Brisbane Rugby League team of the 80s: Best centres/wingers
The 1980s was a golden era for Brisbane club rugby league featuring some of the game’s biggest names (and moustaches). We’re looking back at the outstanding players in each position, culminating in the naming of a BRL team of the ‘80s. Today, it’s the centres and wingers. 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, the biggest names with the biggest 80s moustaches will be considered.
And we want your input into the team, too. Vote for your favourite player in the polls below 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 WINGERS OF THE 1980S
Steve Stacey, Easts
Block-busting winger whose strongly built frame contributed to his success. The Easter premiership winner had the thrill of running down the Frank Burke grandstand sideline one night at Lang Park, crowd roaring him on, and bouncing his way over to score for Queensland in a State of Origin match.
Wayne Challis, Souths
The long striding Challis was elusive on the wing outside Mal Meninga. Played for the Queensland residents and earned contract with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in Sydney.
Brad Backer, Easts
Originally from Maryborough where he has an oval named in his honour, Backer is one of the Origin originals, having been named in the 1980 Queensland team. Great finisher for the Easts Tigers who were spoiled with Backer and Stacey as wing-twins.
Terry Butler, Wynnum-Manly
Originally a halfback with the Brisbane Brothers club, Butler mirrored the career of St George legend Steve Morris (father of twins Brett and Josh) by successfully moving from No. 7 to wing. Successfully moved to the powerhouse Wynnum-Manly Seagulls and played Origin.
John Ribot, Redcliffe
Powerful Ribot started his career with Wests Mitchelton, Wests and Valleys before being lured to Sydney club Newtown in the late 70s. But after also playing with Wests and Manly, he returned to Brisbane to finish his career at Redcliffe (1984-85) where he was a Queensland and Australian winger. Great finisher wherever he played.
Russell Klein, Valleys
Unsung hero of the hard working Valleys’ Diehards before following master coach Ross Strudwick from Valley to Brothers. Outstanding leadership qualities which saw him captain Valleys from the wing. Not fast, but powerful and reliable with and without the ball.
Gordon Langton, Ipswich
When retired veteran rugby league writer Steve Ricketts saw Langton flash onto the ball chasing Allan Langer kicks in 1986-87, he thought he was watching another Larry Corowa (Australia winger from Tweed Heads). Gave Ipswich fans plenty to cheer about.
BRL’S BEST CENTRES OF THE 1980S
Gene Miles, Wynnum-Manly
Arguably the most underrated great in the game and a personal favourite of Manly legend Geoff Toovey. I remember once asking dual international John Brass about the greatness of Wally Lewis and Brass said while Lewis was a legend, having Miles on his outside helped him a lot. Mal Meninga was deservedly recognised as an Immortial last year, but Miles deserves no less recognition.
Mal Meninga, Souths
Big Mal was a handful the moment he arrived in Brisbane to play with Souths.
The bloke has more achievements than most in the game. Extraordinary career and Souths were lucky to have him. Decent down to earth bloke as well.
Chris Close, Redcliffe
The Cunnamulla kid burst into the BRL in 1979 playing for Valleys before switching to Redcliffe. His time in the BRL was all too brief as he accepted a contract with glamour Sydney club Manly. Was man of the match for Queensland in Origin’s No.1 and No.2. Also a legendary Queensland manager who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Bruce Astill, Souths
Bruce Astill won more club man of the match awards than you can poke a stick at. Partnered Mal Meninga in his early days and was a steadying influence on the big fella. Astill’s career straddled the 70s and 80s, but the 80s were full of highlights including being named reserve in the first ever Origin (1980) and captaining Souths to the 1981 premiership. Revered at Souths Magpies.
Brett French, Wynnum-Manly
Timing is everything in sport and French had the misfortune of being around in the Meninga-Miles-Close era. But he still snuck in the odd rep game and while he was unfortunate on a representative front that Miles was in his era, he was fortunate to have Miles as his centre partner at club level.
Mitch Brennan, Redcliffe
Like John Ribot, Brennan arrived in club land (Souths Magpies) in the late 1970s and was almost immediately signed by a Sydney club (St George). He won a premiership with the Dragons (1979) and captained South Sydney before returning to Brisbane to play with Redcliffe. Great utility who could handle centre, fullback and wing with ease. Class with a capital C.
Vic Wieland, Valleys
A 1979 premiership winner with Valley and Brisbane representative, Wieland was part of a well-drilled hard working unit that never gave a sucker an even break in the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Great competitor and outstanding club centre.
Peter Jackson, Souths
This loveable larrikin was the life of a party and a damn good footballer to boot. Played with the imposing Souths Magpies and alongside Meninga. Queensland representative much loved before his premature death at a young age. Would have been a great bloke during Queensland’s traditional bonding sessions under Artie Beetson’s coaching in the 1980s.
Mark Payne, Easts
Outstanding centre who represented Queensland in 1979 just as powerhouses Meninga and Close were gaining a foothold. The brother of Tigers’ stalwart Gavin, Mark Payne deserves to be remembered by the younger generation as a fine centre.
Steve Cherry, Redcliffe
Part of the famous Cherry clan that dominated Redcliffe rugby league. Related to Queensland Origin captain Daly Cherry-Evans, Cherry and his brothers were from Roma and carved out successful careers with the Dolphins. Steve Cherry, a Brisbane representative, was hard core in the mould of other Redcliffe tough nuts from the 1970s like Peter Leis and Tony Obst.
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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