Sonny Bill Williams,Benji Marshall and Greg Inglis?

[Tommy Smith]

This thread only serves to show how easy people are influenced by current events. As has been mentioned, Inglis was always going to win this poll because hes the man of the moment. Simple as that.

Fastforward to mid-2007 and if Inglis has been out injured for a while then you can bet that Benji or Sonny-Bill would win the poll.

For the record they're all clearly the most talented 3 young players in the game. But Sonny-Bill remains the original and the best IMO. Doesnt mean the other two arent going to be great, because they certainly will be, but SBW is the best of the three...although Benji is the most valuable being in the halves.

 

[The_Savage_1]

SBW and Benji were not kept utterly dormant in a GF by amakeshift hooker. PLus they don't need a pivot to feed them.

Eric Grothe would have scored Inglis' 'classic' try, as would Pat Rchards.

196m and a line break. f**k me i'd hate to see him explode!

 

[colonel_123]

Inglis will always win thsi poll...Benji has bene non existent this year and SBW hasn't played a month. Inglis is fresh in the minds.

At their absolute peaks Inglis and Benji are on par in terms of match winning ability. Both freaks that can create a try out of absolutely nothing.

Inglis is faster and stronger but Benji is an absolute freak...remember some of the things he did last year? He is every bit the game breaker that Inglis in, perhaps he has a smarter footy brain. I think he has a bit more natural instincts then inglis while Inglis has more natural ability then Benji. Inglis is superior in defense though.

While those guys create magic outwide or around tired forwards you've got to remember Sonny Bill is putting seasoned veterans flat on their arse or is steam rolling international standard players. He's in with the big boys which is a much tougher ask early on then been a back IMO.

SBW is a bloke who weighs 102kgs yet can run 40 metres in 5 seconds - simply outstanding.

Sonny Bill is the more complete player of the three, you can't fault any part of his game really....just his ball handling.

They're all on par if you ask me, you can't split them. I think perhaps Inglis would get the nod from me for consistency - he is always one of the best 5 players on the park while SBW and Benji can have the off game every 1 in 5.


Hunt is missing in this thread though, never really rated him but by geez is he coming along. He's an outstanding player who has great leadership skills for a 20 year old. Future Australian captain. He's a guy you could build a club around.


I do think that Jarrod Mullen might the next one to be included in threads like these though - kids got soem almighty talent. ;-)

Good post, I totally agree.

 

[drake]

Inglis; he's an Aussie!

Seriously he reminds me of Mundine without the bullsh*t.

 

[Dazzat]

You'll be adding the name David Taylor to a thread such as this next year. He's a young prop coming through with the Broncos. Put together Glen Lazarus hit-ups, Arthur Beetson off-loads, and the determination of Shane Webke and you're getting the idea.

 

[Charlie124]

You'll be adding the name David Taylor to a thread such as this next year. He's a young prop coming through with the Broncos. Put together Glen Lazarus hit-ups, Arthur Beetson off-loads, and the determination of Shane Webke and you're getting the idea.

what are his tackle/hitup stats like? (how many per game roughly)

 

[Misty Bee]

196m and a line break. f**k me i'd hate to see him explode!

Those are not GF stats!

 

[Michaelson]

You just could not go past Inglis. He's incredible and consistent.

But I disagree with people who say he's a class apart from Marshall. Marshall is capable of some shockers, and his defense is at very least a bit dodgy, but he's got skills that match Inglis'.

He's also broken so many games open for the Tigers it is unbelievable.

Off the top of my head, second game and third games last season againt the Dogs and the Roosters he tore it up. Linked up with Prince beautifully.

The steps he put on at Shark Park in 2005, but also the Richards try he set up and the one he scored himself.

60 metre try against the Dogs in the 54-2 match.

The first semi-final against the Cowboys, which was tight for quite a while, when he packed in at lock in a scrum somewhere around halfway, and put Hodgson through a yawning gap.

90 metre intercept try against the Broncos.

Opening try aginst the Dragons (admittedly pretty pedestrian for Marshall).

Grand final flick pass.

Match winner round 1 this year against the Dragons.

Game against Newcastle at Cambeltown, where we lost by two, but Marshall set up two spectacular tries and almost a third.

There are doubtless others i'm forgetting. He is an absolute match winner, and anyone who says otherwise is deadset kidding themselves. He lacks discipline sometimes, and he's a bit of a liability in defense, but the hype surrounding him is more than justified.

 

[JJ]

SBW for mine... ignoring the injuries - forwards win premierships, not outside backs...

 

[Noa]

The "Fresh in the mind" argument is ridiculous, we're not goldfish, I'm sure most of us have the ability to re-call Benji's and SBW exploits

There's not much between GI and SBW talent wise but for what its worth I think Inglis has that little bit extra. He has SBW size but is quicker, he plays smarter, has Sonnys ball-skills which we will see next year plus he has a very good kicking game.

Benjis defensive side of the game hurts him in comparison to the other 2 and in all honesty I'd have Karmichael before Benji. Just wait till he moves closer to the action.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I don't know how you can say Inglis has "a little bit extra" over SBW. SBW has rather a large bit extra- he plays in the forwards! That makes him so much more of a complete player. If you compare them as centres than Inglis has a little bit extra, but SBW hits it up and smashes opposing props and back-rowers, that's a LOT extra.

 

[super_coach]

Time will be the real test,barring injuries who will take the next step from young super star into the elite pro.The player who developes new skills as the speed and step start to go. I think Sbw is already heading that way,but Benji strikes me as a player who could be a Jason Smith style player in 10 years.
Inglis is a player who could go as quickly as he came or he could be the once in a decade player like johns

 

[Noa]

So playing in the forwards automatically makes you a more complete player. Must of missed that memo. In my opinion Greg can do everything SBW can do a little better except maybe slip a pass with 3 guys hanging off you.

Dont fall into the trap that just becuse your a forward you contribute more to a teams cause. Players such has Greg, Justin Hodges, Mark Gasnier etc have enormous influence on the stamina of opposition forward packs through their line breaks and surging runs they do week-in week-out.

Would I rather a very good back-rower over a very good outside back, probably yes, but I'd take a truly great outside back e.g. Mal Meninga over the same calibre of back-rower e.g. Gordan Tallis.

 

[Special K]

Inglis then SBW then Benji. That said you'd take any if you had the chance for just one they are all that good.

 

[Tommy Smith]

So playing in the forwards automatically makes you a more complete player. Must of missed that memo. In my opinion Greg can do everything SBW can do a little better except maybe slip a pass with 3 guys hanging off you.

Dont fall into the trap that just becuse your a forward you contribute more to a teams cause. Players such has Greg, Justin Hodges, Mark Gasnier etc have enormous influence on the stamina of opposition forward packs through their line breaks and surging runs they do week-in week-out.

Would I rather a very good back-rower over a very good outside back, probably yes, but I'd take a truly great outside back e.g. Mal Meninga over the same calibre of back-rower e.g. Gordan Tallis.

Can Inglis put on a hit as well as SBW? Can he draw as many defenders up the middle or on the fringes only to put a bloke into space? Can he consistently do the hard yards in the forwards? Does he have the same ability to create confusion and make opposition defenders stand off him at the line becasue you dont know what hes going to do? (now im talking in the middle third of the field here). Does he have the same ability to create 2nd phase play? And then there are SBW's assets which you simply cant compare to that of a back such as his increbile speed and footwork for a backrower.

The bottom line is that you cant fairly compare the attributes of both players considering one plays in the back row (which is where SBW is at his best) and one is an outside back/fullback.
And as for this line, "The "Fresh in the mind" argument is ridiculous, we're not goldfish". Well yes actually, most people are goldfish. Hence the constantly changing opinion on who is the best coach, best FB etc. Infact didnt Karmichael win best young player poll in RLW because SBW missed about a month leading up to the poll through injury? Goldfish.

 

[innsaneink]

Goldfish- Braith Anasta

 

[Mr Saab]

Can Inglis put on a hit as well as SBW? Can he draw as many defenders up the middle or on the fringes only to put a bloke into space? Can he consistently do the hard yards in the forwards? Does he have the same ability to create confusion and make opposition defenders stand off him at the line becasue you dont know what hes going to do? (now im talking in the middle third of the field here). Does he have the same ability to create 2nd phase play? And then there are SBW's assets which you simply cant compare to that of a back such as his increbile speed and footwork for a backrower.

The bottom line is that you cant fairly compare the attributes of both players considering one plays in the back row (which is where SBW is at his best) and one is an outside back/fullback.
And as for this line, "The "Fresh in the mind" argument is ridiculous, we're not goldfish". Well yes actually, most people are goldfish. Hence the constantly changing opinion on who is the best coach, best FB etc. Infact didnt Karmichael win best young player poll in RLW because SBW missed about a month leading up to the poll through injury? Goldfish.

Well said Tommy.
So many league frauds on this forum.

 

[JJ]

Can Inglis put on a hit as well as SBW? Can he draw as many defenders up the middle or on the fringes only to put a bloke into space? Can he consistently do the hard yards in the forwards? Does he have the same ability to create confusion and make opposition defenders stand off him at the line becasue you dont know what hes going to do? (now im talking in the middle third of the field here). Does he have the same ability to create 2nd phase play? And then there are SBW's assets which you simply cant compare to that of a back such as his increbile speed and footwork for a backrower.

The bottom line is that you cant fairly compare the attributes of both players considering one plays in the back row (which is where SBW is at his best) and one is an outside back/fullback.
And as for this line, "The "Fresh in the mind" argument is ridiculous, we're not goldfish". Well yes actually, most people are goldfish. Hence the constantly changing opinion on who is the best coach, best FB etc. Infact didnt Karmichael win best young player poll in RLW because SBW missed about a month leading up to the poll through injury? Goldfish.

nice work Tommy

 

[sooperdooper]

inglis by a mile.... he is just so devastating!

 

[Noa]

Can Inglis put on a hit as well as SBW? Can he draw as many defenders up the middle or on the fringes only to put a bloke into space? Can he consistently do the hard yards in the forwards? Does he have the same ability to create confusion and make opposition defenders stand off him at the line becasue you dont know what hes going to do? (now im talking in the middle third of the field here). Does he have the same ability to create 2nd phase play? And then there are SBW's assets which you simply cant compare to that of a back such as his increbile speed and footwork for a backrower.

The bottom line is that you cant fairly compare the attributes of both players considering one plays in the back row (which is where SBW is at his best) and one is an outside back/fullback.
And as for this line, "The "Fresh in the mind" argument is ridiculous, we're not goldfish". Well yes actually, most people are goldfish. Hence the constantly changing opinion on who is the best coach, best FB etc. Infact didnt Karmichael win best young player poll in RLW because SBW missed about a month leading up to the poll through injury? Goldfish.

A well put out argument and we can argue till were black and Blue the merits of Outside backs v back-rowers. Like I said originally there's a struck match between them but to answer some of your queries.

Can Inglis put on a hit as well as SBW? - Not as hard but his defence is every bit as good, you dont see too many people get past him at what is the hardest postion on the field to defend.

Can he consistently do the hard yards in the forwards? - Who knows, thats not his job, its like asking can SBW leave the cover defence clutching at thin-air as he runs 80m for a try. Ill say this though Greg doesnt slow up when he does take a hit up and he always bends the line.

Does he have the same ability to create confusion and make opposition defenders stand off him at the line becasue you dont know what hes going to do? - I think you knew the answer to this as you were typing it.

Does he have the same ability to create 2nd phase play? - Maybe not through offloads (as of yet) but the speed of his play-the-ball is incredible and resulted in us going from try line to try line many times this year. Also got us quite a few penalties.

And then there are SBW's assets which you simply cant compare to that of a back such as his increbile speed and footwork for a backrower.- Yes Sonny-Bill has incredible athleticism at 6'3' and 105 kg but Greg's even more athletic and he's 6"5" and 100kg.

And karmichael desrved to win the Rookie of the Year, played every game and scored 17 tries in the process, so if your point is we've forgotten how good K-Hunt is, I certainly have'nt. I rate him in the SBW and Greg Inglis class.