Former Sea Eagle picks team of century - Manly dominates in Gibbs’ line-up

By BILL NORTH

Former Manly Sea Eagle second-rower and fearsome tackler Ron Gibbs experienced first hand what it was like to play with and against many of the greatest rugby league players to ever play the game.

The fact he grew up following Manly in the 1970s and played in the 80s is evidenced by a number of selections in his team of the century.

The team is dominated by players of that era and includes five who played for Manly.

A member of the 1987 premiership-winning Manly side, Gibbs picked Dale Shearer, the fullback from that side, in his 18-man squad, along with Terry Randall, Bob Fulton, Fred Jones and Ken Irvine.

“Dale Shearer was one of the greatest players I played with,” Gibbs said.

“Terry Randall was typical of the flavour of Manly during the 70s and was one of the toughest second-rowers.”

Gibbs selected his team on Thursday before flying to Sydney to appear as a guest co-host of Foxtel’s Barefoot Rugby League program, an Indigenous version of The Footy Show.

Coincidentally, his childhood idol and a centre in his team, Bob Fulton, was on the same plane returning to Sydney from his property at Coonamble.

“Fulton was my idol since day one when I started following Manly when I was growing up in Bourke,” he said.

“Even though I hated Parramatta with a passion I picked Mick Cronin as the other centre.

“I played against him in my first game and then for many years and he was one of the greatest.”

Gibbs said his hate for Parramatta stemmed from the fact they, along with manly and Canterbury, dominated the competition in the 70s.

Four players who had ties with the Eels made his side, although Arthur Beetson only played with the side for two years (1979-80), with Peter Sterling and Eric Grothe Snr also named.

“Sterlo got the nod in a toss up between Tom Raudonikis and Allan Langer,” he said.

The Daily Liberal is giving readers the chance to win a copy of the book 100 Years of Rugby League.

Simply fill out the entry form with your greatest team and drop the entry into the Daily Liberal office in Macquarie Street.

All entries will go into the draw for the outstanding book set, with entries to close on May 9.

The Daily Liberal will release the greatest team, as voted by the readers, on May 10.

Ron “Rambo” Gibbs’ Team of the Century

1. Graeme Langlands

2. Ken Irvine

3. Mick Cronin

4. Bob Fulton

5. Eric Grothe Snr

6. Wally Lewis

7. Peter Sterling

8. Arthur Beetson

9. Fred Jones

10. Shane Webcke

11. Bob McCarthy

12. Terry Randall

13. Ron Coote

14. Dale Shearer

15. Steve Rogers

16. Glenn Lazuras

17. Ken Maddison

18. Craig Young

Coach: Jack Gibson