With the Vodafone Warriors playing their 20th anniversary match against Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off), it’s the perfect time to launch the People's Choice 20th Anniversary Team poll.
This is the chance for all members past and present and fans at large to have their say on who they think are the club’s best players to create their 20th Anniversary Team.
The Vodafone Warriors are now just one short of anointing their 200th player with new signing Matt Allwood set to make his club debut as Vodafone Warrior No 199 on Sunday.
The poll to determine the People's Choice 20th Anniversary Team starts this week with the fullback position.
An outstanding collection of players have worn the fullback’s jersey for the club.
While injuries limited his number of appearances to 37 in three seasons, former captain Matthew Ridge stood out for his courage, competitiveness and exceptional goal kicking.
In his 53 games for the Vodafone Warriors Ivan Cleary underlined his standing as one of the most accomplished and calmest fullbacks (and a superb goal-kicker to boot) in the business culminating in the last game of his career – the 2002 grand final.
Brent Webb was a firm crowd favourite with his dazzling support play and pace, the vast majority of his 103 games and 39 tries for the club scored from fullback.
He was succeeded by Wade McKinnon (54 games), one of the most explosive fullbacks the game has seen. His support play was also exceptional and, in any poll, his phenomenal try against Penrith in 2007 would rank among the best in the club’s history.
Lance Hohaia played a significant ratio of his 185 games for the club at fullback, helping the Vodafone Warriors to the 2011 NRL grand final and also filling the role for the Kiwis in their title-winning performances in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and the 2010 Four Nations.
Taking over from him was the fleet-footed Kevin Locke, whose 89 appearances for the Vodafone Warriors were split between the wing and fullback. When he was at his best the diminutive Locke could light it up as well as any fullback.
Completing the list of principal contenders is the current custodian Sam Tomkins, who has brought silky skills to the position. He’s not only a try-scorer but also the creator of many more as he has shown with his ability to link up as an extra playmaker.
It's now over to you.
VOTE | 20TH ANNIVERSARY FULLBACK
