In part one of this series we named the first 5 players to not have a signature card. There were some very worthy recipients – Eric Grothe, Steve Roach, Stacey Jones, Adam MacDougall and Jason Croker. Here we round out the top 10 and complete the list of the TOP TEN ‘Legendary’ Players from 1980-2010 to not have a signature card.
Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen
Before Andrew ET Ettingshausen was a good looking fishing show host, ET was a good looking teenager from De La Salle, who debuted against the Newtown Jets in 1983. When he was done in 2000, ET had played 30 times for NSW and 29 times for Australia and set many records.
A fleet footed backline player for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, he is the Shire’s favourite son and during the Simply The Best era of RL dominance, he was also the pin up for the game that the ladies adored.
But to say that would be a disservice to Ettingshausen. An excitement machine, he played 328 club games – currently the sixth most games AND did it all for the one club. He also finished his career second on most tries list with 165 – the most for a one club player, second only behind the great Ken Irvine (down to third peg now, after Menzies).
This flyer twice scored 5 tries in a game, and routinely carved up defence lines with his accelerating pace. And Andrew was a smart man (or at least well advised) positioning himself well in the media. And with financial success as a face of Super League, Andrew Ettingshausen has created an extremely successful post-career media, entertainment and business portfolio.
This loyal, one-club man has his own stand at Shark Park, but doesn’t have is own signature card. Surely it is time they lured Ettingshausen out of the deep and hooked him for an autograph or 500.
Hazem El Masri
Hazem is an excellent example of the virtues of multiculturalism in RL (and Australia). Immigrating to Sydney from Lebanon as a 12 year old, this young soccer player took up rugby league late and went on to become the smiling face of the Bulldogs, whilst finishing his footballing days with 317 club games, the most points scored, a State of Origin and Kangaroo jersey and a Premiership Ring.
However, El Masri bridged the gap between Islam and mainstream footballing fans with his optimistic views on footy, life and religion. Steadfastly his own man, El Masri stood up to racism in footy (and multicultural Australia) using his brilliance in the game as a flag to others to match his words and deeds. Scoring over 150 NRL tries, he is respected as much for his footballing deeds as his community work.
If they ever decide to create a Walk of Fame at ANZ Stadium, Hazem El Masri should be the first player picked to have his statue cast.
A brilliant finisher, it is as a goal kicker with surgical precision that he is fondly remembered for. Who can forget that after the bell sideline kick in Newcastle to beat the Knights back in 2002? And scoring 2418 points, many often wonder how many more he could have scored had it not been for famed kicker Daryl Halligan taking the shots between 1996-2000 at the Bulldogs.
A wonderful player and a wonderful man, the one thing most card collectors want to stop wondering about is – when is this graceful, articulate man going to score his own signature card.
Peter Sterling
Sterlo is one of those living legends: multiple premiership winning halfback; NSW and Australian representative; multiple award winner and one of the only men to score 10 out of 10 in RLW twice – in the period after the Parramatta golden age. Upon retiring from the game, Sterlo became the preeminent analyst of Rugby League, whilst also becoming a popular co-host of The Footy Show.
Debuting as a surfie looking teenager, Peter Sterling cemented his position in the Parramatta side of the late 1970’s that were on the cusp of greatness. Jack Gibson the master coach was unequivocal in stating Stering was the best player he had ever seen – some rap indeed. By 1981, in tandem with Brett Kenny, Sterlo was leading the Eels around the park and securing the first of a trio of Grand Final victories against the Newtown Jets. As the great era ended in 1986, he had five Grand Finals and four premierships in his bag, as well as winning the inaugural Clive Churchill Medal in 1986.
However, it was his deeds post-Golden Era that won Sterling kudos and plenty of respect. He took the dimming side by the scruff of the neck and led from the front, often winning man of the match awards in defeated teams. He bled blue and gold for the Eels, and along with Kenny (both true one club men), gave it his all as the Eels entered wooden spoon territory.
A crunching tackle from David Gillespie that re-injured a troublesome shoulder in Round 3 of the 1992 season prematurely ended his career. However, since 1992, Peter Sterling has graced our screens as a wonderful co-commentator and a tipster across rugby league media.
An understated, astute analyst of the game, Sterlo can dissect play, spots opportunities on the field, and discusses players with the keen eye of an eagle devouring his pray, often bringing up good play or congratulating unheralded players no one else has seen or thought about.
A humble man, for mine, Peter Sterling is one on of the true greats of our game. Sterling by name, Sterling by nature.
Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva is a man mountain, a gentle giant and tremendous gentleman who deserves to be honoured with an autograph card as one of the best front row forwards of all time. It’s hard to believe this front row warhorse began his career as a centre and ended it as a 36 year old!
Civoniceva is a solid man and tough as teak, having survived 309 first grade matches, 33 SoO’s for Queensland and 45 Tests for Australia, as well as 5 Tests for Fiji. For a man who was so well spoken, passionate about Rugby League and fairness, it is such an ironic twist that he was a hard man up the middle, bruising his way forward.
A Broncos star, he should have been a one club man, but with ridiculous shortsightedness, the Broncos released him at the end of his contract. To the benefit of Penrith he signed with them for four years, tutoring a young brigade of forwards on the rigours of play. It was only fitting that he returned to Brisbane for one final season in 2012, to be farewelled by the faithful. At a grand old age, he retired with two premiership rings (missing the 2000 decider), a member of the 7-in a row QLD SoO team and third most games for the Kangaroos. He also led the emerging Fijians to the semi-finals of the 2013 World Cup.
The one thing this bustling beast doesn’t have on his CV, it is an official signature card. Hopefully by 2108, for the game’s bicentenary, Petero will be one of the first men picked for the team of the 2nd Century and some of us lucky collectors will have this gem in our great-grandkids collections.
Royce Simmons
Rumour has it that Royce Simmons would earn a signature card the day he finally did good on his 1991 post Premiership promise of buying every Panthers fan a beer.
This nuggety hooker played in the 1980’s when great hookers in the traditional sense still played the game – raking for the ball in scrums, toeing ahead to score – and he had plenty of peers in this era, limiting him to 10 appearances for both NSW and Australia.
Taking the unfancied ‘chocolate soldiers’ to finals footy for the first time in the mid-eighties, it was under Phil Gould’s coaching that Royce and Penrith made two straight Grand Finals against Canberra in 1990-91. It would be in his final game that the Penrith stalwart would become an enduring cult hero when he scored two tries in the decider to beat the Green Machine and bow out in style, promising all and sundry that amber bevy.
A coaching career followed though he would not be on hand as the talented Panthers juniors of 2000 went on to win the big dance in 2003. Simmons’ laconic, though measured comments on the game endear him to many in this day and age, with his no nonsense, honest to goodness views.
Isn’t it time we took off the beer goggles and gave this man a hard earned first – his own signature card?
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