Dunbar Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 3 minutes ago, Grand Est said: Yep. This. As one of my mates said to me when watching him: "He's like a team on his own, that guy". For the people on here top young to see him play live one thing sticks out for me. There are players who can turn a game on its head with a moment of brilliance. A player who can produce something spectacular out of the blue. Then there are players with a huge work ethic who ran themselves into the ground every game with a sheer will to win. And Hanley was both. 3 1 "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Kingston Bronco Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Just now, Dunbar said: For the people on here top young to see him play live one thing sticks out for me. There are players who can turn a game on its head with a moment of brilliance. A player who can produce something spectacular out of the blue. Then there are players with a huge work ethic who ran themselves into the ground every game with a sheer will to win. And Hanley was both. Exactly this. I’ve seen Meninga, Lewis, Sterling, Johns, Kenny and countless others live, and Hanley’s ahead of them all. He’s like the queen in chess - can play the part of all the pieces, when needed. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo5 Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 6 minutes ago, Dunbar said: For the people on here top young to see him play live one thing sticks out for me. There are players who can turn a game on its head with a moment of brilliance. A player who can produce something spectacular out of the blue. Then there are players with a huge work ethic who ran themselves into the ground every game with a sheer will to win. And Hanley was both. Hanley’s first spell at Balmain sums up the quality of the man,a team who looked to be fading from playoff contention despite containing Kangaroos greats Pierce,Roach,Elias,Sironen & Jack was transformed by his arrival as he took the Tigers on a winning run of sudden death rugby all the way to a Grand Final that was only stopped by a cowardly cheap shot by Terry Lamb. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Kingston Bronco Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 13 minutes ago, Davo5 said: Hanley’s first spell at Balmain sums up the quality of the man,a team who looked to be fading from playoff contention despite containing Kangaroos greats Pierce,Roach,Elias,Sironen & Jack was transformed by his arrival as he took the Tigers on a winning run of sudden death rugby all the way to a Grand Final that was only stopped by a cowardly cheap shot by Terry Lamb. Possibly the most game-changing cheap shot in the history of League. Credit’s due, in a perverse way. You’re right, Hanley changed that whole season - honestly, having lived out there for 4 years I can 100% confirm the Aussies knew exactly how good he was. If he was an Aussie, they’d mark him up there with Lewis and be a guaranteed hall of famer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigan Riversider Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Davo5 said: Hanley’s first spell at Balmain sums up the quality of the man,a team who looked to be fading from playoff contention despite containing Kangaroos greats Pierce,Roach,Elias,Sironen & Jack was transformed by his arrival as he took the Tigers on a winning run of sudden death rugby all the way to a Grand Final that was only stopped by a cowardly cheap shot by Terry Lamb. Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigan Riversider Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 2 minutes ago, Wigan Riversider said: Correct. A man who struck genuine fear in the opposition, including the Kangaroos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Est Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Dunbar said: For the people on here top young to see him play live one thing sticks out for me. There are players who can turn a game on its head with a moment of brilliance. A player who can produce something spectacular out of the blue. Then there are players with a huge work ethic who ran themselves into the ground every game with a sheer will to win. And Hanley was both. He was also a bit of a freak physically at that time. The guy could run faster sideways, than some players on the pitch could run forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcticchris Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 I have been watching the game for 30+ years and can easily say the first two names on my team sheet for an all time team from the late 80s to present day would be Cameron Smith at 9 and Hanley at 13. Sculthorpe and Farrell were outstanding players but both would have to slide out to the second row berths if Ellery was around. Likewise some of the best games from Sam Burgess in an international shirt were at 13 but I would still shift him into the prop rotation. There is not a style of play or team tactic that having Hanley in your team would not raise your chances of winning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Watt Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 10 hours ago, Harry Stottle said: I would wager those Aussies of a certain age to watch both Reilly and Hanley would plump for the former. Been in Aus. for over 50 years and I would select Mal over Ellery. Some pundits have him he as the best English forward to play in Australia. I will have a crack at the best GB/England side later which will be so difficult as I have watched for nearly 75 years and seen many great players that played in the same position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Watt Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 Here goes. Best team is from the 5 hours ago, George Watt said: Been in Aus. for over 50 years and I would select Mal over Ellery. Some pundits have him he as the best English forward to play in Australia. I will have a crack at the best GB/England side later which will be so difficult as I have watched for nearly 75 years and seen many great players that played in the same position. My best team is the Ashes GB team in 1959 which won the decider to be the last time the Ashes were won by GB in the UK. Round. Southward, Ashton, Fox, Sullivan. Bolton, Stevenson. Wilkinson,Harris,Terry. Robinson, McTigue. Whiteley. Best individual players for my team. Davies. Boston, Ward, Ashton, Offiah. Hanley, Murphy. Watson, Egan, Gee. Huddart, McTigue. Reilly. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo5 Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 51 minutes ago, George Watt said: Here goes. Best team is from the My best team is the Ashes GB team in 1959 which won the decider to be the last time the Ashes were won by GB in the UK. Round. Southward, Ashton, Fox, Sullivan. Bolton, Stevenson. Wilkinson,Harris,Terry. Robinson, McTigue. Whiteley. Best individual players for my team. Davies. Boston, Ward, Ashton, Offiah. Hanley, Murphy. Watson, Egan, Gee. Huddart, McTigue. Reilly. Before my time but always thought the 62 Great Britain tour side was the strongest we’ve ever put out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Stottle Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 10 hours ago, Grand Est said: Reilly was playing against part timers though. Hanley took athleticism, power and strength to a different level, and did so against full time professionals. Never heard the saying you can only play against what is in front of you? By your way of thinking, not any of the 'Greats or Immortals' that played Rugby League prior to being full time professionals would not be as good as those who have played full time. It may have also escaped you that when Hanley was at the peak of his powers he was in a team of Full Time Professionals playing mainly against part time opposition. Just as a matter of fact how long have you been watching/involved in Rugby League? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Robertson Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 3 hours ago, George Watt said: Here goes. Best team is from the My best team is the Ashes GB team in 1959 which won the decider to be the last time the Ashes were won by GB in the UK. Round. Southward, Ashton, Fox, Sullivan. Bolton, Stevenson. Wilkinson,Harris,Terry. Robinson, McTigue. Whiteley. Best individual players for my team. Davies. Boston, Ward, Ashton, Offiah. Hanley, Murphy. Watson, Egan, Gee. Huddart, McTigue. Reilly. Thanks for the input, it's always great to hear from people who have followed the sport for so long. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Stottle Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 3 hours ago, George Watt said: Here goes. Best team is from the My best team is the Ashes GB team in 1959 which won the decider to be the last time the Ashes were won by GB in the UK. Round. Southward, Ashton, Fox, Sullivan. Bolton, Stevenson. Wilkinson,Harris,Terry. Robinson, McTigue. Whiteley. Best individual players for my team. Davies. Boston, Ward, Ashton, Offiah. Hanley, Murphy. Watson, Egan, Gee. Huddart, McTigue. Reilly. Phew George, have you got a tin hat? How long is it since any of your forwards actually donned a pair of boots? and it is 20+ years since your two most recent backs played. Do you not realise that these part-timers would find it difficult to compete with the modern day athletes of today's game, even if you made an allowance and subjected your selection to full time status, they would not have the skill set to overcome the modern player's. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Stottle Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 2 hours ago, Davo5 said: Before my time but always thought the 62 Great Britain tour side was the strongest we’ve ever put out. The '70 touring team was not bad either Dav, a good few of those player's being enticed to Australia after that tour and becoming amongst the leading most respected player's over there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Robertson Posted November 2, 2021 Author Share Posted November 2, 2021 13 hours ago, Dunbar said: If I had to pick the best team from all the England/Great Britain players I have seen, I would go with the following... assuming they are all playing at the top of their game. 1. Jonathan Davies 2. Jason Robinson 3. Paul Newlove 4. Gary Connolly 5. Martin Offiah 6. Garry Schofield 7. Andy Gregory 8. Kevin Ward 9. Keiron Cunningham 10. Sam Burgess 11. Denis Betts 12. Paul Sculthorpe 13. Ellery Hanley 14. James Roby 15. Jamie Peacock 16. Andy Platt 17. Sean Edwards I'd probably select Morley instead of Edwards but I'd go with the same 1-13. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnM Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) Opinions are not facts. Expect opinions to be challenged and justification requested. That's the way it is with forums. In my opinion, in my experience, the best team was the one that came second to Australia in the 1992 World Cup Final at Wembley. I was there, in amongst the record crowd. We really were in with a shout until Steve Renouf broke all our hearts. The relief on the faces of those Aussies in the crowd was there for all to see, which to me shows the quality of our team The closest were been for years, and to lose 10 -6 was heartbreaking. In my opinion, no team has ever come closer. This was the best of British that day. FB 1 Joe Lydon RW 2 Alan Hunte RC 3 Gary Connolly LC 4 Garry Schofield (c) LW 5 Martin Offiah SO 6 Shaun Edwards SH 7 Deryck Fox PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 Martin Dermott PR 10 Andy Platt SR 11 Denis Betts SR 12 Phil Clarke LK 13 Ellery Hanley Substitutions: IC 14 John Devereux IC 15 Alan Tait IC 16 Kelvin Skerrett IC 17 Richard Eyres Edited November 2, 2021 by JohnM 2 People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do. Isaac Asimov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Est Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said: It may have also escaped you that when Hanley was at the peak of his powers he was in a team of Full Time Professionals playing mainly against part time opposition. Just as a matter of fact how long have you been watching/involved in Rugby League? That hasn't escaped me at all.... Ellery played in Australia against professional opposition and made a huge impact there. Even in England, the game had moved on loads by the early 90s from Reilly's era. If you read Reilly's book he says that when he played, international Rugby League was quite primitive, with the number one goal of players being to hurt someone on the opposition. Why are you asking how long I have been involved? I started playing mid-90s, but watched for a few years before then. How long have you been living in the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Est Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 55 minutes ago, JohnM said: FB 1 Joe Lydon RW 2 Alan Hunte RC 3 Gary Connolly LC 4 Garry Schofield (c) LW 5 Martin Offiah SO 6 Shaun Edwards SH 7 Deryck Fox PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 Martin Dermott PR 10 Andy Platt SR 11 Denis Betts SR 12 Phil Clarke LK 13 Ellery Hanley Substitutions: IC 14 John Devereux IC 15 Alan Tait IC 16 Kelvin Skerrett IC 17 Richard Eyres Strong team that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Watt Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said: The '70 touring team was not bad either Dav, a good few of those player's being enticed to Australia after that tour and becoming amongst the leading most respected player's over there. Had just arrived in Australia (late 1968) and went to all 3 games. Reilly,Watson and Millward came to Aus after that tour and Dave Bolton was already here when I arrived playing for Balmain. Game 3 at the SCG was the most excited I have been at a RL match in the win that clinched the Ashes. We had been walloped in the first in Brisbane, although we did win the fights that took place with Cliff Watson taking on the Aussie pack. The match was written up as the Battle of Brisbane! Would have loved to have seen the 1962 series in Aus. as it was a super strong squad and included quite a few who made my best individual team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scubby Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 What the hell happened between the early 1990s and 2020s? Where have those outside backs gone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrumonside ref Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 On 01/11/2021 at 10:00, Alan Robertson said: In my opinion, the best GB starting line up in my time watching the sport (just over 30 years) was: Davies, Robinson, Connolly, Hunte, Offiah, Powell, Edwards, Harrison, Jackson, Joynt, Betts, Farrell, Clarke 1st Test, Wembley, 1994 Furthermore, Andy Platt was amongst the players ruled out through injury. Ellery Hanley only retired from playing internationals the year earlier. I'd happily consider arguments that a line-up from another of the 1994 tests was as strong or stronger. The sides on the 92 tour were also a similar level, IMHO. Around 2003, there were some strong sides - including Morley, Peacock, Fielden, Farrell, Sculthorpe, Connolly etc. - but without backs that had the calibre of Offiah and Robinson. That ‘94 test was my first live experience of GB. What a game and performance. Foolishly I thought it would alway be like that! Haha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Est Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 1 minute ago, Scubby said: What the hell happened between the early 1990s and 2020s? Where have those outside backs gone? Is that a rhetorical question? Why since the 1990s do we no longer have Jonathan Davies, Jason Robinson, Martin Offiah etc playing Rugby League?? Hmmm... Let me think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, JohnM said: Opinions are not facts. Expect opinions to be challenged and justification requested. That's the way it is with forums. In my opinion, in my experience, the best team was the one that came second to Australia in the 1992 World Cup Final at Wembley. I was there, in amongst the record crowd. We really were in with a shout until Steve Renouf broke all our hearts. The relief on the faces of those Aussies in the crowd was there for all to see, which to me shows the quality of our team The closest were been for years, and to lose 10 -6 was heartbreaking. In my opinion, no team has ever come closer. This was the best of British that day. FB 1 Joe Lydon RW 2 Alan Hunte RC 3 Gary Connolly LC 4 Garry Schofield (c) LW 5 Martin Offiah SO 6 Shaun Edwards SH 7 Deryck Fox PR 8 Kevin Ward HK 9 Martin Dermott PR 10 Andy Platt SR 11 Denis Betts SR 12 Phil Clarke LK 13 Ellery Hanley Substitutions: IC 14 John Devereux IC 15 Alan Tait IC 16 Kelvin Skerrett IC 17 Richard Eyres This was the era I was thinking of John. The GB team was exceptionally fast, the backline were superbly quick. I had a look at the Australian side that day and they don't look to have had as good backs, certainly not as quick. However, they must have been exceptionally coached in defence to only concede 6 points to that attacking talent. Edited November 2, 2021 by Niels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scubby Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 (edited) 50 minutes ago, Grand Est said: Is that a rhetorical question? Why since the 1990s do we no longer have Jonathan Davies, Jason Robinson, Martin Offiah etc playing Rugby League?? Hmmm... Let me think... Robinson was a league junior tbf others like Loughlin, Newlove, Connolly, Schofield, Senior, Gleeson, Hunte, etc. big game centres been there and done it. For the last 8 years we have been kicking around Cudjoe, Gildart, Bateman, Watkins, Sarginson, Lyne, Percival, Currie et al - the cupboard is pretty bare. Edited November 2, 2021 by Scubby 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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