Will Nathan Cleary surpass Andrew Johns as the greatest ever halfback to play the game?

[Ghostface Killah]

Vote and discuss.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

No and no thank you.

 

[Nealo 12]

Every chance just keep him out of Newy , England and airport’s

 

[Wizardman]

No way in the world. I dislike Joey as a person....and consider Cleary a very good halfback. But, Joey is MILES ahead of Cleary.

 

[Smug Panther]

No but he's the best since Joey and yes that includes JT

 

[Twizzle]

nar

 

[stryker]

Only if Nathan is a druggo as well is it possible.
Lol at better than JT.

 

[mozza91]

Look if he drastically improves every aspect of his game outside of his kicking then still no.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Way too early to say based on results to date.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Johns was an outstanding halfback no doubt. But he only really dominated at State of Origin level occasionally. Don’t get me wrong when he did dominate it was awesome… but he wasn’t even the first choice halfback at times… eg Toovey was selected ahead of him.

If Cleary can steer the Blues to more series victories, and dominate Qld for the most part, he’s got a chance of bettering Johns. He was selected young, and with a few series under his belt… absolutely caned Qld this year. And was sorely missed in game 3… and we lost.

Like Captain Apollo said, it’s too early to assess but nonetheless a good topic to chew over.

 

[Smug Panther]

Look if he drastically improves every aspect of his game outside of his kicking then still no.

Defends as well as Joey or Freddy and his kicking is as good as Joey but yeah not on his level elsewhere.

 

[mozza91]

Defends as well as Joey or Freddy and his kicking is as good as Joey but yeah not on his level elsewhere.

Cleary is a good defender but he’s not on Joey’s level there either. Joey would pick up and dump big blokes on their ass weekly.

 

[Smug Panther]

Cleary is a good defender but he’s not on Joey’s level there either. Joey would pick up and dump big blokes on their ass weekly.

Those great tackles would be penalties now

 

[soc123_au]

This time 2 years ago I was hopeful he could get to a similar level to Cronk. I think he has hit that mark now and still improving. He doesn't have the natural ability of Joey, but his work ethic is second to none. This could be a very interesting conversation in another 5 years, but right now, no.

 

[soc123_au]

Cleary is a good defender but he’s not on Joey’s level there either. Joey would pick up and dump big blokes on their ass weekly.

Both fantastic defensively in their positions, but different styles. Joey put on more big hits, where Nathan is still strong one on one, it's his cover defence that is the standout. Very hard to call one as better than the other defensively.

 

[Valheru]

Johns was an outstanding halfback no doubt. But he only really dominated at State of Origin level occasionally. Don’t get me wrong when he did dominate it was awesome… but he wasn’t even the first choice halfback at times… eg Toovey was selected ahead of him.

If Cleary can steer the Blues to more series victories, and dominate Qld for the most part, he’s got a chance of bettering Johns. He was selected young, and with a few series under his belt… absolutely caned Qld this year. And was sorely missed in game 3… and we lost.

Like Captain Apollo said, it’s too early to assess but nonetheless a good topic to chew over.

Cleary hasn't dominated QLD though.

Turbo, teddy and latrell have.

 

[Sphagnum]

If he played for a parra he would be labelled as the next Sterlo

 

[some11]

Try winning a premiership or two first.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Cleary hasn't dominated QLD though.

Turbo, teddy and latrell have.

I'd suggest in games 1 & 2 this year he absolutely did. When he was out in game 3, we went from destroying Qld to being beaten by them. His loss was enormous. But that said - both Cleary & Johns had "mediocre" starts to their Origin careers. Cleary has copped a bit for his early origin games but many forget that Johns' first series was in 1995 against a decimated Qld side that beat NSW 3-0.

We've currently got the whole of Johns' career to reflect on, while the majority of Cleary's career is yet to happen. "IF" Cleary can put in many more dominant performances for NSW in time, many series wins etc, and continue/exceed his current form at the Panthers & get a few titles under his belt - I'd suggest he does indeed have a shot at consideration as the better halfback when he's finished his career. That's just my opinion.

 

[dogslife]

Downhill skier. Send him to a shit team like the Dogs and see how well he does.

No honestly.... Send him....