40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

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Which backs should join the 40 Dream Team top 30 squad?

Mark Bell
0
No votes
Craig Bellamy
0
No votes
David Boyle
0
No votes
Ron Giteau
1
1%
Phil Graham
0
No votes
Peter Jackson
14
17%
Joey Leilua
3
4%
Adam Mogg
0
No votes
Joel Monaghan
5
6%
Colin Best
0
No votes
Phil Carey
1
1%
Matthew Corkery
1
1%
Nick Cotric
1
1%
Terry Fahey
0
No votes
Blake Ferguson
0
No votes
Sean Hoppe
1
1%
Chris Kinna
1
1%
Paul Martin
1
1%
Noa Nadruku
16
19%
Ken Nagas
17
20%
Reece Robinson
1
1%
Lesley Vainikolo
1
1%
Josh Dugan
1
1%
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
0
No votes
Clinton Schifcofske
16
19%
Ivan Henjak
1
1%
Mark McLinden
2
2%
 
Total votes: 84

User avatar
greeneyed
Don Furner
Posts: 145095
Joined: January 7, 2005, 4:21 pm

40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by greeneyed »

40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

To help celebrate the Canberra Raiders 40th season, The Greenhouse is conducting a series of polls in the off season to determine The Greenhouse 40 Year Dream Team. We've settled the best squad of 17 players in the Canberra Raiders' history... and now we're determining the best top 30 squad of all time.



To help fill out the remaining squad positions, this final poll will cover backs. The nominations are grouped by position. We've added some wildcards for centre and wing, and also decided to add some additional wildcard options from fullback and the halves. As a guide, a balanced top 30 squad is short a couple of centres and a couple of wingers. But given other players already selected can also cover these positions, the wildcards add some flexibility for the voters. It also recognises the versatility of the wildcard players.

Players need to have played 40 or more first grade games for Canberra to qualify to be part of each poll. Remember, only a player's Raiders record should be taken into consideration. If you'd like to vote for a player not mentioned in the poll, you just have to post the player's name. As this is the last of the polls we will be flexible on write in votes.

You have FOUR votes in this poll. Re-voting is permitted, so as to help avoid tie breakers. If you are reading the site via Tapatalk, please take the time to log into the site directly on your device so you can vote in the poll.

Centres

Mark Bell: Mark Bell was a Canberra region junior, playing with Yass and Belconnen United. He made his first grade debut in the Round 15 clash with the Newcastle Knights in 1988, but that was his only appearance that year. He got his first starting appearance, at centre, in the Round 8 clash with the Sea Eagles in 1989, scoring his first try in the top grade. The wiry, speedy back was named on the bench in the 1989 and 1990 grand finals but did not take the field. His last game with the club was the losing premiership decider in 1991. He went on to play with the Magpies (1992-1993, 34 games), Panthers (1994, seven games) and Dragons (1995-1997, 52 games).

Raiders record: 1988-1991, 50 games, 15 tries, three goals, 66 points
20 games at centre, four at fullback, three on the wing, one at five eighth, 22 off the bench
One grand final, two preliminary finals, five finals games, four at centre, one off the bench

Representative record: Nil

Craig Bellamy: An inaugural Raider, Craig Bellamy was recruited to the club from the Newcastle competition. He was a real utility, but played most games at centre, in his 10 seasons in Canberra. He played only three finals matches, but snagged a premiership after playing from the bench in the 1990 grand final. In 1991 he was a captain coach in country football, at Wagga, and played in England with Swinton. He returned to the Raiders in 1992 but played only two games. After his retirement from football, he became the head coach of the Melbourne Storm in 2003, and has established himself as one of the greatest coaches in Australian rugby league history.

Raiders record: 1982-1992, 150 games, 46 tries, 175 points
62 games at centre, 29 at five eighth, 11 at lock, five on the wing, 43 off the bench
One premiership, one grand final, three finals games, all off the bench
Raiders Clubman of the Year 1986, 1990
Raiders Hall of Fame

Representative record: Nil

David Boyle: Born in the NSW south coast town of Bega, David Boyle made his first grade debut from the bench in the Round 4 1991 clash with the Gold Coast Seagulls at Bruce Stadium. Boyle scored a try on debut. A tough and solid defensive centre, Boyle played in three preliminary finals for the club. He was part of the 1994 Grand Final squad - but did not make it onto the field. He started at centre in both the 1995 and 1997 preliminary finals. After finishing with the Raiders, Boyle played 56 games in the English Super League with Bradford.

Raiders record: 1991-1998, 117 games, 35 tries, two goals, 144 points
66 games at centre, 16 on the wing, 35 off the bench
Three preliminary finals, eight finals games, four at centre, four off the bench

Representative record: Nil

Image

Ron Giteau: Ron Giteau joined the Raiders in 1983, after playing 96 games for the Magpies (1974-1980) and 46 for the Roosters (1981-1982). He took over as captain from Allan McMahon in 1984 and held that honour for two seasons. He was a prolific goal kicker, and is still sixth for most points scored at the club.

Raiders record: 1983-1986, 78 games, 14 tries, 234 goals, three field goals, 527 points
65 games at centre, six on the wing, four at fullback, three off the bench
Sixth for most points at the club - 527
Twelfth for most points in a season at the club - 193 (5T, 86G, 1FG), 1983

Representative record: Nil



Phil Graham: Born in Tamworth, Phil Graham was playing with the Redcliffe Dolphins before being recruited to the Raiders in 2002. He was the club's Rookie of the Year in his debut season in green, topping the try scoring list for the Raiders (13). Graham had speed to burn and was fond of an intercept. He headed to the Roosters at the end of 2009 (34 games, 2010-2011) and then the Gold Coast (two games, 2012). The readers of The Greenhouse voted him into the 2000's Team of the Decade on the wing. He was also named on the wing in the Raiders' official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2002-2009, 111 games, 68 tries, 10 goals, 292 points
73 games at centre, 32 on the wing, three at fullback, three off the bench
Two finals games, one at centre, one on the wing
Raiders Rookie of the Year 2002
Scored four tries in a game once: Against Brisbane, Canberra Stadium, August 1, 2009

Representative record: 2007 NSW Country, one game

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Peter Jackson: Peter Jackson, born in Brisbane, played with Brisbane Souths before he was recruited to the Raiders on a two year deal, starting in 1987. He had just broken into the Maroons' ranks, playing one game for Queensland in 1986. He was a regular selection for Queensland while with the Raiders, and was selected for Australia from the club in 1988. Jackson was a key player in the club's charge to its first grand final, partnering Mal Meninga in the centres in the 1987 decider. He was poached by Wayne Bennett, joining the Brisbane Broncos in 1989 (29 games, 1989-90), before heading to the North Sydney Bears (31 games, 1991-1993). He also played 20 games for Leeds, in England, during the off season while with Canberra. He played a total of nine Tests for Australia and 16 games for Queensland. Jackson was voted in at centre in the 25 and 30 Year Dream Teams by the members of the Greenhouse. He was included in the club's official list of the 25 best players of the Raiders' first 25 years and named at centre in the Canberra Raiders' official 20 Years Greatest Ever Team.

Raiders record: 1987-1988, 43 games, 15 tries, six goals, 72 points
42 games at centre, one at five eighth
One grand final, six finals games, all at centre

Representative record*: 1988 Australia, four games, including one World Cup game
1987-1988 Queensland, seven games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs



Joey Leilua: Joey Leilua was a 2015 mid season recruit to the Raiders from the Newcastle Knights (54 games, 2013-2015) . He'd previously made his NRL debut with the Sydney Roosters in 2010 (59 games, 2010-2012). An explosive runner, Leilua reached the best form of his career with Canberra - forming a lethal partnership with winger Jordan Rapana. The duo became known as "Leipana" He set up one of the most memorable tries in Raiders history in the final round of 2016 at Leichhardt Oval, when he ran backwards towards the try line, before throwing a flick pass around his back to Rapana, who scored. He was named Dally M Centre of the Year twice, while with the Raiders. His one finals bench start occurred because he got some debris in his eye from from fireworks as he ran onto the field in the Week 1 2019 final in Melbourne. He finished with the club after the 2019 Grand Final, heading to the Wests Tigers (21 games, 2020-21).

Raiders record: 2015-2019, 91 games, 39 tries, 156 points
89 games at centre, two off the bench
One grand final, six finals games, five at centre, one off the bench
Dally M Centre of the Year 2016, 2018
Raiders Coaches Award 2016

Representative record*: 1988 Samoa, eight games, including four World Cup games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs



Adam Mogg: Adam Mogg, born in Toowoomba, joined the Raiders in 2003 after spending one season with the Parramatta Eels (2002, nine games). He played five seasons with the Redcliffe Dolphins before his NRL debut. Mogg was one of the oldest players to make his Origin debut for Queensland, after Greg Inglis was ruled out through injury in 2006. The headlines read "Adam Who?" in Sydney, but he scored three tries in his two games, helping the Maroons win the series - after they had lost the first game. Mogg headed to the Catalan Dragons after the 2006 season (2007-2010, 84 games), before returning to the Green Machine for the 2010 season. He was voted in at centre by the members of The Greenhouse in the 2000s Team of the Decade. He was also named at centre in the club's official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2003-2006, 2010, 96 games, 38 tries, 152 points
79 games at centre, eight on the wing, three at halfback, one at fullback, five off the bench
Four finals games, all at centre

Representative record: 2006 Queensland, two games



Joel Monaghan: Joel Monaghan, born in Canberra, rose through the Raiders' juniors, representing the Australian Schoolboys in 2000. He made his NRL début in green in Round 10 of 2001 against the Penrith Panthers and spent four seasons at the club before being poached by the Sydney Roosters (44 games, 2005-2007). He returned to the Green Machine in 2008, winning the Meninga Medal and reaching representative level with the Kangaroos and the Blues. After an off season incident, he resigned from the club and headed to England in 2011, where he played with the Warrington Wolves (2011-2015, 144 games) and Casteleford Tigers (2016-2017, 34 games). He was voted in at centre by the members of The Greenhouse in the 2000s Team of the Decade. He was also named at centre in the club's official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 2001-2004, 2008-2010, 129 games, 69 tries, six goals, 288 points
87 games at centre, 41 on the wing, one off the bench
Seven finals games, five at centre, two on the wing
Meninga Medal 2008
Equal fifth for most tries in a season for club - 21, 2003
Equal eighth for most tries for club - 69
Scored four tries in a game for club - against Sea Eagles, Brookvale Oval, August 10, 2003

Representative record: 2008 Australia, five games
2008-2019 New South Wales, three games
2008-2009 NSW Country, two games
2008-2009 Prime Minister's XIII, two games

Wingers



Colin Best: Before joining the Raiders, Colin Best played with the Sharks (1998-2002, 81 games), Hull FC in England (2003-2004, 63 games) and the Dragons (2005-2006, 45 games). He played for the Raiders in only two seasons, but produced an absolute purple patch of form in 2008 in the lead up to the finals. It won him the Dally M Winger of the Year award. He subsequently played with the Rabbitohs (2009-2010, 40 games) before having his swan song with his original club, the Sharks (2011-2012, 45 games).

Raiders record: 2007-2008, 44 games, 18 tries, 72 points
23 games on the wing, 21 at centre
One finals game, at centre
Dally M Winger of the Year 2008
Scored four tries for the club, against Canterbury, Stadium Australia, June 21, 2008

Representative record*: Nil
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Phil Carey: Born in Port Macquarie, Phil Carey spent three seasons with the Manly Sea Eagles (39 games, 1982-1984) before joining the Raiders. He was a part of the 1990 premiership winning team, coming off the bench in the grand final against the Panthers. He retired at the end of the 1991 season.

Raiders record: 1985-1991, 89 games, 21 tries, six goals, 96 points
45 games on the wing, 24 at centre, 20 off the bench
One premiership, one grand final, five finals games, four off the bench, one at centre
Raiders Clubman of the Year 1991
Scored four tries in match against the Steelers, Seiffert Oval, April 25, 1989
Raiders Hall of Fame

Representative record*: Nil
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Matthew Corkery: Born in Canberra, Matthew Corkery made his first grade debut in the Round 14 clash with Cronulla in 1984. He went onto win the club's Rookie of the Year award, before playing in the 1987 finals series, including the grand final. He was the Raiders' top try scorer of 1987 (14 tries, then a club record for tries in a season). He headed to the Sharks (17 games, 1990-1991) at the end of the 1989 season.

Raiders record: 1984-1989, 56 games, 19 tries, five goals, 86 points
45 games on the wing, 11 off the bench
One grand final, five finals games, four on the wing, one off the bench
Raiders Rookie of the Year 1984

Representative record: Nil



Nick Cotric: Born in Cooma, Nick Cotric was a Valley Dragons junior in Canberra - and a star of the Raiders' junior ranks. He played with the Raiders' NYC team in 2016, and was named in the NYC Team of the Year at centre. He also represented the Australian Schoolboys in that year. He made an unexpected debut on the wing in Round 1 of 2017 and went on to win the Dally M and RLPA Rookie of the Year. He played in the 2019 Grand Final, and represented New South Wales and Australia from the club. He decided to leave the Raiders at the end of the 2020 season to join the Canterbury Bulldogs (14 games, 2021).

Raiders record: 2017-2021, 93 games, 46 tries, 184 points
79 games on the wing, nine at centre, five at fullback
One grand final, six finals games, all on the wing
Dally M Rookie of the Year 2017
RLPA Rookie of the Year 2017
Raiders Rookie of the Year 2017
Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year 2017, shared with Jordan Rapana
Raiders Coaches Award 2018

Representative record: 2019 Australia, two games
2019 New South Wales, one game
2018 Prime Minister's XIII, one game

Terry Fahey: Terry Fahey, born in Wellington, New South Wales, was a high profile recruit for the Raiders for the 1983 season. Nicknamed the "Redfern Express" during his time with the Rabbitohs (89 games, 1976-1980), Fahey also spent two seasons with the Roosters (47 games, 1981-1982). He was the Dally M Winger of the Year in 1981 and had played six matches for Australia and two games for New South Wales before arriving in Canberra. He missed the entire 1985 season, due to a neck injury - and retired at the end of the 1987, after suffering a shoulder injury in a car accident in Queanbeyan early that year.

Raiders record: 1983-1987, 54 games, 28 tries, 112 points
50 games on the wing, three at centre, one off the bench

Representative record*: Nil
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Blake Ferguson: Blake Ferguson was recruited to the Raiders from the Cronulla Sharks on a two year deal, starting in 2011. He was the club's top try scorer (13) in both of his first two seasons in green. A powerful, explosive runner, he established a productive partnership with winger Sandor Earl. He effectively walked out of the club, after more than one off field incident. After his contract was terminated by the Raiders, he went on to play 90 games for the Roosters (2015-2018) and 57 for the Eels (2019-2021). After leaving the Raiders he also made seven appearances for Australia and a further eight for the Blues, all on the wing.

Raiders record: 2011-2013, 60 games, 36 tries, 14 goals, 172 points
30 games on the wing, 27 at centre, three at fullback
Two finals games, both at centre
Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year 2012, shared with Shaun Fensom

Representative record*: 2013 New South Wales, one game
2012 NSW Country, one game
2013 Indigenous All Stars, one game
2011 Prime Minister's XIII, one game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Sean Hoppe: When Tim Sheens was looking to rebuild the club after the salary cap dramas of 1991, he looked to New Zealand. Sean Hoppe was one player recruited to the Raiders as a result. He was a solid, strong runner, with good footwork. He left for the Bears after the 1993 season - which had promised so much - making 25 appearances for North Sydney in 1994. He then headed home to join the Auckland Warriors (88 games, 1995-1999). He was the Dally M Winger of the Year in 1995.

Raiders record: 1992-1993, 39 games, 22 tries, 88 points
39 games on the wing
Two finals games, both on the wing
Raiders Rookie of the Year 1992

Representative record: 1992-1993 New Zealand, nine games, including one World Cup game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Chris Kinna: Chris Kinna, a Canberra local, was part of the Raiders' inaugural squad in 1982 - but he did not make his first grade debut until the 1983 Round 19 clash with the Magpies at Seiffert Oval. He made his biggest impression in the 1987 season, after the Raiders lost their two first choice wingers - John Ferguson and Terry Fahey - to injury. He did a fine job on the wing through the club's maiden finals campaign, culminating in the Raiders' first grand final. He retired at the end of the 1989 season, having made only a couple of appearances in that premiership year.

Raiders record: 1983-1989, 51 games, 13 tries, 52 points
29 games on the wing, 16 at centre, six off the bench
One grand final, four finals games, all on the wing

Representative record: Nil

Paul Martin: Paul Martin came through the Raiders junior grades and was selected for the Australian Schoolboys in 1984 and 1985. He made his first grade debut in green in the 1986 Round 2 match against the Tigers. He went on to win two premierships with the club, coming off the bench in the 1989 decider and starting on the wing in 1990 and 1991 grand finals. After the salary cap dramas of 1991, he played out his career on the Gold Coast (37 games, 1992-1993).

Raiders record: 1986-1991, 86 games, 28 tries, 112 points
59 games on the wing, four at fullback, one at five eighth, 22 off the bench
Two premierships, three grand finals, 13 finals games, nine on the wing, four off the bench
Raiders Hall of Fame

Representative record: 1991 NSW Country, one game



Noa Nadruku: Tim Sheens spotted Noa Nadruku when he played for Fiji in the 1993 Rugby League World Sevens in Sydney. He was immediately invited to train with the club and made his first grade debut off the bench in the Round 2 clash with the Panthers. He went on to score 22 tries in his first season, setting a new club record. He was Dally M Winger of the Year and Top Tryscorer of the Year in both 1993 and 1996. He was a big, powerful runner and at times was unstoppable. He was part of the 1994 grand final winning team, widely regarded as one of the best club teams of all time. An off field incident led to his contract being terminated after the 1997 season, and he finished his career with the North Queensland Cowboys (39 games, 1998-1999). The readers of The Greenhouse have voted him into the 25, 30 and 35 Year Dream Teams on the wing. He was included in the club's official list of the 25 Best Players on the occasion of the 25th anniversary.

Raiders record: 1993-1997, 92 games, 73 tries, 292 points
86 games on the wing, four at centre, one at fullback, one off the bench
One premiership, one grand final, three preliminary finals, 12 finals games, all on the wing
Dally M Winger of the Year 1993, 1996
Dally M Top Tryscorer 1993, 1996
Raiders Players' Player 1996
Raiders Sponsors Award 1993
Seventh for most tries for the club - 73
Equal second for most tries in a season for the club - 22 in 1993
Equal fifth for most tries in a season for the club - 21 in 1996
Scored four tries in a game against South Queensland Crushers, Lang Park, September 1, 1996

Representative record: 1994-1997 Fiji, five games, including three World Cup games



Ken Nagas: Born in Bundaberg, Queensland, the fleet footed Ken Nagas played his junior football in Kyogle, New South Wales. He made his first grade debut in green in 1992 and went on to play on the wing in the 1994 premiership winning side - scoring two tries. Knee problems led to his retirement in 2002. He was included in the top 25 Canberra Raiders of all time on the 35th anniversary of the club by the readers of The Greenhouse - as well as the team of the decade for the 2000s on the wing. He was named on the wing in the club's official Team of the Decade 2000-2009.

Raiders record: 1992-2002, 142 games, 59 tries, one goal, 238 points
69 games on the wing, 42 at fullback, 19 at centre, 12 off the bench
One premiership, one grand final, 14 finals matches. Seven finals games on the wing, including the 1994 grand final. Six finals games at fullback, one on the bench.
Raiders Sponsors Award 1997
Scored four tries in a game against the South Queensland Crushers, Bruce Stadium, August 27, 1995

Representative record: 1997 Australia five games, all with Super League
1994-1997 New South Wales five games, three with Super League
1994 NSW Country one game

Reece Robinson: Reece Robinson made his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2009, playing 13 games. He was not retained by Brisbane and he played for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup in 2009. The Raiders offered him a contract at the end of 2009 and he went on to play over 80 games for the Green Machine. He played in two finals series with Canberra (2010, 2012) before heading to Parramatta (2015, 20 games). Robinson also made four appearances for the Roosters (2018, four games).

Raiders record: 2010-2014, 83 games, 43 tries, three goals, 178 points
56 games on the wing, 27 at fullback
Four finals matches, all on the wing
Scored four tries in a match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Stadium, August 28, 2010

Representative record*: 2009 Lebanon, three games
2013 Indigenous All Stars, one game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Lesley Vainikolo: Born in Tonga, Lesley Vainikolo represented the junior Kiwis before making his NRL debut with the Raiders in 1998. Known as "The Volcano", he became a cult hero of the Raiders' crowd, for his determined running. At the end of the 2001 season, he headed to England - and went on to play 149 games with the Bradford Bulls.

Raiders record: 1998-2001, 69 games, 35 tries, 140 points
68 games on the wing, one off the bench
Four finals matches, all on the wing
Raiders Rookie of the Year 1998

Representative record*: 1999-2000 New Zealand, 11 games, including five World Cup games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Wildcards

Josh Dugan: Canberra born and a Canberra Raiders junior, Dugan was a member of the team which won the inaugural premiership in the National Youth Competiton in 2008. He made his debut in 2009 and won the RLPA Rookie of the Year award. He was a brilliant attacking player - and perhaps one of his finest moments was scoring a try against the Dragons, which turned a certain loss into a win. "Do you believe in hoodoos? Do you believe in miracles?" He played in only the first game of the 2013 season after he and Blake Ferguson refused to attend training - and the contracts of both were terminated.

Raiders record: 2009-2013, 70 games, 27 tries, seven goals, one field goal, 123 points
67 games at fullback, three at five eighth
Four finals games, all at fullback
Meninga Medal 2009, shared with Josh Miller
Raiders Rookie of the Year 2009
Fans' Choice Player of the Year 2009, 2010

Representative record*: 2011 New South Wales one game
2020-2011 NSW Country two games
2011-2012 NRL All Stars two games
2009 Prime Minister's XIII one game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joined the Raiders in 2019 from the Warriors. Until then, best known as a winger, he filled the void left by Jack Wighton's shift to five eighth and went on to make a Grand Final appearance in his first year with the club. He's only the third Raider to play in a Grand Final at fullback. He's known for his running and his brilliant defence and organisation from the back. He became a Kiwis representative after joining the Raiders, after previously representing the Cook Islands in three matches.

Raiders record: 2019-2021, 55 games, 21 tries, 84 points
53 games at fullback, two off the bench
One grand final, six finals matches, all at fullback

Representative record: 2019 New Zealand three games
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

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Clinton Schifcofske: Clinton Schifcofske joined the Canberra Raiders in 2001, after stints with the South Queensland Crushers and the Parramatta Eels. The goal kicker broke a host of of point scoring records and was known for his footwork, the "Schif Shuffle". His field goals won more than one golden point match. He missed the 2005 Fans' Choice Player of the Year award on count back - and would have shared the award on current rules. He became the captain in 2006, the only player to lead the club from the back. That year, he won the Dally M Fullback of the Year. He left at the end of 2006, with the departure of coach Matthew Elliott triggering a release clause in his contract.

Raiders record: 2001-2006, 139 games, 44 tries, 432 goals, 12 field goals, 1052 points
139 games at fullback
Five finals matches, all at fullback
Raiders Player of the Year 2001, 2004
Raiders Players' Player 2001
Raiders Coaches Award 2003, 2006
Dally M Fullback of the Year 2006
Equal third for most goals in a match: nine V St George Illawarra, Canberra Stadium, April 2, 2005
Fifth for most points in a match: 23 (2T, 7G, 1FG) V Newcastle, Canberra Stadium, March 19, 2005
Second for most points in a season: 245 (10T, 102G, 1FG), 2001
Also scored 222 points in 2003 (8T, 94G, 2FG)
Third for most points: 1,052 (44T, 432G, 12FG), 2001-2006

Representative record: 2002-2006 Queensland two games
2005 Prime Minister's XIII one game

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Ivan Henjak: Ivan Henjak joined the Raiders from St George in 1984 - and was one of the halves who helped take the Raiders to their first ever finals campaign. The live wire mostly played at five eighth, but in the 1987 grand final, he took the field in the No. 7 jersey. He headed to the Western Suburbs Magpies after the end of the 1989 season - with Ricky Stuart and Chris O'Sullivan having led the Raiders to their first grand final victory.

Raiders record: 1984-1989, 116 games, 29 tries, 116 points
49 games at five eighth, 35 at halfback, 17 at centre, 15 off the bench
One grand final, six finals matches. Two finals games at halfback, including the 1987 grand final, two at centre, two off the bench
Raiders Players' Player 1987

Representative record*: 1989 NSW Country, one game
* Excludes representative appearances from other clubs

Mark McLinden: Born in Canberra, Mark McLinden came through the Raiders' junior ranks, before making his NRL debut in 1998 - aged just 18, against the Gold Coast Chargers at Cootamundra. The Australian Schoolboys representative exploded onto the scene, winning the Raiders Player of the Year in his first season. He was also named the NRL Rookie of the Year. With halfback Andrew McFadden, he was a part of the "Super Macs" - the young halves pairing expected to take over from Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley. It didn't quite work out that way, with McLinden often thrown into a utility role. He was versatile, nippy and fast. Deciding he wanted to see the world, he headed to England at the end of 2004 to join the London Broncos.

Raiders record: 1998-2004, 165 games, 65 tries, one field goal, 261 points
53 games at five eighth, 35 at halfback,15 at fullback, 14 on the wing, four at centre, 44 off the bench
Seven finals matches, three on the wing, two at halfback, one at five eighth, one on the bench
Raiders Player of the Year 1998
NRL Rookie of the Year 1998

Representative record: 2001 NSW Country, one game
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Crash Ball
Glenn Lazarus
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by Crash Ball »

I chose Jackson, Noa, Schif and BJ. Nagas very unlucky.
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greeneyed
Don Furner
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by greeneyed »

I went with Nadruku, Nagas, Jackson and I took a wild card, Clinton Schifcofske, given that the squad already has Mullins who had a substantial number of games at centre and some on the wing. My next choice would have been Monaghan. McLinden, one of my favourite players, and Ivan Henjak would also have brought great versatility to the squad. Both played lots of games in the outside backs as well as providing great cover for the halves. Shame there was not room for them.
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Matt
Don Furner
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by Matt »

I've gone Kenny, Noa, Jacko and 'the President'.
It's probably too many wingers and FBs, but between Wiki, Jack and Loz we can figure out a centre if need be.
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Laurie Daley
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by Off »

I think Corkers still lives in Oyster Bay.

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This place is woke.
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greeneyed
Don Furner
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Re: 40 Year Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Top 30 Backs

Post by greeneyed »

Poll declared. We have our best top 30 squad of all time. See it here: https://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34903
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