Warrington Wolves team of the decade 2010-10, stand-off vote

The Wire have been blessed with some fine talent between 2010 and the present day and the hunt is on to put together the ultimate dream 13 from the past 10 seasons.

The back five is already looking strong, so now we need to some creative players to supply them with the ammunition.

With that in mind, the stand-off position is up for grabs this week and here are your options…

LEE BRIERS:

He may have been in the autumn of his career at the turn of the decade, but The Wire’s Welsh wizard still showed his breath-taking best.

Who could forget the 2010 Challenge Cup Final, for instance? The kind of virtuoso display we have become used to seeing from Briers, steering his side to back-to-back Challenge Cups and earning himself the Lance Todd Trophy in the process.

It was an accolade many felt he deserved one year previous, but finally he got his hands on the prestigious individual award.

A League Leaders’ Shield and a further Challenge Cup followed, but his glittering career was missing the crowing glory of a Super League title.

Twice he fell at the final hurdle on that score in 2012 and 2013, but his legacy remains untarnished.

By the time he hung up his boots in 2013, his record stood at 423 games, 158 tries and 958 goals in the primrose and blue shirt.

His total of 2,586 points puts him top of Warrington’s all-time list – a record one feels will struggle to be beaten.

His current role as assistant coach to Steve Price means he is overseeing the current crop’s endeavours to develop what he helped to build.

Lee Briers following his Lance Todd Trophy-winning display in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final. Picture by Mike Boden

GARETH O’BRIEN:

Seen by some as the natural successor to Briers, O’Brien certainly displayed plenty of promise with his hometown club.

Hopes were high that he would pick up Briers’ baton and run with it and while he had a good go, it would always prove a difficult task for anybody.

A highly proficient goal-kicker, O’Brien landed 78 goals and three drop goals in his 62 Wire appearances as well as crossing or 19 tries.

When he was allowed to leave for Salford Red Devils in 2016, there were plenty who felt it was a decision that could come back to bite Warrington.

O’Brien, who now plays primarily as a full-back, has just helped Toronto Wolfpack to promotion to Super League for 2020.

Gareth O'Brien in action against Widnes. Picture by Mike Boden

KURT GIDLEY:

A player of real prestige, Gidley fancied a crack at Super League to end his career and found Warrington to be a perfect match.

A team with great potential that needed an old hand to guide them around the park, the New South Wales and Australia cap was just what they needed.

His partnership with the maverick Chris Sandow looked incredibly promising in the early stages of 2016 and it perhaps should have yielded more than just a League Leaders’ Shield that year.

Wolves were leading Hull FC 10-0 in the Challenge Cup Final when he was forced off through injury, Marc Sneyd took over and the Black and Whites were left celebrating.

Grand Final success slipped through their fingers, too, and it was a shame his glittering career ended following a dour 2017 campaign.

In all, Gidley pulled on the Warrington jersey 55 times, crossing for 14 tries and kicking 116 goals in that time.

Kurt Gidley represented New South Wales and Australia before joining The Wire. Picture by Mike Boden

KEVIN BROWN:

The complete antithesis of Chris Sandow – the man he was brought in to replace – those who played with Brown speak about the consummate professional he is.

Brought in for a significant sum from neighbours Widnes Vikings, his arrival caused a stir with not all Wire fans convinced he was the man to take them forward.

A try with his first touch in a Warrington shirt in the World Club Series win over Brisbane Broncos got him off to a flier and he ended up with 18 tries in 55 appearances for the club.

Many fingers of blame point at Brown and Tyrone Roberts for The Wire’s failure to win either major final in 2018 despite reaching both.

We never got to see how his link-up with Blake Austin would flourish due to a ruptured Achilles sustained in pre-season training, meaning his final season with Warrington went without an appearance before he finished the season on loan with Leigh Centurions.

He will play on next year having signed a deal with Salford Red Devils for 2020.

Kevin Brown. Picture by Mike Boden

BLAKE AUSTIN:

A late entry into the poll but such has been his impact this year, Austin has to be in there.

Now he has had a year to get used to Super League, how good could he be in 2020? Only time will tell.

Excitement reached fever pitch when Austin’s signing from Canberra Raiders was confirmed – a top NRL talent coming to Warrington at the peak of his powers.

His 30 appearances in 2019 yielded 19 tries. At times he looked truly unstoppable.

The back end of his season was plagued by injuries, including the ankle complaint that kept him out of the victorious trip to Wembley, but fans are desperate to see a fully fit and firing Austin partner incoming signing Gareth Widdop next year.

Blake Austin celebrates his memorable Magic Weekend try against Wigan at Anfield. Picture by Mike Boden

THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VOTES