Sixgill
Moderator
Speechley.
Best Sharks Five-Eighth Ever?
- Thread starter SharkBoy
- Start date
SharkBoy
Great White
Oh that team in the late 80's brings back so much joy and happiness! haha... what a team. I wish we made it to the '88 GF... we would of given it a shake. Yeah Speechley will always be a favourite of mine... One of my fav ever games will be that 1989 play-off for 5th when we smashed the Bongos on a Tuesday night, I remember I had to go to bed coz it was a school night (i was 6) but watched it on tape... haha love it.
Sir Chadley
Jaws
Panda was Barry Andrews nickname.
I am old enough to say I saw Barry Andrews play, he was a tough player, not spectacular but good defender and solid player. I remember a game against Balmain at Endeavour Field that we won 14-12, Larry Corowa scored two great 40 metre tries down the left wing but "Panda" booted two goals from halfway and one from just beyond to win the game. Not sure of the year but it would have been late seventies I think. We had a reasonable side back then as well, the 78 side had players like McMartin, Kneen, the Sorenson boys, Paul Khan and in the backs Hansard with Panda along with Mick Mullane, Steve Edmonds, Dave Chamberlain and of course the great Steve Rogers.
Showing my age aren't I????
sharkafar
Bull Shark
You said it mate. I've written about it on another thread but I watched that game with a crowd of Bronco supporters in the University common room. The main thing I remember was how Johnny Docking just carved them up all night. But they still kept kicking it to him! It was close at half time but then we switched on the afterburners and wiped them. As you say, happy days indeed. 
SharkBoy
Great White
Hahaha it's great to communicate with Sharks fans of all ages. I feel at home here!
You said it mate. I've written about it on another thread but I watched that game with a crowd of Bronco supporters in the University common room. The main thing I remember was how Johnny Docking just carved them up all night. But they still kept kicking it to him! It was close at half time but then we switched on the afterburners and wiped them. As you say, happy days indeed.
Very happy days! Hope you were sticking it to the Qld uni boys too! Docking was awesome... Alan Wilson, Sparkles and ET.... man they were Gods to me back then. And of course Gav Miller!
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scoopweidler
Mako Shark
For their value and contribution to the team in their respective eras (in the 5/8 position), my rankings are;
1. Speechley
2. Healey
3. Bird
4. Dykes
5. Barrett
6. Johns
1. Speechley
2. Healey
3. Bird
4. Dykes
5. Barrett
6. Johns
Capmar
Grey Nurse
Barry Andrews
I have vivid memories of Panda kicking the ball out of the park... once, he actually got the ball to the other side of Captain Cook Drive. It ended up on Captain Cook #5 Oval. He had the most amazing thighs I've ever seen. Toe-pokers were so much fun - today's kickers are so far more accurate, but there's nothing like watching a ball sail off towards the corner post - the black & white barbershop pole corner posts to be precise.
Trivia time: The old players' gym underneath the Sharks Leagues Club was one of the first places in Australia to get a Nautilus Gym - it worked on hydraulics rather than weights. Revolutionary stuff at the time.
Trivia time: The old players' gym underneath the Sharks Leagues Club was one of the first places in Australia to get a Nautilus Gym - it worked on hydraulics rather than weights. Revolutionary stuff at the time.
stormshark
Jaws
Show your age! Thats when we had guys that really bled for the Team.I have similar memorys of Barry Andrews- Kicking a goal from inside halfway at Brooky to beat Manly. He had longevity too- think he played about 8 years, real stocky bugger.
Blu '67
Bronze Whaler
Grass cutting tackles were popular back in '89. you just have to look at our best tackler back then in Gavin Miller. unbelievable tackler.
There are too many variables to consider when picking our best ever five-eighth. I mean speechly would fit into our current squad but would Bird fit into the 89 team? He would be smaller back then and it was a diferent game as fitness and size wasnt on the top of the list of importance compared to today.
maybe Speechly (Adam Dykes was interesting to watch as well... but dont think he was suited to Kimmorley's style... shame)
There are too many variables to consider when picking our best ever five-eighth. I mean speechly would fit into our current squad but would Bird fit into the 89 team? He would be smaller back then and it was a diferent game as fitness and size wasnt on the top of the list of importance compared to today.
maybe Speechly (Adam Dykes was interesting to watch as well... but dont think he was suited to Kimmorley's style... shame)
Gary Cameron deserves a mention. 3 meat pies in the victorious Amco Cup victory in 1979
peachey
One of a kind
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SharkBoy
Great White
Gals did play a game or two at 5/8 but i still gotta lean towards speechely and mitch healey. prior to 1988... really can't remember... but this barry andrews guy was obviously a star!
DANGA HATCH
Grey Nurse
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Panda was Barry Andrews nickname.
Mate I was there at that game also. I was about 8 or 9 and had changed allegances to the Sharks from the Tigers. My old man was a Huge Sharkies supporter and he used to give it to me all the way home after the Sharks smashed the Tiges.
Panda was a tough strong 5/8 who was also capable of playing lock. I agree about the kicking. Speechley, however could give a good pass to our quick outside men, make a break and had the best defensive technique of any 5/8 I have ever seen play. He was vastly underrated and I always felt nervous if ever he was out injured.
Mr Wright
Jaws
I can remeber Gals playing one game at 5/8 and he got something like 220 metres in that game. It was the back page of the paper.
could you tell me when he played at 6 i cant remember when?
If we want to be picky... or should I say "Pixie"... Jonathon Docking played nearly all of his junior footy as a halfback and five-eighth, played in that capacity for the Sharks too early on - it was only super coach Jack Gibson who decided to put him as a fullback.
Reckon he did ok (LOL!)
My point is that champion player are champion players - put them in any postion and they'll shine.
Reckon he did ok (LOL!)
My point is that champion player are champion players - put them in any postion and they'll shine.