Slaphead wrote:
You can only judge players by the standards and context of their time. Sam Stewart was a Kiwi international and a graet leader for us in the Copthall days.
As for the others, if I still have a clear picture of them after a quarter of a century, they must have had something going for them. John Crossley was a super little stand off with real pace who could score a try from anywhere with a sniff of a chance and a bit of space. Mike Davis, now forgotten, was an Aussie half-back who played for Fulham when they got kicked out of Craven Cottage and went to Crystal Palace. He was simply the classiest player in a very ordinary team, a beacon of light who scored a load of tries.
Can I also add Mark Johnson, a classy South African winger from the Sam Stewart/Mark Riley era and the fantastic Robbie Beazley (have we ever had a better hooker?) who could sniff out a half chance when he got anywhere near the line. We mustn't forget Terry Matterson who was still a great player when he came over towards the end of his career.
We also had a few young guys who came over from Brisbane Broncos and only played a few games for us but were like a breath of fresh air at the time and went on to be distinguished players. I am thinking in particular of Leo Dynevor, Ben Walker and Syd Domic.
One last name - Tulsen Tollett - who was a real quality player before he went to Quins RU, but never quite the same when he came back.
Some great names here. I've never forgotten Mike Davis, as he was the first real livewaire scrum half I can recall us having. On a less positive point, it's interesting that you bracket him with John Crossley; Crossley was the one who was first to jump ship when the original Fulham club went belly up, while Davis was the one player who didn't take part in the play for free match when the second incarnation of Fulham was going down the pan. At least we got revenge on Crossley when he came back with Fev!
As for ex-Brisbane players, honourable mentions for Terry Matterson and "Bad Boy" Julian O'Neill.
