NORTHERN PRIDE TEAM OF THE DECADE Hookers front and centre in greatness stakes

GREAT players are few and far between but they all seem to have played hooker in the short history of the Northern Pride.

Jason Roos is arguably the greatest player to wear the No.9 jersey at the club, but few could scarcely imagine Ryan Ghietti would step up to maintain, or perhaps even lift, the quality of those around him.

Halfback contender Sam Obst often filled in at hooker too and all three have been some of the most loyal servants, on and off the field, throughout the history of the club.

Former Northern Pride chairman and Team of the Decade selector Bob Fowler said it was a tough task weighing up the value of the retired greats against those in more recent memory.

“That has been a difficult task, taking into account the earlier players and the modern players,” he said.

“It’s probably one of the hardest (position) of all of them when you have to pick players in contention.

“Roosy was there on day one and performed well all throughout his time at the club and achieved it all. But Ghietti has played everywhere, in three or four positions, and played them all well.”

Fowler said it meant a lot to the club to still have both involved. Both have appeared on the field this year running the water.

“They’ve both been involved in some form since they’ve given it away. Obsty’s in a more hands-on role helping out with the coaching and Roosy with the Old Boys,” he said

The hooker of the decade will be revealed at the club’s 10th anniversary gala dinner on June 30.

Next week we start looking at the engine room of the Pride over the past 10 years.