Who should be the 9th Immortal?

[St Tangles]

You can not compare Hindmarsh and Vautin to Provan.
Provan had a presence on the field that neither of these players have they were good he was great.

 

[St Tangles]

I think Sterlo is worth a shout out.
Doesn't always get the write up he deserves.
When i think of 80's football Sterlo was the standout.

 

[Bronco18]

I don't get the lockyer love, imo if he played for the panthers he wouldn't be in the conversation.

Thurston is a better player with the ball in his hands and organising those around him. He is probably a better defender then lockyer as well.

Sterling was better then lockyer in his time, but tbh if johns is in there and sterling isn't then I don't think sterol will ever get the nod.

Honestly, the only person from the list who I think could get in their is Thurston. Oddly enough, I think his best chance is if the cowboys fall in a shitheap without him ala Newcastle to show how important he is to that side.

Lockyer lost a bit of his lustre when he lost his speed, but he had a habit of making clutch plays to win games. Better than any other player of the era at it.

 

[THE CHAMP]

Putting johns in so early was a massive f**k up imo
Also when posting that he's the greatest player ever please put the words"I believe" beforehand
As there are countless people who believe otherwise

 

[Ulysseus]

The players from the Golden Era Saints sides have all admitted Provan should have been in ahead of them.
Then again I really don't think Norm cares - after all he is forever immortalized on the trophy and has been since the Winfield Cup.
Realistically it is a concept run by a publication, no different to a certain awards night where the main gongs are voted on by "esteemed" journalists

 

[bottle]

Provan will never be selected. Too many Saints from that era already and most of the younger followers only know him from a trophy. His currency has diminished and he won't have the popular appeal amongst the unwashed masses.
Of course he deserves it, but it's a popularity/political appeasement award now. It's dead as a concept.

Just pretend I quoted all that stuff Some 11 did.

 

[MrAnonymous]

I don't get the lockyer love, imo if he played for the panthers he wouldn't be in the conversation.

100 % agree. Absolute overrated hack. Had internationals around him his whole career to make him look good.

Would of been found out if he played for A Sydney club.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Not enough Benjamin Garcia here.

Those of you who have watched Catalans Dragons play in Super League will know that utility Benjamin Garcia is already a more talented player, especially when he is playing in the second row, than Norm Provan ever was.

 

[lazza]

Brett kimmorley cos there's "not a split hair difference between him and johns" as per Chris Anderson and since johns is already an immortal.

 

[lazza]

But Lockyer was dominant in his prime

 

[lazza]

And as long as it's never Cameron smith

 

[JJ]

Brett kimmorley cos there's "not a split hair difference between him and johns" as per Chris Anderson and since johns is already an immortal.

:lol: 3 wrongs don't make a right

 

[DiegoNT]

Its hard to judge players that were always part of great teams, Lockyer debuted into a dominant broncos team, but even early in his career he had already won premierships, won a clive churchill medal was a test regular and captained an origin series win. All notable achievements and he was already a great player but the thing that makes him an immortal in my books is that around the time he got the Australian captaincy until about the day he retired he was always the best player in whatever side he was in. Those stacked broncos sides, Lockyer was always best, that great Queensland team that had thurston, Smith, inglis etc Lockyer was always the best and the go to man at clutch moments. That also flows onto the test team. That's at least 9 seasons od always being the best player in your team. Provan only became captain coach for 5 or so seasons and by then Raper and Gasnier were in the team, Meninga was always behind lewis in the 80s and by the end of his career it was stuart and daley who were vital to that Raiders side

 

[Tommy Smith]

I'm biased so I'll choose the forgotten man - Brad Fittler.

An all-time great who dominated in three positions - centre, 5/8, lock. One of the great captains who dominated a 5 year period like few others have in the salary cap era by dragging his side to 4 GFs and a Premiership in the early 2000s. Perhaps the best combination of a brilliant passing game and devastating running game with THAT step. Oh and one of the great defenders.

But always curiously ignored. Again, perhaps I'm biased. My non-biased opinion is that it should clearly be Sterling. Who's dog did he run over to be virtually ignored in this convo?

 

[JJ]

I'm biased so I'll choose the forgotten man - Brad Fittler.

An all-time great who dominated in three positions - centre, 5/8, lock. One of the great captains who dominated a 5 year period like few others have in the salaty cap era by dragging his side to 4 GFs and a Premiership in the early 2000s. Perhaps the best combination of a brilliant passing game and devastating running game with THAT step. Oh and one of the great defenders.

But always curiously ignored. Again, perhaps I'm biased. My non-biased opinion is that it should clearly be Sterling. Who's sog did he run over to be virtually ignored in this convo?

Another seldom discussed is Brett Kenny - dominant 5/8 and centre... I really (more and more) think the immortal thing is stupid... Meninga for example, great player, no question - but also, early on Gene Miles and Brett Kenny were both clearly better centres (despite centre not being Kenny's position)... Gene Miles is another great not discussed...

My vote is for a HoF - but Sterlo's my vote if there has to be one, certainly Kenny and Fittler warrant more comment. Lazarus is the other modern player that was a real difference maker at every club he went to

 

[Blade23]

Of course Raper would say Provan is better then him, it's a mixture of old fashioned humility and respect for your coach and Captain. But again if you listen to the majority of old timers, listen or read from the commentators of the time or people that grew up in that era, its always Raper and Gasnier they rave about. Its like Steve edge was the captain of parramatta 3peat from 81-83 but the stars were sterlo kenny and price. Its simple, would they replace Raper or Gasnier as immortals with Provan? Not many old timers would agree to that

Any reports or interviews that I have read from the past is nothing but praise for Provan of how good he was. I didn't see him play but my grandfather did and always rated him as being someone special.
The fact that he was named in the Starting team of the century and nominated for an immortal makes him one of the greats to play our game and in my mind an immortal.

 

[Tommy Smith]

Another seldom discussed is Brett Kenny - dominant 5/8 and centre... I really (more and more) think the immortal thing is stupid... Meninga for example, great player, no question - but also, early on Gene Miles and Brett Kenny were both clearly better centres (despite centre not being Kenny's position)... Gene Miles is another great not discussed...

My vote is for a HoF - but Sterlo's my vote if there has to be one, certainly Kenny and Fittler warrant more comment. Lazarus is the other modern player that was a real difference maker at every club he went to

Absolutely. The Immortals concept is foolish and gets swept up in media campaigns for certain modern day players. They even continue to push for Inglis as a future Immortal. Over some of the players mentioned? Laughable.

A more high profile HoF is clearly the way to go. That way players like Miles, Kenny and Lazarus - all as worthy of praise as the modern day Qld brigade - might receive the plaudits they deserve. Lazarus only crime really is to be a prop, and not a flashy half. Because he led 3 different clubs to Premierships. What a legend.

 

[t-ba]

Forgot about the Brick with Eyes.

Hall of Fame would be ideal, for sure. Maybe retire official promotion of the Immortals concept (RLW) around the time we drop the Dally Ms (Big League) for a centrally controlled GOAT recogniser and season awards ceremony.

 

[saint.nick]

When I come to think of it, Lockyer was always a little overrated...

 

[Jason Maher]

Until Norm is included, the concept will lack credibility.