Les Cubitt

In the opinion of those who saw him play in his heyday, Les Cubitt was a centre three-quarter who ranked with the very best of any period in the game's history.

In a career that began with the famous Glebe ''Dirty Reds'' in 1911, the suspension of international matches during World War I curtailed what would have been a far greater record for the fleet-footed Sydney man.

A nippy and tricky runner, Cubitt benefited immensely by playing alongside Dally Messenger at Easts in 1913.

As he matured, he showed a mind that was always ready to pounce on an opportunity to make a break for the line or to position and pass the ball out to his winger.

At the start of the 1914 season, the great journalist Claude Corbett described Cubitt as 'the brainiest footballer the League has had'.

Once the War was over Cubitt claimed the mantle as the nation's best centre, playing in all four Tests against New Zealand in 1919 (Australia winning the series 3–1).

Having scored seven tries in his first five games on that tour, in the final three he was practically unstoppable, crossing for an astonishing 17 tries.

Cubitt was appointed as captain of the 1921–22 Kangaroos.

However, barely days after the team disembarked from the boat, Cubitt went down in a trial match after sustaining a serious knee injury. Though he eventually played four matches on the tour, his career was effectively brought to an untimely end.