An all-star fantasy Warriors team

Stacey Jones was the Warriors. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Throughout the first 500 NRL games, players have been central to the Warriors — some good, some not so good.

Here's my all-time top Warriors team.

1. Ivan Cleary
As a player, Cleary helped shape the club towards a better work ethic. Then as a coach he instigated a more professional manner in many ways ... and he was successful.

2. Manu Vatuvei
There's no question Vatuvei deserves one of these spots on the back of his try-scoring feats and profile to market the club. He has reshaped the role of a winger via trial and error, or maybe by mistake and learning from it.

3. Brent Tate
Tate is the class centre the Warriors are still looking for. Damaging in both attack and defence, Tate could turn a game in the blink of an eye.

4. David Myles
Most might plump for Clinton Toopi but he made too many mistakes. David Myles, in contrast, was a solid, no-nonsense player who was a solid defender and part of that 2002 grand final side.

5. Francis Meli
Meli was a powerful winger who knew how to finish and take some of the load off the forwards.

6. Shaun. Johnson
Different number but it won't change his game. Johnson is still growing as a half but is better than others who have filled this jersey before.

7. Stacey Jones
No one can compete with the Little General who took a couple of years to learn the role of a halfback but, once he did, there was no stopping him. He had a good, short tactical kicking game to trouble every team. He was the Warriors.

8. Steve Price
Price proved age is just a number as he dominated the forward pack a few seasons. He was a leader who knew only one way ... forward. A great example of leadership.

9. PJ Marsh
The Australian was at the club only a short time (2002-03) but instigated a style of play that reinvigorated the ruck area. He was one of the originators of the new breed of hookers who started his career from halfback.

10. Ben Matulino
Matulino stands out as the new breed of prop. He's highly skilled for a big man and has nice footwork as he showed in the recent Anzac test win over Australia.

11. Simon Mannering
The club's current captain needs a place in this team because of his work rate. His ball carries when the metres are tough and defence are also unwavering. A true 80-minute player.

12. Ali Lauitiiti
Many names could slot in here but Lauitiiti looms as the best. In truth, though, he was lost before he could develop into the full package. The English Super League made him a lazy player who didn't need to stretch himself to excel. He was a wasted and under-achieved talent.

13. Kevin Campion
The tough Australian, along with Cleary, brought a work ethic and work rate hard to match until Micheal Luck arrived. Campion displayed what it meant to put your body on the line.

Interchange

Ruben Wiki: it was hard to leave him out of the starting pack but Wiki deserves a place in this team.

Dean Bell: As the inaugural captain, he brought mana to the organisation both as a player and administrator. Competitor of the finest quality.

Jacob Lillyman: A bullock who lays a platform as a starter or injects strongly from the bench.

Stephen Kearney: Fulfilled his potential after he left the club but his reputation gets him a spot.

Only seven locals in the starting team. How much will this change in the next 500 games?