David the Cat
Moderator
- Moderator
- #151
Not worth the effort comparing players of different eras IMO, but the half back line of J Devine/P Walker/S Lord was far and away the best half back line in the competition from 1962-1964.. Devine was tough and hard ( as Ray Card was) and as vice captain made sure he looked after his teammates.
I recall Alec Epis giving John Sharrock a very hard time physically during a game at KP…Devine ran to Sharrock and sent him to half back for 10 minutes…Epis continually bumping into Devine from behind as he had to Sharrock…yapping in his ear to let him know of his intentions. It became more and more physical and the Kookaburra gave as good as he got….Eventually.. Devine ran his stops down the front of Epis's shin…and trotted back to his position….Epis was very restricted eventually replaced...and Sharrock had a good day after that….
Was Devine a sniper? I wouldn't call him that … it was a different era and the game was played differently. He took plenty, and he handed it out. What Devine did wouldn't be acceptable today, but he got a standing ovation that day.
I recall Alec Epis giving John Sharrock a very hard time physically during a game at KP…Devine ran to Sharrock and sent him to half back for 10 minutes…Epis continually bumping into Devine from behind as he had to Sharrock…yapping in his ear to let him know of his intentions. It became more and more physical and the Kookaburra gave as good as he got….Eventually.. Devine ran his stops down the front of Epis's shin…and trotted back to his position….Epis was very restricted eventually replaced...and Sharrock had a good day after that….
Was Devine a sniper? I wouldn't call him that … it was a different era and the game was played differently. He took plenty, and he handed it out. What Devine did wouldn't be acceptable today, but he got a standing ovation that day.