50 Best buys in NRL history

[franklin2323]

I think Preston Campbell for the Tits deserves to be on the list somewhere. He brought a soul to that club that has disappeared since he retired.

Preston would be close to Panthers best ever signing either him or Priddis

 

[roostersrule2]

Being the best player doesn't necessarily make him the best buy. A dud club like Parra or Canberra could pay massive overs and get Smith and Thurston at 1.5mill each per year, leaving 23 bog average players to fill the squad. The side would be anchored to the foot of the table for the entire time, making neither player a good buy. An extreme hypothetical but the point it, being the best player doesn't inherently mean they are the best buy. Results are what make some buys better than others. A player of lesser ability is a better buy if they lift the players around them. Unfortunately Thurston doesn't really do that.

I didn't mean it's the sole reason he's the best, but he definitely is. They bought him when he was a lowly bench player for probably less then 100k, now he's the best player in the world.

To say he doesn't lift the team is preposterous, he is the Cowboys. It's not only his effect on the field though, his work with the kids and community is unrivalled really. He's the face of the Cowboys and the game, he lifts the players around him more then just about anyone.

 

[Nice Beaver]

I didn't mean it's the sole reason he's the best, but he definitely is. They bought him when he was a lowly bench player for probably less then 100k, now he's the best player in the world.

To say he doesn't lift the team is preposterous, he is the Cowboys. It's not only his effect on the field though, his work with the kids and community is unrivalled really. He's the face of the Cowboys and the game, he lifts the players around him more then just about anyone.

He was sacked as captain for off field shit.

Its not all beer and skittles.

 

[roostersrule2]

He was sacked as captain for off field shit.

Its not all beer and skittles.

Burgess was one of the grubbiest in the game and Lyon SBW'd before SBW.

Skittles and beer it is not.

 

[Nice Beaver]

Burgess was one of the grubbiest in the game and Lyon SBW'd before SBW.

Skittles and beer it is not.

:lol::lol:

Lyon leaving Parramatta and SBW leaving the Dogs had WHAT to do with their impacts on Manly and the Roosters respectively??

That is the entire basis of the list.

Thurston was sacked as captain whilst at the Cowboys. I'd say that had a disruptive effect on the culture at the Cowboys, would it not?

 

[LESStar58]

Personally, Tawera Nikau to Melbourne in 1998-98 and Stephen Kearney to Melbourne from 1999-2004 areright up there.

Kearney's acquisition was pivotal to the first premiership but Nikau practically won it for the Storm by lifting, showing agression and leadership. He should have been the Clive Churchill Medallist.

 

[roostersrule2]

:lol::lol:

Lyon leaving Parramatta and SBW leaving the Dogs had WHAT to do with their impacts on Manly and the Roosters respectively??

That is the entire basis of the list.

Thurston was sacked as captain whilst at the Cowboys. I'd say that had a disruptive effect on the culture at the Cowboys, would it not?

That wasn't my point and I wasn't talking about SBW anyway.

Whilst it would have had a disruptive effect on the Cowboys it is dwarfed in comparison to the positive effect he's had up their.

 

[Nice Beaver]

That wasn't my point and I wasn't talking about SBW anyway.

Whilst it would have had a disruptive effect on the Cowboys it is dwarfed in comparison to the positive effect he's had up their.

Well what exactly was your point then?

You raised Lyon leaving Parramatta, so I can only assume you feel it had an impact on his time at Manly. Given that is the entire basis of the list - the impact on the club they went to.

For that matter Burgess also. Of course he was a grub. But that was what Souffs needed. A grub who would get into the trenches and harden them up. For brining that culture he delivered them a premiership. Thurston for all his talent has not done that yet.

And no doubt at all that Thurston's contribution to the Cowboys overall has been a positive one. I was simply pointing out that he has had his issues up there in reference to your point that his work off the field is second to none.

 

[roostersrule2]

Well what exactly was your point then?

You raised Lyon leaving Parramatta, so I can only assume you feel it had an impact on his time at Manly. Given that is the entire basis of the list - the impact on the club they went to.

For that matter Burgess also. Of course he was a grub. But that was what Souffs needed. A grub who would get into the trenches and harden them up. For brining that culture he delivered them a premiership. Thurston for all his talent has not done that yet.

And no doubt at all that Thurston's contribution to the Cowboys overall has been a positive one. I was simply pointing out that he has had his issues up there in reference to your point that his work off the field is second to none.

I was saying that Lyon's had his issues, whilst they may not have been at Manly they were there nonetheless. I'd also argue it had implications on Manly, as he was scrutinised for it and it's a tag he can't really remove.

Souths needed a grub? No team needs a grub, Souffs needed a hard, tough player, I'm pretty sure every Souffs fan would have preferred him if he didn't eye gouge and squirrel grip.

Thurston's in a different class to these two anyway since he's a playmaker you can build a team around, whereas Burgess is more of a vital cog to a team and Lyon just complements the team.

All fantastic players though.

 

[Canard]

Thurston was sacked as captain whilst at the Cowboys. I'd say that had a disruptive effect on the culture at the Cowboys, would it not?

Since when is Thurston not a Captain at the Cowboys???

Where do you get your news from? The back of a cereal box?

 

[natheel]

Jeff Robson got eels to the 09 GF surely he should be right up there as one of the best buys.

Thurston isn't number 1

burgess, Inglis and Lyon should be the top 3

 

[BunniesMan]

Anyone putting JT at number 1 is insane. To be considered the best buy in NRL history without a premiership win is ridiculous. Clubs don't aim for the semis. They aim for the premiership.

 

[rabbitohs95]

Jeff Robson got eels to the 09 GF surely he should be right up there as one of the best buys.

Thurston isn't number 1

burgess, Inglis and Lyon should be the top 3

:crazy:

 

[maple_69]

Have a look at where NQLD spent their entire history before Jonathan Thurston to figure out what kind of impact he's had. He may not have delivered them a premiership (I still think they're as good a shot as any in 2015) but he's ensure that they are a relevant and successful team more often than not.

We're not going to agree anyway. You guys think a premiership is required to equal a good signing, I disagree. It would probably be easier if there was some disclaimer on the list letting us know what they were basing their decision on. Value for money? Premierships? Individual stats? Quality talent identification?

I think Thurston, Lyon and Burgess are the big 3.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

29.Ruben Wiki (Warriors, 2005-08)
28.Steve Price (Warriors, 2005-08)

:lol:

These two aren't even vaguely comparable. They even got the years wrong, Price was with the Warriors until 2010 (although played his last game in 2009).

Price's form in 2006-2007 especially was spectacular and he is one of the best players we've ever had. Wiki was mostly very ordinary, played limited minutes and contributed "aura" moreso than anything he really did on the field.

To have Wiki ahead of SBW is also laughable.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I got no problem with Thurston as number 1. They went out and bought a quality youngster on the verge of making first grade on a regular basis and he turned into arguably the best player in the world. That's good enough for me.

 

[langpark]

Has anyone mentioned Jason Smith? After he was done in Super League, when Canberra snapped him up? I know our mind automatically goes to youngsters when we hear these sorts of things, but for me that was one of the best buys at least of that decade, he put in two great seasons before retiring and I bet they picked him up for a bargain too!

 

[Nice Beaver]

Since when is Thurston not a Captain at the Cowboys???

Where do you get your news from? The back of a cereal box?

My recollection of what went on in 2010 must be hazy obviously.

I thought he was stripped of the captaincy but obviously was not. He had to front the board I know and there was talk of sacking him at the time.

Untwist your panties. If I am wrong then my humblest apologies.

Whether he was or not, he still went before the board for discipline reasons. So his off-field example has not been beyond reproach whch was a point another poster was making.

 

[roostersrule2]

My recollection of what went on in 2010 must be hazy obviously.

I thought he was stripped of the captaincy but obviously was not. He had to front the board I know and there was talk of sacking him at the time.

Untwist your panties. If I am wrong then my humblest apologies.

Whether he was or not, he still went before the board for discipline reasons. So his off-field example has not been beyond reproach whch was a point another poster was making.

No I said his work off the field was unrivalled.

I meant in terms of his effect on the community, fans and his marketability.

 

[Nice Beaver]

No I said his work off the field was unrivalled.

I meant in terms of his effect on the community, fans and his marketability.

Ah righto. Fair enough.

Regardless of whether I think he should or should not be number one there's no doubt he's been a bloody great signing for them.

I just think number 1 should have won a comp for the club. Who knows - he may in 2015!!