Just did a search on NRL.com. The Bulldogs and Canberra always seem to have very big forwards. Although this year they are at Polar opposites on the ladder.
Aaron Woods 194 cm 105 kg's
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 194 cm 110
David Shillington 194 cm 114
Keith Galloway 195 cm 105 kg's
Sam Kasiano 196 cm 122 kg's
Dane Tilse 200 cm 113
David Klemmer 200 cm 120
These quotes are from the DT
Even as a teenager Skelton was, you guessed it, a massive human.
“He would carry the footy and there’d always be about four or five guys hanging off him to put him down,” Macleod recalls.
“The crowd came to their feet every time he got the ball and a lot of those guys, the defenders, are now playing first grade at different clubs so he wasn’t playing against mugs.”
Skelton grew up playing league and at the age of 17 was in the S.G Ball team for Wests, with the likes of now-Tigers stars James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma and Sauaso Sue.
“He was bloody massive,” Tedesco said yesterday. “Hard to put down, for sure.”
Skelton juggled league with union.
The school rugby team was picked to represent Australia in a world schools tournament in Japan in 2010, and with Skelton one of several massive players, the 923kg forward pack posed for a photo with the Waratahs forwards. The 893kg NSW pack was dwarfed.
“We talked about Wycliff Palu, who played lower grades at St George. I used the analogy with Will, saying you have the same potential as him to kick on. But it’s not going to happen in two minutes, so you need to go somewhere to learn. Go and learn off the best.”
“I wasn’t 100 percent on either. I was on the fence. I thought I could go on and play with the Magpies, or maybe go to West Harbour, actually. My best mate was playing for them.
With hard-to-miss dimensions, Skelton’s rise was rapid. He played colts for Sydney Uni, but after missing Australian under 20 selection, played for Samoa in the Junior World Championships.
(Skelton’s little brother Cameron – who is actually bigger and also under contract with NSW – recently did the same).
A foot injury for most of 2012 delayed progress, but after trimming down puppy fat with a part-time job on a removallists truck,
The world stood up and noticed a few games later when Skelton, undaunted, played the house down against the British and Irish Lions.
McKenzie said it was the skills, and not just size, of the big lock that secured Test selection.
“I remember all the catch-pass drills we used to do … he was a bit of a natural in that stuff, which was amazing given his size,” he said. “Will had a great work ethic, and was always like a sponge.
“He was certainly well respected by those sort of guys who were in the team. They loved playing with him, and are all really happy to see him doing well.
“People involved with that SG Ball team all talk about it. A few years ago he was running around with us, and now here is about to play for Australia in rugby.”
Tedesco said he was “very proud” to hear of Skelton’s Wallabies call-up this week.
“That’s the highest honour, playing for your country,” he said. “Rugby obviously suits him and his size perfectly, so he’s made a good call there. He’s a nice guy so I’m happy for him.”
After supplying the Daily Telegraph with a Wests S.G Ball team photo this week, another text from Macleod quickly pinged through.
“Hope it keeps the big fella smiling. He is a better bloke than a footy player, and he is one great footy player.”
