NRL 25: Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield names the Team of the Century so far from 2000-2025
When picking his team of the quarter-century, Phil Rothfield admitted he’ll “get pelted” for his decision to include a certain winger, but it’s a decision he’s standing by. SEE THE FULL TEAM AND HAVE YOUR SAY.
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No room for Andrew Johns – and Johnathan Thurston on the bench.
This is rugby league’s team of the quarter century – and, as much as it’s controversial, here is how we defend their omission.
In the last 25 years, Joey won one Dally M award and one premiership. Thurston won four Dally M awards and one grand final.
And then along came Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary. Five straight grand finals, four straight premierships, the chief playmaker in each of them. Cleary is one of only two current players to make the team.
So here goes …
Fullback – Billy Slater
One of the easier selections – and surely no arguments.
When legendary broadcaster Ray Warren described Slater as a better player than one of the four original Immortals, Clive Churchill, that was enough for me.
A freakish talent who played in seven grand finals, won four of them, appeared on 31 occasions for the Queensland Maroons in Origin and 30 times in the Kangaroos jersey.
Had blinding speed and acceleration, a Changa Langlands like step and the footy smarts to know exactly when and where to inject himself into a game.
Wingers – Brett Morris and Alex Johnston
Brett Morris is first picked. Won two comps, played 15 Origin games and 18 Tests. Absolutely the complete package as winger. Scored 176 tries from 276 appearances at the Dragons, Bulldogs and Roosters over 17 seasons. A wonderful competitor.
Next one will create arguments. I’m going for South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston, despite him never playing State of Origin. This selection is purely based on his remarkable try-scoring tally and strike rate. He has scored 195 tries from 226 games and is fast closing in on Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212 tries at North and Manly from 238 games. That’s enough for me.
Centres – Greg Inglis and Jamie Lyon
Inglis was the automatic selection. An outright champion and not far short of being an Immortal. Played in five grand finals and won three. Played 32 Origin for QLD and 39 Tests for the Kangaroos. Size, skill and an unstoppable attacking powerhouse.
It gets more difficult with his centre partner. Mark Gasnier was a great player and Latrell Mitchell a sensational strike weapon as a centre at the Roosters. And Stephen Crichton … we’ve seen what he’s done in recent years. A great player.
But I went for Jamie Lyon – 294 games, five grand-finals, such a consistently outstanding performer. Played only 10 Origin games because he quit rep football early. Could have played 30.
Five-eighth – Darren Lockyer
Again such a hot field but Lockyer deserves it. He played 256 games in the 2000s while Freddy Fittler played 129.
Captained Australia, captained Queensland, captained the Broncos, won his two grand finals, played 52 Test matches for Australia. Just the complete rugby league footballer.
Your columnist is an Immortals judge and rest assured his name will feature prominently next time around.
Halfback – Nathan Cleary
Okay, give me some head gear and a mouth guard for the pile on.
How do you ignore the Immortal Joey Johns or the great Johnathan Thurston.
Here is why. This guy has engineered four-straight grand final victories. His performance in the final 20 minutes of the 2023 decider was the best passage of football I’ve seen from a player in a grand final. Ever. That’s what gets him over the line.
I know Thurston won four Dally M Medals – but ask him what he’d prefer – four medals or four rings. I know what his answer would be.
And as for Joey … this team is judged on performances from 2000 onwards – a period in which he played 125 games, won one Dally M award and one title. In that time he was twice kept out of the NSW Origin starting side at halfback by Brett Kimmorley.
It’s also so hard leaving out someone like Cooper Cronk, his nine grand finals and six victories.
Lock – Jason Taumalolo
One of the first million-dollar-a-season 10-year-contract players in the NRL.
An attacking wrecking ball, once rated the number one player in the game.
Not anywhere as dominant these days at the Cowboys but a truly great player in his prime.
There have been so many great lock forwards. Penrith’s Isaah Yeo would not be out of place in this side. The most magnificent leader. The Sharks’ 2016 premiership-winning skipper or even Ben Kennedy could have got a start too.
Second-rowers – Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess
We’re going with a Kiwi and an Englishman, just ahead of Steve Menzies and Boyd Cordner.
SBW might have disappeared and taken off to rugby union in 2008 but returned to the Sydney Roosters in 2013. Played in two grand finals and won both of them.
As tough and skilful as any forward I’ve seen.
Burgess might have played more football as a lock or front-rower but you’ve got to have him in the side somewhere. He did play regularly on an edge and dominated. One of the toughest men to lace on a football boot.
Props – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Shane Webcke.
I was so close to running with Jesse Bromwich. He played 338 games, five grand finals, three premiership rings, 34 Tests for the Kiwis and was the foundation of much of Melbourne Storm’s success.
However … Waerea Hargreaves was an absolute weapon who provided so much middle field authority at the Roosters over 316 games which included three grand final wins from four deciders.
And Shane Webcke, the Broncos enforcer and one of the hardest, most feared and respected players of the modern era. Wouldn’t take a backward step against anyone.
Hooker – Cameron Smith.
Now this is easier than picking Billy Slater at fullback.
An immortal in waiting, some even consider Smith as the greatest player of all time, let alone hooker.
That’s a big statement but he did play an extraordinary 430 games, including eight grand finals for five victories. He wins this position by the length of AAMI Park – and that’s no disrespect to the likes of Danny Buderus or Robbie Farah.
Bench – Johnathan Thurston, Steve Menzies, Paul Gallen, Jesse Bromwich
Here we have the great players that couldn’t quite make the starting side.
Thurston can play halfback, five-eighth or dummy half.
Gallen and Bromwich as rotating middles and Menzies had to be there somewhere as an edge forward or even a centre.
Coach – Craig Bellamy
No one has achieved four-straight titles like Ivan Cleary since the halcyon days of the St George Dragons.
Yet no one has enjoyed the sustained success of Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm teams.
No other sporting club in Australia has achieved such consistent excellence.
He has taken them to the finals every year, bar the salary cap scandal when they were stripped of their premiership points.
For everything Cleary has achieved, he did have a tough run at the Wests Tigers and at Penrith in his stint at the club.
Originally published as NRL 25: Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield names the Team of the Century so far from 2000-2025
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