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.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Long-serving Southport Tigers coach Steve Dowd has selected his Rugby League Gold Coast A Grade team of the decade.
TUGUN COACH’S TEAM OF THE DECADE
BURLEIGH COACH’S TEAM OF THE DECADE
CURRUMBIN COACH’S TEAM OF THE DECADE
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.
RUNAWAY BAY SKIPPER AMONG SEVEN TRAPPED OVERSEAS
VOTE NOW: COAST RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM OF THE DECADE
ANTI-VAXX TWIST: CARTWRIGHT DROPPED
STEVE DOWD’S GCRL A GRADE TEAM OF THE DECADE
1. COREY MORRIS - TUGUN SEAHAWKS
”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
“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
“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
“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.”
GC signings hub: BMD, Hostplus and A-Grade
Gold Coast clubs are wasting no time in naming their 2025 senior men’s and women’s rugby league rosters, with one showing off a lineup decorated with former NRL names. See for yourself with our complete signings tracker:
Revealed: 120+ sports stars of the southeast
The new year looms, and athletes have already begun their prep for season 2025. From the track to the pool and everywhere in between, these are the 120+ southeast Queensland young guns you must watch and why. Full list: