Inglis Gets The Nod In Best Team

The Age

Friday June 22, 2007

Stathi Paxinos

CAN you leave Greg Inglis out of the Melbourne Storm's team of the decade - or at least the run-on side - that will be announced tonight at a gala dinner celebrating the team's 10 years of existence?

On the face of it, his inclusion could be seen as one of the easier selections. But it turned out to be the one of the toughest when I decided to have a crack at choosing my own team yesterday.

It simply came down to this: Inglis' talent and abilities cannot be disputed and one day he may be regarded as among the best to have played the game. If his career goes to course, he would be a monty in any future "best-of" teams. But at this moment in his career, having played only 42 games for the Storm, mainly at centre, full-back and five-eighth, does the brilliance shown in a clutch of games in any one of those positions push out the claims of stalwarts who have played 100-plus games?

At full-back, I decided no. He was not nominated for the five-eighth category, so what about the centres? If for argument's sake, Matt King is named one centre, does Inglis claim the other berth ahead of the likes of Aaron Moule (104 games), Steve Bell (107) and Tony Martin (69), who were all quality performers, or do I and put him on the bench? In the end, I decided for Inglis, based on his brilliance and potential.

It was the biggest conundrum of many I came across when picking my team. Others included:

? Robbie Ross over Billy Slater at full-back. It is hard to go past Storm's current custodian Slater, but Ross also had the qualities of speed, great support play and attacking flair. For me, the clincher was Ross' combination with Marcus Bai and Matt Geyer, which was one of the most feared in the competition and was instrumental in taking the Storm to the 1999 premiership.

? Brett Kimmorley at half-back over Cooper Cronk and Matt Orford. Cronk soon could claim the status of the Storm's best half-back but Kimmorley's contribution to the Storm's premiership can not be underestimated.

? Dallas Johnson over Tawera Nikau at lock. Nikau's grand final performance in 1999 is legendary and his cult status is so great that he has an Olympic Park stand named after him. But Johnson has developed into a remarkable player, with his ability to rack up incredible numbers of tackles consistently in a game now supplemented by his use as a link man in attack.

My easiest selection: Matt Geyer.

FULL-BACK

Robbie Ross (1998-2003, 89 games, 53 tries)

Full-back with speed, great support play and attacking flair. His combination with Marcus Bai and Matt Geyer was among the most feared in the competition in the premiership year of 1999.

WINGERS

Marcus Bai (1998-2003, 144 games, 70 tries)

Bai's powerful runs made him a fans' favourite. Not quite the same player after a shocking arm injury.

Matt Geyer (1998-current, 223 games, 100 tries) A foundation and premiership player, the Storm's games record-holder, tries record-holder and ultimate club man - his name always will be associated with the club.

CENTRES

Matt King (2003-current, 78 games, 47 tries) More than just an occasional mega-afro, King has developed into an Australian player under the tutelage of Craig Bellamy. Adding leadership to his assets of speed and size.

Greg Inglis (2005-current, 40 games, 25 tries) One of the greatest talents in the modern game. His performances as an outside back last year set the competition alight.

FIVE-EIGHTH

Scott Hill (1998-2006, 177 games, 46 tries)

Not the quickest nor the most reliable - played on instinct. When on song, passing and kicking game made him exceptional and his partnership with Brett Kimmorley was a highlight early on.

HALF-BACK

Brett Kimmorley (1998- 2000,79 games, 27 tries)

Was a superstar for the Storm and his on-field control was instrumental in the Storm winning the 1999 premiership.

PROPS

Glenn Lazarus (1998-99, 44 games, 2 tries)

Captain, at the Storm for only two seasons at the end of an outstanding career, but his influence in guiding a cobbled-together group to the 1999 premiership cannot be underestimated.

Robbie Kearns (1998-2005, 169 games, 18 tries)

Kearns is just about the only person who could compete with Geyer as the most cherished player at the club. Small for his position, Kearns played on heart and leadership style was by example. Missed 1999 premiership because of injury.

HOOKER

Cameron Smith (2002- current, 107 games, 18 tries)

Smith has developed into one of the best players in the world. He is one of the Storm's on-field decision makers, he possesses a great kicking game and is a top-class goalkicker.

SECOND-ROWERS

Stephen Kearney (1999- 2004, 139, 20)

Kearney, a former captain, was a fearless back-rower. His professionalism was renowned and led the Storm through example.

David Kidwell (2003-2006, 103 games, 18 tries)

Took a while to really make an impact but turned his career around and became an on-field leader. Added aggression and passion.

LOCK

Dallas Johnson (2003- current, 96 games, 10 tries)

A fearless - and seemingly inexhaustible - tackler, Johnson's reputation is on the rise on the back of his performances for Queensland. Being increasingly used as a linkman in attack for the Storm.

BENCH

Rodney Howe (1998-2004, 106 games, 4 tries)

His early years at the Storm were tarnished by a steroids suspension but he proved his worth. Played for NSW and Australia.

Danny Williams (1998-2004, 146 games, 24 tries)

The ultimate utility player. Spent much of his career as a go-to man but had become a vital member of the team when his career was ended by suspension.

Tawera Nikau (1998-99, 53 games, 8 tries)

A New Zealand international, he was the veteran that the Storm was built around.

His second-half performance in the 1999 grand final virtually won the premiership.

Ryan Hoffman (2003-current, 97 games, 27 tries)

Secures a bench berth because of his ability to play both back row and in the centres. Impressive form earned him a NSW state-of-origin place this month.

COACH

Craig Bellamy (2003-current)

One of the best minds in the game. Methodical and precise, Bellamy has transformed the Storm into the competition's benchmark. Only matter of time before he takes the team to the premiership.

© 2007 The Age

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