Was Walters really better than Elias?

[Mr Spock!]

Except that most modern players still play 80min.

Yeah sure. I bet some of those forwards from different eras would love to only play for 20 minutes and with a 10m defensive line.

 

[typicalfan]

the only answer needed is alot more than benny elias

A bit like premierships.

 

[undertaker]

They'd be stuffed after 15 minutes playing the no substitute rule.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

The game was not as fast paced back then, and also the vast majority of the players weren't full-time professionals like they are now. Most first-grade players pre-SL war had jobs outside of RL. Therefore, fitness wasn't as much of a necessity back then

Players of the skill-set of Thurston, Hayne, Inglis, Slater, Smith etc. would singlehandedly carve up sides from 20+ years ago

 

[Pedge1971]

Hate Queensland, but I was sure Steve Walters was the best hooker of all time, then Smith came along... still think it might be Walters though.

Walters re-defined hooker play, then Buderus came along and re-defined the hooker play that Walters took to a new level. Then amazingly Cam Smith came along and took Bedsys new level to even greater heights. In 10 to 15 years hookers went from and extra forward work horse who stood at dummy half, had the odd run and tackled all day to all of those plus a huge attacking weapon.

These 3 champions took hookers to the new era

 

[nick87]

then Buderus came along and re-defined the hooker play that Walters took to a new level.

 

[JJ]

Yeah, was good reading until Buderus - good player, but wooahh

 

[Craig Johnston]

the player that revolutionised the modern hooker role the most is geoff toovey

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

the player that revolutionised the modern hooker role the most is geoff toovey

Some will demand an investigation to back up such a claim.

 

[Haffa]

Johns was a better hooker than all of them.

2 world cups from the position.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Yeah, was good reading until Buderus - good player, but wooahh

Agreed.
lol @ Butterarse (I think it was melon who used to call him that back in the day).
And yes, Walters was better than Elias.

 

[Canard]

Greg "The Turtle" Conescu was better then both

 

[Stranga]

Greg "The Turtle" Conescu was better then both

This

 

[JJ]

Greg "The Turtle" Conescu was better then both

And Royce Simmons better than Conescu, getting circular

 

[Sunshine Coast Tiger]

Both were quality players.

The spine needs balance.

Depends on the halves they may have.

If your are Steve you leave direction to Ricky and run when you can.

If you are Benny you direct and get the halves running, run and kick when you can.

Both great players.

This.

Both were very good players. Both had very good forward packs around them. Due to the Tigers having not elite level halves compared to the Raiders side, I fell Benny was a slightly better attacking player but probably because his side needed him to be. Would take both in their prime over all the current day hookers apart from Smith.