Cameron Smith - greatest NRL era player?

[Tommy Smith]

The Immortals concept is indeed ridiculous.

And I maintain that whilst Peter Sterling for one remains absent from the list of Immortals, then I see no criteria whereby any od the above mentioned Qld contenders could be considered ahead of him.

Sterlo led his team to a 3-peat (the last to do so) and 4 titles in 6 years. He also starred at both Origin and International level. If that isn't Immortal worthy, whatever the f**k that is, then I'm not sure what is.

 

[Danish]

The only player that has redefined his position is Slater, he instituted a Fullback's priority as calling defensive plays, he didn't need to add it to his resume to still be the best Fullback of all time but it makes it unquestionable

Smith and Thurston are the best of their position I've seen in 50+ years of unbiased scrutiny and Cronk/Thurston the best halves combination

Still, most people with half a f**king brain would realise that the use of 'redefine' in this instance is really only pertaining to excellence

You think Slater was the first fullback to organise the defensive line? Are you f**king serious? :lol:

 

[thorson1987]

You think Slater was the first fullback to organise the defensive line? Are you f**king serious? :lol:

I was doing it as a fullback in U/10's nearly 20 years ago.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

You think Slater was the first fullback to organise the defensive line? Are you f**king serious? :lol:

You missed the 'excellence' part...
And you missed my point as Pops pointed out.

Imo Hall of Famers are guys that stand out especially at club level for all reasons other than just playing a class above most of the others - they probably reached representative levels, maybe even played for their country - they're the guys other players will tell you they led by example and fans will tell you are synonymous with their club...

Immortals, if there must be, are all that +
And they do it for club, state, country - in a class of their own

 

[The Beaver]

The only player that has redefined his position is Slater, he instituted a Fullback's priority as calling defensive plays, he didn't need to add it to his resume to still be the best Fullback of all time but it makes it unquestionable

Smith and Thurston are the best of their position I've seen in 50+ years of unbiased scrutiny and Cronk/Thurston the best halves combination

Still, most people with half a f**king brain would realise that the use of 'redefine' in this instance is really only pertaining to excellence

Seems you don't know what the word redefine means. You can't change the definition of the word just to suit your agenda. So I'd ease up on the insults and quit trying to make out you're some form of intellectual giant. You're an intellectual snob without the intelligence.

 

[Apey]

Redefining the word redefine.

 

[DiegoNT]

I was doing it as a fullback in U/10's nearly 20 years ago.

This!!!
Played a couple of games at fullback when i was a kid about 15 years ago, was told it was my job to organise and instruct the defence from the back. Slater didn't invent that role lol

 

[Danish]

You missed the 'excellence' part...
And you missed my point as Pops pointed out.

Imo Hall of Famers are guys that stand out especially at club level for all reasons other than just playing a class above most of the others - they probably reached representative levels, maybe even played for their country - they're the guys other players will tell you they led by example and fans will tell you are synonymous with their club...

Immortals, if there must be, are all that +
And they do it for club, state, country - in a class of their own

I missed nothing. Popeye claimed very specifically that Slater redefined the role of fullback by organising the defensive line, despite the fact that this has been the fullback's job since before the time period Immortals are even allowed to be considered from.

Not surprising that Storm fans have zero idea about the actual history of the sport

 

[Cloudsurfer]

I missed nothing. Popeye claimed very specifically that Slater redefined the role of fullback by his organisation of the defensive line, despite the fact that this has been the fullback's job since before the time period Immortals are even allowed to be considered from.

Not surprising that Storm fans have zero idea about the actual history of the sport

Fixed it...
Do you guys in your heyday think your organisation (and that of other fullbacks that actually played NRL) of the defensive line was up there with what Slater's has been in his NRL career? Or are you willing to admit the kid's a freak?
Anyway, by definition of Hall of Fame as compared to Immortal (or at least what I think they are meant to stand for) the latter surely means some sort of ultimate once-in-a-generation or era kudos for the all round excellence and influence a particular player exhibits that sets them apart (above?) the rest - doesn't it?
For me, Smith, Slater and Thurston are the only contenders...what the powers-that-be consider the definition to be or how many can be made immortals etc, who knows? If its only one, in my opinion it should be Smith, but my opinion means jack to who decides - or on this forum

Feel free to think otherwise and express your opinion...

 

[MilkShark]

I don't think Smith is the best NRL player ever, nor do I think he is a future immortal. Good hooker yes, but I don't see anything that he does to be that extraordinary. Tell me what he is so good at? Wrestling? Controlling a game?

So what, he not a creative hooker at all. I find him boring to watch.

I rate Thurston and Lockyer so so so so so much more than Smith.

 

[Danish]

Fixed it...
Do you guys in your heyday think your organisation (and that of other fullbacks that actually played NRL) of the defensive line was up there with what Slater's has been in his NRL career? Or are you willing to admit the kid's a freak?
Anyway, by definition of Hall of Fame as compared to Immortal (or at least what I think they are meant to stand for) the latter surely means some sort of ultimate once-in-a-generation or era kudos for the all round excellence and influence a particular player exhibits that sets them apart (above?) the rest - doesn't it?
For me, Smith, Slater and Thurston are the only contenders...what the powers-that-be consider the definition to be or how many can be made immortals etc, who knows? If its only one, in my opinion it should be Smith, but my opinion means jack to who decides - or on this forum

Feel free to think otherwise and express your opinion...

Changing my post is actually a ban able offence, just FYI. That, and your edit still doesn't change that what you and Popeye are claiming is wrong.

Minichello and Lockyer are 2 fullbacks that played in the same era as Slater that were as good if not better defensive organisers than Slater. Check out some of the absolute defensive walls they built from the back, plus the inhumane individual try saving efforts (ones not involving two footed kicks to the head) they each built pulled off over their careers (particularly mini on this one).

Slater's best talent was making sure he was in the exact right position for any given situation. If a forward popped an offload, he was there. If a chip went over the top, he was there. If a back rower or centre busted the line and turned his head looking for support, he was there. He was never the fastest, never the strongest, never had the best footwork or passing game, but his impeccable timing meant he was forever hitting every gap or offload at full pace while everyone else on the field was still processing what was going on. By the time the strong/fast/skilful ones realised what was going on Slater was already 10m downfield.

That was Slater's talent, and that made him in the top 3 full backs I've ever seen. He didn't revolutionise a thing, he just did what others did, but better than anyone else

 

[roostersrule2]

Slater, Smith and Thurston are all capable of being apart of the stupid immortals concept.

Slater in his prime was an actual beast, pulled things off few could.

I think people are forgetting just how good he was, he was doing the kinda thing Tedesco is now but he was doing it better. Also Slater is a much better individual defender then both Mini and Lockyer.

Slater is the GOAT FB.

 

[_Johnsy]

I guess this is my point - he quite rightly carries a lot of baggage for his "alleged" misdemeanour's but if we can forgive Johns his drug abuse and recognise him as an immortal can we and should we do the same with Smith?

Agree, that's why I prefaced my comments with the bets hooker I have seen play.

Johns carries his baggage as does Smith. That baggage has SFA to do with their footballing ability (of which is the sole criteria for an immortal).

 

[_Johnsy]

Hall of Fame is for players that have gone above and beyond in their positions and/ or for their clubs. Immortals have done that and redefined the position they play in...
Smith, Cronk, Thurston AND Slater have done all that in the NRL era

Smith Yes, JT Yes, Slater v v v close.

Cronk :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Stop it!!

 

[DiegoNT]

For me, immortals are the undoubted best of their generation. Sonetimes the eras overlap. Sometimes 2 can't be split, but even then it's been a back and a forward.
Who was better then Churchill at the time?
Who were better then Gasnier and Raper during 60s?
Who was better then Langlands in the late 60s/early 70s?
Who was better then bozo and artie during the 70s?
Who was better the wally during the 80s?
Who was better then joey during the mid 90s through to the mid 00s?

A case could be made for sterling or kenny for the 80s, but wally built origin.
Maybe freddy could match joey at the time, but joey revolutionised half play with his kicks and his defence.

The next immortal should be the best player of the 00s, which is lockyer. Even though there's an overlap with him and joey, from about the time he took over as aussie captain in 2003 till the day he retired lockyer was the first picked, key player, go to man for every team he played for and guys like Thurston, smith, slater where his deputies.

Even if we picked 2 player from this era, are they the stand out players of there generation? Say we pick both smith and Thurston, you could say they were both behind lockyer to begin with, then they were never the out and out best player for an extended time. Smith and Thurston take turns at being the best in the game, and guys like slater, cronk, inglis and even hayne have had periods of being the best in the game

 

[Cloudsurfer]

Changing my post is actually a ban able offence, just FYI. That, and your edit still doesn't change that what you and Popeye are claiming is wrong.

Minichello and Lockyer are 2 fullbacks that played in the same era as Slater that were as good if not better defensive organisers than Slater. Check out some of the absolute defensive walls they built from the back, plus the inhumane individual try saving efforts (ones not involving two footed kicks to the head) they each built pulled off over their careers (particularly mini on this one).

Slater's best talent was making sure he was in the exact right position for any given situation. If a forward popped an offload, he was there. If a chip went over the top, he was there. If a back rower or centre busted the line and turned his head looking for support, he was there. He was never the fastest, never the strongest, never had the best footwork or passing game, but his impeccable timing meant he was forever hitting every gap or offload at full pace while everyone else on the field was still processing what was going on. By the time the strong/fast/skilful ones realised what was going on Slater was already 10m downfield.

That was Slater's talent, and that made him in the top 3 full backs I've ever seen. He didn't revolutionise a thing, he just did what others did, but better than anyone else

Yeah, forgot about that, apologies.
And I agree with you in your comments re Slater - as you have put it, 'redefined' was the wrong word obviously.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

For me, immortals are the undoubted best of their generation. Sonetimes the eras overlap. Sometimes 2 can't be split, but even then it's been a back and a forward.
Who was better then Churchill at the time?
Who were better then Gasnier and Raper during 60s?
Who was better then Langlands in the late 60s/early 70s?
Who was better then bozo and artie during the 70s?
Who was better the wally during the 80s?
Who was better then joey during the mid 90s through to the mid 00s?

A case could be made for sterling or kenny for the 80s, but wally built origin.
Maybe freddy could match joey at the time, but joey revolutionised half play with his kicks and his defence.

The next immortal should be the best player of the 00s, which is lockyer. Even though there's an overlap with him and joey, from about the time he took over as aussie captain in 2003 till the day he retired lockyer was the first picked, key player, go to man for every team he played for and guys like Thurston, smith, slater where his deputies.

Even if we picked 2 player from this era, are they the stand out players of there generation? Say we pick both smith and Thurston, you could say they were both behind lockyer to begin with, then they were never the out and out best player for an extended time. Smith and Thurston take turns at being the best in the game, and guys like slater, cronk, inglis and even hayne have had periods of being the best in the game

Agree re Lockyer and the rest of those players named would say the exact same thing

 

[BoatyMcfloatyfloat]

No. Johnathan Thurston is better.

 

[THE CHAMP]

For me, immortals are the undoubted best of their generation. Sonetimes the eras overlap. Sometimes 2 can't be split, but even then it's been a back and a forward.
Who was better then Churchill at the time?
Who were better then Gasnier and Raper during 60s?
Who was better then Langlands in the late 60s/early 70s?
Who was better then bozo and artie during the 70s?
Who was better the wally during the 80s?
Who was better then joey during the mid 90s through to the mid 00s?

A case could be made for sterling or kenny for the 80s, but wally built origin.
Maybe freddy could match joey at the time, but joey revolutionised half play with his kicks and his defence.

The next immortal should be the best player of the 00s, which is lockyer. Even though there's an overlap with him and joey, from about the time he took over as aussie captain in 2003 till the day he retired lockyer was the first picked, key player, go to man for every team he played for and guys like Thurston, smith, slater where his deputies.

Even if we picked 2 player from this era, are they the stand out players of there generation? Say we pick both smith and Thurston, you could say they were both behind lockyer to begin with, then they were never the out and out best player for an extended time. Smith and Thurston take turns at being the best in the game, and guys like slater, cronk, inglis and even hayne have had periods of being the best in the game

Agree with this except that Alan Langer was the player of the 90s
Johns best overlapped the late 90s early 00s

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Cameron Smith
The greatest NRL era player ever?

Absolutely not. Not even close. Hes not even the best at his position. Hes good but not great.