Sterlo was the most influential over the longest period of time.
Wally Lewis still far and beyond the most influential player at State of Origin level.
Allan Langer was a massive influence at all level of the game and for a long period.
Andrew Johns didn`t really dominate at representative level to the extent of the above named players until the latter stages of his career. He was dominant at club level for a long period, but I don`t believe that he was quite as dominant as any of the above named 3 players when all at their very best.
Mal Meninga and Brett Kenny are 2 true greats of the game, but did feed off the great players around them to a certain extent.
Brad Fittler was a genius at a young age, he then seemed to level out quite quickly, but then proved his greatness as a leader towards the end of his career. A true champion, but not quite on par with the above named players in my opinion.
After these great players you could name another 20-30 great players that had a very even effect on their respective sides, but who in my opinion weren`t quite at the level of the above named players. In saying this I only vaguely remember players such as Ray Price and Bob Fulton and Arthur Beetson at their best, so I wouldn`t argue with anyone rating them higher than some of the players I have named. Turvey Mortimer was also a great player, but I don`t class him quite as highly as the players i`ve named. Gavin Miller was one that I always thaught was vastly under rated, he carried the Sharks for many seasons. Cliff Lyons was an enigma who was right up there with the very best when on song, but didn`t quite have the consistency for me to rate him right up with the very best on a consistently regular basis.
Both Ricky Stuart and Greg Alexander were right up with the very best when at their best for a couple of seasons, but again not at their best for a long enough period for me to rate them in the top 5.
My Top 7
1.Peter Sterling
2.Wally Lewis
3.Allan Langer
4.Andrew Johns
5.Brett Kenny
6.Mal Meninga
7.Brad Fittler