Local cricket legend Warren Smith has called for a statue to be erected of Scobie Breasley at Bolton Park, honouring the five-time Caulfield Cup winner.

However, the suggestion has been met with a fierce debate over who would best represent the "city of good sports”. 

The proposed candidates have ranged extensively – from Wayne Carey to Tony Roche and Alicia Quirk. 

Mr Smith, who famously mentored a young Michael Slater, claims based on outright accomplishments that it makes sense for Breasley to be commemorated as Wagga’s premier athlete.

“He’s the most successful sportsman to ever come from Wagga,” he said.

“There isn’t really any competition.

“Not everybody throws his name out there but he’s easily the most impressive on paper.”

Breasley was the first person inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame after notching 3,250 career wins. 

Community members on the other hand, have warmed to Australian Football League and Rugby League athletes as Wagga’s greatest. 

James Eaton – a Riverina resident for about 50 years – firmly believes golfer Steve Elkington is the city’s greatest ever sportsman. 

“He won a US PGA Championship and is one of the only Australians to do so,” he said.

“Sports that are exclusive to Australia are a lot easier to succeed in but this bloke went onto the world stage and showed Wagga’s potential.

“You can’t compare it to somebody that plays rugby or AFL.”

It comes after the Australian Institute of Sport several years ago dubbed the influx of sportsmen from the city as the "Wagga Effect".

The phrase is used generally to describe the disproportionately high number of elite sportsmen and women who come from regional cities.

Some of city’s other famous athletes include: