Six Australian representatives, three Maitland premiership-winning captains and a countless number of grand final victories spread over almost a century of rugby league history in the city helped make up a star-studded list of individuals to represent the Pickers’ best.

But the event itself brought together families, friends and supporters from across the com­munity, many of whom hadn’t seen one another since their playing days in the famous black and white colours.

“It was a fantastic,” event organiser and Maitland Leagues Club general manager Glen Whaler said. “I was overwhelmed by the crowd and to have close to 300 in that room was really exciting.

“To think we had all those great players in the one room was amazing and for a lot of them it was the first time they had seen each other for 20 or 30 years or even more.

“There was a lot of emotion there, you could feel it, some of those players and relatives had tears in their eyes because it meant a lot to them.”

Don Adams, John Graves, Jim Morgan, Terry Pannowitz, Noel Pidding and David Trewhella were the Australian representatives leading the list, with NSW pair Brian Burke and Gary Collins not far behind. 

Pannowitz (1965, 1969, 1971, 1973) doubled as one of three premiership-winning captains  to get the nod alongside Robert Finch (1983) and PJ Ellis (2011).

Multiple premiership-winning Maitland captain-coaches Paddy Maher (1933-1934) and Fred Brown (1956-1958) were named as co-coaches of the side.

The 1960s and 1970s were heavily repre­sented with the likes of Max Bailey, Warren Bell, Max McMahon, Ray Wawskzowicz and Merv Wright among familiar faces.

From the 1950s were centre-wing pairing Frank Threlfo and Billy Callinan, as well as Gordon Harley, the uncompromising forward from Dungog. 

Another tough prop in the shape of Morpeth’s Milton Burrows earned selection from the 1983 decider, as did NSW Residents player Brett Christiansen, who flew the flag for the 1990s.

Whaler said it was an incredibly talented list of players hailing from every era, but there were many players who were unlucky to miss out and decisions were sure to drive debate for years to come. 

The selection criteria allocated points to ­representative selection and stipulated local juniors must have played first grade for the Pickers, or signings from elsewhere to notch up at least 50 games. 

Whaler acknowledged the efforts of fellow selection panel members Mick Finch, Ben Quinn and Pat Warby. 

He also thanked the Maitland Mercury for coverage in the lead-up to the event.

“We would not have been able to do this without the support of the Mercury,” Whaler said.

A short list of 44 players was  revealed in the Maitland Mercury last month as part of a special four-part series.