Andrew Johns Vs Allan Langer?

[perverse]

Are we discussing who achieved more in the game, or who was the better player?

 

[_Johnsy]

Are we discussing who achieved more in the game, or who was the better player?

Maybe it should be who was a QLD'er. Bias is a wonderful thing. I was no fan of Johns, TBH can't stand him as a person.

But FMD he was a bloody brilliant player, didn't have a weakness.

Was Langer brilliant yes, no doubting that. As good as Johns, nope. Him & Wally are the 2 best I've seen by some distance.

 

[Ant]

I think sterling, langer, Stuart, johns, thurston have been the great halfbacks if the last 35 years, maybe Cronk on his way.
All great players with different styles and attributes, but that's probably what decides it.
Johns was strong in all facets, with the exception of pace which really only thurston possesses.
Johns had a great long and short kicking game, and was probably the most creative kicker of all, bar Alfie's grubbers. He also had a great short and long passing game. He was a great runner of the footy.
So in my view he had the most complete game of all the halfbacks, which sets him apart. But the real clincher was something none of the others have is his defence. All the others are solid at best, but joey actually hit people. His size and strength as a defender gives him a massive edge. And he was a great goal kicker.
His game was complete, which is why he was the best.

2nd place is a much harder debate.

The off field stuff is irrelevant, plenty of other greats have skeletons including some on the list above, whether it be alcohol, ElephantJuice, both, womanising etc

 

[Swarzey]

Most halfbacks that get thrown up about being defined as "the best" are before my time. Outside of today's crop of brilliant halves, Johns was the only one I ever watched which makes it impossible to compare him to Langer. Shame though, really wish I had seen them all.

 

[firechild]

Langer and Stuart played in dominant teams, the raiders and broncos teams of the 90s would rival any rep team today in terms of all round talent.

What a great time the 90s would have been without the Super League rubbish. Canberra and Brisbane you've mentioned but Manly (3 GFs, 1 premiership), St George (3 GFs), Canterbury (3 GFs, 1 premiership) and even Norffs had great sides. Newcastle were emerging as a force and even the gummies had some success by their lofty standards.

Some great halfbacks running around too with Langer, Johns, Toovey, Brandy, Stuart. Are Thurston and Cronk that good or do they just look better because of the relative lack of rivals in their position (keeping in mind Thurston played most of his career to date at 7)?

 

[ram raid]

You should try doing your own homework but anyways....

Johns v Queensland (57%)

Games: 23
Wins: 13
Losses: 8
Draws: 2

Stuart v Queensland (57%)

Games: 14
Wins: 8
Losses: 6

Langer v NSW (50%)

Games 34
Wins: 17
Losses: 16
Draws: 1

Thanks for that. But I'm not sure win% is a very meaningful statistic. Thurston has a piss poor win % at club footy, doesn't mean he isn't a great half back. Perhaps looking at Langer v Johns head to head battles isn't that meaningful either, but it's more relevant than pure simple win %.

 

[The Eagle]

Defence is to league as parking is to driving

Langer couldn't tackle
Joey could

One's an immortal and the other isn't in the same league

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

The only times Langer and Johns came face to face in Origin in the modern era was 2001 and 2002.

Enough said.

Defence is to league as parking is to driving

Langer couldn't tackle
Joey could

One's an immortal and the other isn't in the same league

What is a Halfbacks primary role in Rugby League? To organize his team into offensive structures and get points on the board. Johns might have been far better at putting it between the sticks but in terms of offensive football, he didn't have a pinch of shit on Langer.

The only reason Johns is an immortal and Langer isn't is because Johns is a Blue.

 

[ram raid]

The only time Langer and Johns came face to face in Origin in the modern era was 2001. I can't remember if Langer played Origin in 2002.

Enough said.



What is a Halfbacks primary role in Rugby League? To organize his team into offensive structures and get points on the board. Johns might have been far better at putting it between the sticks but in terms of offensive football, he didn't have a pinch of shit on Langer.

The only reason Johns is an immortal and Langer isn't is because Johns is a Blue.

Langer and Johns both played Origin in 2002. Langer man of the series.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Langer and Johns both played Origin in 2002. Langer man of the series.

Well there you go then. Just reinforces Langers superiority even further.

 

[Brutus]

Johns is f**ked

Langer is god.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

The only times Langer and Johns came face to face in Origin in the modern era was 2001 and 2002.

Enough said.

Johns didn't play origin in 2001 and 2002 the series was a tie so what the hell is your point?

 

[axl rose]

What a great time the 90s would have been without the Super League rubbish. Canberra and Brisbane you've mentioned but Manly

Three champion teams that never met in a GF. All would wipe the floor with the premiers from the past decade.

 

[LESStar58]

Johns is f**ked

Langer is god.

This. Close the thread. Brutus wins.

 

[The Eagle]

The only times Langer and Johns came face to face in Origin in the modern era was 2001 and 2002.

Enough said.



What is a Halfbacks primary role in Rugby League? To organize his team into offensive structures and get points on the board. Johns might have been far better at putting it between the sticks but in terms of offensive football, he didn't have a pinch of shit on Langer.

The only reason Johns is an immortal and Langer isn't is because Johns is a Blue.

Who gives a f**k about dead concept other than inbr....ah well you're one of them so I'll leave that short

Origin is DEAD, a team losing 4 in a row ended it

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Thanks for that. But I'm not sure win% is a very meaningful statistic. Thurston has a piss poor win % at club footy, doesn't mean he isn't a great half back. Perhaps looking at Langer v Johns head to head battles isn't that meaningful either, but it's more relevant than pure simple win %.

If it's not a meaningful statistic then why did you ask for the stats. I'm sure if they favoured Langer they'd suddenly have some meaning.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Who gives a f**k about dead concept other than inbr....ah well you're one of them so I'll leave that short

Origin is DEAD, a team losing 4 in a row ended it

It's not dead yet. As soon as NSW clinch another series, then it will be dead.

 

[Noname36]

Awesome, yet another "Johns vs. (insert name of halfback here" thread.

 

[ram raid]

If it's not a meaningful statistic then why did you ask for the stats. I'm sure if they favoured Langer they'd suddenly have some meaning.

You brought it up. I just asked you to back it up.

 

[ram raid]

Who gives a f**k about dead concept other than inbr....ah well you're one of them so I'll leave that short

Origin is DEAD, a team losing 4 in a row ended it

Hahah. Bet You'll be tuning in come June hoping your team finally wins. Hey maybe the blues could dust Joey off and put him in the 7.

Sour grapes.