BY CURTIS WOODWARD

Thursday Night Football heads to Suncorp Stadium for the opening match of Round Nine between the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers.

This clash has plenty riding on it. Brisbane are gunning for four consecutive wins while the 2-6 Panthers are desperate to turn their season around after a frustrating start to the season.

While they have never faced off in a grand final, the early 1990’s was an unforgettable time for both sets of fans. Penrith and Brisbane won their maiden premierships in 1991 and 1992 respectively. Ask any player that’s won multiple titles – there’s nothing like winning it for the first time.

And if you look at the superstars from those teams – it’s pretty hard putting together a combined 17 without hurting someone’s feelings.

But let’s give it a go, anyway.

Combined Panthers 1991/Broncos 1992 Team:

1. Greg Alexander
One of the most talented natural footballers the modern era has seen. A legendary halfback in his own right but has been shifted to fullback to accommodate the Allan Langer/Kevin Walters combination in the halves. Alexander at fullback (where he played the majority of the 1990 Kangaroo Tour) also gives this side another deadly attacking option and a first-class kicking game.

2. Michael Hancock
Had size, speed and an uncanny knack of wrestling out of tackles. Almost impossible to tackle one-on-one. If the Broncos were ever struggling close to their own line, they could always rely on Hancock to get them out of trouble. Gets the nod ahead of Penrith’s own representative winger in Graham Mackay.

3. Brad Fittler
One of the best players of the 1990’s and 2000’s, Fittler could easily slot into five-eigth or lock in this team but for the balance of the side, has been selected in the centres where he played in 1991. Could run a damaging line or beat his opponent with one of the best steps we’ll ever see.

4. Steve Renouf
To call Renouf “silky” is unfair – ‘The Pearl’ invented silk. Could burn you from anywhere on the field with sheer speed and a thirst for the try line.

5. Willie Carne
The first winger picked in this side ahead of Hancock and the unlucky Graham Mackay. Carne had speed but he also had copious amounts of talent. The Roma native debuted for the Broncos in 1990 and played State of Origin the same year, for Australia in ’91 and helped win the ’92 Grand Final for Brisbane. Not bad at all.

6. Kevin Walters
Could have gone with Fittler at five-eigth but you just can’t argue with the potency of Kevin Walters and Allan Langer in the same team. While Walters didn’t possess the long kicking game or size of Fittler, the Queenslander made up for it with his instinctive offensive raids and short kicking game. The perfect foil to Langer.

7. Allan Langer
Langer is proof that rugby league is for all shapes and sizes. Diminutive in size, Langer’s brilliance will never be forgotten. Always played what was in front of him and constantly embarrassed defensive lines. Langer didn’t have a big boot but he made up for it with one of the best short kicking game’s well ever see. It was ‘Alfie’ who forced the rule change regarding one-on-one steals such was his ability to nick the footy from his sheepish opponents.

8. Glenn Lazarus
One of the best props to ever play the game. Lazarus won games singlehandedly with his bullocking charges and quick play-the-balls. A giant of the game in the 1990’s, Lazarus oozed success wherever he played.

9. Royce Simmons
The inspirational leader of the Panthers who finally won the big one in ’91. He might still owe most of us a beer after his heroics at the Sydney Football Stadium but some may forget he played ten games for Australia and ten for New South Wales in a wonderful career.

10. Paul Dunn
Dunn gets the other starting prop ahead of Gavin Allen and Paul Clarke. A Kangaroos and Blues prop, Dunn had already won a Clive Churchill Medal with Canterbury before switching to the Panthers where the veteran helped steer the young club to its first Grand Final win.

11. John Cartwright
If you think Bryce Cartwright has talent, go back and watch some old tapes of his uncle. Hampered by injury, Cartwright struggled through ’91 but still managed two games for Australia. He may have played off the bench for Penrith in the ’91 Grand Final but his presence and ability helped the Panthers home that afternoon.

12. Mark Geyer
An enforcer with a brilliant offload that could cause havoc with defenders on an edge. MG pushes Trevor Gillmeister back to lock.

13. Trevor Gillmeister
It doesn’t matter if ‘The Axe’ has 12 or 13 on his back – someone is getting hammered. Technically one of the best defenders rugby league has ever seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjUb46R_51s

Bench: Terry Matterson, Kerrod Walters, Alan Cann, Colin Van Der Voort.

Honourable Mentions: Graham Mackay, Andrew Gee, Chris Johns, Steve Carter.

@woodward_curtis