Blast from the Past Top 20 (#6 & #5)

[mattstormy]

6. Willie Leyshon (2002) (22 games, 6 tries, 1 goal) – Former North Sydney/Northern Eagles lock was probably the only good recruit Muppet Murray made for 2002. Unfortunately, he ‘retired’ at the end of the ’02 due to injury, only to change his mind and join Parramatta in 2003 (where he would only play 2 games for the Eels before disappearing from the NRL).

5. John Carlaw (1998) (24 games, 6 tries) – Centre/winger Carlaw made his first grade debut for the Hunter Mariners in ’97, and when the club folded he joined the newly created Melbourne Storm in ‘98. However, he was constantly rotated between the starting line-up and the bench during his brief time at the club and left to join Balmain in their final season in ‘99. He would end up becoming a 151 game journeyman and played at a further three clubs (Wests Tigers 2000-01, Warriors 2002-03 & St. George Illawarra 2004), as well as appearing in the Warriors’ 2002 Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters.

[Mattpoet]

Always preferred Perenara to Leyshon

[mattstormy]

Leyshon actually turned out to be a very good buy for the club (even if it was during Muppet's time as coach). Just annoyed that he retired due to injury, yet he signed with the Eels for 2003 (not unlike what Aaron Moule did not long after).

[Mattpoet]

always felt that moule took the easy way out because bellamy required too much hard work