THE Canterbury Bulldogs are fielding the biggest pack of forwards in rugby league history as they steamroll towards next month's finals.
The average weight of the pack is almost 110kg, an amazing 20kg per man heavier than the St George packs of the 1950s and '60s that won 11 straight premierships.
In typical Des Hasler style, the Bulldogs coach is desperately trying to underplay the monster weight advantage, banning The Sunday Telegraphfrom taking a group photo of his mean machine.
The Dogs' tactics have become obvious in recent weeks, using Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard and Greg Eastwood to crush smaller opponents.
The evolution of rugby league forwards has seen front-rowers grow from the likes of Dragons front-rower Kevin Ryan, who was the toughest man of his era, playing at just 90kg.
That's an unbelievable 48kg lighter than Slammin' Sam Kasiano.
League's greatest forward Johnny Raper, who played at 87kg, says in his day it was never about body weight.
"It was the size of your heart that counted," Raper said. "We used to say the bigger they are the harder they fall. It's a great frustration of mine they don't tackle low anymore. It's still the best way to stop a big man in his tracks."
Obviously today's more professional training methods and the influx of Polynesian players has contributed to the size difference.
"We worked full-time and then trained for three hours maximum each week," Raper said. "These guys now are full-time pros."
Even a decade later, when the Roosters thumped St George 38-0 in the 1975 grand final, the Eastern Suburbs pack wasn't much bigger. Arthur Beetson was considered a giant at 105kg, but the average weight of the pack was still only 93kg.
The big boppers have come into play more in the modern era as coaches take advantage of the interchange bench to rest giants as soon they run out of puff.
Like the Bulldogs, Souths are relying on a monster pack to lead the charge to their first premiership since 1971. The Burgess brothers - Sam, George and Tom - provide size and strength few opponents can match. George recently created NRL history by making more tackle busts in a game than any other player, using size, force and brute strength to thump the Titans.
Gorden Tallis was one of the most feared forwards in the game's history. He played at 105kg but says size can work both ways.
"Size obviously helps when you've got the football and you get a roll on. Big men are hard to stop close to the line off flat passes. At the same time they aren't as mobile."
Former Raiders, Broncos and Storm front-rower Glenn Lazarus (110kg) was a Tallis favourite.
"What's important is the quality of minutes with big blokes," Tallis said. "That's what I liked about Lazzo.
"He played 80 minutes every week and rarely ran out of juice."
The average weight of the pack is almost 110kg, an amazing 20kg per man heavier than the St George packs of the 1950s and '60s that won 11 straight premierships.
In typical Des Hasler style, the Bulldogs coach is desperately trying to underplay the monster weight advantage, banning The Sunday Telegraphfrom taking a group photo of his mean machine.
The Dogs' tactics have become obvious in recent weeks, using Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard and Greg Eastwood to crush smaller opponents.
The evolution of rugby league forwards has seen front-rowers grow from the likes of Dragons front-rower Kevin Ryan, who was the toughest man of his era, playing at just 90kg.
That's an unbelievable 48kg lighter than Slammin' Sam Kasiano.
League's greatest forward Johnny Raper, who played at 87kg, says in his day it was never about body weight.
"It was the size of your heart that counted," Raper said. "We used to say the bigger they are the harder they fall. It's a great frustration of mine they don't tackle low anymore. It's still the best way to stop a big man in his tracks."
Obviously today's more professional training methods and the influx of Polynesian players has contributed to the size difference.
"We worked full-time and then trained for three hours maximum each week," Raper said. "These guys now are full-time pros."
Even a decade later, when the Roosters thumped St George 38-0 in the 1975 grand final, the Eastern Suburbs pack wasn't much bigger. Arthur Beetson was considered a giant at 105kg, but the average weight of the pack was still only 93kg.
The big boppers have come into play more in the modern era as coaches take advantage of the interchange bench to rest giants as soon they run out of puff.
Like the Bulldogs, Souths are relying on a monster pack to lead the charge to their first premiership since 1971. The Burgess brothers - Sam, George and Tom - provide size and strength few opponents can match. George recently created NRL history by making more tackle busts in a game than any other player, using size, force and brute strength to thump the Titans.
Gorden Tallis was one of the most feared forwards in the game's history. He played at 105kg but says size can work both ways.
"Size obviously helps when you've got the football and you get a roll on. Big men are hard to stop close to the line off flat passes. At the same time they aren't as mobile."
Former Raiders, Broncos and Storm front-rower Glenn Lazarus (110kg) was a Tallis favourite.
"What's important is the quality of minutes with big blokes," Tallis said. "That's what I liked about Lazzo.
"He played 80 minutes every week and rarely ran out of juice."
Keeping our average weight way up there. Seriously we do have a farking huge forward pack!
