Top Player of All Time

Ok guys, whos your favourite?

I went with Steve Menzies. He's played in almost every position and scored tries for fun as a forward.

They all have different atributes and game styles. Who gets your vote?

Good grief, there's loads missing off your list. Billy Boston (according to my dad anyway), John Holmes, Martin Offiah, Jonathon Davies, Andrew Ettingshausen, Garry Schofield, Tawera Nikau, anyone who played for Wigan from 1985-1995......

For god's sake someone stop me or we'll be here all night.

But from the ones on your list, it was a toss up between Andrew Johns and Peter Sterling Both brilliant players, but I've gone with Sterling. His performance in the 1985 challenge cup final was awesome.

To be honest, i don't think you can do a list like this unless you are
doing it by positions i.e best full back, wingers etc. And even then, in
some positions, there have been so many great players over the decades
that you couldnt really narrow it down to 10.

Also, when did Brian o'Driscoll play rugby Legue?

I vote for Derek Fox.

Cheesehead United wrote:I vote for Derek Fox.

Derek Fox, alway's played well against Rovers, top quality player.

Seeing as we're adding names.
Roger Millward
Mike Smith
Gavin miller
Gary Proham

There's a theme here,can you tell what it is?

John Doraghy
George Fairburn
Gordan Smith

etc,etc

Maybe a little biased

Roger Millward! Now you're talking! Great player.

David Topliss, Syd Hynes, Steve Pitchford, Alex Murphy....

Don't get to see as much league as union, and have only been watching league for a wee while so don't know much of the older players. From what I have seen though (mostly NRL on setanta and SL highlights) Lockyer is probably the best on this list that I know. Really enjoyed watching him and billy slater in a roos v kiwis game a few years ago.

!? What is Brian O Driscoll doing on this. He's a pretty entertaining player I know, but don't be fooled into thinking that he's a leaguie!

Ellery Hanley?

At the back of my mind there was a nagging feeling that I'd missed someone rather important off my list. Sorry Ellery.

I remember seeing him walking into Headingley one afternoon. He wasn't playing that day and was dressed in the sharpest of suits with a big coat slung over his shoulders. Looked every inch the archetypal '70s American gangster. Had a glamourous model on each arm too. Hell of a showman and one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Cheesehead United wrote:Maybe a little biased

I'm really not sure where you got the idea of me being biased from, The fact that
they all played for the greatest ever rugby team (and the one i support) is just pure
coincidence, Honest !

Calamity, I only started watching RL in 87, When Roger was coach, so never saw
him play,but apparently he was fantastic, and i now he was a perfect gent.

Some more names i've just remembered mainly from 87 onwards.

The Wigan team of 87,88,90,91,92, Tommy Martyn, Lee Crooks, Kevin ward,
Kieron Cunningham, Gary Schofield.

And of course the immortal CLIVE SULLIVAN.

And the best team -

David Hall, Steve Hubbard, Mike Smith, Steve Hartley, Clive Sullivan, Roger Millward,
Allan Agar, Roy Holdstock, David Watkinson, Brian Lockwood, Paul Rose, Phil Lowe,
Len Casey.

Phil Hogan, John Millington.

I maybe being a tinse bit biased again there.

Lee Crooks and Garry Schofield. I don't think Hull ever forgave us for snaffling those guys. Most intimidating ground I've ever been to was the Boulevard. And they definitely have the scariest fans.

There's not much I miss about the UK, but rugby league is probably top of the list. Luckily I discovered hockey (that's the version on ice BTW) which has become a most acceptable substitute.

Would Benji Marshall warrant inclusion? I don't watch too much league but he is one of the most skillful players I've ever seen.

Also why's BOD on it?

calamity jane wrote:Lee Crooks and Garry Schofield. I don't think Hull ever forgave us for snaffling those guys. Most intimidating ground I've ever been to was the Boulevard. And they definitely have the scariest fans.

There's not much I miss about the UK, but rugby league is probably top of the list. Luckily I discovered hockey (that's the version on ice BTW) which has become a most acceptable substitute.

If i remember rightly Gary Schofield demanded the move, and threataned to
never play for Hull again unless he got the move, That's why Hull fans don't like him
.
The Boulevard was an intimidating place, but no worse than some of the other
grounds, Wilderspool, Post office rd before it was done up, Wakefield where the
fans used to always stoone theRovers supporters coaches, and to be honest i
miss the Boulevard, as much as some of the other old grounds.
As for Hull Fc fans, i generally find them to be knowledgeable and passionate to there
team, yes they have some idiots, but which team dosn't?

You aren't missing much this season, Leeds have been poor, and because i work
with some Leeds fans, as far as i can tell they are disgruntled about...well pretty
much everything. But to be honest Rovers have been Bad as well, infacct at lot of
SL teams have been either patchy or poor this season. The 2 best teams so ffar
would be either Castleford or Huddersfield.

THOMOND,
Benji Marshall is indeed an outstanding player, agureably one of the best in the
world at this moment.. But let's wait to see how he does in the rest of his career before
saying if he is one of the best ever players.

After watching the game for 55 years in both the UK and Australia I have to say the best I have seen are Alex Murphy, Darren Lockyer, Joey Johns, Wally Lewis, Peter Stirling, Ellery Hanley, Bobby Fulton, Mal Meninga and Stacy Jones. Of the current crop Benji Marshall.

Wally, you missed off Roger Millward (how could you), and Clive Sullivan.
You May have noticed, that i'm a little biased.

The top 10 i think, that i've seen

Ellery Hanley,
Peter Sterling,
Lee Crooks,
Kevin Ward,
Andy Gregory,
Stacy Jones,
Derek Fox,
Paul Newlove,
Tware Nikau,
Steve Hampso/Garry Jack.

That is off the top of my head, so could possably change, oh
and welcome to the board Wally.

Brian O'Driscoll owns at anything he does. He played league for a few weeks as a teen. Therefore he's the best player the sports ever had.


Don't question the universe's law, only obey it.

I thought Mal Meninga was a truly great player for Australia. Peter Stirling was a player i loved watching when he played for Hull and Australia.
Ellery Handley was a true great of the British game and so was Malcolm Reilly who was also a all time great at Manly in Australia. A British player who i think had all the ability to have been a all time great was Paul Newlove. when he was on song even the Aussies admit they couldn't stop him, for for reasons best known to himself, Paul for me at times use to appear to hold himself back.

The game changes so much as sports science, wages, summer rugby etc every 10 years that IMO you can't pick an all time player fairly as you just don't know how they'd play in different eras. Could Billy Boston and Clive Churchill play in the modern era? Could Thurston and Joey Johns have played in the 40's?

Break it down to the best player of every decade and be happy with that list as is IMO.

BTW how you forgot Ellery Hanley and put Brian Carney on your origional list is just shocking and bizarre!

Worst poll ever??

Any "Top Player of All Time" poll that doesn't include Hanley, Murphy, Sullivan, heck, even Edwards or Meninga deserve spots ahead of half that list

To not have Ellery Hanley and Mal Meninga on that list is a joke to be honest.

I don't watch much league but Benji Marshall should be up near the top,no?

Thomond wrote:I don't watch much league but Benji Marshall should be up near the top,no?

Arguably one of the greatest playmakers in the game - unbelievable at times.

I'd go for Wally Lewis, Alfie Langer or Andrew Johns from an Aussie perspective.

Probably not qualified to name a GB great...I haven't followed as closely but so many top notch players there too.

Greatest player of all time Roger Millward without a shadow doubt .

best from your list Peter Sterling

Thomond wrote:I don't watch much league but Benji Marshall should be up near the top,no?

Benji has genius attacking skill but he's inconsistent and can drift out of games before doing something amazing that makes you forget his inactivity. Also he struggles to tackle a big dinner let alone the opposition.

As people have already said there are numerous people missing from your list, as well as the baffling inclusion of Brian O'Driscoll (A good Union player but has never played professional Rugby League).

Would throw on to the list

Malcolm Reilly
John Joyner
Paul Sculthorpe
Andy Farrell
Sean Edwards
Andy Gregory
Martin Offiah
Tawera Nikau
Keiron Cunningham
Paul Newlove
Henry & Robbie Paul

[quote="K-PX0110"]As well as the baffling inclusion of Brian O'Driscoll (A good Union player but has never played professional Rugby League).

It said Brian Carney origionally didn't it? that's certainly how I read it.

[quote="BicesterWarrior"]

K-PX0110 wrote:As well as the baffling inclusion of Brian O'Driscoll (A good Union player but has never played professional Rugby League).

It said Brian Carney origionally didn't it? that's certainly how I read it.

Not sure, only seen it as O'Driscoll. But Brain Carney would be a baffling inclusion and should be no where near a list as talented as above. Even with some of the talent that has since been mentioned not being originally included.

wow, how is O'driscoll winning?!?!? so many not named here but I'll let them slide and vote.....Offiah!

I wouldn't have Henry or Robbie Paul anywhere near this list....they didn't really do it at international level and they both had the chance to prove their skills in the NRL but didn't want to so ran off to Britain....

As a child of the 80's/90's there are so many names; Wally Lewis, Ellery Hanley, Peter Sterling, Mark Graham, Mal Meninga, Kevin Iro, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Steve Renouf...I could go on and on and don't get me started on the 90's!

I would personally nominate Brad Fittler as the best I have seen, his ability to devour teams with his kicking skills - case in point - SOO around 96 (I think), ruck 25 out from teh QLD line and 20 in from the right, 5th tackle, Qld expect the high ball....Freddy drops a perfect kick off his left foot back across to the right wing and bounces so favourably for the NSW wing...I can't remember who, it may have been Rod Wishart - try scored and next day I am down the local park learning how to kick with my left foot and trying to replicate what he's just done. It's not just his kicking skills though, that right foot step which could tear defences to pieces, his sublime passing and tactical awareness. He's won NRL finals, World Cups and Origins....the man's a legend and for me the greatest of all.

Andrew Johns by a mile. Only Wally Lewis would be close.

Benji Marshall is too inconsistent

My top 5, (that i've watched).

1, Hanley
2, Brett Kenny
3, Kevin Ward
4, Wally Lewis
5, Minichello

Does anyone know if any present day Rugby League journalists have put lately what they consider the best players they have seen play?

For raw talent, the best player I've seen is Brett Kenny. He was a far better representative player for NSW and Australia than Peter Sterling was yet he always appears behind Sterling in these polls.

nasals wrote:For raw talent, the best player I've seen is Brett Kenny. He was a far better representative player for NSW and Australia than Peter Sterling was yet he always appears behind Sterling in these polls.

I think the reason a lot of people put Peter Sterling ahead of Brett Kenny is that Peter Stirling was a better organiser on the field of play and guided his teams mate around the park very well.

Ive always found it strange when people try to compare Kenny and Stirling they were different types of players , which made them compliment each other so well .
Stirling as has been said marshalled the team around the park controlled the play he had what they called a rugby brain very good technically , he saw the play ahead rather then just the current set .
Kenny on the other hand was more an instinct player with talent to spare , he could change a game with 1 drop of a shoulder and step .
I remember watching the old Parramatta team of the early 80's on late night rugby on itv with john helm i think it was , and thinking how fantastic they were .
I dont think there can be many better halfback pairings ever then these 2.

How come big Artie didnt make the list????????????

Very surprised to see Steve Menzies feature so well even on the list at all,sure he has been agreat servant to his clubs and teams how ever I can think of plenty of players who dominated their positions at club, State and country far more then the Beaver.....ie:
Geoff Toovey,Ian Roberts,Cliff Lyons,bob Fulton,dale Shearer,noel Cleal.Graham eadie,max Krillich and Les Boyd and thats only Manly Players...........

aucklandlaurie wrote: How come big Artie didnt make the list????????????

A true great of the game. Possibly the greatest forward Australia has ever produced. Certainly the best since world war 2, if all the experts are to be believed. Tough as old boots and a lot of speed for a big man.

"I remember watching the old Parramatta team of the early 80's on late night rugby on itv"

Wish they'd bring that back!

They often show replays of the '81 GF with Phil Gould doing that silly backwards kick over his head...backfiring! Then he gave away a silly penalty not long before Parra came home with a couple of quick tries...including the Kenny one down the western touchline when he dummied inside.

I really wanted the Bluebags to win that day, especially with Tommy Raudonikis in the side. What a character...and a great try he scored early in the second half. It's still hard to fathom that Newtown were gone a couple of years later - financially broke...but they still play in the NSW Cup along with North Sydney, Wests and Balmain.

Also had the '82 GF on a few times recently - I was so full of hope when Phil Blake scored that first try...but alas, it was all Parra after that.

I meant ITV showing NRL!

I know...sorry to rub it in Warrior.

We also have this program called 'Chooseday Nite'...red button where you can watch some other classic matches.