Intrust Super Cup 25-year team: Best halfback?

Author: Colleen Edwards
Timestamp: Tue 28 Apr 2020, 05:30 AM

A good halfback requires plenty of skills. Not only do they need ability with the ball in hand, they also need to read the game, make quick decisions under pressure and organise their team's play.

During 25 years of the competition, there have been a number of players who have stood out in this position with their organisational skills, their vision and their ability to stay ahead of the play.

To acknowledge the Intrust Super Cup reaching a milestone 25 years and to highlight some of the amazing talent the competition has helped foster and unearth, fans are being encouraged to vote on a 25-year team.

This team is not an official team, but rather, a chance for fans to have their say on who they think has lit up the competition during its 25 years.

Members of the Queensland Rugby League staff have helped select a shortlist of players for each position.

The criteria for selection:

Players to have played at least two seasons, ideally 50 games
The ‘game impact’ of players has been taken into account, with players who have made key contributions to winning results
Entertainment value – when they play, does it help bring fans through the gates?

The next position to select for the fan-picked 25-year team is halfback.

Intrust Super Cup 25-year team halfback nominees

1. Shane Perry

In Shane Perry's 218-Cup game career, he experienced plenty of success, including earning multiple selections in the Queensland City and Queensland Residents teams. He was player of the year early in his career when with Logan Scorpions and although he also played with Brothers and Norths Devils, he found the most success with Redcliffe Dolphins, winning back-to-back premierships in 2002 and 2003. This was a sign of things to come as he was part of the 2006 Brisbane Broncos premiership-winning team. Perry, who also captained Redcliffe, crossed for 60 tries for the Dolphins and remains in the top five try scorers for the club.

Shane Perry in action. Photo: Redcliffe Dolphins

2. Chris Sheppard

Captain of Northern Pride when they claimed their first premiership in 2010, Chris Sheppard was in fine form in what was to be his final match, winning the Duncan Hall Medal after helping set up four of his side’s five tries. It was a satisfying way to bow out from the competition after losing the decider against Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles the year before. Described as his then coach Dave Maiden as a "lynch-pin for his side and a player he learned plenty from", 'Shepp' was all about North Queensland, having also played Cup with Cairns and North Queensland Young Guns.

3. Todd Murphy

A somewhat quiet achiever, it could be argued you are more likely to notice the qualities Todd Murphy brings to a team when he’s not there to provide control and direction on the field. Murphy is a clever player maker with an equally clever kicking game who also has an ability to turn four points into six with his goal kicking prowess. The Kawana Dolphins junior posted 270 regular season points last year, the most for the season. Having previously spent time with Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins, Murphy found a new lease of life at the Falcons last season, being named halfback in the Team of the Year.

4. Ricky Bird

Described as a classic half, Ipswich Jets fan favourite Ricky Bird was a wily general who had all the skills. He would drift across the field, picking up runners to drop under him, or if everyone sat back watching, he’d go through himself. Originally from Cherbourg, Bird made a name for himself with the Jets where he played in 118 games and scored 64 tries, putting him in the top four for the club, as well as 23 goals and a field goal for a total of 303 points.

5. Jamal Fogarty

The most recent winner of the Petero Civoniceva Medal for player of the year in the Intrust Super Cup, Jamal Fogarty has been a standout performer in a strong Burleigh Bears team for many seasons. One of a select group of two-time premiership winners at the club, his more recent form saw him once again sign an NRL contract with the Gold Coast Titans. The Beaudesert junior, who previously played with Tweed, has amassed 857 points so far in his career, placing him in the top 10 for the competition overall.