Brisbane Rugby League team of the 80s: Best fullbacks
The 1980s was a golden era for Brisbane club rugby league featuring some of the game’s biggest names (and moustaches). Over the next week we’ll look back at the outstanding players in each position, culminating in the naming of a BRL team of the ‘80s. Today, the fullbacks. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE
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Do you remember Brisbane club rugby league in the 1980s? Over the next week the outstanding players in their positions will be suggested, culminating in the naming of a BRL team of the ‘80s.
From Test veterans to club stalwarts, a host of fullbacks will be considered.
And we want your input into the team, too. Vote for your favourite player in the poll to decide the fans favourite team of the 80s.
HAVE YOU VOTED FOR EVERY POSITION?
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: FULLBACKS
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: WINGERS AND CENTRES
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: FIVE-EIGHTHS AND HALFBACKS
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: SECOND ROWERS AND LOCKS
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: FRONT ROWERS AND HOOKERS
BRL’S BEST FULLBACKS OF THE 1980S
TONY CURRIE (WESTS PANTHERS)
Currie burst onto the scene as an electrifying runner to ignite a Panthers club struggling to maintain momentum after the heady days of the 1970s. Currie was from good stock. His uncle Allan was a premiership winner with Easts Tigers and a Rothman’s medal winner a decade earlier. Tony Currie followed in his uncle’s boots to also win the 1982 Rothman’s Medal. Equally at home as a winger or centre, Currie went on to make the Queensland State of Origin team (15 times) and represent Australia (seven Tests). After switching to Redcliffe, Currie was signed by Canterbury in the NSWRL where he was a member of the Bulldogs 1988 premiership winning team. He returned to Brisbane to play with the Broncos where he was a member of the club’s inaugural 1992 premiership winning side. He later became Wests Panthers president. A brilliant player in a hot field of fullbacks.
JOE KILROY (NORTHS, BROTHERS)
A time-honoured fan favourite from the 1980s, Kilroy was an extraordinary talent. A Norths junior, he lit up the 1980 grand final with a blazing counterattacking run from the back that led to a try and gave the Devils momentum for an upset win over Souths. He won a second premiership seven seasons later, helping Brothers to the last BRL premiership before the Brisbane Broncos entered the NSWRL. That day he played winger, such was the form of Brothers No.1 Clinton Mohr that year. Smok’in Joe was lured from Norths to Brothers by the purchase of a Harley Davidson by Brothers, a decision which sank the hearts of Norths’ stalwarts. In his first match against his old club at Bishop, Kilroy scored from the kick-off of the game, catching the ball 90m out and 10 seconds later putting the ball under the posts at the other end of the field. He was an amazing player. Kilroy, who could also play wing with ease, was best known for his open field running, but he was also a powerhouse runner who could rampage through defenders from close range.
GAVIN PAYNE (EASTS)
A fantastic custodian for the powerhouse Easts’ Tigers whose career spanned 187 A grade games – in the top half dozen of games by Tigermen. The brother of excellent former Queensland centre Mark Payne, Gavin was a member of the 1983 Easts’ premiership winning team and again in 1991. In 1983, Easts had a young side with a fearsome, youthful forward pack that took no prisoners and Payne’s class at the back perfectly complemented with his muscle men upfront. Payne linked nicely with classy Easts’ five-eighth, Queensland player Wayne Lindenberg to add spark to Easts. By 1991 he was a wise old veteran, a far cry from his fleet-a-foot days of ‘83, but no less effective. His contribution to Easts on and off the field is fondly remembered by the Tigers’ faithful.
GARY BELCHER (SOUTHS)
The Souths Magpies’ junior was a beautiful mover who more glided across the turf when he ran. He was part of a golden era for Souths which saw the Magpies make the 1984 BRL grand final – and win it one year later in an upset win over Seagulls (1985). Belcher was then snapped up by the Canberra Raiders who had a tradition of raiding Queensland for talent. Playing against the best of the NSWRL, he rose to win Canberra’s player of the year award in his first season south, and then won a place in the Kangaroo squad as the No. 2 fullback to Garry Jack. Belcher went on to play 16 games for Queensland and 15 Tests, and win numerous premierships with Canberra. He was also a classical covering defending fullback in the last line of defence and his last ditch effort to dive and ankle tackle NSW player Cliff Lyons in 1987 was a Origin series saver.
COLIN SCOTT (EASTS AND WYNNUM-MANLY)
Scott started his BRL career with Easts after moving from Souths Townsville with Gene Miles, but is far more known for his outstanding career with the Seagulls. With a long stride that took him across the ground at a deceptively fast pace, Scott was an instant hit in Brisbane, winning a place in the Queensland team (1979) before the State of Origin concept came to being. He was initially uncertain or nervous under the high ball in night games against NSW, but moved past that perceived weakness to be rock solid for the Mighty Maroons across 33 games (including 25 Origins). He also had the honour of winning a Test cap in 1983. A great last line of defence, Scott starred in Wynnum’s premierships wins in 1982, 1984 and 1986 before being a foundation Brisbane Broncos player in 1988.
What do you think? Who is the best fullback out of these players. Join in our poll.
HAVE YOU VOTED FOR EVERY POSITION?
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: FULLBACKS
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: WINGERS AND CENTRES
BRL BEST OF THE 80s: FIVE-EIGHTHS AND HALFBACKS
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