To celebrate Men of League Heritage Round this week we asked the current crop of NRL stars to nominate their favourite legend of their club.
Tim Mannah (Eels) – Nathan Cayless
"I'm a bit young for the guys from the 1980s but I've got a lot of respect for them and I see them around the club. Mick Cronin's a hero of ours but I kind of came through the age that had a lot of, to be honest the Caylesses and Hindmarshes. That was when I was young so for me to be able to play alongside them was a real buzz for me."
Alex Glenn (Broncos) – Steve Renouf
"With our club we get to see a lot of ex-players. We've got Michael Hancock and Alfie (Allan Langer) and Kevvie Walters who still work for the club and I enjoy spending time with all of them. Gordie is here as well but the 'Pearl' (Steve Renouf) would have to be one of my favourites. The Pearl was one of my idols growing up. I was a halfback/centre back in the day and when I was growing up, the speed that the Pearl showed, he was one of my idols. To get to see him and have a little convo with him at barbecues and that is still surreal to me.
Simon Mannering (Warriors) – Stacey Jones
"Coming through I was pretty lucky to play with Stacey Jones, in what was initially his last year at the club. It was cool. He was an unreal player, a real legend of the game and the club. It was special playing with him for sure, it was a cool experience and to be able to say that you played alongside him, not just for the Warriors but also the Kiwis, was pretty cool."
Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) – Bob McCarthy
"Definitely Bobby McCarthy and Eric Simms. I didn't get to watch them growing up but from what I've heard about them they're two great blokes not only on the field but off the field as well. They pop in every now and then around training, it's good to see their faces, they're full of stories and full of good times. There's such an aura around them when they do turn up to the place; it's humbling being around them. A modern day hero for me is Nathan Merritt as well. I was lucky enough to play alongside him and get a few games with him."
Jason Nightingale (Dragons) – Norm Provan
"From the legends I've met over the years it would have to be Norm Provan. Obviously I didn't see him play but he's very impressive with some of his stats, his highlights and just the fact he was the leader of the club which I think is pretty awesome. From the modern day players, and I was lucky enough to play with them too, I'd go with 'Gaz' (Mark Gasnier) and 'Coops' (Matt Cooper). I looked up to them even before I started so they were people I was able to spend a bit of time with, grow with and learn from so they're the ones I respect the most, especially having the opportunity of knowing them."
Matt Scott (Cowboys) – Matthew Bowen
"I'd have to say Matty Bowen. I've played a lot of footy with 'Mango' and particularly where he came from, being a local talent. Watching some of his highlights is ridiculous."
Raymond Faiatala-Mariner (Warriors) – Ali Lauitiiti
"When I was younger I used to like watching Ali Lauitiiti; he was my favourite Warrior legend. I thought he was like a Michael Jordan of league; he was creating something out of nothing on that left edge. I liked how he just backed himself and wasn't afraid to try something new."
