BY STAFF WRITERS

The 2020 NRL Nines are almost upon us and for the first time, the Nines circus hits Perth for all the fun and chaos that comes with the format.

We’ve seen some interesting squad selections recently…looking at you Sydney Roosters.

So let’s take a look back at some of the most eyebrow-raising club selections in Nines history.

BRAD FITTLER

Roosters icon Brad Fittler donned the Tricolours jersey once more at the age of 42 in 2014 and ‘Freddie’ didn’t disappoint taking an intercept and running 75 metres to score in the side’s win over Brisbane.

ANDREW RYAN

The Bulldogs this weekend announced the return of 41-year-old premiership-winning forward and former Canterbury captain, Andrew Ryan.

COREY PARKER

Ryan will be joined in Perth by State of Origin rival, Broncos legend Corey Parker. The one-time goalkicking lock hasn’t played for the Broncos since the end of 2016.

STEVE MENZIES

‘The Beaver’, at 40, had just returned from a three-year stint playing for Catalans in France when Manly confirmed Menzies would get one last shot in the Manly jersey at the 2014 Nines.

NICK DAVIS

For those that don’t know, Nick Davis is a Sydney Swans legend from the AFL. So the Sydney Roosters thought… why not? Davis already works for the club in a coaching capacity and played some league as a kid. It will be very interesting to see how he goes in Perth.

JASON CROKER

One of the great Canberra Raiders of all-time, Croker came out of retirement to help out ‘The Green Machine’ at the 2016 Nines.

KEN NAGAS

A year earlier, Croker’s old teammate Ken Nagas sauntered out on to Eden Park in a lime green jersey for the first time in 13 years.

RUBEN WIKI

Another Raiders legend but Ruben Wiki actually turned out for his other former club, the Warriors, at the 2017 Nines and looked in incredible shape. The Warriors, always a hot favourite at the Nines, failed to win a game and finished last in their pool.