The Greenhouse

30 Years Canberra Raiders Dream Team: Centres



To celebrate the 30th season, The Greenhouse has already conducted a series of polls this year to determine the top 30 moments in Canberra Raiders history. Now, as the season rounds out, we'll be conducting a series of polls to determine The Greenhouse 30 Years Dream Team... the best squad of 17 players in the Canberra Raiders history.

Some years ago, a similar vote was taken and this was the result:

1. Gary BELCHER
2. John FERGUSON
3. Mal MENINGA (c)
4. Peter JACKSON
5. Noa NADRUKU
6. Laurie DALEY
7. Ricky STUART
13. Bradley CLYDE
12. David FURNER
11. Ruben WIKI
10. Glenn LAZARUS
9. Steve WALTERS
8. Sam BACKO

14. Brett MULLINS
15. Jason CROKER
16. Brent TODD
17. Chris O'SULLIVAN

So has the passing of an additional five years or so made a difference?

In familiar fashion, we'll take it position by position. Players need to have played 40 or more first grade games to qualify to be part of each poll. If you'd like to vote for a player not mentioned in the poll, you just have to post the player's name.

So now, on to the centres. You may change your initial vote later. You have TWO votes in this poll. Here are the nominations:

Mark Bell


Colin Best


David Boyle


Ron Giteau


Peter Jackson


Mal Meninga


Brett Mullins


Adam Mogg


Ken Nagas


Joel Monaghan

Laurie Daley and Ruben Wiki have not been named in the poll, as they have now been selected at five eighth and second row... but people can still vote for them by posting in the thread if they wish.

Some players in the poll will also be nominated in the poll for wingers, which will also commence this weekend.

Mal and Jacko for mine.

Wouldnt mind Wiki in the centres so we can fit Croker in the second row

Meninga and ................Nullarbor Plain..... Jacko. How many games did Peter Benson play at centre?

Benson, 2 games, 0 points.

Yep, Mal and Jackson. The only thing going against Jacko was that he was only here for 2 seasons. We were so lucky to see all these great players spend time together in the same team.

Can't believe it has been 23 years since Jackson played for us...the game has only been going for 100 or so...damn I'm getting old...

How depressing.

greeneyed wrote:Benson, 2 games, 0 points.

Thought it was at least double figures, Geez he carved it up in those two games though- great memories Benny Boy.

Mal and Monas.

anyone who doesn't put a vote in for Mal, isnt a raiders fan.

Mal and I can't believe he's not listed WIKI, much prefered him at centre than in the forwards

Edit: Ok saw the explanation but I'm sticking with Wiki in protest, wasn't one of our best forwards IMO but was in the centres

manbush, we'll count that as one vote for Wiki!

All anyone has to do is not exercise two votes, and then vote Wiki. If Wiki gets that many votes, then we'll look again at reshuffling the forward pack. At present, if Wiki didn't go into the second row, Croker would come in at second row.

I can see the argument that would be a better outcome, but then is Wiki a better centre than some of the candidates in the poll? Or are we thinking of Wiki as he finished?

I'll always remember Wiki from when the Raiders were at their peak and he was in the centres, but pushing Croker into the backrow would be misplaced IMO as he was the perfect sub.

Back then I'd only have Jacko close to comparable, can't remember Giteau though.

I like the old days, but IMO, he's not close to Peter Jackson.

Watching the anniversary DVD you see glimpses of how good Jacko was. I didnt see a lot of him in Raiders colours as it was before Fox and a drivers license but what Ive seen in highlights he was a fantastic player.

Mal is the captain. Greatest Raider of all time. next immortal.

ok, voted 1st and read 2nd, Wiki over jackson for mine that Meninga/Wiki combo was close to the best club centre pairing of all time.

Looks like Jacko will take some catching as the centre partner for Meninga!

what jersey is Ken Nagas wearing in that pic?

Mal obviously and then Jackson. Even though he didnt play much footy for us there is a big gap in class between him and the next specialist center. I can't pick Nagas or Mullins out of position.

Special mention to Best for his one awesome season though. Who can forget when he owned shimmy shimmy woosh.

Mal and Monas... Though I echo the sentiments of those commending Wiki's legacy... Anyone remember that huge hit he put on Matt Singh whilst playing centre!?!

I think the hit was on Adrian Lam actually

Yep, Lam. And it was an absolute bell-ringer- one of the best I've seen.

manbush wrote:Mal and I can't believe he's not listed WIKI, much prefered him at centre than in the forwards

Edit: Ok saw the explanation but I'm sticking with Wiki in protest, wasn't one of our best forwards IMO but was in the centres

I'm with you. Wiki was far better in the centres and my vote goes there.

I miss Monas

Last chance to vote for centres tomorrow!

After watching the 30 years DVD I never realised how much potential Peter Jackson had as a player. I guess he must have been good as he played for Australia as a 5/8 also.
I went for Jacko and Mal