The Prenter Report #2

Norm “Sticks” Provan is the only member of Australia’s first ever winning World Cup team to be named in “The Team of the Century.”

The 1957 Australian team, captained by centre *** Poole, was unbeaten and in this star-studded line-up was a player dubbed “the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen.”

Brian Carlson was a controversial omission from “The Team of the Century.”

Selected members have revealed they were surprised Carlson was not named on the bench, at least.

Brian was an outstanding player who was at home either at fullback, on the wing or in the centre,” said Graeme Langlands, a member of the 17-man “Team of the Century.”

“I was a little surprised Brian Bevan made the team ahead of him.”

Carlson had natural talent. He didn’t require coaching.

On the 1959-60 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, renowned commentator Eddie Waring hailed a Carlson try in the third test as-“the greatest Test match try you’ll ever see.”

Reg Gasnier, a unanamious choice in the centres in “The Team of the Century,” had triggered the move and provided the early lustre for the Carlson try.

The late Frank Hyde, in a class of his own as a broadcaster, referred to Carlson as a “genius.”

But, so too, was the winger who got the nod ahead of Carlson-Brian Bevan.

Johnny Raper, lock forward in “The Team of the Century,” described Bevan as “freakish.”

“Brian Bevan was the most unlikely looking footballer I have ever seen,” said Raper.

“But I don’t think there has been one better, certainly not one more elusive. He left me grasping at thin air a couple of times.”

Clive Churchill, full back in “The Team of the Century,” rated Bevan as the best footballer in the world.

Carlson would have been in my Team of the Century.”

You see, I saw Carlson play, at club, State, Australian and World Cup level.

I regret not having seen Bevan play. I envy the judges of “The Team of the Century” that did.

By Geoff Prenter