Ettingshausen Vs Rogers

[Parko]

After having read the NRL list of top 100 players over the last century, I, just as many of you would have, noticed that the only two Sharks players to make the list were Andrew Ettingshausen and Steve Rogers. This has led me to ponder the question: Who was better?

Here's the stats:....Ettingshausen....Rogers

Games played
for Sharks:................328..............232

Points scored
for Sharks:................662...............1253

Games played
for NSW:....................27.................21

Games played
for Australia:................29.................21


I'm sure there's more comparable stats, but to me, thats the big 4. I know others will suggest that the likes of David Peachey and Gavin Miller should be included, but I neglected them purely because they werent selected in the top 100.

MY PICK: Ettingshausen. And I have only 2 supporting reasons:

1: The amount of games played for cronulla - undying loyalty

2: Because Rogers committed the heinous crime of putting on a red and white jersy...

What does everyone else think?

 

[teflon77]

Both great players, I grew up watching ET and it was his play that made me a sharks fan. Your right though, Rogers did commit the most unforgiveable sin. But he did make it somewhat better by returning and his heart was always with the sharks. ET by a pube.

 

[Caringbah Shark]

ET was my hero growing up along with Mark McGaw. Although Sludge did play for the goons for a couple seasons he's contributions to the club when he returned and after he retired can't be ignored. I've often thought about which of the two is better but at the end of the day they both legends and Sludge will always be remembered as a shark!!

 

[Parko]

I've often thought about which of the two is better but at the end of the day they both legends and Sludge will always be remembered as a shark!!

yes, well on paper, ET is more of a Shark than Sludge...

but i do take your point on the contribution after he retired.

 

[double]

ET was a great player without a doubt.
However, I will cast my vote for the mighty Steve Rogers. When I was a kid I was in total awe of this man. When he used to get the ball the entire crowd (both sides) would stand and cheer, the noise was deafening. He was a pure 110% excitement machine that will never be equaled. He was a prolific goal kicker as well.
I for one will never forget him and although he did change clubs I will forgive him. May he RIP.

 

[Caringbah Shark]

I'll drink to that!

 

[zakspiders]

sludge-no question.
he's not that far off being a real immortal in my opinion

 

[Sempa Fi Sharky]

Et

Remember how strong adefender he was by the end of his career.

He was always one of the best attacking centres. but by the end he was also one of the best defensively.

 

[zakspiders]

i remember preferring mcgaw to him early in the piece.
but like sempa says he toughened up in defence to become the benchmark in that area.
i am proud of the fact he played so many origin games and holds the record for most games for one club

 

[Caringbah Shark]

Yes Loyalty like that is rare.

 

[Shiredad]

For me, it's ET, simply because I was too young when Rogers retired, and ET was everyone's hero growing up in the shire in the 80's & 90's.

 

[zakspiders]

bottom line
they were both legends

 

[Caringbah Shark]

Who do you think in the current side will be remembered the same way as ET and Sludge?

 

[peachey]

to early to say yet..

if filiga can live up to the hype around him...then it will be filiga

 

[zakspiders]

bird or gallen ?
dougy?
thats a hard question!

 

[Caringbah Shark]

For me, The Bash Brothers.

 

[Sempa Fi Sharky]

Remember

There will never be another ET.

But the others are there own men.

 

[BUZ]

bottom line
they were both legends

Best response so far........can only be bettered by 'bottom line
they are both legends'

 

[Megashark]

A great thread Parko, and one that evokes unforgettable memories of both players. Zak is correct in saying that both are legends, champions of our club and of the great game of rugby league, as reflected in their selection this week in the upper echelons of the finest 100 players of all time. Both were superstar centers with blinding pace, dazzling footwork and tremendous defensive abilities and as Double says, with the rare ability to bring a crowd to its feet. As well as being fantastic players in thir own right, it should not be forgotten they they were both part of two of the finest centre partnerships the game has seen - Rogers at representative level alongside Parramatta great Mick Cronin, and Ettingshausen alongside Mark McGaw. I had the pleasure of meeting both Sludge and ET on separate occasions and can say that both men were absolute gentlemen - great people as well as great footballers. But as for the question of who was the greater of the two, I cannot split them. There will be other great players, but there will never be another ET or Sludge.

 

[Gummyshark]

Good thread Parko, but the question answers itself, its easy. Who has a stand named after him ? ET of course.