Good thread this, I like how these kinds of topics shed light that often an on-field personality isn't really anything like the player in real life. E.g. I think Mick Ennis is a top quality grub, but I've been told he's a really nice bloke off the field.
I've met a few players over the years, they are normally all nice blokes. I suppose playing a team sport, it would lend towards being a better player if you aren't a complete knob.
When I was younger I had a chat to Junior Pearce, made my day; my Dad also speaks highly of him from recent years with his professional speaking. Met Blocker and Sirro at the trots, also Frogs Eyes Russell Gartner in the late 80s. They were really nice to me as a young fellow and also my uncle, who was a mad-keen Tigers supporter and had a disability.
Recently had a chat with Timmy Brasher, ironically at a Souths members game vs Tigers, Bunnies brought him along. Nice guy, couldn't help but ask about the infamous offer withdrawal from Balmain before he left.
Best ever for me though was Marty Masella. When I was about 14 I stayed too late with my cousin at one Balmain training, big Marty let me use the club phone to call my folks and then he dropped me home once training was finished. Let me hold the tackle bags and all whilst he finished up. I was stoked at the time, got so many signatures on my Tigers footy.
Echoing ink, a mate of mine met Buckets on a night out; a few of the Tigers boys were out at the Orient. He said all the others wanted to do was smash drinks and hit on chicks, but he struck up a convo with Buckets and said he was a really nice and interesting bloke. My mate isn't even a Tigers supporter.
Another mate also said Tim Sheens is a rugby league encyclopedia; the hard part is not striking up a convo with Tim, but rather getting away from him once he's bent your ear for 20 mins.
And slightly off topic, but had a nice chat with Big Red's Dad at the start of the year, really nice bloke. Also only about 5'5" surprisingly.
