In this series of articles, we continue to look at potential nominations for the Super League Team of the Decade. This time, we look at the right-centre position.
This is in no particular order.
George Carmont (Wigan Warriors)
Carmont came over to England in 2008 from Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
He had initial success at the club, he was named in the Super League Dream Team in his debut season at Wigan.
Like most of the side, Carmont realised his true potential in the 2010 season, where the Warriors won the League Leaders Shield and the Super League Grand Final.
The Samoan international followed that season up with another impressive one in 2011. He scored two tries in the World Club Challenge, but it wasn’t enough for Wigan that day.
He also started for the Warriors as they won the Challenge Cup later that year, beating Leeds Rhinos in the final.
Carmont then played on for one more year and helped the Warriors to another League Leaders Shield title in 2012, before announcing his retirement from the game.
Though his career had reached its twilight years, he still gave a very good account of himself, and was at the forefront of Wigan’s success for the opening years of the decade.
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers and St Helens)
Michael Shenton has played in several major finals since returning to Castleford Tigers
Credit: Craig Milner/News Images
Shenton is a product of the Castleford Tigers academy, and made his debut for the first team back in 2004.
During that time, he stuck with the Tigers as they were up and down from the Super League.
Eventually, he decided to make the move to St Helens ahead of the 2011 season. He ended up playing in the Super League Grand Final, but went off injured as Saints were beaten by Leeds Rhinos.
He stayed at Saints for one more season, as they moved to their new home, what is now the Totally Wicked Stadium. The centre then moved back to Castleford ahead of the 2013 season.
After another year of struggling, the Tigers appointed Daryl Powell as their new Head Coach. No one could have foreseen the impact he would have.
With Shenton at the forefront of the Tigers’ new flowing and attacking style, Cas went on to have a really good year. They were only one game away from winning the League Leaders Shield.
Cas claimed the League Leaders Shield by a landslide, and Shenton played his part in that ferocious Cas backline, which included Zak Hardaker and Greg Eden.
However, still a major trophy deserted them, as they lost the Super League Grand Final against Leeds once more.
As Shenton reaches the end of his career, at the age of 33, he will be hoping he will have more to give and help his club end their long wait for a major trophy.
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
Kallum Watkins has won three Super League titles and two Challenge Cups at Leeds
Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images
Watkins signed for the Rhinos Academy in 2007, and quickly showed why he was one of the hottest young players around.
He scored 13 tries in 20 appearances, as the Rhinos won the Academy Grand Final.
The former Folly Lane junior made his first team debut in 2008 in the Challenge Cup, and went on to make several appearances for the Rhinos that year.
Just when he was getting settled in the team, two major injuries stunted his progress in 2010 and 2011.
However, he was given a show of faith by new Head Coach Brian McDermott after he was given the number three shirt in 2012.
He went on to star for Leeds that year, as they got to the Challenge Cup Final, but lost against Warrington. They also got to the Super League Grand Final, and beat the same opponents.
Watkins went on to help Leeds lift another Challenge Cup in 2014, just before Leeds achieved their treble.
The England international played an important part for the Rhinos as they won the Challenge Cup, the League Leaders Shield, and the Super League Grand Final.
The next year was difficult, as Leeds said goodbye to a lot of legends. But they came back stronger and lifted the Super League title once more in 2017.
Watkins was rewarded for his performances and his commitment to the club when he was given the captaincy.
He left in 2019 having scored 132 tries in 256 games.
Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC)
Kirk Yeaman (left) is third on Hull FC’s all time top try scoring list
Credit: News Images
Yeaman had played for Hull FC all his life, having made his debut in 2001.
In this decade, he helped his side claim the 2016 Challenge Cup, 11 years after helping them beat Leeds at the Millennium Stadium.
They had beaten Warrington Wolves 12-10 at Wembley, claiming their first ever win there.
He retired at the end of that season, and did so as Hull’s third top try scorer of all-time. On 177, he is behind only Clive Sullivan and Ivor Watts.
Yeaman is also the only player since Sullivan to score 700 points for the club without kicking a goal.
He briefly came out of retirement in 2018 to help Lee Radford’s side during an injury crisis. As a result, he only played one game.
Matt King (Warrington Wolves)
King came over to Warrington having been a huge success for Melbourne Storm in Australia. He scored 60 tries in 91 games for them.
He came in 2008, and helped his side to back to back Challenge Cups in 2009 and 2010.
The versatile back, who could also play on the wing, was crucial for the Wolves as they claimed a first League Leaders Shield of the Super League era.
However, that was in vain as they ultimately failed to make the Grand Final. He left a short time afterwards to join South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
Whilst his stay in England was brief, there is no doubt he had a big impact. He left having scored 66 tries in 106 games for the Wire.
