sportsbar30 Greatest players of last 30 years; Who made it & who missed out - the Ultimate Pub Debate
February 13th 2008 05:21
Well, it was always going to cause debate, in some countries this would easily cause a war. Actually, given the passion on both sides of the border – the Andrew John/Wally Lewis battle could be the biggest argument across pubs and taverns since Mundine and Green, Nicklaus and Woods, Sennor and Schumacher, Ali and Tyson.
Wally Lewis is an immortal, and it seems Joey is being fast tracked to Immortal status – one of the most exclusive honors in all of sports. No hall of fame in any sport is so selective, so unique.
The list is few, Churchill, Gasnier, Raper, Langlands, Beetson, Fulton and Lewis.. that is 7 in 100 years of Rugby League – the best of the best, cream of the crop, add Cliché here.
Wally Lewis dominated State of Origin to the point where he WAS State of Origin. It was hard to fathom him not running out into Rugby League’s toughest arena. But the criticism has always been that he did not dominate at club level, that he always left his best for Origin.
Joey on the other hand carried the Knights at times single handedly for a decade. Ordinary players were turned into the game’s Superstars just by playing alongside him. Such was his influence - he like Wally Lewis was a god to his community. He also dominated at Origin and Test level.
The Knights simply could not win without him, it was a harsh criticism - but the stats didn't lie.
So the fact that Johns has been named above Lewis in the list of greatest players in the last 30 years is sure to raise some eye-brows.
As intriguing as their battle is, there are a few notable omissions from the top 30 list of the last 30 years. How Geoff Toovey missed this list is beyond belief – afterall he for a long time forced Johns to play at Hooker because Toovey was considered the better half-back. He was the general in Manly’s *Dynasty in the mid 90’s. *If only they had won more Grand Finals – the Sea Eagles were Minor Premiers 3 years in a row 95,96 & 97 but only won one premiership in 96 *sigh*.
Toovey - Unlucky to miss out
Toovey was also voted amongst the toughest men to ever play the game – but missed a nomination in this list…. What more does a player need to do?
Another that I thought was unlucky to miss out was the Black Pearl – Steve Renouf.
Who else missed out?
Jason Taylor – possibly one of the greatest players to never win a premiership, Paul Harragon Brett Mullins and Daryl Halligan. These are the guys I thought are unlucky to miss out… I’m sure there are plenty more…
Mullins - an icon in the Green Machine era - also won a premiership with the Roosters... Who could forget his length of the field efforts? He devestated Newcastle one famous night... often scored over 4 tries a match... Unstoppable at his peak - but missed the list...
So Who made the list?
The complete list:
1. Andrew Johns
2. Wally Lewis
3. Brad Fittler
4. Darren Lockyer
5. Allan Langer
6. Mal Meninga
7. Peter Sterling
8. Laurie Daley
9. Brett Kenny
10. Brad Clyde
11. Mick Cronin
12. Steve Walters
13. Glenn Lazarus
14. Steve Rogers
15. Gorden Tallis
16. Shane Webcke
17. Steve Roach
18. Terry Lamb
19. Ricky Stuart
20. Ray Price
21. Andrew Ettingshausen
22. Danny Buderus
23. Johnathan Thurston
24. Cameron Smith
25. Graham Eadie
26. Steve Mortimer
27. Benny Elias
28. Wayne Pearce
29. Nathan Hindmarsh
30. Cliff Lyons.
Well, have your say, is the list right? Who should have made it, who should they replace? Was Johns better than Lewis - let the debate begin...
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