Top 50 Super League players (3-5)

Players three to five on my top 50 Super League players list, starting with the man mountain himself, known simply as The Volcano.

3. LESLEY VAINIKOLO: My first mistake with Big Les was to go to shake his hand on meeting him the first time. My hand was throbbing for a week afterwards. His grip was like that on the ball - vice-like. Hull once tried to take the ball off him and ended up waving him through for a Super League record six tries against them in 2005. The most lethal scorer the competition has seen - 136 tries in as many league appearances. Yet 2002, his first season, was by no means memorable. He got motoring in Bradford's all conquering 2003 season and touched down 38 times during 2004. With New Zealand team-mate Shontayne Hape inside him, the pair ran riot on Bradford's left side. Super League's best box office attraction, who left to seek more fame and fortune in rugby union and hasn't quite made it. League would have him back like a shot.

4. ANDY FARRELL: Captain Fantastic, a two-times Man of Steel (1996 and 2004) and Golden Boot winner (2004) as world player of the year. Farrell's credentials are impeccable. But in a Wigan side past its great years and who have won only two trophies - Super League in 1998 and the Challenge Cup in 2002 - in the summer era, they too often resembled a one-man team. But what a man, one who captained Great Britain from the age of 21, sets the most points in a Super League career (2,228), most points in a season (388 in 2001) and was an inspirational presence for club and country. His last league season in 2004 before his move to rugby union was vintage Farrell as he moved up into the front row and collected his second Man of Steel award.

5. PAUL SCULTHORPE: His autobiography is simply titled Man of Steel - an award he collected in successive years in 2001 and 2002. Warrington were the first to spot the potential of the youngster before St Helens steamed in with a £370,000 offer to take him from Wilderspool in 1998. During the two season when he was at the height of his powers, Sculthorpe was an unstoppable force. Fend, charge, offload. He was outstanding for country and club, winning three Grand Finals and three Challenge Cup finals before the injuries started to pile up. He made a brief but inspirational comeback in Saints' World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane in 2007 but the heady days of the early part of decade seem to be long gone. Not that it will stop a truly great performer.

Find out who is number two on my all time Super League top 50 list tomorrow on the blog.

PICTURES BY ANDREW VARLEY AGENCY

Comments

[WALL.E]

It's his personal opinion. Obviously it's going to be slightly different to yours.

I'm a bit unfortunate because I'm pretty new to League, Sculthorpe I've seen a few times and read his autobiography, an extreamly good player from what I've heard. Never ever seen Farrell play. Vainikolo was great for the Bulls last season, will always remember some of the brilliant tries he scored.

[Jonny C]

Why not rate Farrell at 4. He achieved far more in the game than the over-rated McGuire could even dream about! Leeds without him - no difference, Leeds without Burrows - that's another story.

[Geoff Jones]

Danny McGuire? Not for a minute suggesting he has had the same impact on SL as the top 10 - but not in the top 50? Behind Sam Burgess ? ? ? ? ? ?

[Anon]

To rate Andy Farrell at number 4 is absurd.

Last time I shall be reading something from someone who thinks Wellens should be above Radlinski and Farrell should be below Vainikolo and god forbid what I can guess your top two will be. Peacock and Cunningham HA!