NRL Rumour Mill Thread (Spoilers/Game Results)
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The Mad Hatter
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RIP Ken Thornett:
Something I wrote for a now defunct website about sig cards:
◦ Ken Thornett
In an era when fullbacks dazzled rugby league pundits, and decades before the Hayne Plane’s every deed was lavished praise, Parramatta possessed a fullback they called ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’ who simply took everyones’ breath away. This was none other than Ken Thornett.
The Thornett brothers were sporting wunderkinds, representing the Wallabies and excelling at a number of other sports including water polo, swimming and athletics. In fact, Ken Thornett was the youngest player to play first grade rugby union and switched to the professional code, temporarily joining the Eels in 1962. The hopes of Parramatta fans in winning that elusive first title rested at the feet of this explosive dynamo – his defense alone saved countless tries and he was oft awarded ‘man of the match’ honours in his first ‘season’ of seven games. In these seven games, Parramatta remained undefeated and upon Thornett’s return to Leeds to fulfill contractual obligations, the Eels lost the next five games without him (though still qualified for their first finals).
Returning in 1963, and joined by his brother Dick (who had switched from the Wallabies to league), the pair became test stars and firm fan favourites at Parramatta. That season, Ken Thornett led the club to the play-offs again and they won their first final before going down to Saints. Going on the Kangaroos Tour, he played all six tests; with the glut of top class fullbacks – Langlands, Simms, Johns and Barnes – Thornett would play all his twelve tests in just over a year and be kept out of the test side. Thornett lead the Eels to the finals in 1964, but they were soundly thumped by the St George juggernaut and at season’s end, Thornett became captain/coach. A general on and off the field, Ken Thornett marched his team to the finals for a fourth successive season only this time to go down to a young South Sydney side on the rise. 1966 saw Thornett miss the finals for the first time and an internal club putsch (some things never change!) saw his tenure as captain/coach ended. Retaining his composure after being denied a release, he played on, though a serious knee injury hampered him in 1968 yet when he played, the Eels invariably won. Deciding to retire, he was chaired from the field by John Raper and Graeme Langlands after the Eels had been beaten by a finals bound St George.
Ken Thornett returned in 1971 after drought had all but ruined his farming business, and after a five-year absence from the finals, Parramatta was back in the hunt. Broken but never bested, Thornett played the semi-final with a cracked shoulder, against – you guessed it – St George, and lost in extra time. Having given everything, this time, it was the end for ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’.
Ken Thornett was pivotal in creating a winning culture at Parramatta. His electrifying speed and breathtaking defense ensured the Eels were a powerhouse under his watch. He has his own stand at Parramatta Stadium, the ‘best and fairest’ award at the club is named after him and he truly is a great of the Eels, named along with his brother, in the roll of Parramatta Legends. In the modern age, when so much is bestowed upon many who have yet to prove their true worth, it’s high time we elected ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’ to have his own signature card.
Something I wrote for a now defunct website about sig cards:
◦ Ken Thornett
In an era when fullbacks dazzled rugby league pundits, and decades before the Hayne Plane’s every deed was lavished praise, Parramatta possessed a fullback they called ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’ who simply took everyones’ breath away. This was none other than Ken Thornett.
The Thornett brothers were sporting wunderkinds, representing the Wallabies and excelling at a number of other sports including water polo, swimming and athletics. In fact, Ken Thornett was the youngest player to play first grade rugby union and switched to the professional code, temporarily joining the Eels in 1962. The hopes of Parramatta fans in winning that elusive first title rested at the feet of this explosive dynamo – his defense alone saved countless tries and he was oft awarded ‘man of the match’ honours in his first ‘season’ of seven games. In these seven games, Parramatta remained undefeated and upon Thornett’s return to Leeds to fulfill contractual obligations, the Eels lost the next five games without him (though still qualified for their first finals).
Returning in 1963, and joined by his brother Dick (who had switched from the Wallabies to league), the pair became test stars and firm fan favourites at Parramatta. That season, Ken Thornett led the club to the play-offs again and they won their first final before going down to Saints. Going on the Kangaroos Tour, he played all six tests; with the glut of top class fullbacks – Langlands, Simms, Johns and Barnes – Thornett would play all his twelve tests in just over a year and be kept out of the test side. Thornett lead the Eels to the finals in 1964, but they were soundly thumped by the St George juggernaut and at season’s end, Thornett became captain/coach. A general on and off the field, Ken Thornett marched his team to the finals for a fourth successive season only this time to go down to a young South Sydney side on the rise. 1966 saw Thornett miss the finals for the first time and an internal club putsch (some things never change!) saw his tenure as captain/coach ended. Retaining his composure after being denied a release, he played on, though a serious knee injury hampered him in 1968 yet when he played, the Eels invariably won. Deciding to retire, he was chaired from the field by John Raper and Graeme Langlands after the Eels had been beaten by a finals bound St George.
Ken Thornett returned in 1971 after drought had all but ruined his farming business, and after a five-year absence from the finals, Parramatta was back in the hunt. Broken but never bested, Thornett played the semi-final with a cracked shoulder, against – you guessed it – St George, and lost in extra time. Having given everything, this time, it was the end for ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’.
Ken Thornett was pivotal in creating a winning culture at Parramatta. His electrifying speed and breathtaking defense ensured the Eels were a powerhouse under his watch. He has his own stand at Parramatta Stadium, the ‘best and fairest’ award at the club is named after him and he truly is a great of the Eels, named along with his brother, in the roll of Parramatta Legends. In the modern age, when so much is bestowed upon many who have yet to prove their true worth, it’s high time we elected ‘The Mayor of Parramatta’ to have his own signature card.
The Mad Hatter
OzCardTrader
Apparently on News Ltd now. I don't go there, so if you can see more of the story, it'll be there.
And some wonder why we cut him first.
Wookiedragon
OzCardTrader
Ben Creagh Retired today after 270 first grade games for the Dragons. He will finish 3 shy of the all time record games for the Dragons (Ben Hornby 273 games).
A great club man who has done it all, 2 games for Australia, 11 State of Origin games for NSW, 7 games for NSW Country.
He has captained the Dragons the last few years & won a premiership in 2010, along with a World club Challenge in 2011.
I remember him making his debut on the wing! 14 years & a long road from the wing, to the second row / lock & then to the front row.
A Champion bloke who always gave his all - he will be missed.
Well done on an outstanding career.
A great club man who has done it all, 2 games for Australia, 11 State of Origin games for NSW, 7 games for NSW Country.
He has captained the Dragons the last few years & won a premiership in 2010, along with a World club Challenge in 2011.
I remember him making his debut on the wing! 14 years & a long road from the wing, to the second row / lock & then to the front row.
A Champion bloke who always gave his all - he will be missed.
Well done on an outstanding career.
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The Mad Hatter
OzCardTrader
Good bloke Ben Creagh. Visited my pop once in his nursing home.
My mum says she couldn't believe he was second rower because he was so polite, well-spoken and had all his teeth. LOL.
Sadly, another one gone. This year we're seeing Creagh, Ennis, Perrett and a few others, all from that Select Future Force era of 2004-05 hanging up their boots. Good, sturdy, club men who played the game well.
Bravo Ben!
My mum says she couldn't believe he was second rower because he was so polite, well-spoken and had all his teeth. LOL.
Sadly, another one gone. This year we're seeing Creagh, Ennis, Perrett and a few others, all from that Select Future Force era of 2004-05 hanging up their boots. Good, sturdy, club men who played the game well.
Bravo Ben!
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