Steve Deane: Price's legacy is one of demanding success

Warriors legend Steve Price. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Opinion

Forget about Steve Price's final year in the NRL. Wipe it from the memory banks. Given the unfortunate way this campaign has played out - or rather hasn't - for the champion prop, that shouldn't be too hard.

Better to remember Price as the remarkable metre eater who went out at the top, still playing at an incredible level at the age of 35.

No one in league defied time as successfully as Price. Superbly conditioned, super-professional, he withstood the rigours of playing in the toughest position in the toughest game, maintaining his impeccable standards for years beyond the norm.

In a game when plenty burn out before the age of 30, Price redefined the limit of what can be squeezed out of a human body, soldiering on for another half a decade. Sadly, the injuries that plagued his last two seasons ultimately reaffirmed the inescapable truth that time catches up with us all. No exceptions.

The signs that he might have pushed the boat out a bit far were certainly there to see last year. After a strong start, the myriad injuries came in a relentless string, occurring ever closer together.

But it's easy to understand why both Price and the Warriors chose to ignore the signs and try for one last season. When he did get on the pitch in 2009 Price was still one of the very best props in the game. Although he played just 14 games, his performances were of sufficient quality that he led the club in metres gained with an average of 145m a game.

To put that in perspective, Sam Rapira, the player who inherited Price's mantle as the senior prop, has averaged 110m a game this season. Rising star Russell Packer averages 95m.

Had his body not betrayed him after what was supposed to be a fairly routine clean-up operation on a long-standing heel problem, Price would have walked into the Queensland team - and, likely, the Kangaroos - this season. Now, just being able to walk properly again is at the top of his agenda.

His announcement yesterday that he would undergo another surgery on the problem confirmed something that had been obvious for months. Price won't play again. There will be no glorious comeback, no fairytale finish.

As bitter a blow as that is for a Warriors club that could sorely use his experience and power as they chase a finals berth, it will be infinitely more bitter for the man himself. Price desperately wanted one last hurrah, wanted to finish strong.

He did at least go out a winner, making his last appearance in a 34-20 victory over the Raiders in round 24 last season.

He played a total of 313 NRL matches - 222 for the Bulldogs and 91 for the Warriors - over 16 seasons, as well as 16 tests for the Kangaroos and 28 State of Origin matches for Queensland.

But Price's contribution to the game can be measured in much more than numbers. A clean-cut figure in seedy times, Price was the first current Kangaroo to join the Warriors. It had been hoped he would be the first of many, but as of now the figure stands at two. Brent Tate - whose days at Mt Smart are numbered - is the other, while Richard Villasanti made the Kangaroos while playing for the club.

Price made a move virtually no other leading Australians are inclined to do. Plenty come here looking to break through or resurrect careers, but Price came as an established legend.

He joined a club not unaccustomed to low ebbs at a dispiriting time and led from the front in turning it around.

It would be wrong to overlook the fact that Price's salary was entwined in the cheating that cost the club a crucial four points in his second season, and, overall, the results haven't quite matched the dream.

Off the field, however, Price has been a beacon of decency. He has promoted the club's brand impeccably. There were no scandals under his captaincy watch - something few NRL clubs could claim over the period.

The real impact of Price's tenure can be measured by the fact that mediocrity is no longer expected or accepted. Success is no longer hoped for, but demanded. That is his legacy.