There, I said it.
North Queensland’s 17-16 win over the Broncos is a watershed moment in rugby league, as it means we can now stop discussing Johnathan Thurston’s rank among the current crop and start talking about his position among the game’s all-time greats.
What better player to compare him to than the other great halfback of our time, Andrew Johns?
Joey is the latest player to be named an Immortal, and was named halfback in the NRL’s Team of the Century in 2007.
If Thurston’s better than Johns, he’s surely the greatest man to ever pull on a pair of boots.
The numbers
Thurston has now won two premierships, one off the bench with with the Bulldogs in 2004 and one with the Cowboys in 2015. Johns also has two premierships under his belt, winning the title in 1997 and 2001 with Newcastle.
At representative level, Thurston has an unbroken run of State of Origins, playing 33 games and scoring 200 points, dwarfing Johns’ 94-point tally. Thurston has won nine Origin series compared to Johns’ five.
Continuing the one-upmanship, Thurston just won his fourth Dally M medal, 10 years after winning his first. Johns has only three medals to his name.
In his 249 club appearances, Johns scored 2176 points, while Thurston has scored only 1762 in 264 games. But JT is the better goalkicker, with a career average of 79 per cent to Johns’ 74.25 per cent.
The man
Some will argue that the tale of the tape doesn’t tell the whole story. Both men excel at running to the line and pinpoint passing. I’ve watched Thurston throw a cutout pass to Darius Boyd for a try more times than I’d like to remember. Both can kick to the corner and land it on a sixpence.
Johns changed rugby league, which is a near-impossible thing for an individual to do. Pre-Johns there were only a couple of kick types in the game, today there are a dozen. But what Johns changed, Thurston perfected. The modern game is faster than in Johns’ time, making Thurston’s dominance still more impressive.
In his life after footy, Andrew Johns faltered. His drug use admission and a horse-racing scandal overshadowed his stellar career. During grand final week Johns was snapped in that photo at Toowoomba airport – a lowly figure compared to the invincible Thurston.
JT is league’s redeemer in a season marred by players accused of domestic violence, drug scandals and falling crowds. Immortality awaits.
Bearfax
Guest
He's certainly up there and deserves to be an Immortal. But I've been watching the game just a little less than you (about 55 years) and I consider Lewis the standout. But its all I guess in the eye of the beholder.
graham
Guest
been watching the game since i was 8 years old am now 60 and i have seen some champions .langlands,lewis,langer,fittler,johns,but without a doubt thurston is the best i have ever seen.
Johnno
Guest
Darren Lockyer is best 1980-2015 (35 years), the end.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I remember Ricky Stewart bringing in most of those kicks, Johns just perfected them.
adriatiq
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Alfie was a game changer with his kicking on the fifth. Before him i remember bomb after bomb and then all of a sudden the defence didn't know what was coming. That said, Joey did it better and invented new kicks as quickly as Warne was inventing new deliveries.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
There's a sizeable school of thought that agrees with you mate, Gus Gould is one of them...of all people. That injury destroyed Lockyer's biggest weapon - speed. You see how he stopped "bouncing" when he ran, looked really flat-footed. He gets my vote because of the big games and big moments - much of the time with no primary ballplayer to compliment his natural game as secondary playmaker/ second-receiver. Which is why I prefer to compare him to others in this role like Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler etc. Even Wally Lewis fits this category for mine, although while he liked second receiver, he also liked high on-ball involvements (unlike Lockyer).
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Congrats ROC.
Brett
Guest
Lockyer was a competent defender as a fullback, his prime position. I can remember especially in origin, where he made amazing, game changing tackles. Lockyer was the best fullback and Joey the best halfback in the modern era. Lockyer's move to 5/8 was a different phase of his career, he had to learn to defend in the front line after growing up as a fullback and his knee injury robbed him of his pace and agility.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice one Ryan... Congratulations !!
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's ridiculous. It's like saying JT can't be the best ever because Cronk was picked at halfback ahead of him. They needed to get both in the side so the guy who was most versatile got moved. Good players are picked out of position all the time. Johns, Kenny, Daley, Fittler. In 86 Meninga played a test in the second row and Terry Lamb played one at lock. These comments demonstrate someone who has got their info from Wikipedia rather than ever watching the game. In the 96 & 97 origin series Johns was named at hooker and Toovey half. When you watch the games Johns is standing at first receiver and Tooves at dummy half for most of the game. Occasionally they'd switch but Johns was first receiver more often than not. To suggest that Johns wasn't the best halfback in the game from about 97 onwards is ludicrous.
pete bloor
Guest
Congrats and commiserations ROC
pete bloor
Guest
Well given he would be 132 I dare say he would struggle.
JustAThought
Guest
You have to be a competent defender to be a legitimate " best ever " player. Lockyer needed Tonie Carrol as a defensive minder.
JustAThought
Guest
Spot on mate.
JustAThought
Guest
You better mention the fact that JT is a MUCH more dynamic running player than the sluggish Johns. I rate Alan Langer better than either, along with Brett Kenny Alfie was the most dangerous attacking half - five eighth I have seen.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Lockyer is the greatest for mine. He was the ultimate clutch player, never cracked under pressure. Hardly ever seen him make a mistake. If it wasn't for his knee injury, many more would have been agreeing with me.
Snakefingers rise
Guest
Its like nobody did anything prior to 1965, This whole legend/immortal thing lacks credibility there are a bunch of players that should be there before JT. Proven for one, 10 premierships from memory both as a player and a coach and at the same time. 250 odd games. 63 tries, probably should be winning Norm Proven medals.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Haha! Thanks guys. Sadly, the wife has already banned me from making her a Bulldogs fan. I'll have to make it happen via stealth methods.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Congrats ROC! Great news. Except for the Bulldogs part....
Muzz
Guest
Congrats mate. That's awesome! Future Bulldogs fan no doubt.