Carl Webb: Why his most courageous achievement wasn’t on the rugby league field | Robert Craddock

He was one of the toughest ever players, but Carl Webb’s most courageous achievement was not attacking the defence. A touching tribute to a great rugby league man from ROBERT CRADDOCK.

For all the glory scooped up in his 15 State of Origins and 187 NRL matches, Carl Webb’s most courageous achievement was not attacking defensive lines with those fiery eyes blazing like comets.

It was attacking life itself when he knew his own life was near extinction.

From being one of rugby league’s most feared men, Webb became worn down by motor neurone disease to the point where he struggled to tie his shoelaces, clean his teeth, put on a seat belt or even write a sentence.

The same arms which once pinned NSW enforcer Luke Bailey to the canvas in a famous State of Origin blue in 2005 lost so much strength they could barely pick up a pot plant.

But at a point in his life when he could have hidden away and protect his dignity, the father of four became a rousing voice to help public awareness of his wretched ailment, starting up his own foundation to help those suffering with the disease destroying his life.

He may not have been fit enough to play in a Men of League golf day in Dalby but he still went to it.

Carl Webb’s most courageous achievement was not attacking defensive lines, it was attacking life itself. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Dalby raised Webb was a fusion of eras, part old fashioned country larrikin who loved the social side of the game – the humour, the beers, the wind-ups – and part modern footballer with the power of steam roller who would make teammates feel like Mr Puniverse when lifting weights in a gym.

Incredibly, he was so powerful that he could do a backflip – a feat never associated with four square enforcers on a rugby league field.

“A great team man, a loveable larrikin, real fun character and a bit of rogue,’’ said former Broncos, Cowboys and Queensland teammate Brent Tate.

“The best thing about Webby was just playing with him gave you that comfort. We all enjoyed playing with him. Just his physical presence. On the drink he could spin a great yarn.

“I liked that larrikin streak. If something was going on he was in it or not far away.”

When it came to aerobic capacity, Webb made no attempt to keep pace with the code’s Flash Harries. But strength wise he was a two-legged ox.

“None were more powerful than Webbie,” Tate said.

As he battled with MND, the same arms which once pinned NSW enforcer Luke Bailey to the ground in Origin lost so much strength they could barely pick up a pot plant. Picture: Darren England

“I remember in the gym at the Broncos we would gather around and watch him lift and the same when he boxed. I mean the fact that he could do backflips, that’s just raw explosive power. When he was on, the whole team was on.

“Because of his presence when he was upset we all felt the vibe and we were a bit like nervous little schoolkids around him. But even Gorden Tallis and Shane Webcke, who were around before he was and very big characters, knew not to push him that far.’’

Heavy duty players like Webb are often missed most when they are not there.

The Cowboys still feel they might have beaten the Wests-Tigers in the 2005 grand final had Webb not been suspended after throwing a punch at Ryan Hoffman and copping a four-week ban.

The Cowboys judged him differently to other players.

Where the modern emphasis is on quick play-the-balls, Webb made a point of trying to power along and carry as many defenders as he could, resembling a buffalo trying to shrug off lions in the desert.

“Quick play the balls just were not his thing but that is because I think he barely ever had a run where it did not require three players to put him to ground,’’ said former Cowboys football boss Peter Parr.

“People used to question how many minutes he played but can you imagine the effort involved in taking three players to the ground?

“He was one of those guys everyone enjoyed being in his company. He had a presence about him, how he played and the ability to make people comfortable. This is such a loss.’’

Originally published as Carl Webb: Why his most courageous achievement wasn’t on the rugby league field | Robert Craddock