Finally, after dozens of less good (but still pretty damn good) players, here we have the greatest rugby league champions of modern times.
10 – Steve Walters
Invented the term hooker-forward. Quick enough and smart out of dummy-half, he could play like his twin brothers Kevin and Kerrod and brother-from-another-mother Allan Langer, or he could play it hard and tight like the best hard and tight men of his time.
Walters changed the definition of the role of hooker. The best there’s been.
9 – Cameron Smith
Well, until C Smith showed up anyway. But to compare these champions would do both a disservice. Smith’s role is subtle, brilliant. Walter had to be something of an ox. But Smith, he’s like the very best of rugby union’s halfbacks with the house of the best rugby league five-eighths. A champion.
8 – Billy Slater
Fullback’s where the best runners go, and Billy the Kid is the best runner of all the No.1s. He’s the best at a few other things too. Hard and straight, fast, strong. He’s like a very fast little horse.
He used to ride track work for Gai Waterhouse. There are people now who pay to watch Billy run.
7 – Mal Meninga
The great man played in Origin number one in 1980 and dominated the centre position until the end of 1994, when he stood in goal at the Sydney Football Stadium and saluted to the world with his mighty broken arm cast held aloft. Triumphant to the end.
Mal Meninga is the game’s greatest centre. And one of its great champions. Not the best political leader, however.
6 – Brad Fittler
A hot stepper, a leader, a man of rugby league. One of the greats. ‘Freddy’ Fittler came out of the west and dazzled from the get-go. That step … well.
He debuted in first grade aged 17. He played for Australia before he was 20. And he just slayed everyone all the way through.
Even into as an elder statesman, he was still smashing ‘em. Great, great player.
5 – Laurie Daley
Turned up from Junee aged 17 and never looked like he was anything but one of the best running five-eighths the game has seen. Played in the centres because he could. Could’ve played fullback. Became NSW’s best five-eighth since Brett Kenny, and is probably the state’s greatest captain.
4 – Arthur Beetson
The first indigenous man to captain his country, Beetson’s appearance in the first State of Origin legitimised the contest. Played like a five-eighth in a front-rower’s body. A champion who united the game, the state, and the country.
3 – Johnathan Thurston
Has the ability to perform at his best when it matters most. His best is the best. And when it matters most is State of Origins and grand finals. If he’s not the next Immortal, he’s still definitely one of them.
2 – Andrew Johns
The most recent Immortal could do things with the ball they couldn’t do in Cirque du Soleil. Owned games, owned seasons. Now owns many, many medals.
Almost went to rugby union and the game decided he was too big to lose.
1 – Wally Lewis
Dominated the game’s best in the National Rugby League. There’s only one man who’s done that for a decade. And that’s why they call him The King.
See the rest of the list here
» 100-71
» 70-46
» 45-26
» 25-11
To celebrate the launch of the limited edition Isuzu D-MAX X-RUNNER, we’re recounting the NRL’s 100 best players in the history of the game.
Sam
Guest
Na Joey’s the best, JT second Freddy third. Can’t beat joey
Sam
Guest
Where’s Nathan Cleary? Surely he’d be in the top 100
Hugh Jass
Guest
JT should be number 1 and how is Darren Lockyer not in the top ten I think he would be top 3 for sure. My list 1. Jonathan Thurston 2. Darren Lockyer 3. Nathan Hindmarsh (jk it's actually Andrew Johns) 4. Cameron Smith 5. Wally Lewis 6. John Raper 7. Billy Slater 8. Dally Messenger 9. Mal Meninga 10. Laurie Daley
oot
Guest
>"Lockyer....He was just the complete footballer" Except he couldn't tackle properly. Lockyer was a turnstile in defence. That's why they put Tony Caroll next to him to do all the tackling.
oot
Guest
Ha! I thought I was the only one who noticed. Lewis is overrated. Even ignoring the fact he never played in the NRL he never did anything in the ARL anyway. Brisbane was essentially an origin side when they came into the comp in 1988. With Lewis in the team Brisbane never even made the grand final. Great origin player when he was surrounded by other great players but when it came to the ARL he was nothing.
oot
Guest
Lockyer was a turnstile in defence. That's why they put Tony Caroll next to him to do all the tackling.
oot
Guest
>"Wally Lewis dominated the game’s best in the National Rugby League" Absolute rubbish! He never did anything in the ARL. Brisbane was essentially an origin side when they came into the comp in 1988. With Lewis in the team Brisbane never even made the grand final. Lewis only won comps in the Qld comp. You call yourself an expert but you don't know the basics.
Latte
Guest
Joe and John, also a Parramatta supporter and agree that for sheer footballing talent Brett Kenny is the best I've seen. He accomplished a lot when his body was at it's peak and his rep record stops at 1987 which probably works against him when players are rated across different eras. The modern players are full time and their bodies last a lot longer and can stay at peak levels till the age of 30. But it should be remembered that Jack Gibson in 1990 and Tim Sheens in 1991 did ask Brett to come back for NSW. If Brett didn't suffer that crippling knee injury in 1988 I think he would have been able to do the same things he was doing as the world's best player until he retired in 1993 as he lost some pace and that dazzling acceleration off the mark.
Kaye
Guest
I can't believe that a person that was voted "The Worlds Best Hooker" Ben Elias, has not even got a mention on the 100 greatest Rugby League players... that is just unbelievable!
Alex Carter
Roar Rookie
Since you're being pedantic, I will be too. Lewis didn't play any games in the ARL either, he played in the QRL then the NSWRL. ARL didn't commence until 95
Alex Carter
Roar Rookie
Is this Fittler? If so, he never played prop. Not sure where you found that statistic. It was 74 at lock.
Ted Powell
Guest
Don't forget SOO 1985 - deciding match. Queensland defending in their own 25. Kenny gets the ball, runs around King Wally and leaves him for dead, and scores the match winning try. Kenny was and will always be better than the so called "King" He dominated the king in SOO until 1986, when they went head to head ,before he was injured in 1987. And don't forget Kenny's acceleration, swerve, sidestep, dummy, hands , intercept skills, and football instinct, which Lewis could only dream about.
bearfax
Guest
Matt I would suggest you never saw Bob Fulton in his hey day. Would have left the Daleys and Fittlers in his wake. I've watched the game since 1965 and no way were they even close to Fulton. He was far better than Walters, Slater, Meninga. He dominated games. Only Lewis I would consider better, Johns would be close and I'd give Thurston and Smith the thumbs up. But to dominate a game, Fulton was consistently there is Manly's first premiership wins and tests. he was the giant of the 70s. My top 3 rating would be Lewis, Fulton, Thurston
Tom smith
Guest
Darren locker 13th really. Take the 3 off, that's where he belongs, I have never seen a great player so quickly forgotten. He should be the next immortal in fact should be already.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I thought it might have been Ella but Artie did it long before.
The Sturgeon
Guest
Terry Lamb got the Dally M in 83 with Wests who came last then got the Rothmans medal in the GF winning team the following year. Runner up in the Dally M three more times and seven 5/8th of the year awards in the same time Kenny was playing. This doesn't mean he was better than Kenny. Played all games on on the 1986 Kangaroos tour, unlike Kenny or Lewis, leading try scorer too. Not better than Lewis. I liked him though. Would have had more kangaroo games but he turned down two tours. Didn't just play in very strong teams, played well in struggling and rebuilding teams throughout his career. And that time he got a penalty after flooring Speechly was great! I hate Smith but would rate him high, although mostly I have only seen him in VERY strong teams. He has played large parts of his career with a lot of other top 20 players of the last 30 years in any ones list. For me: Lewis Johns Thurston Clyde Daley Fitler Meninga Mortimer Langer Smith
The Sturgeon
Guest
Wow Gonzo, you must love talking to brick walls! You never said anything about your lawn either!
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Not Schlossy's(Jeremy Schloss) shoe I hope
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Craig Fitzgibbon would be in top 10 - the bloke played 80 minutes most times and gave 100% - don't know how he could also kick goals at a very good percentage rate with all the work he would do in defence and attack in a game - 1604 points- 76% rate - All in the NRL too - Not bad for a Dapto Boy
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Just a small point - Big Artie/Wally/Steve Walters/Big Mal/Laurie Daley didn't play NRL though??