RLGC Team of the Decade: Tigers coach Steve Dowd picks his 13

Long-serving Southport Tigers coach Steve Dowd has selected his Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade team of the decade.

Rugby League Gold Coast semi-final between Runaway Bay and Tweed Heads at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay, on Sunday. Runaway Bay's Jamie Anderson . Picture: Jerad Wiliams

Long-serving Southport Tigers coach Steve Dowd has selected his Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade team of the decade.

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The veteran coach said he had chosen to select only players who had been involved in the competitions for three seasons or more.

Eight of Dowd’s picks had ties to Tugun Seahawks, ahead of Southport who had six selections.

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1. COREY MORRIS - TUGUN SEAHAWKS

Round 13 Rugby League Gold Coast match between Southport and Tugun at Owen Park. Tugun Player Corey Morris. Pic Mike Batterham

”Morris was small in stature but played with all heart.

“He’s a wonderful runner with the football.”

2. WAKA WANAHI - BURLEIGH BEARS

”He was just one those wrecking balls when he returned the football.

“In one word; power.”

3. TU WHAKATIHI - SOUTHPORT TIGERS / TUGUN SEAHAWKS

“Tu was a powerful runner and defender who played every season of this decade.

“The biggest compliment I could pay him was that his teammates wanted to play for.

4. JAMIE ANDERSON – RUNAWAY BAY SEAGULLS / BURLEIGH BEARS

Rugby League Gold Coast semi-final between Runaway Bay and Tweed Heads at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay, on Sunday. Runaway Bay's Jamie Anderson . Picture: Jerad Wiliams

“Bubbles was all class and could find the tryline.”

5. DAN BACKO - TUGUN SEAHAWKS

“I’ve picked him out of position but he was a big human who was hard to stop.

“He was much bigger than his dad Sam (who played 135 NRL games at prop with Raiders and Broncos.”

6. KEANU TE KIRI - TUGUN SEAHAWKS

“The biggest thing was his vision and the way he made the players outside him better.

“I wouldn’t say he single-handedly beat us in the 2013 Grand Final but he was a big reason why Tugun won.”

7. DRUMAYNE DAYBERG-MUIR – SOUTHPORT TIGERS / TUGUN SEAHAWKS

Southport's Drumayne Dayberg– Muir in action from the Bycroft Cup match between Runaway Bay and Southport (orange) at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay.

“There’s not much that needs to be said about Drumayne.

“He could tear a defence apart on his day and he was tough.”

8. MITCH SPACKMAN - BILAMBIL JETS

”He was the heart and soul of Bilambil.

“He was tough as an old boot and had the skills to match.”

9. CHRIS TOMAS - SOUTHPORT TIGERS / TUGUN SEAHAWKS

“He was a smart footballer who did everything at 100-mile an hour.

“He could tackle and had a good left footed kicking game.”

10. CHRIS HODGES - SOUTHPORT TIGERS / TUGUN SEAHAWKS / BURLEIGH BEARS / CURRUMBIN EAGLES

Southport Tigers versus Tugun Seahawks at Southport. Southport #11 Chris Hodges.

“He had every skill required for a rugby league player.

“Size, strength, power, speed, vision - he could have played NRL.”

11. TIM CANNARD - SOUTHPORT TIGERS / CURRUMBIN EAGLES

“Tim is the guy I’d pick to captain the team of the decade.

“More often than not you’d seen Tim getting stitched up after games, it’s just the type of player he was.”

12. ROB APANUI – TUGUN SEAHAWKS

”When Rob, or any of these back-rowers hit you, you knew about it.

“If players saw one of them defending the short side they’d run to the other side of the ruck.

13. MICK ESDALE – SOUTHPORT TIGERS

“As tough as they come and one of the most respected players off the field as well.”