Johnathan Thurston’s position as potentially the game’s greatest ever player all depends on the result this Sunday.
Lead his team to victory and it’s hard to argue against him as the greatest player of the modern era, and quite possibly the most influential of all time. Fall to defeat and there are a few other players that might just sit above him.
I don’t think there is any argument against JT becoming a future Immortal. He may not be the next one, or the one after that but he will one day join the illustrious group. Remembering that you have to be out of the game for at least five years before being considered may rule him out of becoming the ninth, but he will sit up there eventually.
When people discuss the greatest ever, it is always going to be someone you have seen play. For this reason, judging players against those of other eras is too difficult to say and a wasted exercise. As a player to be the best, all you can do is make sure you dominate those who come up against you.
Thurston has done that.
But does this make him the best player of the NRL era? If he lifts up the Provan-Summons on Sunday, I think so and I will consider him the best player I have ever seen. Until then I have to put Andrew Johns and Darren Lockyer just above.
I know JT has won a premiership with the Bulldogs back in 2004 but coming on as a utility off the bench is not the same as leading your team in the chief playmaking position, something the other two have both done.
While Thurston might out do these two in Dally Ms (he has four to Johns’ three and Lockyer’s none) they beat him in other areas. Lockyer has a remarkable four premierships and one Clive Churchill Medal, while Johns has two premierships and a Clive Churchill. All three have also played leading roles in their respective state’s State of Origin series wins.
JT’s player of the year gongs are impressive but remember it is premierships that the players are gunning for, not individual accolades.
The fact that both Johns and Lockyer have stood up and been best on ground during a grand final is testament to their big match capabilities. There is no denying Thurston can turn up in big matches too, and let’s hope that he does this coming Sunday.
The one feather that JT is missing in his cap is a Clive Churchill Medal, but more importantly it is a premiership for the people of North Queensland. The Cowboys have had the roster capable for years now and conspiracy theories aside should have probably taken home the big prize.
Grand finals are hard to come by and at 32-years-old Thurston might find it hard to play in another. His career has built up to this moment and like most New South Welshman I will be cheering him and The Cowboys on against the Broncos.
Hopefully by about 9pm on Sunday, I’ll be calling him the greatest player I have ever seen.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Mine too mate. All for different reasons - I'm a Lockyer fan personally, but at the end of the day, how do you separate them. Different generations, different types and levels of competition, differnet positions in teams that played different styles. So many variables. Which is why its a fascinating discussion, admittedly.
The eye
Guest
This is true..you dont need any newspaper award or a GF to prove your greatness..those guys ripped it up constantly even in the twilights of their careers..Locky,Johns and JT..creme de la creme in the eyes of this beholder..
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
You'd be surprised, Cooper Cronk has run through a lot of great tacklers in his time.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Who cares if Lockyer didn't win the Dally M? An award voted by and handed out by News Limited? Seriously. Lockyer, JT, Lewis and Johns are all tied at number 1 for me.
Grand Armee
Guest
If JT wins this game, he will have two premierships (not one). Further, he is still an active player, so who knows if he/the Cowboys can win another 1-2 more.... (granted, winning a premiership is very hard to do: just ask any Cows fan).
Chris Love
Guest
Are you kidding? You must be taking the piss surely. Johns was in plenty of rep teams as a halfback-what a ridiculous statement that was. The one thing both of those players could do very well that JT can't is TACKLE! Even cooper Cronk runs straight through JT.
dS
Guest
I don't think a premiership win is going to be what elevates JT to greatest of all time. Locky has 4, Johns has 2, I don't see why JT getting 1 will be the deciding factor. Then there is origin. JT plays well when he has a solid halves partner that steers the team around so JT can roam where he sees fit. First it was Locky, then Cronk. But look at when Cronk has been injured and you realise the QLD attack hasn't been as potent with JT in charge. Last year Cronk got injured early in game one and misses game two as well. QLD lose both. Cronk misses game 2 this year and QLD lose. The QLD attack isn't quite as scary when JT needs to steer the ship. Compare that to a bloke like Johns where it didn't matter who his halves partner was, he would get the job done. 2005 was his last ever Origin Series and game 3 was one of his best performances. 2005 was the last series NSW won before the streak began. His QLD halves opponents? Locky and JT. JT is one of the greats of all time because of his consistency at a high level, but for me he has never quite had the same level of brilliance that Joey was capable of. Andrew Johns changed the way the game is played, you can't really say the same for JT. It's like splitting hairs in many regards, but Johns will still be number 1 in my mind even with a cows win on Sunday. Go the Cows!! Go JT!!
Broadly Speaking
Guest
What if Thursty gets another "feather" of a Clive Churchill Medal even though the Cowboys don't win the game? The game is expected to be close so what if it is decided by a blatantly wrong referee decision (7 tackles y'all)? What if he is injured early and the Cowboys go on to win anyway, did he technically lead his team to the win? I guess he's failed again.......... Maybe next year............. (PS: He's already proven to me that he is the greatest ever because Johns couldn't even be selected in rep teams as a halfback and Lockyer never won a Dally M!!!!)
theHunter
Guest
If Cowboys win, not only will he tick the "win GF' box but it will also break the perfect record of the Broncos in Grandfinals.... JT can do it and I would love for that to happen....
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Agree Niall
Niall
Guest
This Sunday will not change my opinion of JT. He could have an amazing game, score a hat-trick, set up 4 more and kick 7 goals from 7 attempts and win 42-0. He could have a shocker, miss every tackle he attempts, drop every ball and throw multiple passes that are intercepted for tries. Neither of these outcomes will change my opinion of him. He will go down as one of the greatest. There will never be a unanimous greatest player of all time. The discussion is pointless, but no less fun.