But that's the ambiguity around the definition of 'better' or 'greatest' In a team sport, how can you be any better than the most influential? Isn't that the point - to have the most influence over the result? To me, that is the greatest. Joey Johns might've had more highlight reels, skills, fan dazzling etc but Cameron Smith ticks the most boxes. Consistency, football smarts, leadership, vision, and as I said overall influence to winning matches and titles. And he did it at all levels, at all times. He's a shit bloke but. But most of the greats are.
On that basis he is the best. Up there with Glenn McGrath, who wasn't the fastest but was the smartest and most successful.
Every team he has played in was better because of it. Queensland turned to shit when he retired from Origin and Australia aren't as dominant. I've never seen a player read the game as well as Smith. That's what makes him so good. He plays what's in front of him and is 2 or 3 plays ahead of his opposition. You cannot coach that into a player.
I always think of it that if I was starting a new club and could have the pick of any player at 21 years old as first signing for the club who would I choose. For me I would go with Smith every day of week for his leadership, captaincy, longevity and ability to deliver consistent success.
Smith's greatness cannot be shown in highlight reels. Hence I am happier to have witnessed Thurston's career.
Only needs all the 10 sec grabs of him lifting trophy after trophy after trophy, after trophy.... putting together!
So Cronk then. More prems across multiple teams. Based off your rationale and the crowning glory being a comp is cronk better than Smith?
are premierships the only measure of success? Andrew Johns only won 2, and is often regarded as the goat, and was the quickest to be made an immortal after retiring sure they are important and mean the most to a club and its fans, but there are other records and stats that go towards a players individual success - points, win percentage, etc the thing that stands out the most for Smith though is how long he has been at the level he is at for, he is 37 ffs and seems he could quite easily go around again if he wants to and we all know that if smith played for a Sydney side he would be hailed as god walking among us..
I agree with a lot of what you say and I guess the Goat is really up to personal interpretation. Smith has been the most durable league player we have seen and broken a lot of records. He is smarter than most which has boosted the longevity. I guess I feel that his supporting cast has always been a lot better than others that are mentioned and I'm probably salty that though storm played for no points his personal tally still went up. Greatest maybe. Personally I feel his contributions sit too heavily on both sides of the fence to be the GOAT.
GOAT will never be a title officially bestowed upon one person and one person only, as you said it'll always be personal opinion. Nien regularly calls him the goat, while on the same night having JT part of the broadcast team and also calling him the goat, Johns also gets called the goat often by others on nine while Joey himself calls both JT and Smith goats. Its a fairly meaningless title and a bit of a merry go round but that takes the fun out of debating it I think we can all agree he will be made an immortal either on the 5 year mark from retiring or shortly after
The fact that he stood over Alex McKinnon injured body while he was complaining to the ref that it was McKinnon’s action that caused his injuries speaks volumes about the guy.
