Gareth Ellis was one of six Hull FC players that were inducted into the 2016 Super League Dream Team on Monday, with his latest selection putting him in an elite bracket of players to have made the Dream Team on five occasions.
Staggeringly, Ellis’ first selection for the Dream Team was 13 seasons ago, all the way back in his Wakefield days.
A lot of players have come and gone in that time, so we searched through the archives to find out who Ellis lined-up with for his first ever Dream Team, and it is quite an impressive side.
FB – Gary Connolly – the former Wigan and Saints star was nearing the end of his career with Leeds, but he was still a class act at this stage.
WG – Lesley Vainikolo – Perhaps Super League’s most recognisable star of all-time, the Volcano was at his best for the Bulls
CE – Gareth Ellis – In at the centres, Ellis had a superb year with the Wildcats, with resulted in a move to Leeds.
CE – Keith Senior – Another Super League legend, Senior would ultimately play with Ellis at the Rhinos.
WG – Brian Carney – The winger turned media personality was at Wigan in the 2003 season.
SO – Graham Appo – A serious blast from the past, Appo was in his second of four years at Warrington, scoring 23 tries in the halves.
SH – Adrian Lam – Lam was 33 at the time, but he was still a class act who deserved his induction.
PR – Craig Smith – One of several Wigan players inducted this year, Smith had arguably his best season in 2003.
HK – Terry Newton – The late hooker had an outstanding year in 2003, when he was arguably at the peak of his powers.
PR – Andy Lynch – The current Castleford man was in his first spell at the Tigers, and his performances this year ultimately ensured his call-up to the England squad a year later.
SR – Jamie Peacock – One of only three players still playing the game from this team (along with Ellis and Lynch), this was Peacock’s fourth inclusion. He would ultimately be selected 11 times, more than any other player.
SR – Matt Adamson – Adamson was playing at Leeds in his only inclusion, he now works in the media covering the NRL.
LF – Andrew Farrell – One of the most respected players of his era, this was Farrell’s sixth of seven selections in the Dream Team.
