NRL Who’s the greatest player 2000 to current?

[wizard of Tauranga]

Crowd sourcing sorting out a massive debate about the best player in the game in recent years!

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Crowd sourcing sorting out a massive debate about the best player in the game in recent years!

Benji’s not in that tier of player

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Benji’s not in that tier of player

I dont think so either but this is the top 9 players bought in the game!

 

[roguei]

Just look at the teams each of those players in the list played around/with. One man stands out. Andrew Johns. I don't think the knights would of played finals at all without him. 3 daily Ms. 2 golden boots. Doing it all during an era where there was little to no protection for halves unlike when JT got to his peak.

 

[Inruin]

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Poll reset so please vote again!

We’re got a top 3 ranked voting system running so we can rate players better.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

It’s very hard to separate the elite, particularly when they play different positions. Cleary could easily be number 1 on club record / form, however he’s been way below the others at rep level.

My top 10 in order would be:
1. Johns
2. Smith
3. Cleary
4. Slater
5. Fittler
6. Thurston
7. Lockyer
8. Inglis
9. Walsh (who knows where he ends up)
10. Cronk

Then next tier down I’d go Teddy, Hayne, Turbo, Burgess, Haas, SBW, Tallis, Menzies, Benji, Taumalolo.

 

[Cces]

Just look at the teams each of those players in the list played around/with. One man stands out. Andrew Johns. I don't think the knights would of played finals at all without him. 3 daily Ms. 2 golden boots. Doing it all during an era where there was little to no protection for halves unlike when JT got to his peak.

Only 8 playoff game in this time period & the one title. Robbie O'Davis, Timana Tahu, Matt Gidley, Adam MacDougall, Danny Buderus, Steve Simpson, Josh Perry & Ben Kennedy were also on the team sheet on Grand Final day and all played in SOO & for the Kangaroos

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

It’s very hard to separate the elite, particularly when they play different positions. Cleary could easily be number 1 on club record / form, however he’s been way below the others at rep level.

My top 10 in order would be:
1. Johns
2. Smith
3. Cleary
4. Slater
5. Fittler
6. Thurston
7. Lockyer
8. Inglis
9. Walsh (who knows where he ends up)
10. Cronk

Then next tier down I’d go Teddy, Hayne, Turbo, Burgess, Haas, SBW, Tallis, Menzies, Benji, Taumalolo.

Basically agree mostly except Walsh. Hasn’t got the runs on the board to be in that company yet… but in another 5 years!

 

[WAH MAN]

Benji’s not in that tier of player

He's shredded a lot of them though.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

It’s very hard to separate the elite, particularly when they play different positions. Cleary could easily be number 1 on club record / form, however he’s been way below the others at rep level.

My top 10 in order would be:
1. Johns
2. Smith
3. Cleary
4. Slater
5. Fittler
6. Thurston
7. Lockyer
8. Inglis
9. Walsh (who knows where he ends up)
10. Cronk

Then next tier down I’d go Teddy, Hayne, Turbo, Burgess, Haas, SBW, Tallis, Menzies, Benji, Taumalolo.

I think a players ability also depends on his position. 2 equal players, one a half back and one a five eight, I would always weight the halfback higher. Similarly a dominant forward is always below a dominant half.

My weighting:

Hackback
Fullback
Five eight
Second rower
Outside back
Props

For that reason, as great as Haas is, he will never be as great as most on this list.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

everyone always awards the spine players, poor old forwards. If SBW just stayed in league the whole time he would be considered a GOAT forward.

It's probably Smith, but just from being impressionable age when Johns played he just looked a level above all the other players when he was out there.

Cronk don't belong, was carried.

 

[Canonball]

Only 8 playoff game in this time period & the one title. Robbie O'Davis, Timana Tahu, Matt Gidley, Adam MacDougall, Danny Buderus, Steve Simpson, Josh Perry & Ben Kennedy were also on the team sheet on Grand Final day and all played in SOO & for the Kangaroos

Yeah, I'm a Johns skeptic, not that he wasn't great, but I dispute 'greatest ever' - i don't know who you'd anoint with that title - for pure something out of nothing, and astonishment I lean toward JT as being my favourite, but no way he's the 'greatest ever' either

 

[Bushman]

Not sure about best player on the field, however for best player of the game, have to give it to Cameron Smith, the way he manipulated the refs was astounding to witness.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Yeah, I'm a Johns skeptic, not that he wasn't great, but I dispute 'greatest ever' - i don't know who you'd anoint with that title - for pure something out of nothing, and astonishment I lean toward JT as being my favourite, but no way he's the 'greatest ever' either

Johns carried his team better than any other player I’ve witnessed. He was incredible.

 

[John Nick]

My head says Cameron Smith but my heart says Billy Slater

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Didnt think i would see another player have more influence or the ability to change momentum of a game than Andrew Johns.....until Cam Smith. Maybe because of his position at dummy half - touches the ball the most, but it was also his ability to seemingly pick the right option everytime....footy brain was just out the gate.

So yeah Cameron Smith for me.

 

[Chris Hodges]

It will be interesting to see where Cleary lands when his career is over. Hasn't made his mark on rep football like Johns, Cam Smith did, but damn he has been one hella talent.

Who will be the greatest halfback in NRL history in about 10 years? (sorry using this post to test a new feature)

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

It will be interesting to see where Cleary lands when his career is over. Hasn't made his mark on rep football like Johns, Cam Smith did, but damn he has been one hella talent.

Who will be the greatest halfback in NRL history in about 10 years? (sorry using this post to test a new feature)

Have gone Cleary however it’s entirely dependent on him dominating at rep level. Currently Mitch Moses has comfortably outperformed him at origin.