Julian O Neil. Voted best fullback at Brisbane. In both spells the ale beat him
If he was voted greatest ever Brisbane full back, I think he fulfilled his potential...
Jules O'Neill was excellent for us, particularly in the 92-93 short spell but was still very good after we signed him from Wigan.
There are always players who flatter to deceive and one season wonders but in my time watching Widnes it has to be Keith Bentley
He was just so good, fast , elusive and could step off both feet
He could have achieved so much had he cared instead of going out and getting shitted most nights, instead his career petered out at Salford at the same time as we started playing the type of rugby that would have made him a star
Because I can only rely on my short time memory, it has to be Adam Lawton and Rangi Chase. Obviously they were at very different stages in their careers - but both chose to delve into off-field activities that wasted their undoubted potential.
Craigie didnt reach any kind of level at Widnes, but you do know he was an NRL Grand Final winner right?
Could have done (and won) a lot more in his career obviously, but when you think how many 'great' players there have been that didnt win a thing, never mind arguably the biggest club prize in the game, i dont think he will complain too loudly. In fact, he often said he wished he'd concentrated on his family and private life more rather than constantly battling weight / injury issues for all those years.
What is really sad is the trouble he's had with the law in recent years.
If he was voted greatest ever Brisbane full back, I think he fulfilled his potential… Jules O’Neill was excellent for us, particularly in the 92-93 short spell but was still very good after we signed him from Wigan.
Agree. Thought there were times in his second spell when he was carrying the team.
Not a wasted talent as he has a good job overseas I believe, but for me Danny Hulme looked like a player with a lot of potential when he broke onto the scene at Widnes.
Another great decision by Denis to give Shaun Briscoe the gig instead. In fact, Shaun Briscoe didn't fulfil his 'potential' with us did he? Hardly his fault, I know, but he was known to be crocked well before he got here.
Anthony Watts, Rangi Chase, Kato Ottio.
For me all of them failed to reach their potential for us as a club at times when the potential was not just in their own personal game, but for what they could have spurred the team on to achieve. Three very different reasons, but for each of them I feel the value of the difference between the impact they could have made and the reality of them not featuring was a huge deficit to our team and ultimately the club.
GELLING
Paulie xx
Anthony Watts, Rangi Chase, Kato Ottio. For me all of them failed to reach their potential for us as a club at times when the potential was not just in their own personal game, but for what they could have spurred the team on to achieve. Three very different reasons, but for each of them I feel the value of the difference between the impact they could have made and the reality of them not featuring was a huge deficit to our team and ultimately the club.
You cant lump Ottio in with this lot
<p style="text-align: right;">I'm guessing you mean he would have had a big impact had he ever got the chance to play for us</p>
GELLING
At 29 years of age ? He was a good player in his day but the word potential usually applies to younger players with their whole career ahead.
I'm reading this thread as people who didn't fulfill their potential at Widnes.
I thought Alex Brown had something and I remember the try against Keighley. He went the full length and always had a great step and speed. Adam Lawton just did not have the aggression or determination, but had talent.
I thought Alex Brown had something and I remember the try against Keighley. He went the full length and always had a great step and speed. Adam Lawton just did not have the aggression or determination, but had talent.
Alex Brown is an interesting pick. Similar age group to Lawton, both were touted for years as ones to watch when they were both juniors. Had pace, power and knack of scoring tries but seemed to have just disappeared after a few impressive first team games. I know he went to Australia but what where the circumstances?