Australian selection.
17. Len Brunner
In 1972, Brunner won the most prestigious award at the time in the BRL, the Rothman’s Medal, which was awarded by the referees for the best and fairest player. The Toowoomba junior forward also represented Queensland during his four seasons with the Seagulls between 1969-73.
16. Gary Dobrich
Dobrich is Wynnum’s greatest No.7, a Queensland representative and former captain who led the Seagulls in its first ever night match at Kougari oval in 1969. He was named halfback in Wynnum’s legend’s team.
15. Bob Cook
The greatest complement you can pay Cook was that he was named reserve in Wynnum’s greatest ever side. An elite attacking five-eight, he was an outstanding player in the BRL after dominating junior competitions prior to his BRL debut.
14. Ian French
French and his brother, Brett, were sublime club players in the 1980s. Ian was an elite lock or wide running second rower, with the pace of a back who loved running onto Wally Lewis passes – who wouldn’t. A six-time Queensland representative and BRL Rothman’s Medal winner, he later had a good career with North Sydney in the then NSWRL.
13. Trevor Neibling
Neibling’s life was tragically cut short aged 30, but his legacy lives on and on. Named prop in the club’s greatest ever side, he represented Queensland 13 times after making his state debut in 1963 and finished with Wynnum in 1971. Niebling’s nephew, Bryan went on to play for the Maroons and Australia in the 1980s.
12. Bill McDermott
Like the legendary Lionel Morgan, McDermott hailed from the Tweed region and had a fabulous career with the Seagulls. A centre, he was a teammate of Morgan’s in the 1958 All Blacks’ side and from Wynnum represented Brisbane in the renowned Bulimba Cup competition. His brother Claude was also a fine player for Wynnum.
11. Lew Platz
A tall, rangy second rower in the Dane Carlaw mould, Platz represented Australia from Wynnum at the 1975 World Cup. Originally from Toowoomba, and the brother of another Test and Queensland back rower Greg, Platz was a destructive attacking weapon who would be well suited to edge play today.
10. Warren Orr
Like Bob Lindner, above, and John Rhodes, below, Orr was not ranked higher simply because he was not a long term player at Wynnum. But what a winger he was, one of the most majestic finishers you could lay eyes on. From FNQ, he was a magnificent athlete who could use a touch line better than most. He played for both Queensland and Australia.
9. John Rhodes
Time should never diminish the greatness of Rhodes and had he played more seasons with the Seagulls, he would have been a pin-up boy in their greatest all-time side. A Wests junior, he was so good that when he moved to Sydney to play with Canterbury in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he beat the best they had into NSW teams. He returned from Sydney in the mid-1970s, and had the honour of representing Australia from Wynnum in 1975 – one of two Australian players (the other was Lew Platz) to represent Australia that season.
8. Bob Lindner
Lindner would have been higher ranked, but he played just two seasons with the club before moving to Sydney (1985-86). But he is one of the greats, and a 1986 premiership winner after missing the title in 1985 by a mere two points. Indeed if you picked Queensland’s finest all-time State of Origin side, Lindner would be named either lock or in the second row.
7. Keith Smith
Smith played on the wing for the Seagulls between 1968-1975 and is regarded as one of the club’s best players to not represent Australia. He was named in the Seagulls legends team alongside several greats including ‘The King’ Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Lionel Morgan, Bob Lindner, Greg Dowling and Colin Scott.
6. David Green
A hooker, Green was is an absolute legend of the bayside club, a local junior who came through the ranks to play in inaugural premiership winning side of 1982, and then captain the 1984 triumph despite the great Australian and Queensland skipper Wally Lewis being in the side. He was also club president when Wynnum won again in 1986.
5. Colin Scott
Originally from Townsville, Scott arrived at Wynnum Manly via Easts Tigers aged just 19 and had a sensational career. Extremely fast and courageous under the high ball, he was also a fantastic cover defending fullback who was a fixture in Queensland teams between 1980 and 1987. In combination with Wally Lewis and Gene Miles, Scott was a nightmare to contain at BRL level. He played 33 matches for Queensland – both pre-Origin and Origin – and also played a Test match.
4. Greg Dowling
During his extended career with Wynnum Manly, Dowling was the No.1 front rower in Australia. Although weighing only around 95-99kgs, he took on his bigger NSW rivals at Origin level and was a Queensland enforcer. He was instrumental in Wynnum’s premiership glory in the 1980s.
3. Lionel Morgan
Morgan is Wynnum’s greatest winger, a wonderful stalwart across more than 100 A grade games in the BRL and an inspiration to his community. Originally from the Tweed shire, Morgan was the first indigenous footballer to be selected in a rugby league Test match. In 2008 he was named in the indigenous team of the century and made 12 appearances for Queensland between 1960-63. Arguably the most important figure in the history of the Seagulls.
2. Gene Miles
Miles is the most underrated great in the game. While Mal Meninga deservedly has been named an immortal, many rate Miles an even better player. Certainly NSW great Steve Roach says he was the finest centre he played alongside in Test matches, and Manly legend Geoff Toovey rates him as one of his favourite great players. In combination with Wally Lewis, centre Miles was an enormous figure at club, Origin and Test match level. He had the distinction of being both the best centre in the game, and when he moved to second rower in 1988, the best second rower in the code. He was a Brisbane Broncos foundation player.
1. Wally Lewis
Cameron Smith may now be the greatest player we have seen, but Wally Lewis remains the greatest State of Origin player. A two-time premiership winner with Wynnum (1984 and 1986), Lewis won nine Origin man of the match awards and led Queensland from the interstate wilderness after NSW had dominated the Maroons in the 1970s. He was the first person to have a statue erected at Lang Park (Suncorp Stadium) and teammates of his era say he was the greatest of all-time. He certainly produced the greatest covering tackle our team of writers have seen – on Michael O’Connor – and produced the greatest creation of a try we have witnessed to put Dale Shearer up the sideline from a tap penalty in the memorable 1987 Origin series. He is, after all, the King, a Cannon Hills junior and a Seagulls (and Fortitude Valleys) legend.
Join the conversation
Bystanders’ actions praised, as crash victim identified as young dad
Friends of a 27-year-old man who died in a single-vehicle crash on Brisbane’s bayside have told of the admirable actions of two bystanders, who comforted him at the scene before paramedics arrived.
Read more
Yay! Traffic is Brisbane is about to get a lot less congested
Council has identified 14 busy Brisbane roads where it wants to extend clearways to unclog traffic. But not everyone’s a fan of the idea.
Read more