Re: Hampshire : Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:06 pm  

wotsupcas wrote:

I don't know how old you are avenger but I am of an age that was lucky enough to watch toppo throughout his career. IMHO he was definitely the best stand off of his generation. Every away ground we went to wanted to know if he was playing they were petrified of him. The only season I can remember not being consistently great was the year after he went to Australia. The lad had everything and he was lightening over 30 yards.

I agree 100%, wotsup. The natural successor to his mentor Harold Poynton. I've not seen a SO like him since. Our loss was very much Hull's gain; even in Toppo's advancing years. Rocky, whilst a very able stand off, not in the same league as Toppliss

Re: Hampshire : Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:23 pm  

I was lucky enough to see both Poynton and Toppo play. Toppo's speed and acceleration was amazing.

Re: Hampshire : Tue Jun 04, 2019 7:21 pm  

Think this thread has been de railed some what. The talk of Alex walker next year coming to trin is a good option if Ryan thinks he's worth a bit more than wakey are prepared to pay

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:55 am  

If Ryans signed already and the club will announce at some time all well and good. If however hes on his way out and found a club to offer him a regular spot good luck. Its not just a matter of going to another club it playing reg in a set position . Im not sure any SL club can offer him that.
The club must know his intentions and if hes refused to sign for what ever reason replace him in the squad. We have cover at FB with B R and BJB .

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:21 am  

As I said earlier, a lot of rose tinted memories of Toppo, I watched him throughout his career as many of you say you did. I’m not in any way saying he wasn’t a very good player because he was but Trinity fans often go over the top about his ability.

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 5:55 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

As I said earlier, a lot of rose tinted memories of Toppo, I watched him throughout his career as many of you say you did. I’m not in any way saying he wasn’t a very good player because he was but Trinity fans often go over the top about his ability.

Totally disagree that he was just "a very good player". IMO he was world class but we are all entitled to our own view

[PopTart]

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 5:56 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

As I said earlier, a lot of rose tinted memories of Toppo, I watched him throughout his career as many of you say you did. I’m not in any way saying he wasn’t a very good player because he was but Trinity fans often go over the top about his ability.

You are on your own Avenger.

I accept he's not the greatest ever, but he's so much better than most of the ones you name you must be trying to make some point I don't understand.

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 6:38 pm  

Let's put it this way - if Hampshire was Toppo I would be absolutely gutted that he hadn't re-signed by now. If Hampshire doesn't I will be disappointed.

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:22 pm  

I saw Poynton play & Topliss, players the calibre of these two were born with natural ability, they also learns d & honed their skills to reach their peak as a complete player. Poynton was lucky he played with more/better players
Around him. What people forget is that poynton put a lot of time into topless to make him a better player.
Now then, follies wanted to go to Aus, so he went at the end of the englis h season, played in the Aus season & came back 4 games into our winter season. Both Aussie teams he played for wanted to keep him & made offers pre 1979 ! He stayed loyal to Wakefield & his promise to return each time ! The then Aussie press & NRL. Could not understand this, in his seasons their which is well documented, they said he played the best 5-8ths seen in Australia his handling skills, speed & creativity was not available in other Aussie players at that time !! All facts, I do accept Avengers opinion but it is not factual but then that's why we have a forum.
Watch the Hull CC replay & see his scrum scissors move which he scored against reg Bowden & Eric Hughes he totally fooled them until it was too late & by that age/time he was slowing up ! This was toppo at his best.
When he did retire, Hull struggled, used Fred Achoi but he could not do what Toppo could, knocker Norton & the club owner + coach said they never replaced Topliss with a like player, the problem is at that time they couldn't get one/ the same quality, they don't grow on trees !

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:50 pm  

wotsupcas wrote:

Totally disagree that he was just "a very good player". IMO he was world class but we are all entitled to our own view

Anyone would think I’d said he was a terrible player
IMO he wasn’t World Class, his only International recognition came as a late call up and after the 1982 Kangaroos had rubbished everyone else in the first 2 Tests. Had he been World Class he’d have been a regular International player for a long period of time.

PopTart wrote:

You are on your own Avenger.

I accept he's not the greatest ever, but he's so much better than most of the ones you name you must be trying to make some point I don't understand.

Well, I may be on her but I’m certainly not on my own as. Trinity supporter, remembering that this forum is a tiny percentage of the actual fan base, there are plenty that rate Topliss but don’t go over the top.

His guest appearances in the ARLs Winfield Cup came at a time when many British players went to Aus and did well. The Ausie game hadn’t evolved at that time and British players were as goos as most they had out there