50 of the best ever first grade players to feature at Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout
The Koori Knockout is less than a fortnight away with the best Indigenous talent in the state coming together. We rate 50 of the best ever first grade players to feature in the event.
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There’s less than a fortnight to go until the 51st edition of the Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout, better known as the Koori Knockout.
Over the course of the past half century we’ve witnessed some of the greats of the game line up at the carnival, representing their families and home towns in the process.
To celebrate the start of this year’s event, we look at 50 of the best ever first grade players to feature in the Koori Knockout.
As always with stories of this size there is a chance we’ve missed some names, so feel free to let us know in the comments below if someone should be there.
DEAN WIDDERS
A community leader and inspiration to many, Widders has featured in many carnivals for the Narwan Eels and later with Redfern. A popular player who featured in 159 NRL games for the Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Rabbitohs before going to England. He now coaches the Eels NRLW team.
JOSH ADDO-CARR
Another popular player who is adored by fans of rival teams as well, the Foxx came onto the scene as a blistering outside back with the Redfern All Blacks, and has now won NRL grand finals, State of Origins and a World Cup at the elite level.
LATRELL MITCHELL
It’s no secret how much Latrell loves playing at the event. Did so as a teenager with Taree back in the mid-2010s as a young player with the Roosters, where he then went on to win two titles and represent his state in country. Played with WAC in last year’s event.
JACK WIGHTON
Building an esteemed career with a Dally M Medal, Clive Churchill Medal, World Cup and State of Origin series wins all to his name. Has played in multiple tournaments and will again be a draw this year with the Raiders out of the finals.
CODY WALKER
Another that has featured at the Knockout since his teenage years, the Casino-native was a late bloomer in the NRL, not playing until he was 26. He’s made the most of it, going on to play in a grand final and win player of the match in an Origin game.
GEORGE ROSE
A cult hero for the Manly Sea Eagles, Rose grew up in Walgett and has taken great pride in representing the Walgett Aboriginal Connection. The entrepreneur with No Limit Boxing has helped the WAC build strong rosters in recent years as they look to bring a title home.
NATHAN MERRITT
One of the favourite sons of the South Sydney Rabbitohs who amazingly led the NRL try scoring in a season his side claimed the wooden spoon. A South Sydney junior who has won Knockouts with the Redfern All Blacks, playing a key role in the process.
ANDREW FIFITA
Growing up in Griffith, it’s naturally fitting that the powerhouse prop kitted up for Griffith Three Ways. Fifita’s best was explosive, taking him to the heights of Origin and Australia, as well as winning a competition with the Cronulla Sharks back in 2016.
ALBERT KELLY
Macksville born and Kempsey raised, the exciting Kelly has most notably played for the Newcastle Yowies and Nulla Dolphins. He’s enjoyed a long career in both the NRL and Super League spanning almost 180 games, including a stint in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.
GREG INGLIS
One of the best league players of all time, Inglis competed as a young up and comer in the early 2000s before going on to his illustrious NRL career. A stint with the Wall Street Warriors to represent his home town of Macksville is evidence of him giving back to the game and community.
ANTHONY MUNDINE
Featured for Moree before making it to the big time for the Dragons and Broncos, including representing the NSW Blues. Mundine is regarded as one of the best dual-sport athletes in Australia after switching to boxing and claiming world titles.
GORDEN TALLIS
The Raging Bull as he’s become known laced up the boots for Redfern during his early days at the St George Dragons. Enjoyed an illustrious career with premierships, a Clive Churchill Medal, Origin wins and a World Cup during his time at the Broncos.
DENNIS MORAN
Armidale’s own Dennis Moran has been an important part of the Narwan Eels and has added a classy touch to them over the years. Getting his start at Parramatta, Moran then had a long stint over in England, scoring an impressive 136 tries in 207 games.
DAVID PEACHEY
The Peach was a charismatic fullback with the Cronulla Sharks and later the Rabbitohs, amassing over 250 NRL games during his career, including winning a Dally M Fullback of the Year gong. Hailing from Dubbo, Peachey had the opportunity to play a home Knockout.
NATHAN BLACKLOCK
A true entertainer of the game for the Dragons during his playing days, the Tingha flyer was known for his blistering pace and trademark flips after scoring. He did plenty of that, amassing 120 tries in 137 games for the Red V.
PRESTON CAMPBELL
Started his Knockout journey at 17 with the Kempsey Warriors, Campbell went on to play more than 260 games of NRL football, and was the catalyst for the Indigenous All Stars concept getting off the ground back in 2010.
DARRELL TRINDALL
‘Tricky’ was made for Koori Knockout style footy. An exciting and entertaining half who had stints with Redfern, Trindall was a cult hero of sorts during his time at South Sydney, putting together 150 games in his beloved red and green.
RICKY WALFORD
Hails from Walgett and has a ground named after him there, Walford scored 116 tries through 231 first grade games with the Roosters, Bears and most prominently the Dragons, before earning rep honours with Country and NSW.
NICHO HYNES
Growing into one of the faces of the NRL after finally getting his chance to shine. Has represented teams on the Central Coast and Griffith, and continues to pave his way in first grade as a Dally M winner and NSW representative over the past two seasons.
ROBBIE O’DAVIS
A popular player in the Hunter due to his entertaining nature of play, playing over 220 games for the Knights as a one-club man and two-time premiership winner in 1997 and 2001, winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the former. Played for Newcastle at the tournament.
JOEL THOMPSON
A proud long-time Indigenous All Stars representative, Thompson has featured in a few Knockouts over the years, including for WAC. A likeable second rower who played in over 230 NRL games for the Raiders, Dragons and Sea Eagles.
BEN BARBA
A naturally gifted athlete who had his first grade career cut short due to off-field indiscretions, Barba was a Dally M and Man of Steel winner for the Bulldogs and St Helens respectively. Lined up for a very skilled Walgett side last year.
WES PATTEN
Supremely talented player with over 90 games for the Tigers, Chargers, Rabbitohs and Dragons during his first grade days. A Redfern All Blacks stalwart and former Newcastle Yowies player who looks set to lead the Sydney All Blacks in a coaching capacity for this year’s event.
AMOS ROBERTS
‘Famous’ Amos was a lightning talent during his playing days for the Dragons, Panthers and Roosters, scoring tries at will. Hails from Kempsey and has given back to the town, including coaching the Dunghutti Bloodlines.
TIMANA TAHU
A genuine star who has boosted the ranks of Newcastle teams over the Knockout journey due to his experience and ability. A dual-international in both league and union, Tahu was a premiership player with the Knights in 2001 and also had stints with the Eels and Panthers.
BLAKE FERGUSON
One of the entertainers during his NRL career that spanned 250 games for the Sharks, Raiders, Roosters and Eels. It netted him a premiership, nine games for the NSW Blues and multiple test matches for Australia.
TYRONE PEACHEY
Played with Namina Common Connection last season and is a proud Wellington boy, but unlikely to feature this year due to Penrith’s likely grand final appearance. A 200-game NRL veteran, NSW and Indigenous All Stars representative.
CLIFF LYONS
One of the most credentialed players on this list with almost 400 professional first grade games to his name, including over 300 for Manly. A state and national rep who laced up the boots for the South West Waratahs at the ripe age of 44 a few years back.
JAMES ROBERTS
‘Jimmy The Jet’ burst onto the scene with his unmatched pace that left people in awe. The predominant Bronco, NSW and Indigenous All Stars player has most recently featured for Kempsey at the event, representing his home town.
BRENKO LEE
The Queensland Origin representative has experienced Knockout footy with the Newcastle Yowies. Lee has notched close to 100 games in the NRL, and was a part of the Maroons’ famous series win in 2020.
MAURICE BLAIR
Another star that has laced them up with the Newcastle Yowies, Blair certainly brought falir. Blair played just shy of 100 games for the Panthers, Storm and Titans before notching a century will Hull KR in a strong UK career.
BRAD TIGHE
The Moree Boomerangs player has turned out for his home town in the past. Played over 170 games in the top flight with the Knights, Panthers and Titans, earning the honour of representing the Indigenous All Stars in 2015.
TYRONE ROBERTS
Born in Grafton and grew up in Newcastle, where he played close to 100 games for the Knights. Has been a regular at Knockouts over the years, is a multiple Indigenous All Star and is still firing for Burleigh in the Queensland Cup.
EWAN MCGRADY
A player with silky skills and all the ability in the world, highlighted by his Rothmans Medal honour while with Canterbury in 1991. Has been playing country footy with Goondiwindi and has had recent Knockout stints with the Toomelah Tigers.
BRIAN KELLY
Has been a big draw for Cabbage Tree Island in recent times, hailing from Lismore and growing up in the northern rivers. The centre has amassed a strong NRL career with almost 150 games for Manly and the Titans, including a Prime Ministers XIII jersey as well.
REECE ROBINSON
A dual-code player who made a big impact for a number of years, starting out with the Broncos before his most notable stints with the Raiders and NSW Waratahs. Played alongside brother Travis for the Redfern All Blacks and won a competition with the side.
KOTONI STAGGS
It’s unlikely we’ll see Staggs at this year’s event given the Broncos status. But he has impressed for the Namina Common Connection in the past, honouring his family heritage. The Tongan international is currently enjoying a career best year as he chases a premiership.
SAM THAIDAY
Enjoyed a stellar career in rugby league that saw him break the 300-game mark for Brisbane, win multiple State of Origins with Queensland and represent Australia over 30 times. Was a star for Wollumbin as they claimed the 2007 title.
DANE GAGAI
Has terrorised NSW over the years with his extraordinary exploits for Queensland. A Newcastle connection saw him suit up for the Yowies. Played for his state, country and the Indigenous All Stars over the course of a stellar career.
CHRIS SANDOW
One of the entertainers for the Rabbitohs with a trademark shoulder charge despite standing just over 170cm tall. Eight years in the NRL saw him play over 150 games, and helped Mindaribba make a final in 2009.
ANDREW WALKER
A dual-international with the Kangaroos and Wallabies who was mong the most gifted players to grace a footy field. Hailing from the south coast, Walker had notable stints with the Roosters and Brumbies on his way to higher honours.
WILL SMITH
Born and bred in Newcastle, and has the honour of helping the Newcastle All Blacks to two titles, in 2018 and last season. Has close to 90 NRL games to his name and has suited up for the Indigenous All Stars twice throughout his journey.
EDRICK LEE
A towering winger that stands close to two metres tall, Lee has been involved in first grade for over a decade with the Raiders, Sharks, Knights and Dolphins. He reached the heights of a Maroons and Indigenous All Stars appearance.
LUKE WALSH
A veteran of close to 250 top flight games both in the NRL and Super League, Walsh is still running around at 36 years of age. We’ve seen him engage in Knockout action with the Newcastle Yowies and Bourke, adding to a superb career.
JOSH HOFFMAN
The rangy outside back experienced the many highs of rugby league, putting together 189 games for the Broncos, Titans and Eels, as well as picking up 18 test matches for New Zealand and an appearance with the Indigenous All Stars.
ASH TAYLOR
Has suited up for the Newcastle Yowies at the tournament after a long career with the Gold Coast Titans that saw him play over 100 games and represent the Indigenous All Stars. A former Holden Cup player of the year before cracking the NRL.
JESSE RAMIEN
A strike weapon who has established himself as a powerful centre for the Knights and Sharks, and pick up three caps for the Indigenous All Stars. We’ve seen Ramien play with the Kempsey Bloodlines and Castlereagh All Blacks in last year’s edition.
CONNOR WATSON
An exciting utility player with 125 games of NRL experience to his name with the Roosters and Knights after growing up in Dubbo. Watson has featured for Walgett Aboriginal Connection and has built a strong reputation within the community.
JONATHAN WRIGHT
Has enjoyed the spoils of winning a Knockout with the Redfern All Blacks, Wright was a big outside back from Gilgandra. Clocked up over 120 games for five clubs during a 10-year NRL career for the Eels, Bulldogs, Sharks, Warriors and Sea Eagles.
DYLAN FARRELL
A talented centre who we’ve seen win a comp with the South Coast Black Cockatoos and make finals with the La Perouse Panthers. A Nowra boy who played 90 games of NRL with the Rabbitohs and the Dragons during his career.
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