best rugby league players of all time
Three time dally m fullback of the year winner and three time dally m five- eighth of the year winner. A genius with ball in hand, either as an attacking weapon or as a promoter/director of talent around him. Legend, The king of the grubber, changed the game. Greatest fullback ever, great footwork, read the game brilliantly. Most club games played in history (and all of these records do not include super league stats). A true competitor never had an off day.He's currently in the top three sandwiched by johns and the king, but I would choose Lockyer as the best purely because he was a true professional! He has all the skills. Other sides feared him playing. Never beaten, Lockyer led teams by example. A classical centre, his main attribute was his acceleration, that quality which seperates the very good from the champions. He is the best Rugby League player ever. Not only that he was doing all this with epilepsy, a medical condition no one should play rugby league with.Locky, JT, Johns, Langer and the other great players learned off Lewis. Can Maguire and Brooks end a decade of Tigers hurt? In his prime he was unstoppable, no one could find a way around that fend. And also that Goanna celebration is pretty darn cool. An unknown quantity when he signed for the Rhinos in 2007, the bulky prop soon settled into life at Headingley and was renowned for his relentless go-forward and huge defence. Greame Langlands is the greatest player to pull on a boot. Standing 5 feet 10 inches, Slater has racked up a number of records in his time, including the three Aussie rugby league grand final titles and the record for most tries by a fullback in the NRL. Should be in the top 10! He ha a medal written with his name on it he shoul be definitely first. People seem to forget that johns played at hooker or on the bench because he couldn't move langer.The most tries scored by a full time halfback in history and easily the deadliest player in history inside the opposing 20m. Simple and as basic as that. His positional play was superb and I don't recall him ever missing a tackle. One of the original Immortals, he also played 39 Tests for Australia. I wasn't around for Wally Lewis' era so I believe the best player is Darren Lockyer, Andrew johns doesn't come close to being a better player than the queensland maroons legend Darren Lockyer. Even though he's been retired for some time now I have no doubt if he wanted to he could put a jersey back on and still be one of the better players in the league, Not once can you think of a time which Lockyer made a mistake or cost his team a match. Whose Ellery Hanley? If Wally Lewis is the King and Darren Lockyer is the Prince then Thurston is sure to be the Duke or Emperor. Changed the game. Andrew Gavin Hastings – Hailing from Scotland, Hastings is known as the only Scottish player to rank in the to 25 best rugby players of all time. The likes of Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson and Rory Underwood have shone for the Red Rose. Nine's The Greatest reveals top 10 players of NRL era, headed by Johnathan Thurston 1. He's a great tactician, director of play, he had a great kicking game, short and long. Very tough,could throw a few which you had to in that era. No one could feign then attack like Beetson. God help the guy who had to tackle him. As for dominance he went unopposed as Queensland halfback from 87-98 and only wasn't selected between 99-00 because of retirement before coming back in 01 and completely out playing johns in his last origin. Summary: Fittler better running game, kicking game, passing game, defensive game, better in leading a team and my hero GO FREDDY FITTLER, Brad fittler was one of the best players to the play game and also one of the under credited players he would have won a lot more medals if he was playing today... he played in a tough time in Rurby league when their was heaps of great players therefore it was much harder to be the best and he sould be denfinally in top 5. 3 Generations packed into one! Winning premierships with Melbourne, then going to Souths to break a 40 plus year premiership drought, people credit Sam Burgess for that but in truth it was all GI. RECORD: 323 games (90 tries), 37 Origins (5 tries), 38 Tests (13 tries); 2x premierships (2004,... 2. Clive churchill medal winner. Rlif back of the year winner on two occasions. Most rugby league players take a year or two to really find their feet but some special talents have made it look all too easy from the get-go, producing stellar … Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as we look at 10 of the best players … If you support an opposing team you hate him, which is testimony to how competitive and commanding he has been. The combination of Lewis and Langer are the best halves combination in the last half century. I have been watching RL since the 1970's and have to say Brett Kenny is the most naturally gifted and intelligent player I have ever seen. The medal haul for club and country says it all. Skill, power and speed and great charisma. Cameron Smith is the top player that has become the captain. Dazzling speed and acceleration, magnificent step and great hands. Never seen a player with so much time. Many would name Johns the greatest ever, he is certainly in our top three for the same reasons. 1 Andrew Johns Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. Most games played for Australia in history. RECORD: 249 games (80 tries), 23 … The King was doing all things in the 80s that you see done today. He's a very talented kicker who made the way for the Kiwis to be the title holder.Go Stacey! First saw him when Kangaroos toured UK IN 1982. Fittler was one of the most complete and versatile players to ever play the game. • Download ESPN from iTunes App Store Wally is still Number 1, daylight second! NRL Round Table: Can the Storm win it all again in 2021? It is also tough to rank those players whom you never had the privilege of watching in the flesh; it is often the strength of their legend that carries them through. Lewis spent his best years in the Queensland club competition before stints with the Broncos and Gold Coast Seagulls. The middle of a rugby league field isn't a place where someone typically carves out such a long and influential career. Australian users can personalise their ESPN experience by downloading the App. Ellery Hanley. Was a huge part of the 1985 and 1986 Origin teams that beat QLD and was a standout player for Australia from the time he made his debut. No doubt that Offiah was lightening fast, but that was all there ever was to his game. Arthur Beetson. Wally Lewis did nothing at club level and stood tall at rep level. He won premierships with the Panthers before moving to the Roosters where he established himself as one of the game's greatest five-eighths and captain. And his tackles weren't the "second in" or "third in" efforts we see nowadays, he went in first, usually went low, and had his opponent on the ground before he could even think about getting a pass away. It will take someone extraordinary to replace him at the top of the list. Wally lewis medal winner. Billy Slater is an amazing Fullback! 9. Super League shouldn't be eligible for this list because super league is amateur compared to NRL. The team at BettingSite.com.au has compiled a list of the 10 greatest NRL players of all-time (in no particular order) for your reading pleasure. Come on people...Artie could set up tries and get the ball away better than anyone. Todays players don't rate with him. When he talked on the field players listened. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time. Both were great players, but Fittler could play in various position from the halves, lock, centre, and had great strength, on the other hand Johns only played halfback even though in origin came as an interchange in the hooker position at one point, Allan Langer was even probably a better halfback than Johns. The black pearl! Only player in history to win two golden boot awards for the best player in the world from two different positions. Etc. NRL snakes and ladders: Who will rise, who will fall? 4 premierships and 3 minor premierships in 7 years leading brisbane. eels rock as well as peter steriling, 2nd best halfback in the world now suckers. Should be up in the top 5. He is always getting himself into plays that they need him in! 11 state of origin wins, 4x Wally Lewis medalist, 5x hooker of the year, 3x Captain of the Year, Golden Boot, NRL games record, Most ever point by a hooker, Premiership captain, Captained Australia to World Cup win, should be 3 time premiership player but two were stripped and 2 time Dally M Medal. Whether five eighth, centre, wing or fullback where he was at his most influential when at the rabbits, he was the best. Wally Lewis. Speed, power and balance. Size pace hands and that player that always came up with the goods when needed... old Trafford v Great Britain typical of the man. Allan langer for the win great great player one of the most gifted players to ever wear the number seven Jersey, Amazing how he tormented his apponents with evasiveness and playmakeing! Add in the ability to kick goals as good as any he was worth more points than any man. Best runner of the ball without a doubt, most tries scored in State of Origin, is there anything is man can't do? Love him or hate him, Sonny Bill Williams is one of the most devastating rugby league players of all time, and you can’t deny the fact the man is a freak. Mr 110% or maybe 115 what an amazing record. Ellery Hanley was another player who dominated the game while playing in the Cherry and White of Wigan. He is truly the greatest player I have ever seen. Ewan McGrady & Preston Campbell have both been named THE BEST player in a given season, yet neither of them received more than a couple of votes. In my opinion Wally Lewis has the greatest football brain the game has ever seen. Lockyer can't tackle well and Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday cover for him, Fittler defended like a forward. 2021 NRL season preview, player movements, predictions, NRL trial results: Rabbitohs smash Dragons in Shield, Rabbitohs run riot with win vs. St George Illawarra. Every great sides need great forwards and Artie was the greatest. Fast, just lightning! With the NRL set to restart next week, we have taken on the impossible task of naming the best 10 players ever. Lockyer and Johns were no doubt great footballers, but neither were so easily better than the opposition they played during their career (Lyons, Daley, Kenny etc), all who were great footballers in their own right. He must have played Union Anyway Slater is the greatest fullback to ever play the game, even better than the little master Churchill. Johns dominated the halfback position during his days for the Knights, New South Wales and Australia. His offield dramas were a bit of a problem but when he stood foot on the field he would just continue to play to his best ability. Knowledge, courage & ability saw Johns excel at the highest level, in numerous positions. Two time dally m representative player of the year award winner (winning from two different positions!). Not even the South African rugby players at high altitude. When I was a teenager I watched Alfie lead the Broncos into 5 or 6 Championship wins. Like in 1997 with a punctured lung, 2001 beating the best attacking side of all time in the girlfriend, 2005 state of origin. Most games played in state of origin history including being captain of the most successful state of origin team in history. The prince of centres, Gasnier was a key part of St George Dragons' record premiership run in the 1960s. I think he is Awesome and he should at least be in the top 3, stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries had everything great with ball in hand good kicker a playmaker. This list is not complete - if you know of someone who should be listed here, let us know using the comment form below. Probably the best backrower to ever play rugby league in australia. He is always busy and never slacks off. Also who is Ellery Hanley and why is he in the top 10? Pushed into the pack occasionally at representative level, Fittler was capable of mixing it with the forwards in defence as well as dazzling with his footwork, speed and passing game. Even Terry Randle would have has second thoughts. The five-eighth represented both Queensland and Australia at representative level and also the Indigenous All Star side from 2010-2015. Most games as captain of Australia in history. Oh and while his goal kicking wasn't like Johns, he could still kick a goal well enough.People need to go back to the early to late 80s to fully appreciate his abilities. He has been an important role model for aspiring Scottish rugby players. plus made a come back and scored a try. In attack, he backed up everywhere, had enough pace to make it awkward for opposing teams (he played five-eighth for some time) and had great anticipation. • Review: 2020 Rugby League season. 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He has won Clive Churchill medal twiceAnd played state of Origen. Lockyer could walk onto the field on his own, and I'd still back him to beat any team. He is by far the greatest player I've ever seen. They say that Johns changed rugby league but JT perfected what Johns created. Love Garry. go the Little General! 1 - CAMERON SMITH Matthew Johns has said countless times Cameron Smith is the best ‘big game’ player of all time and it’s hard to mount a case against that statement. His passing game was sublime, his kicking game was to inch perfection and his overall toughness was impeccable. Have met him in the flesh is one big bloke, Chang the magic dragon was one of the best fullbacks, billy slater has nothing on this mighty st George dragon. One of England's best ever players, Awesome Garry...who'd he play for again? The most consistent 80 minute, positional, skillful, inteligent and athletic fullback to play at Club, State and Country - deemed better than 'the little master" Clive Churchill. First time I saw Martin was when he ran the length of the pitch in the third test at Sydney over 30 years ago. A difficult man to tackle, he would slice through even the best defences and always managed to set up support players with perfectly timed passes. no one puts their body on the line more than JT, no one has the vision of JT and no one is more influential on a teams result than JT, if you have JT you win that is why Queensland have won origin so many times. Love the NRL? So who do you think is the best player ever to play the greatest game of all? Brad Freddy Fittler is without a doubt the Greatest Player of All Time but unfortunately didn t get the credit he deserved like Andrew Johns got, whereas Fittler was easy the better player of the two and their head to head record speaks for itself. Rugby league is a team sport where all players work together to achieve a common goal. Smith will go into the history books as the most prolific player in the history of rugby league. Legend in every category. • Download ESPN from Google Play Store He has won every award you can think of 3 and 4 times over broke every record in the book...won origin games 11 yrs of dominance...Australian world cups countless... two premierships two different teams...he is the greatest player whos ever lived...the man can kick like no other his technique is unique and understands the aerodynamics of the ball...bit like an aboriginie throwing a boomerang lol...he is a busiest player on and off the field..has a superior vision of the game...he has won a human right award including Australian of the year awards...Man this brother has definitely got Immortal written all over him...MASSIVE indigenous role model...family man plus a FREAK...HE CAN DO IT ALL...JUST FOR THE LOVE OF THIS GAME RUGBY LEAGUE...TO BE THAT GREAT OF A PLAYER you must be have fine tuned your talents...ALL I CAN SAY IS FINESSE..BROTHER! 2 World Cup wins and 2 kangaroos tours. He's played in almost every position and has scored the most tries for a forward (for which he played the majority of his career). His passing was immaculate, he had enormous speed for a player his size, he could defend like a front row forward.He was an inspiring player, a great leader. The players that played with him and against him have acknowledged his brilliance. I know he played a few NRL games but he never made the same impact as he did when he played the super dooper league. An Australian fullback with a record that belies his years, Slater is one of the finest productsto come out of Australia in the last 30 years. The greatest ever. 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I like him a lot and he plays for the Queensland team and his captain he plays for the Storm and his Captain and he plays for Australia and his captain. Simply brilliant with dazzling speed and perfect passing. Young Maroons excited to learn from Wayne, Tedesco: Dogs an awesome move for Flanagan, Wighton "wrote himself off" winning Dally M. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. Now they are amazing.I am absolutely a Billy Slater, and Melbourne Storm fan! The art of kicking takes on numerous forms in rugby, ... player with only 16 tries scored in that space of time. 10 of the Best Indigenous Rugby League Players of All Time 1. Watched him from his first games at Widnes, nothing ever as quick over more than a century, Last english back that was worth watching, Top Ten Most Stunning Losses in the First Round of 2021 March Madness, Top Ten Best Well-Known Mountains for Beginner Climbers, Countries With the Most COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Cases, Best Fitness Center Chains and Gym Franchises. The following times are the best recorded times over 100m for each respective player… This team was announced in Sydney on 17 April 2008, see Australian Rugby League's Team of the Century. No one has ever run the ball like GI and no one ever will. Cameron Smith is such a good player, Cameron is the greatest thinking player, that is and ever has been! There ever was to his game cameron Smith is the best cover the... League and New Zealand at rugby league for him, which is testimony to how competitive and commanding he been... Will go into the rugby Hall of Fame, ending any speculation as to whether his name belonged among best! 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