NRL 2020: Preston Campbell’s Indigenous team of this century
Picking the best Indigenous team of this century was a tough task for Preston Campbell, but his choice as captain of the star-studded line-up might surprise some — even the man himself.
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Preston Campbell is rightly regarded as one of the most inspirational and respected Indigenous Australians to ever play in the NRL.
So having him pick his greatest team of this century for the NRL’s Indigenous Round was an absolute pleasure.
And in a team made up of not only champions in each position — but some truly great rugby league leaders — what I found most unexpected was who Preston picked as his captain.
But it speaks of the enormous regard that diminutive former North Queensland fullback Matty Bowen was held by his peers that he was judged to lead a team that also included the likes of Greg Inglis, Laurie Daley, Johnathan Thurston and Gorden Tallis.
“This might surprise some. It might even surprise Matty,” Preston said of the man he rated as “my favourite player”.
“I’m not sure he knows how much influence he had on other people, and other players. It was enormous. I know there is a stack of amazing players — and Matty might not have got to the heights of some of the boys in that team.
“But he definitely deserved it in my eyes. That is why I picked him as captain.
“It would be easy to pick guys like JT, Greg, Gordie and Laurie, but Matty was definitely a leader as a footy player and a person.
“He is not much bigger than me but even playing against him, I would get caught up in the things he could do. But it was more than that he gave me confidence being a small bloke myself.
“For the many people who know him, he is not a big talker. He is quietly spoken. But he was humble and you just admired him for who he was. He impacted us all.”
PRESTON’S INDIGENOUS TEAM OF THIS CENTURY
Matt Bowen
He had skill and talent, but more than that, he was an inspiration. He wasn’t much bigger than me, not much heavier, but what he did was incredible – competitiveness and skill. And he played the game in the right spirit – he was always humble. He’s my favourite player.
Wendell Sailor
Predominantly for his incredible achievements. He was a great player who brought a lot to his teams. He really was the first of the ‘giant’ wingers, and used his size so well. He brought a lot of energy, skill, and ultimately found a lot of success.
Greg Inglis
He has to be there. For his size – and the way he was able to use it. Every now and then, you get that person who is naturally gifted, with athleticism. ‘Greggo’ was one of those guys. His size, how he could move and alongside Justin Hodges, how he wreaked such havoc in the centres for Queensland in State of Origin. They were an incredibly important part of the Maroons’ success.
Justin Hodges
Similar to the above. Greg and Justin were both very aggressive centres. Justin was extra competitive. He was a tough rugby league player – some people used to love him and some people used to hate him. But he was the sort of player you’d love to have on any team.
Nathan Blacklock
An athlete and an acrobat, he was obviously a try-scoring freak. But he was also a great advertisement for the game – on and off the field. I’ve tried to look at players who changed the game. People like Cameron Smith and Billy Slater changed the game. Nathan was the same. The game’s become better because of players like him.
Laurie Daley
It’s hard to go past Laurie. Put him anywhere in the team and he would be an incredible competitor. At five-eighth, he is one of the greatest.
Johnathan Thurston
He played a lot of years with my favourite fullback Matty Bowen. You can’t really go with anyone else for this position because JT was so good. I hope he doesn’t feel offended by me saying he wasn’t the most talented player ever, but what he had to offer outside of talent was ridiculous. He could kick, pass, score a try, set up a try; he had everything.
Ryan James
I had the pleasure of playing alongside ‘Ryano’ when he made his debut. He was such a gentleman, but once he crossed that line, he was a different person. Another competitor, and another great advertisement for the game.
Nathan Peats
He has that competitiveness. He’s quite a different leader, very vocal. But he’s one of those guys who is well respected because he’s so honest. You need that player in your team.
George Rose
I know ‘Georgie’ played a lot of his time at Manly off the bench. But the skill he had for his size, as well as his willingness to win, were amazing. After an All Stars game, I always remember going around to each player to thank them for being a part of it. He said to me: ‘Thank you, I’d always hoped to play in this game’. He loved the game.
Sam Thaiday
When you looked at Sammy, you might not have seen a second-rower. But his enthusiasm and energy were fantastic. Off the field, he was like a magnet – people are just drawn to his character. The fact that he was also a very talented rugby league player is also very helpful.
Gorden Tallis
The Raging Bull. He just didn’t like losing. And he played with so much aggression. On any team he played in, he was the player you most feared.
Greg Bird
I played with Birdy when he was still young. Back then, he was very sure of himself – very confident. And that didn’t change over his whole career. When I played with him again at Gold Coast Titans, he had the same mentality. He was another player who hated losing. He brought competitiveness to the Titans, and he was another feared competitor.
INTERCHANGE BENCH
Cody Walker
He could play in the halves, he could play hooker. His journey is also an amazing one – he started very late, and he is a great example of never giving up on your dream.
Latrell Mitchell
I know he is one of the youngest players in this list. There have been significant expectations placed on him, but for me, he has given everyone what they expected – maybe even more. And his best is yet to come.
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
This selection might be a surprise to some. He was a gentleman off the field, and always played the game in the right spirit. But he had such a presence on the field. He worked so hard to become a better footballer, and he was a fantastic example for any youngsters.
Wade Graham
Such a versatile player. He was quite late to identify, but once he did he has always been incredibly proud of where he’s come from.
HONOURARY MENTIONS
David Peachey and Rhys Wesser
It was really hard to leave them out. They are two of my favourite people. I just couldn’t pick them on the bench. If you pick them, they have to start. On the field, we always knew where each other was going to be. Out of all the players I played with, I was more connected to them than anyone else.
Owen Craigie
There were high expectations on ‘Owie’ from an early age. Players like him, and Andrew Walker, had all the skill in the world. Circumstances didn’t allow them to reach their potential, but they were still wonderful players.
Jamie Soward
He won a premiership with the Dragons and was always a real competitor. He had so much talent and I loved watching him play.
CAPTAIN
Matt Bowen
This might surprise some. It might even surprise Matty. I’m not sure he knows how much influence he had on other people, and other players. It was enormous.
