A huge part of that was the super league war. It tore the game part, and a lot of the anti-broncos sentiment was give a focus with short life of the crushers. Crowds were split between the two.
Despite that, the players were truly playing magnificent football and it continued after a short hiatus in 1999 into 2000 when those big forwards were the impetus. By that stage age was catching up with a lot of our backs. So it was in decline even then.
There were a lot players that were integral to all our premiership teams that few people recall today in "best of" lists. Players like matterson, mark hohn (much underrated prop), like severe, berrigan.
They just seemed to fit a whole we had at the time and kept showing up.
We seem to think we can fill sides with superstars and potentials, but every side needs a smattering of honest toylers to complement the lockers, lancers and milf's.
I see that in the likes of glenn, turpin and even lodge. They won't win a game on their own but without them you soon find a whole in your side that's not easy to fill.
I liked oppacic for that reason as well, but understood the reasons for him going. I farnsworth is another in that mold, and he looks the kind of player that will settle in whatever role you throw him into.
