Remembering a couple of rugby league speed demons
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The saying goes that you can’t coach speed and that’s probably true. But raw speed alone isn’t enough to hold a place in first grade.
There’s nothing better than watching some of the modern games speed men tearing down the field, leaving opposition defenders in their wake, and the game has been blessed with fast and talented players since day one.
When I started watching the game in the mid ’60s, nearly every team had their marquis speed men, ready to bring the crowd to their feet and scorch down the sideline when the ball came their way. In those days, these flyers invariably played on the wing, although at times speed merchants like Reg Gasnier found themselves playing in the centres.