WESTS TIGERS TEAM OF THE CENTURY

On the 20th April 1908 the first official game of Rugby League was played in the Sydney Premiership. The combatants were the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Balmain Tigers. Since that time, there have been a total of 15 Premierships won between the clubs and a host of State of Origin, Kangaroo and Premiership stars produced. A wealth of legendary moments played out by some of the true legends of the game. To celebrate the history and prestige associated with two of Australia's most famous Rugby League Teams, as well as embrace their recent unification into the Wests Tigers, it is time to celebrate the…

WESTS TIGERS TEAM OF THE CENTURY

A panel of judges spanning the different eras from both Clubs will select nominees according to strict criteria. The panel comprised Keith Barnes (Balmain), Kevin Humphreys (Balmain), John 'Chow' Hayes (Wests), Rick Wayde (Wests) and Ian Heads (Independent). A Western Suburbs and a Balmain Tigers team has been selected by the panel representing each club, before the unenviable task of selecting the best combined team took place.

Wests Tigers Team of the Century (Western Suburbs players in Bold)

1. Keith Barnes © (Fullback)
2. Peter Dimond (Wing)
3. Charles Fraser (Centre)
4. Harry Wells (Centre)
5. Alan Ridley (Wing)
6. Vic Hey (Five-Eight)
7. Keith Holman (Halfback)
8. Steve Roach (Front Row)
9. Ben Elias (Hooker)
10. Noel Kelly (Front Row)
11. Paul Sironen (Second Row)
12. Arthur Beetson (Second Row)
13. Wayne Pearce (Lock)

14. Kel O'Shea (Reserve)
15. Jim Craig (Reserve)
16. Tom Raudonikis (Reserve)
17. Harry Bath (Reserve)

Coach: Norm "Latchem" Robinson

The nominees for each position were:

Full Back
Bill Keato- Wests Magpies
Keith Barnes- Balmain Tigers
Frank McMilan* - Wests Magpies
Garry Jack- Balmain Tigers
Don Parish- Wests Magpies
Dave Parkinson* - Balmain Tigers
Darcy Russell- Wests Magpies

Winger
Dave Barsley- Wests Magpies
Larry Corowa- Balmain Tigers
Peter Dimond- Wests Magpies
Sid Goodwin- Balmain Tigers
Jack Fitzgerald* - Wests Magpies
Bobby Lulham* - Balmain Tigers
John Mowbray - Wests Magpies
Allan McMahon - Balmain Tigers
John Ribot- Wests Magpies
Arthur Patton* - Balmain Tigers
Alan Ridley*- Wests Magpies
Ian Schubert - Wests Magpies
Dick Vest - Wests Magpies

Centre
Bill Bischoff - Balmain Tigers
Jim Craig*- Wests Magpies
Tom Bourke* - Balmain Tigers
John Dorahy - Wests Magpies
Tim Brasher - Balmain Tigers
Gil McDougall - Wests Magpies
Jim Craig* - Balmain Tigers
Cliff Pearce* - Wests Magpies
Charles Fraser* - Balmain Tigers
Harry Wells - Wests Magpies
Frank Hyde - Balmain Tigers
Joe Jorgenson* - Balmain Tigers
Jack Robinson* - Balmain Tigers
Gary Schofield - Balmain Tigers
Geoff Starling - Balmain Tigers

Five- Eight
Darcy Henry - Wests Magpies
David Bolton - Balmain Tigers
Vic Hey* - Wests Magpies
Pat Devery - Balmain Tigers
Terry Lamb - Wests Magpies
Dennis Pittard - Wests Magpies
Frank Stanmore - Wests Magpies
Arthur Summons - Wests Magpies

Half Back
Joe 'Chimpy' Busch* - Balmain Tigers
Keith Holman - Wests Magpies
Laurie Fagan - Balmain Tigers
Don Malone - Wests Magpies
Gary Freeman - Balmain Tigers
Les Mead* - Wests Magpies
Arthur Halloway* - Balmain Tigers
Tom Raudonikis- Wests Magpies
Stan Ponchard*- Balmain Tigers
Jason Taylor- Wests Magpies

Lock
Jack Hampstead*- Balmain Tigers
Les Boyd- Wests Magpies
Reg Latta*- Balmain Tigers
Jim Cody- Wests Magpies
Wayne Pearce- Balmain Tigers
Jim Leis- Wests Magpies
Peter Provan- Balmain Tigers
Peter McLean*- Wests Magpies
Jack Redman*- Balmain Tigers
Graeme O'Grady- Wests Magpies
Kevin Smythe- Wests Magpies

2nd Row
Harry Bath- Balmain Tigers
Arthur Clues*- Wests Magpies
David Brooks- Balmain Tigers
Bill Carson*- Wests Magpies
Fred Deblin- Balmain Tigers
John Elford- Wests Magpies
Gary Leo- Balmain Tigers
John Hayes- Wests Magpies
Bruce McGuire- Balmain Tigers
Bob Lindner- Wests Magpies
Paul Sironen- Balmain Tigers
Dennis Meaney- Wests Magpies
John Spencer- Balmain Tigers
Kel O'Shea- Wests Magpies
Athol Smith*- Balmain Tigers
Dennis Tutty- Balmain Tigers
Tom Tyrell- Balmain Tigers

Front Row
Arthur Beetson- Balmain Tigers
Jim Abercrombie*- Wests Magpies
Bob Boland- Balmain Tigers
Bill Brogan*- Wests Magpies
Brian Lockwood- Balmain Tigers
Lee Crooks- Wests Magpies
Bill Marsh*- Balmain Tigers
Neville Charlton- Wests Magpies
Rod Morris- Balmain Tigers
Tedda Courtney*- Wests Magpies
Steve Roach- Balmain Tigers
John Donnelly*- Wests Magpies
Bill Schultz*- Balmain Tigers
Kevin Hansen*- Wests Magpies
Jack Spencer*- Balmain Tigers
Bill Horder- Wests Magpies