Greatest NRL Player of the Decade (2010-2019)

[Babyface O'reilly]

Aaaaand there it is.. All got opinions...

Slater was great, as was Thurston, Inglis, Cronk, bunch of others...

But in my mind no one can match Smith for;

Longevity - played the whole decade, didn't miss any of it. There are others who've played the whole decade but only Cronk would come close to matches played. Slater missed 2019 and a most of the season a few years before.
Captaining - Captained his club for the whole decade, along with his state and country for most of it
Titles - Premierships, Origin Series, World Cups, Dally M …… a bonanza - and he captained the lot.
Best in Position - No one knocked Smith out of the hooking role at any level. Club state or country. Unquestioned. Others got moved around a bit and mainly at reps - including Slater, Inglis & Thurston.
Game Management - absolute all-time champion managing the game and referees. Like it or hate it (most hate it) the guy's a genius.

You can go on all the highlight reels you like and they'll all be backs. Slater was as spectacular as I've ever seen at fullback. Probably the best. And his highlight reel would go longer than The Irishman. Forwards don't have highlight reels.

But in my opinion if I could have had any player in my club over the last decade - ie who was the player I feared the most when any team played us..... it'd be Smith hands down.

Hard to disagree with any of that. The most influential player in the game.

 

[Timmay]

Hard to disagree with any of that. The most influential player in the game.

Over the past 10 years Smith has been influential - no doubt.

But the greatest?

Smith never undertook the risk of moving to another club, in another state, and winning back-to-back Premierships with his new club.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Over the past 10 years Smith has been influential - no doubt.

But the greatest?

Smith never undertook the risk of moving to another club, in another state, and winning back-to-back Premierships with his new club.

I get your argument argument but he’d still be the first player picked in any team.

Also would like to add, while I acknowledge a level of risk that changing clubs brings, it’s not like Cronk took a chance at the Titans.

 

[Knight Vision]

Like it or hate it (most hate it) the guy's a genius.

Because the guy can string together a couple of 3 syllable words in 1 sentence doesnt make him a genius ( unless compared to Greg Inglis ) just barely eloquent given the other players cognitive limitations.

Because he played so many games doesnt make him great, just durable.

In any case when he's gone I wont miss him a bit....not even a little. Looking forward to the Cam Smith highlight reel when he retires....most of the clip will be of him holding a trophy and none of any onfield skill.

 

[Walpole]

Thurston.

Never saw Cronk, Smith or Slater play in a weak team or win a comp without being surrounded by other superstars.

 

[mozza91]

Either Cameron Smith or Tony Trim.

 

[typicalfan]

Because the guy can string together a couple of 3 syllable words in 1 sentence doesnt make him a genius ( unless compared to Greg Inglis ) just barely eloquent given the other players cognitive limitations.

Because he played so many games doesnt make him great, just durable.

In any case when he's gone I wont miss him a bit....not even a little. Looking forward to the Cam Smith highlight reel when he retires....most of the clip will be of him holding a trophy and none of any onfield skill.

Brett Mullins had a better highlight reel than Bradley Clyde but lol at anyone suggesting he was a better player.

 

[muzby]

The bloke won a bunch of Origins and multiple Premierships at two different clubs.

He was surrounded by others who contributed to that. He didn’t win those on his own.

 

[Knight Vision]

Brett Mullins had a better highlight reel than Bradley Clyde but lol at anyone suggesting he was a better player.

they both had highlights....that's the main point.

Smith's highlight reel will be ? yeh that's right...a leg twist, chicken wing, scorpion etc etc ......maybe a pass ? please post your highlights of a Smith mesmerizing piece of play, some athletic skill, a huge hit that leaves you in awe. ....something that's made you want to go to a game.

 

[Perth Red]

Smith >> Thurston >>>>> Slater>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The rest

 

[typicalfan]

I remember Smith dropping Ryan James like a sack of potatoes and owning Taumalolo in the 2017 gf. Aside from that not really a highlight reel player.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Being "the greatest" does not mean you have to be the flashiest with the highlight reels. For example, with all their great players, many of the St George players from the 1956-66 run reckoned Norm Provan was amongst their greatest players, and in those days of 1 yard ruck rules and unlimited tackles when he played, second rowers were hardly noted for their flair.

I may not like him for the grubby stuff he does on the field, but I would say its Cameron Smith.

 

[Haffa]

Kurt Gidley.

 

[THE CHAMP]

Retired in 2011 but

Best player across 3 decades amazing stuff

 

[THE CHAMP]

Kurt Gidley.

Only player to captain an origin team from the bench quite an achievement

 

[Springs09]

Thurston was the dominant player of the decade in the rep arena and while not quite as dominant at club level was still the single most dominant player of any side. Smith/Slater/Cronk had each other for most of their careers.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Being "the greatest" does not mean you have to be the flashiest with the highlight reels. For example, with all their great players, many of the St George players from the 1956-66 run reckoned Norm Provan was amongst their greatest players, and in those days of 1 yard ruck rules and unlimited tackles when he played, second rowers were hardly noted for their flair.

I may not like him for the grubby stuff he does on the field, but I would say its Cameron Smith.

Who needs highlight reels when you've got stats like these. And any highlight reels you see from Melbourne Storm greats of the past like Inglis, Slater, Cronk.... you can bet your right nut Smith got the ball rolling more often than not..

Cameron Smith

NRL Records Held

· Games – 411** (Most games at a single club, and in the NRL).
· Points – 2602**
· Goals – 1209**
· Most Games won – 293**
· Most games as Captain – 314**
· Finals games played – 39**

** prior to season 2020 if he plays.

State of Origin Records Held

· Games – 42
· Most Wins – 24
· Most Series won – 11 (equal with Jonathan Thurston)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4 (player of the series).

• Man of the match awards – 7 (2nd behind Wally Lewis with 8)

Titles won

· NRL Premierships – 2. (2012, 2017. Both as captain)
· NRL Minor Premierships – 4. (2011, 2016, 2017, 2019. All as captain)
· World Club Challenge Winners – 3 (2010, 2013, 2018. All as captain)
· State Of Origin Series Winners - 11 (2006-13, 2015-2017. 5 as captain)
· Rugby League World Cup Winners - 2 (2013, 2017. Both as captain)
· Rugby League 4 nations Winners – 3 (2009, 2011, 2016. One as captain).

Total Titles – 25.

Honours

· Member of Order of Australia (OA) - 2019
· Dally M player of the year - 2. (2006, 2017)
· Dally M Hooker of the year - 8. (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019)
· Dally M Representative player of the year - 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016)
· Dally M Captain of the year - 5. (2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019)
· Golden Boot Award - 2. (2007, 2017)
· RLIF Player of the year - 1. (2012)
· RLIF Hooker of the year - 4.(2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016).
· Ron McAuliffe Medal - 4. (2005, 2007, 2013, 2015)
· Harry Sunderland Medal - 1. (2014)

Total Honours - 36.

 

[THE CHAMP]

Who needs highlight reels when you've got stats like these. And any highlight reels you see from Melbourne Storm greats of the past like Inglis, Slater, Cronk.... you can bet your right nut Smith got the ball rolling more often than not..

Cameron Smith

NRL Records Held

· Games – 411** (Most games at a single club, and in the NRL).
· Points – 2602**
· Goals – 1209**
· Most Games won – 293**
· Most games as Captain – 314**
· Finals games played – 39**

** prior to season 2020 if he plays.

State of Origin Records Held

· Games – 42
· Most Wins – 24
· Most Series won – 11 (equal with Jonathan Thurston)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4 (player of the series).

• Man of the match awards – 7 (2nd behind Wally Lewis with 8)

Titles won

· NRL Premierships – 2. (2012, 2017. Both as captain)
· NRL Minor Premierships – 4. (2011, 2016, 2017, 2019. All as captain)
· World Club Challenge Winners – 3 (2010, 2013, 2018. All as captain)
· State Of Origin Series Winners - 11 (2006-13, 2015-2017. 5 as captain)
· Rugby League World Cup Winners - 2 (2013, 2017. Both as captain)
· Rugby League 4 nations Winners – 3 (2009, 2011, 2016. One as captain).

Total Titles – 25.

Honours

· Member of Order of Australia (OA) - 2019
· Dally M player of the year - 2. (2006, 2017)
· Dally M Hooker of the year - 8. (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019)
· Dally M Representative player of the year - 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016)
· Dally M Captain of the year - 5. (2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019)
· Golden Boot Award - 2. (2007, 2017)
· RLIF Player of the year - 1. (2012)
· RLIF Hooker of the year - 4.(2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016).
· Ron McAuliffe Medal - 4. (2005, 2007, 2013, 2015)
· Harry Sunderland Medal - 1. (2014)

Total Honours - 36.

Not bad

 

[hineyrulz]

Who needs highlight reels when you've got stats like these. And any highlight reels you see from Melbourne Storm greats of the past like Inglis, Slater, Cronk.... you can bet your right nut Smith got the ball rolling more often than not..

Cameron Smith

NRL Records Held

· Games – 411** (Most games at a single club, and in the NRL).
· Points – 2602**
· Goals – 1209**
· Most Games won – 293**
· Most games as Captain – 314**
· Finals games played – 39**

** prior to season 2020 if he plays.

State of Origin Records Held

· Games – 42
· Most Wins – 24
· Most Series won – 11 (equal with Jonathan Thurston)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4 (player of the series).

• Man of the match awards – 7 (2nd behind Wally Lewis with 8)

Titles won

· NRL Premierships – 2. (2012, 2017. Both as captain)
· NRL Minor Premierships – 4. (2011, 2016, 2017, 2019. All as captain)
· World Club Challenge Winners – 3 (2010, 2013, 2018. All as captain)
· State Of Origin Series Winners - 11 (2006-13, 2015-2017. 5 as captain)
· Rugby League World Cup Winners - 2 (2013, 2017. Both as captain)
· Rugby League 4 nations Winners – 3 (2009, 2011, 2016. One as captain).

Total Titles – 25.

Honours

· Member of Order of Australia (OA) - 2019
· Dally M player of the year - 2. (2006, 2017)
· Dally M Hooker of the year - 8. (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019)
· Dally M Representative player of the year - 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016)
· Dally M Captain of the year - 5. (2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019)
· Golden Boot Award - 2. (2007, 2017)
· RLIF Player of the year - 1. (2012)
· RLIF Hooker of the year - 4.(2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
· Wally Lewis Medal – 4. (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016).
· Ron McAuliffe Medal - 4. (2005, 2007, 2013, 2015)
· Harry Sunderland Medal - 1. (2014)

Total Honours - 36.

How many contracts in all of that?

 

[BennyV]

Smith started the decade captaining a wooden spoon team. Can’t imagine that puts him very high...