From an outsider looking in perspective i thought these teams we're honestly really hard to separate. I picked a top 3 but still not that convinced ive got it right. Maybe it was because of the timeline criteria used, but all teams have 1 or 2 all-timers mixed in with some great to very good players.....across the board, so yeah...very hard to separate. Had to look at relative bench strength's to some positional questions to find a point of difference. For what its worth and cause im now on holiday with nothing to do my brief take on these line ups -
Gus's Wizards - obviously 1 half of your spine is the absolute elite. Really all you need to do is have solid players who know their roles (which u have) around those 2 guys and they would do the rest. Real strong centre pairing but Saifiti somewhat falls short of the standard, and while i rate all your backrowers.... perhaps doesnt match the class or strike of other line ups.
Uncivil Warriors - i think probably the best spine overall and a tough, workmanlike forward pack (u dont get much tougher than Tapine and Morley). Not too many weaknesses across the board but i dont know if i could rate Tupou and Best all time worthy yet, plus (personal opinion) ive always found Latrell a tad over rated, too inconsistent for my liking. Not sure about the chemistry of that bench either.
Warriors Strikeforce - if we're rating these players at their absolute peak then i think Webcke, Wiki, and Taumololo gives u the strongest middle third of the comp (Wayne Bennett once stated in his whole career, he's only coached 2 Warriors - Webcke and Reuben Wiki). Got a good halfback to work off them too. Personally i think if you'd put Minichello at fullback wouldve added to and given that spine a whole different look. Also hard to judge McLean (who no doubt will be a great) over someone who's done it their whole career. The balancing act u have i guess putting these squads together.
Starfords Stars - actually really like your team Wrighty. Real pace out wide (something im a sucker for) serviceable halves, and probably the best overall pack (along with Cces). My one change wouldve been to put Tonie Carroll to centre (where i always thought he played best) for Timoko. Elephant in the room is that bench tho...i mean kudos for sticking true to your guns....could be the difference tho.
Muddogz X111 - the hypothetical pairing of Cleary and prime
SJ is a mouth watering prospect and something we Warrior fans wondered "what if" for years. While Fonua Blake and Petro for bookends give this team immediate validity. Pair of tanks on the wings and a hooker who had the misfortune to be around the same time as the GOAT but "2nd best' to him is better than most others. Bit light in the 2nd row for mine (altho Nikora's a fave) and on the fence over Papz (
Boyd might of been the option there) solid bench.
The Territorial Monsters - strong across the board not many weaknesses. Probably most balanced side with equal strongest pack. Not sure wether this team struggles from not having an all timer in the halves? (that said Reynolds has won how many comps?). Bench make up i would question. Juju's not one that immediately springs to mind when thinking bench impact, i wouldve swapped him and Kennedy. And Sorenson i just think is too Penrith centric and struggles out of that structure.
Apex Predators - best team name. Best balanced backrow of the comp. One of the better centre pairings. And DCE and Benji is a combination not to be underestimated, right up there imo. On face value tho Ponga on the bench looks surplus (having both him and Dearden there throws the balance out of whack imo). I think if his money had been spent on another alpha prop of high standing in place of Fitzgibbon (who i always remember as a high workrate 2nd rower) then i think your team becomes the real deal.
Norther Rynos - many will probably question Menzies at centre....but not me. He was probably faster than most of them, and his ability and vision to run into space was next level. That said Menzies to 12 and Gallen to 13 and the standing of your forward pack increases. In the timeframe criteria their have been 2 GOATs - Cam Smith and Andrew Johns, great work getting 1 of them.
Just a dudes opinion folks who gets things wrong all the time so dont read too much into it (just as well the votings still open cause ill probably go back and re-evalute several times - thats how close all these line ups are). Actually rate all the players u guys have picked and understand the salary cap constraints play a big part.
Great job tho gentleman. The fine League IQ of this forum is evident here