In its long history, the ASRL has seen a lot of legends come and go. Names such as Gasnier, Beetson, Messenger, and Sterling have become synonimous with the game- and this article covers a few of those greats and their history in the ASRL.
Arthur Beetson: The big front-rower did it all in the ASRL. He represented his country, he was a part of the first State of Origin clashes, and he captured three premierships for Hawkesbury in between his debut year of 1966, and 1971 when he left the club for a six year stint at Brisbane (where he was part of a losing Grand Final side on two occassions.
Dave Brown: One of the men who has since been inducted into Perth's recently opened hall of fame, point-scoring centre Dave Brown moved to Western Australia in 1930, and played out his eleven year career at the club- snaring a premiership in 1932. Brown scored all fourteen of Perth's points in their 14-6 defeat of Brisbane.
Frank Burge: One of the men who started league's dominance, Burge was Manly's inaugural captain back in 1916 and lead the side to three premierships in 1916, 1917, and 1919. He then moved to Sydney (capturing the 1923 premiership) where he remained until retiring in 1927. Burge holds the record for the most tries scored in a game, snaring 8 in Sydney's 66-0 thrashing of Hobart in 1923.
Brian Carlson: One of the greatest players never to win a premiership, Carlson's twelve year career saw him play in losing Grand Finals for Newcastle and Manly. A utility par excellence, Carlson revolutionised the game with his attacking flare.
Clive Churchill: The greatest fullback the game has ever known, Clive Churchill was one of the games most prodigious talents. Part of the Hawkesbury side that dominated the late fifties and early sixties, Churchill also had a brief (and largely disappointing) stint at South Melbourne.
Bob Fulton: Although the big money tournament shares his name, it can never hope to share his greatness, as Bobby Fulton was one of the greatest players in ASRL history. Beginning his career at Hawkesbury (where he captured three premierships), Fulton then enjoyed an illustrious career playing for the Manly side that made five consecutive grand finals (three of which they won).
Reg Gasnier: Touted by many as one of the most elusive and talented backs in ASRL history, Gasnier was also an excellent club-man, playing his nine year career out at Hawkesbury. Like so many other greats, Gasnier captured six premierships with Hawkesbury, in a time when the club became famous across the world for its dominance.
Vic Hey: The nuggety QLD five eighth was the first player to ever real display the dominance required from a Hall of Famer from a Queensland based club. Playing for Brisbane between 1933 and 1946- Hey represented his country at an early age.
Harold Horder: A try-scoring freak, who scored 239 tries in 194 games, Horder became a house-hold name in the early years of the ASRL due to his 'don't argue' fend and dazzling footwork. He began his career at Newcastle, but tasted premiership success with Sydney in 1923- after joining the side in 1921.
Ken Irvine: The fastest man ever to grace the fields of league, Ken Irvine was also a key member of Hawkesbury's dominant between 1958 and 1967. In 236 games for the Mavericks, Irvine scored 212 tries- and held the record for most career points up until 2002, when Jason Taylor swiped it off him.
Graeme Langlands: Unlucky enough to share the field with the greatest fullback of all time (Reg Gasnier), Langlands was nonetheless a brilliant talent in the always troublesome Manly Cannons line between 1963 and 1975 (a time in which Manly captured two premierships).
Wally Lewis: The 'King' of QLD football, Wally Lewis began his illustrious career playing for Brisbane in 1978. Although he made two Grand Finals with the club, he never won a premiership, and his thirst for a premiership took him to Sydney in 1984. Ironically, Brisbane won the gold in 1985. His stint at Sydney proved unsuccessful, but a miraculous final year saw him lead Sydney to the gold in 1992.
Dally Messenger: Although he played only two years in the ASRL (having played 'friendly' league beforehand), Dally Messenger is still regarded as one of the greatest players in league history. His two ASRL seasons saw him play a key role in Manly's 1916 and 1917 premierships.
Wally Prigg: One of league's true journeymen, Wally Prigg was a fine lock who played for three clubs outside of NSW in his career. Prigg has the rare honour of having played in three different premiership winning sides. Central (1927), Perth (1932), and Hobart (1939). He also had a brief stint at North Melbourne in between 1933 and 1938, in which time he made one grand final.
John Raper: Few men have won as many Grand Finals as John Raper, who claimed eight premierships playing for Hawkesbury between 1957 and 1973. One of the reasons Hawkesbury were so dominant, Raper was also the mainstay of the Australian side.
Peter Sterling: One of the greatest haflbacks in living memory, Peter Sterling leapt onto the league scene in 1978- when he played for the underachieving Newcastle Fear. He immediately made an impact, Newcastle winning three premierships before Sterling left at the beginning of 1984 to pursue a career at the wealthy Perth club. He played in a losing Grand Final (Perth losing to Sydney 14-10) in his final game, but was assitant coach in Perth's 22-15 win over Adelaide in 1993.
Duncan Thompson: A shrewd and intelligent halfback for North Melbourne in the early years of ASRL competition- Duncan Thompson won two premierships with the club in between 1916 and 1923. He spent his last two years playing for the largely unsuccesful Newcastle Fear.
HONORARY INDUCTEES
Allan Langer: One of the greatest QLD halfbacks ever to grace the league fields, 'Alf' Langer played out his entire career at the Brisbane Bulls league side. He represented his club, his state, and his country during a dominant career stretching from 1988 until 2002- when he finally announced his retirement after several indifferent seasons.
