Intrust Super Cup 25-year team: Best utility?

Players with utility good value are a vital inclusion for any team, with their versatility a great asset their side's can capitalise on during a game.

During 25 years of the competition, there have been a number of players who have stood out in this role, filling in for multiple and varied positions on the field as required by their teams. 

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.

Players like Greg Inglis (fullback / centre) and Cameron Munster (fullback / five-eighth) - while superstars of the game - did not play in enough games to feature in the considerations and also have made their biggest impact outside of Cup. 

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 final position to select for the fan-picked 25-year team is utility.

Intrust Super Cup 25-year team utility nominees

1. Phil Dennis

The ever-green Phil Dennis debuted in the then Queensland Cup in 2003 with Wests Panthers and this year had signed on to play with Ipswich Jets for season 2020 of the Cup. The holder of the record for most games ever played in the competition with 282, Dennis became a key part of the Souths Logan Magpies club, where he won a premiership in 2008. Able to play in the halves and in the forward pack, Dennis was praised by former coach Josh Hannay as being skilful with the footy and an outstanding front-on defender. A former Queensland Residents representative, Dennis also play with Easts Tigers for two seasons, and was selected on the bench in the QRL's 20-year Anniversary Team.

2. Jake Granville

Mop-haired fan favourite Jake Granville made a huge contribution in a successful period on the field for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls club. His coach Paul Green, who later signed him up to join him at North Queensland Cowboys, famously deployed Granville as a hooker in attack and fullback in defence during his time at the bayside. The Yeppoon Seagulls junior was a key cog in Wynnum Manly's back-to-back premiership wins, named at hooker in 2012 and fullback in 2011, when he won the Duncan Hall Medal as player of the grand final. That year, Granville was also named QANTAS Player of the Year, an award which was voted on by opposition coaches.

3. Wade Liddell

Wade Liddell notched up 212 games in his 12-year Queensland / Intrust Super Cup career, putting him just outside the top 10 for the competition overall. A versatile back, the former Logan Brothers and Easts Springwood junior featured all along the backline for both Souths Logan Magpies and Easts Tigers, in a career which began with his debut in 2000, although fullback would be considered his main position. The Scotland international representative was known as an ultimate utility and competitor; and while a premiership title eluded him, he played in one of the special grand finals in Cup history, with his Tigers side going down to Burleigh in the epic extra time grand final on 2004. 

4. Rod Griffin 

Bench weapon Rod Griffin, much like fellow nominee Phil Dennis, has been a mainstay of the competition for a number of years, making his debut with Wynnum Manly in 2005 before travelling state to play with Northern Pride (twice), Tweed Seagulls, Ipswich Jets and Townsville Blackhawks. Primarily a prop in his earlier days, the PNG Kumuls forward also plays in the second row and at lock. A former Queensland Residents representative, in 2015 Griffin became the first player in Cup history to take part in grand finals for three different clubs; featuring in back-to-back deciders for the Pride in 2009 (loss to Sunshine Coast) and 2010 (win over Norths Devils); and for Tweed Heads in 2011 where they lost against a Jake Granville inspired Wynnum Manly. Griffin however claimed his second title in 2015 with Ipswich, and went on to score a try in the victory on the national stage against Newcastle Knights.

5. John Te Reo

Another favourite son at Wynnum Manly Seagulls, John Te Reo played 168 of his 203 Queensland / Intrust Super Cup games with the club. Debuting in the competition with Toowoomba Clydesdales, Te Reo featured in their grand final loss against Redcliffe Dolphins in 2006, and also suited up for Aspley Broncos during his career. Primarily a hooker, the Wainuiomata junior could also play lock, second row and centre. A tough defender who didn't mind putting on a few big hits, Te Reo also had a good ability to offload and was a strong impact player. 'John John' was part of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls premiership double in 2011-2012, playing hooker in 2011 and in the second row in 2012. 

Vote now in the poll.

Poll closes on Thursday, June 4, at 10am and results will be published later that day.

If your choice isn't listed - be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments on the Intrust Super Cup Facebook page.