St Greg’s Team of the Decade 1991-2000
Author : St Gregory's First XIII - Rugby League
St Greg’s Team of the Decade 1991-2000
This was a very successful decade at the College with 3 Schoolboy Cup wins (1991,1993 and 2000 Nutri-Grain Cup).
We also took home 3 MCS titles during this period and multiple other knock-out competitions.
At the helm of the side for the early 90’s was the one and only Peter Mulholland who still to this day is the most successful schoolboy rugby league coach in history (involved in 8 wins) and that is a record that will likely never be beaten.
His assistant during this time then took the reigns and Simon Huntley was head coach from 1994-2001 which made selection a little easier.
Thankfully we managed to speak to Peter before his passing about all things rugby league at St Greg’s..
So to the side!
And what a side it is.
Featuring 11 Australian Schoolboys and 16 players who had careers in the NRL! As photographs were scarce from this period we went with the old school team photo and some photoshopping!
Wearing the number 1 jersey is Matt Seers. Matt was electric on the field and could play anywhere in the backline.
He made the Australian Schoolboys team In 92 and played wing, centre and five-eighth but fullback became his home when he made his first grade debut for the Bears a year after he left school.
He went on to play 199 games for Norths, Wests and Wakefield, and was selected in the NSW Origin teams between 95-97.
Also highly rated here was Andrew Sanderson (1991) who was a terrific fullback.
He was difficult to bring down when returning the ball, and had excellent speed, he makes the extended bench.
John Deery (1993), was also another excellent fullback who takes one place on the wing in the side.
John was safe under the highball, a strong runner of the ball, incredibly fit and hit hard.
He also made an NRL debut and played games for the Dragons and Roosters. On the other wing is another Australian Schoolboy, Russell Richardson.
Russel could play wing, centre and fullback and had excellent speed and evasive skills.
Russell also became a world class centre playing 120 games for the Sharks, South’s and Knights and was selected for the Australian side in 1997 and 1999.
Honourable mentions go to Matthew Primmer (2000) who had an exceptional cup winning season on the wing that year, and makes the extended squad.
In the centres we have another pair of Australian Schoolboys
Blake Reavell (1997) who played three Seasons in the First XIII and had lightning speed, he was hard hitting in defence and scored countless tries in the sky blue and maroon.
His partner is Tim Horan (1991) who could play in the centres or at number six, he had an excellent kicking game and if there was a hole in the defensive line he would find it.
Tim also played 49 games for the Bunnies, Western Reds and Steelers.
At 7 is Kris Flint, who had a very memorable 1993 season (winning the Peter Sterling Medal in the final after being sent off!).
He was a terrific playmaker with fast acceleration and excellent vision, and when you see his highlights reel you will see plenty of this. Kris also snuck a few games in with the Panthers.
Also worth mentioning is Riley Mullins (2000) who was also a Peter Sterling medalist in the Cup final that year.
Riley was tough, crafty and had an excellent kicking game and was certainly in the debate for the 7.
Another half who was exceptional in the skyblue and maroon was Kain Cross (1991) who was zippy around the ruck, a smart footballer who never took a backward step. He takes a spot on the extended bench.
Wearing the 6 jersey is yet another Australian Schoolboy, Trent Barrett.
Trent played in the centres and at six in the first grade squads he played in and was outstanding in either position.
He was as fit as anyone could be and by all reports a beast in the gym, but on the field he was difficult to defend against, hard running and had excellent skills with ball in hand.
Post school Trent had an outstanding NRL career playing 295 games for the Steelers, Dragons, Wigan and Cronulla.
He also played 11 State of Origins for NSW and 15 matches in the green and gold for Australia.
Trent got the nod over Damien Chapman (1991, also an Australian Schoolboy) who had terrific 1990/91 seasons and was player of the year in 1991.
Damien was a skilful half, setting up and scoring tries, had great speed and kicked goals from everywhere.
He is another who went into the NRL playing 42 games for the Dragons, Western Reds and London Broncos and takes a place on the bench in the side.
Finally worth mentioning is Dallas Gonzo who played two seasons in the First XIII in the centres and at five-eighth in the Cup winning 93 side. Dallas was a terrific footballer, an excellent defender and hard running 6.
He takes a spot in the extended squad also.
At hooker the selectors were unanimous, Simon Bonetti (1994).
Tough as nails and a fearless defender, Simon went onto play six seasons with the Roosters clocking up 142 appearances in a terrific career which finished with a Premiership in 2002.
Simon took the starting spot but another exceptionally good defender and hooker was Robbie Mears (1992) who was certainly discussed at the selection table.
He was also an Australian Schoolboy, played well above his weight and was always involved on the field.
Up front is Michael Francis (1992) and Peter Cusack (1994) with Daniel Heckenberg (1997) taking a spot on the bench.
Mick was one of St Greg’s hardest hitting forwards, and we have featured him before on this page.
Mick was another Australian Schoolboy and renowned for his hard running and exceptional defence, playing well above his playing weight.
Mick played a number of seasons with South’s (playing 56 games) and a couple for London Broncos before retirement.
Peter Cusack had a terrific 94 season always putting his hand up for the hard runs and another hard hitter in defence.
Peter used his size to his advantage and always got the team moving forward.
He had an excellent NRL career playing 95 games for the Roosters, 73 for the Bunnies and another 62 for Hull. He was also selected for NSW Country on two occasions.
Off the bench is Daniel Heckenberg who also used his size to his advantage.
He ran hard and with confidence and defensive lines often buckled trying to take him down.
Daniel was another to have a successful NRL career playing 78 games for St George, Parramatta and the Sea Eagles before another 84 games in the English Super League.
These three got the nod over Kelvin Bramley (1994) and Nathan Boller (1991) who were also highly rated prop forwards.
Kelvin was Peter’s front row partner in 94 and was equally as important to the side.
He takes a spot on the extended bench.
In the backrow are another pair of Australian Schoolboys, and 1993 teammates being Wayne Evans and Peter Driscoll.
Wayne was a dangerous forward who could also play in the centres (where he did play at times), he had speed and size which made him very difficult to handle for opposing sides.
Wayne had an outstanding 93 season and post school played 90 games for the Western Reds, Melbourne Storm and Northern Eagles and finished his career at the London Broncos.
Peter was known as a gentle giant, not many ran with the ball harder and he always put his body on the line in defence.
He could also play in the front row where he played for South’s, notching up 37 games over three seasons.
Also in discussion was Michael Ostini who was a leader on the field and played his heart out every game, he makes the extended squad and features in the highlights.
Finally at lock is another fearless forward who had the skills of a half.
Michael Howell (2000) was hard, he ran hard and hit hard, but he could also kick, throw cut-out balls and led the forward pack in the 2000 Cup winning side.
He bled blue and maroon and his teammates loved playing with him. Michael also made his NRL debut for the Dragons were he made 15 appearances over two seasons.
What a side and what a decade!
2022 St. Greg’s Peter Mulholland schoolboy Cup team photo (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
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