BY CURTIS WOODWARD
It takes a special kind of talent and skill set to play rugby league at the highest level and succeed in different positions.
To be able to fill several roles, sometimes in the same match, and have a say in the result is an incredible asset for any team.
In the third of the Top Squad 25 series, we list the 25 best utility players to ever grace first grade.
Note: Players like Darren Lockyer – that played one position for an extended period and then switched to another permanently were not considered. Honourable mentions to legends who also played different positions at representative level like Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley and Andrew Ettingshausen.
1: JIMMY CRAIG
Dally Messenger once said Craig was the best player he ever saw. The Balmain junior represented the Kangaroos at fullback, centre, hooker and halfback.
2: SHAUN BERRIGAN
Some might argue Berrigan is a couple of spots too high on this list but when you consider how damaging he was at centre, hooker or in the halves at all levels – it’s hard to keep the Queenslander out.
3: CRAIG WING
A South Sydney prodigy that burst onto the scene in 1998 as a live wire fullback or five-eigth. Wing would then shift to the Roosters where he’d become one of the most dangerous hookers in the NRL. Oh and he also won a premiership with the Tricolours as a halfback.
4: KURT GIDLEY
A true athlete that could play any position in the backline or hooker. A legitimate playmaker that could also run any line in the game if needed wider of the ruck. A quality goalkicker too.
5: JASON CROKER
According to The Rugby League Project, Croker played 108 first grade games at lock, 57 at five-eigth, 49 second row, 48 at centre, 44 on the wing and even spent time at fullback and prop. One of the first picked in the team but you never knew what role he’d have to play.
6: DES HASLER
A consummate professional that got it done in any role he was given. A halfback that found life as comfortable as a lock, five-eigth or hooker.
7: ALAN WILSON
Wilson played at least one game in every position on the field. He won Dally M Rookie of the Year in in 1987 as he alternated between hooker and wing. Represented New South Wales and a very handy goalkicker.
8: GREG HAWICK
A gun five-eigth in his own right, Hawick also played plenty of lock, halfback and centre throughout his career. The Souths junior represented Australia on six occasions.
9: PHIL BLAKE
One of the greatest ‘X-factor’ players to lace a footy boot. The mercurial Blake could do it all in a career spanning sixteen seasons. Blake could play fullback one weekend, six the next and then wing the following round and be best-on-ground each time.
10: LUKE LEWIS
Most recently known as a hero of the Sharks premiership team in 2016. By then he was a hard-nosed forward but he also proved his value throughout his career spending time switching between lock and halfback at the Panthers. He also won a grand final in 2003 at Penrith as a winger.
11: SCOTT GALE
Sadly no longer with us after succumbing to MND in 2004. A half or outside back that also played lock during his career. A freak with the footy in his hands.
12: GREG INGLIS
One of the greatest players of the modern era. Inglis is easily one of the most dangerous centres to play our game and then became a legendary fullback at Souths. He also won a premiership with the Storm as a five-eigth.
13: MITCH AUBUSSON
The first current player on our list. A true club great at the Roosters who will play any position on the field to help his side.
14: CHRIS FLANNERY
A body big enough to match it in the forwards and smart enough to play anywhere from five-eigth to centre or wing. Another loyal Roosters man who played ten games for Queensland.
15: PAUL UPFIELD
A versatile player at home in the halves, centres or in the forwards. Unlike the usual transition, Upfield started as a second rower at Illawarra in 1984 and retired a centre with Balmain in 1991.
16: DARREN SMITH
A classy centre with speed and strength. Depending on who was in the side, whether at Canterbury or Brisbane, Smith could also play in the forwards and was just as good. In fact, despite being regarded as a centre, Smith played more than 120 games in the engine room.
17: JASON SMITH
Not many can say they had the toughness, size and skill of Jason Smith. The Queenslander improved every team he played in. Known as a lock, Smith finished his NRL career as a wily five-eigth at the Raiders and then North Queensland.
18: PAUL SAIT
A fierce Rabbitoh at home at either centre or at lock and spent plenty of time at prop in his twilight seasons.
19: PETER JACKSON
A champion of the game and a true character. Jackson was a mainstay of both the Kangaroos and Maroons sides in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s and often shared his time between five-eigth and centre.
20: GREG ALEXANDER
Most remember ‘Brandy’ as a silky halfback and the man behind Penrith’s maiden premiership in 1991. But he also played four games for Australia at fullback and another 35 at the back for the Panthers.
21: JOHN PLATH
A favourite of Wayne Bennett in the 1990’s. Plath could seriously pop up at hooker, halfback, centre, lock, second row, wing or fullback. Just one of those guys you need in your squad.
22: LEWIS BROWN
Similar to Plath, Lewis Brown seemed to be always in the thick of it without ever locking down one position. Brown could play hooker, centre or second row and wouldn’t let anyone down.
23: JACK WIGHTON
One of the legitimate stars of the modern game who can win you a game from centre, five-eigth or fullback.
24: CHRIS MORTIMER
Part of the famous Mortimer family. A scary defender, the Wagga native and Australian representative played centre, five-eigth, fullback, lock and second row in his career.
25: LANCE HOHAIA
The Kiwi slides onto the back of this list because of how easy he could switch from one position to the next. Whether it was fullback, halfback or hooker, Hohaia always performed for his side.
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