Darren Lockyear.

The worlds best fullback became the worlds best five-eighth

In 2006 he captained Australia, Queensland and Brisbane to tournament victories.

Read his wiki page or even his book, his achievements are incredible

The correct answer is a two way tie between Andrew Johns of Newcastle Knights and Warrington Wolves, and Arthur Beetson of Eastern Suburbs Tricolors and Hull Kingston Rovers.

3. Brian Bevan of Eastern Suburbs Tricolors and Warrington Wolves.
4. Reginald Gasnier of St George Dragons,
5. Roger Millward of Hull Kingston Rovers,
6. Jonathan Thurston of North Queensland Cowboys,
7. Graeme Langlands of St George Dragons,
8. Ellery Hanley of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors,
9. John Raper of St George Dragons,
10. Walter Lewis of Brisbane Broncos,
11. Malcolm Meninga of Canberra Raiders
12. Shaun Johnson of New Zealand Warriors.
13. Albert Rosenfeld of Eastern Suburbs Tricolors and Huddersfield Giants.
14. Brian McTigue of Wigan Warriors
15. Richard Huddart of St. Helens and St George Dragons
16. William Slater of Melbourne Storm
17. Cameron Smith of Melbourne Storm.

Darren Lockyer was a poor defender. He therefore cannot be on anyone's list.

How do you rate Johnsons defence?

I'm still sticking with "The King" Wally Lewis

Quote ="wire-quin"How do you rate Johnsons defence?'" Shaun Johnson's defence is very good. Did you see him chase down and tackle Michael Jennings ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftfqh38E3oU ... and Daniel Tupou? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lboX92sE6K8

Quote ="wire-quin"How do you rate Johnsons defence?'" Shaun Johnson's defence is very good. Did you see him chase down and tackle Michael Jennings ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftfqh38E3oU ... and Daniel Tupou? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lboX92sE6K8

Kevin Sinfield

The past is another country, they do things differently there. Early rugby league was so unlike today's game as to be unrecognisable. Have a look on the BFI website for early filmed games. To answer this question we really need to compare things that are reasonably similar. That might allow us to think about Puig Aubert versus Tuigamala(?) in the same frame.
I must admit that the first time I saw Inga the Winger in full flight the shock and awe was visceral. Technically not so much.

Maradona was a poor defender, who cares?

Lockyer best ever for me, Joey Johns might get more praise for his performances on a weekly basis but if you were behind in the last minute of an international, GF or origin match, you would want Lockyer on the ball over Johns.

No Clive Churchill???

the fact Shaun Johnson got within cooee of that list is testament that you have no ing idea

He was fast, probably the fastest player of all time


well.....Fast where it mattered most, between the ears

when a thread invites you to name the greatest player ever, even if you were to state the best player you've seen, one should never, ever, never mention the name Martin "chariots" Offiah

Clive Churchill was just outside the list.

Shaun Johnson is one of the most naturally talented half backs to ever play the game. His problem is that he is not consistently good in attack. But his outstanding cover defence is never bad.

Darren Lockyer for me.

But Andrew Johns, Gordon Tallis, JT and Cameron Smith all up there for me too.

Churchill had more around footy smarts & knowledge & ability to control a game than Johnson would amass if he were to play for 1000 years, Johnson has a tricky little Benji like sidestep & good footwork, which is just an athletic gift, too many players in this day & age get nominated as greats or potential greats based on athleticism alone, its the age of Athletes

Anyone with half a brain can discern between a Footy player" & an out and out athlete & anyone who thinks Johnson is half the player some of the greats are needs his head read

According to the records times played and points scored it has to be Jim Sullivan. When he played at the SCG he put many thousands extra onto the gate. But of course neither I, nor I suspect anyone else on the forum, ever saw players from his period which was also a very long time in the game at the top level.

Not the greatest drinker either, as I witnessed in Walkabout Manchester a few years ago.

Great summary Avenger. Wally Lewis, the best I ever saw along with Murphy.

Are you retarded? I only ask because he specifically said that it’s “only players he had seen” and I assume you couldn’t decipher what he wrote considering you called him out on it

Regards

King James

Brian Bevan.

I watched Roger a lot and whilst he was a good player not in the same class as others of his era or thereabouts even at half back - Murphy was different class.

Of players I've seen in the flesh it would have to be Ellery Hanley and Mal Meninga.

I was fortunate that when I was taken to my first St Helens game as a kid was during Big Mal's season at Saints.

Of Aussies in last 30 years I'd say Big Mal and Fittler for consistently come up with the decisive play when the chips were down in big games.in an earlier era, Reg Gasnier stood out. Best Aussie of all time - Brian Bevan.

As a kid the only RL I watched was GB v Aus. My favourite players were Hanley and Offiah. I liked Little Andy Gregory too. I think Little was his first name anyway - Ray French always called him that.

Mal Meninga was the player I remember most from the Australians. He was awesome.

well he'd only need to watch a reserves game to see better players than friggin chariots wouldn't he??

If he names Offiah, then i'd have to assume he has at least seen one game so that rules him out