Johns vs Thurston

[God-King Dean]

Gordie's transfer is debatable. Super League certainly presented him with the opportunity but transferring to the Broncos was always something he wanted to do as he admired Langer & Walters.

Mundine just followed Gordie. Originally he was supposed to be a Bulldog but he hated it there and so he just went to Brisbane.

Neither played crucial roles in our side. Gordie was underdone having taken the year off and Mundine missed the bulk of the year and was played out of position to fit him in.

The emergence of Lockyer, Webcke, TC, De Vere & Thorn was what set the Broncos apart that season. A Broncos/Manly clash would have been very interesting and a great match to watch.

Read that he just had one training session at Bulldogs.

Was this before or after Barry Ward called him a 'black merkin'?

 

[Big Pete]

He said what?!

:lol: Haven't heard about Ward. I'm just aware of Wayne's account which also includes the tidbit about Tallis turning down the Cowboys.

 

[firechild]

And Firey, losing Ian Roberts was no loss for you guys mate, OJ maybe but as said earlier, the only reason he won cow of the year was due to the utter trash up here playing at the time (except for Bowman).

Perhaps but keep in mind players will lift when those around them are playing well. I think losing Ridge was the most significant loss. The bloke was brilliant but will probably never get the credit he deserves because he was so widely loathed.

 

[beave]

yeah I forgot about Ridge.

I wonder why Manly were so split over superleague? You would have tought Arko would have been all over them like flies on shit to stay loyal to the ARL?

 

[firechild]

I'm not sure that they were that split. We only lost Roberts, Ridge and OJ. OJ was a Queenslander and took the opportunity at some retirement money closer to home. Ridge by all reports was a greedy merkin and he took the opportunity for a big payday while moving closer to home with the warriors. Not sure what Roberts' reasons were but his career was also winding down so probably looked at the opportunity for some good retirement money.

 

[DiegoNT]

Bit of a debate going around the media at the moment, surprised no one has started this thread yet. Always going to come down personal opinion and state allegiances, who do you think is the better halfback

NRL
Johns:
249 games, 164 wins, %65.60 win rate
82 tries, 917 goals, 22 field goals, 2190 points
2 premierships
1 Clive Churchill medal
3 Dally M medals
2 golden boots

Thurston:
250 games, 135 wins, % 57.2 win rate
81 tries, 653 goals, 10 field goals 1640
1 premiership (off the bench)
3 Dally M medals
2 golden boots

State of origin
Johns:
23 games, 13 wins, % 56.52 win rate
4 tries, 37 goals, 4 field goals, 94 points
5 series wins
2 clean sweeps
4 man of the match awards

Thurston
30 games, 19 wins, %63.33 win rate
5 tries, 76 goals, 2 field goals, 174 points
8 series wins
1 clean sweep
4 man of the match awards

Australia
Johns:
23 games, 20 wins, %86.96
9 tries, 66 goals, 168 points
2 world cups

Thurston
31 games, 29 wins, % 93.55
12 tries, 140 goals, 328 points
1 world cup

*all stats from www.rugbyleagueproject.org

 

[abpanther]

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=414962&highlight=johns+thurston

 

[petetheileet]

Thurston for mine

 

[DiegoNT]

http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=414962&highlight=johns+thurston

Anyway to merge the threads? Or start a new debate now that they've reaches an equal level of nrl matches

 

[umina panther]

One can defend and other other can't. That's the end of the argument right there

 

[DiegoNT]

One can defend and other other can't. That's the end of the argument right there

I've always agreed with that, defence is %50 of the game, it has to be taken into account when discussing the great players

 

[_snafu_]

Yeah. Need a missed tackles stat.

 

[Snappy]

One can defend and other other can't. That's the end of the argument right there

That's a bit harsh on Johns don't you think ?

 

[Canard]

I reckon we should aim to create 50 Thurston related threads by this time tomorrow!

Lets roll LU!

 

[Captain Apollo]

That's a bit harsh on Johns don't you think ?

Comparing him to a player who is an ordinary defender? Yeah, you're right, it is harsh on Johns ;-)

 

[Kiwi]

Never f**king heard of them

 

[DiegoNT]

Yeah. Need a missed tackles stat.

Also need a stat on percentage of plays 'competed at'
Thurston is well known by commentators for 'competing' on every set, every tackle, every play, wonder how that stat would compete upto johns 'competing ' stats

In all honesty though stats are just a guide and no player should ever be judged just by his stats alone

 

[Canard]

NRL
Johns:
249 games, 164 wins, %65.60 win rate
82 tries, 917 goals, 22 field goals, 2190 points
1.5 premierships

Just made a minor correction to your stats by the way

 

[betcats]

JT lost a grand final Joey never would of done that, and JTs first Dally M award belongs to Joey, JT only won by one vote over Johns despite Johns missing a large part of the season. Plus Joey can tackle.

 

[Hutty1986]

I'd love to hear Matty Johns' thoughts on this rarely thought about, obscure debate.