Best Player in the NRL

[Guest]

It's hard to line up backs against forwards in terms of who is better. Is Thurston better than Cameron Smith? Beats me.

Thurston is probably more "valuable" than, say, Inglis, because he plays in a more dominant position. For that reason, I'd rate Thurston number 1 of the current crop.

As for all-time, it was always my belief that Johns was not durable enough to be considered the best of all time. Almost every season, he had long periods on the sideline, and for that reason he never had to endure the week-in-week-out grind that a lot of rep players did. No argument that he was great - only that he never had his greatness tested for full seasons.

Hard, also, to rate Wally Lewis, given that he didn't play in the Sydney competition until he was passed his prime. I have no doubt, though, if we'd seen him in Sydney in the early eighties he would have had the same dominant influence as he had at rep level.

That leaves Fittler, Daley, Beetson and Fulton as other contenders from the last 35 years. I didn't see Fulton until he was hobbling around on one leg, but in the early seventies he must have been something to behold, based on reputation and the highlights reels.

Ditto, Beetson. I didn't see him until he was in decline.

Daley played in a superstar team. That he still stood out as the key figure, speaks volumes. He was, at the least, Fittler's equal.

And so we come to Fittler. He was great for longer than any of the others. 14 seasons. Beetson played for as long, but finished in reserve grade and was a shadow of his former greatness. Fittler is unique in that he had as much influence over a game in his last year as he did when he was ten years younger. Maybe even more. Arguably, he could have gone on for several more seasons. All of the others were physical basketcases when they finished. He won premierships with two different clubs - something none of the others were able to achieve; he played more rep games than any of the others. The older he got, the better he got. While he may have lost speed and some of the potency of his left foot step he, like a great fast bowler who learns guile and accuracy when his speed begins to decline, compensated for it by honing his passing game, his leadership skills and ability to pull out the big play when needed.

For those reasons, I rate Fittler the best of the last 35 years.

Freddy was a great player and probably one of the most dominant of this modern era, but to rate him ahead of the likes of Johns, Lockyer and Lewis? He is a shadow compared to those 3.

[Kingbilly]

I saw too many games that were there to win and Fittler was no where to be seen for me to put him up there with the top of the greatest ever.

I also rate those players like Civonecena, Pearce (snr jnr) Ray Price and those sorts of players. They do have alot to do with the great play makers.

BUT I do not rate Steve Price among these players, he is a filthy myth. Sure he has the stats but in my opinion its one of those cases where stats don't tell the whole story

[stsae]

Who I have seen in the past.

Daley, IMO, was the complete footballer. He oozed class.

Lazzo had that ability to fire up his side to his level, a modern day great front rower. Where games are won and lost.

T Lamb was that bloke you always wanted in your side. What a tough footballer. Just loved the game and hated to lose.


Today, I go for Cam Smiff. I know his name sounds like a gay porn character. But hes an old head in a young body. A REAL footballer, not an athlete. Just has that influence on the field, hes irreplacable.

And that chin, its so un-footy it makes me .

[Guest]

That said, who was the best player a couple of years back..??

Johns, Fittler, Lockyer...It is all still opinion..

I think they could all lay claim to the title at different times.
Fittler in the late 90s/early 2000s
Then Johns
Then Lockyer.
Maybe Thurston afterwards, but his consistency in club football leaves something to be desired

[Tom Verlaine's Ghost]

Freddy was a great player and probably one of the most dominant of this modern era, but to rate him ahead of the likes of Johns, Lockyer and Lewis? He is a shadow compared to those 3.

You could argue that Johns, Lewis and Lockyer were marginally superior to Fittler. You could argue that. I wouldn't, but you could. But to say that Fittler is a "shadow" of those three is a ludicrous statement. It's like saying that Lara was a shadow of Tendulkar. There's a hairs breadth between them.

You mention "this modern era". Keep in mind that Fittler began his first grade career a full four seasons before Johns, and was dominant in that era, too, playing for Australia at age 18. Johns' best and most dominant period coincided with the rise of, and aftermath of, Super League with its emphasis on artificially fast play the balls. But my major argument against Johns was his lack of durability, as I said. I don't think he ever played a full season.

[Big Poppa Pump]

You mention "this modern era". Keep in mind that Fittler began his first grade career a full four seasons before Johns, and was dominant in that era, too, playing for Australia at age 18. Johns' best and most dominant period coincided with the rise of, and aftermath of, Super League with its emphasis on artificially fast play the balls. But my major argument against Johns was his lack of durability, as I said. I don't think he ever played a full season.

Plus Johns was a drug cheat who brought disgrace upon himself & the game.

[Vasco]

LOL @ Tony Iro at fullback. That was Gus's first game in charge.

[stephenj]

freddy for sure, joey was drug assisted

[stephenj]

big artie in rwb was the best sight ever!

[Guest]

Mitchell Pearce, just ahead of Jamie Soward

The footy boffins on here have converted me

[Guest]

Who I have seen in the past.

Daley, IMO, was the complete footballer. He oozed class.

Lazzo had that ability to fire up his side to his level, a modern day great front rower. Where games are won and lost.

T Lamb was that bloke you always wanted in your side. What a tough footballer. Just loved the game and hated to lose.


Today, I go for Cam Smiff. I know his name sounds like a gay porn character. But hes an old head in a young body. A REAL footballer, not an athlete. Just has that influence on the field, hes irreplacable.

And that chin, its so un-footy it makes me .

That lot now ooze "farkwit" and very poor judges.

Lucky they could play footy, they are a stroke short of a good wank these days

[Guest]

You could argue that Johns, Lewis and Lockyer were marginally superior to Fittler. You could argue that. I wouldn't, but you could. But to say that Fittler is a "shadow" of those three is a ludicrous statement. It's like saying that Lara was a shadow of Tendulkar. There's a hairs breadth between them.

You mention "this modern era". Keep in mind that Fittler began his first grade career a full four seasons before Johns, and was dominant in that era, too, playing for Australia at age 18. Johns' best and most dominant period coincided with the rise of, and aftermath of, Super League with its emphasis on artificially fast play the balls. But my major argument against Johns was his lack of durability, as I said. I don't think he ever played a full season.

Johns's durability left a lot to be desired, but to think how many points and achievements he could of got if he didn't get injured as much. Newcastle should of won the 02 Grand final if it wasn't for Johns getting injured in the qualifying final.

[redwhiteandbluester]

Newcastle should of won the 02 Grand final if it wasn't for Johns getting injured in the qualifying final.

That is a ridiculous statement.

You cannot suggest that any side "should" win a Premiership based on an incident four weeks out from the Grand Final.

[Fairfax]

I saw this thread and hoped people had identified Koups. There are some good football judges here.