Cameron Smith is the greatest rugby league player ever.

[DC_fan]

Cameron Smith is probably the best hooker off all time, he is by far the best hooker I've ever seen. Noel Kelly was light years before my time so I have no idea how good he actually was but he seems like he was champion.

The only thing that I wonder about Smith compared to the old days are the scrums. When Kelly etc was playing the scrum was a fair dinkum contest for the ball when Smith has never been in a contested scrum and has never put his foot on the ball in one. Makes me wonder how good he would be in a contested scrum.

The game and scrums are completely different today from Kelly's time. I become a fan of the game at the tail end of Neds cared, so I have vague memories of him. He was tough noholds bar player, who would struggle to make it in today's game. The position of hooker has changed so much I rarely hear of the position called that anymore. More often then not the so called hooker does not pack in that position, so much so it is called dummy half or #9. As much as Kelly would struggle in today's game, Cameron Smith would have struggled in Kelly's time.

As for who is the best player ever, that is hard to judge. If I had to pick anyone it would be Billy Slater.

 

[DC_fan]

Its a shame player managers/NRL are not better at promoting players. Thurston must be the most marketable sportsman in Australia yet how often do you see him outside of the game? Smith has the nickname the accountant, geez you'd think an accountancy firm would have picked him up for promotion by now. Saw Slater recently for a sports drink and Barbie (yes the doll) on TV but its rare to see our top players benefitting from their image rights to any great extent.

Thurston problem is, he plays for a team based in Townsville. ask most people outside of Qld where Townsville is, I think a fair few will struggle to answer that question. I have no doubt if Thurston played out of Sydney or even Melbourne then I have no doubt he would be a very marketable asset

 

[ed-grimley]

Yes, he must thank the most influential player in the teams he played in for carrying him . . . what was his name again

Not carrying - more helping out.

 

[POPEYE]

Not carrying - more helping out.

Aren't opinions marvelous things ol' mate . . . we're lucky to have them

 

[blaza88z]

Cameron Smith, one of the all time greats but his career has an asterix beside his name due to the systematic cheating at Melbourne, without the cheating I suggest there's no way in the world he would be able to play with the likes of Inglis, Cronk and Slater, any one of those players in their own right would be enough for a struggling club to build a team around.. let alone have all 4 at the same club (currently 3).

I won't get involved in the "Lockyer wasn't a great" debate because at the end of the day it comes down to which club you support but Joey and JT winning premierships for their respective clubs with the sides that they had at the time are a true testament to the quality of players that they are/were. I think the Cowboys will only truly understand how great JT is once he retires and I am not saying that to take a shot at Cowboys fans like IBM does in every Cowboys gameday thread but he will incredibly sorely missed.

 

[POPEYE]

Cameron Smith, one of the all time greats but his career has an asterix beside his name due to the systematic cheating at Melbourne, without the cheating I suggest there's no way in the world he would be able to play with the likes of Inglis, Cronk and Slater, any one of those players in their own right would be enough for a struggling club to build a team around.. let alone have all 4 at the same club (currently 3).

I won't get involved in the "Lockyer wasn't a great" debate because at the end of the day it comes down to which club you support but Joey and JT winning premierships for their respective clubs with the sides that they had at the time are a true testament to the quality of players that they are/were. I think the Cowboys will only truly understand how great JT is once he retires and I am not saying that to take a shot at Cowboys fans like IBM does in every Cowboys gameday thread but he will incredibly sorely missed.

Without Melbourne and its 'cheating', which club do you think the Fab 4 would be playing with . . . taking into consideration the NRL is only slightly smarter than Waldron

 

[blaza88z]

Without Melbourne and its 'cheating', which club do you think the Fab 4 would be playing with . . . taking into consideration the NRL is only slightly smarter than Waldron

Certainly not all 4 in the same team, I can assure you of that. Maybe 2 of them, at best.. with the roster they had at the time, all 4? That is insane.

 

[POPEYE]

Certainly not all 4 in the same team, I can assure you of that. Maybe 2 of them, at best.. with the roster they had at the time, all 4? That is insane.

Is it as insane as the main 3 still being where they are now. Take it a step further, suppose Bellamy got the shits with losing his prodigies and went to Brisbane with them instead of Hook . . . be careful what jealousy makes you wish for

 

[OldPanther]

Yes, he must thank the most influential player in the teams he played in for carrying him . . . what was his name again

Tim Glasby.

 

[carcharias]

His grand final record isn't that flash .
Even the one he missed through suspension would've been another loss had he played I'd imagine.
Not even he could've stopped a 40 nil demo job.

Won 3
Lost 3
Had 2 taken off him for cheating.

1 from 6

Even Matt Prior is better than that.

 

[POPEYE]

His grand final record isn't that flash .
Even the one he missed through suspension would've been another loss had he played I'd imagine.
Not even he could've stopped a 40 nil demo job.

Won 3
Lost 3
Had 2 taken off him for cheating.

1 from 6

Even Matt Prior is better than that.

Never thought of that . . . can I change my mind and have Prior the first pick over Cam in my best team in the history of the NRL

 

[carcharias]

Never thought of that . . . can I change my mind and have Prior the first pick over Cam in my best team in the history of the NRL

Even Steve price the assistant coach has a better grand final winning record

 

[Haffa]

Without Melbourne and its 'cheating', which club do you think the Fab 4 would be playing with . . . taking into consideration the NRL is only slightly smarter than Waldron

Is it really a debate that Smith would have gone to the Gold Coast? They offered the most money until Melbourne found a couple of yachts.

 

[POPEYE]

Even Steve price the assistant coach has a better grand final winning record

Great to see people who care so much about gf's, they should be held on Sunday mornings and pass the plate instead of entry fees. That said, this Cam Smith thing is just a bit of fun . . . hands up anyone who has changed their mind from who they originally thought is the game's MVP

 

[POPEYE]

Is it really a debate that Smith would have gone to the Gold Coast? They offered the most money until Melbourne found a couple of yachts.

That's only haffa the story, GC has always been a promise too far for Melbourne players . . . those that matter anyway

 

[carcharias]

Great to see people who care so much about gf's, they should be held on Sunday mornings and pass the plate instead of entry fees. That said, this Cam Smith thing is just a bit of fun . . . hands up anyone who has changed their minds from who they originally thought is the game's MVP

Well The sharks ( me ) are the current custodian of the greatest prize of all.
So
Yeah we care.

 

[POPEYE]

Well The sharks ( me ) are the current custodian of the greatest prize of all.
So
Yeah we care.

I'm with you ol' mate, I prayed to whoever it is people pray to all last year for the Sharks to win the cup, just as I'm hoping the Sharks go back to back this year . . . mainly to piss off the NRL and Flanno doubters

All I'm interested in is the Storm winning The Shield . . . then again, guess who I considered the best team of the year Melbourne won it's first cup

 

[Knightmare]

I'm with you ol' mate, I prayed to whoever it is people pray to all last year for the Sharks to win the cup, just as I'm hoping the Sharks go back to back this year . . . mainly to piss off the NRL and Flanno doubters

All I'm interested in is the Storm winning The Shield . . . then again, guess who I considered the best team of the year Melbourne won it's first cup

I remember that. Unbelievable call, too. Like I think he was a decent coach, but even that was a miracle too far for Tommy Raudonikis...

 

[carcharias]

His GF losing captain speeches are pretty good....albeit a tad long winded.
Nevertheless...Practice makes perfect they say.

 

[Haffa]

That's only haffa the story, GC has always been a promise too far for Melbourne players . . . those that matter anyway

I have no idea what that means but I'm sure it insightful.