I can already feel your rage and angst in me declaring Cooper Cronk as a better halfback than Johnathan Thurston. I also know everything you’re going to say in argument.
Yes, Cooper Cronk played with Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, James Tedesco and Luke Keary.
Yes, he most definitely is a system halfback.
Oh yes, after one of the best seasons ever for a halfback, he ultimately choked on the grand final stage, against the Cronulla Sharks.
But I stand by my headline.
After leaving Canterbury, JT made a home in Townsville and quickly proved his worth, leading a dire Cowboys side to a grand final in his first season in a game they ultimately lost.
Over the next decade, Thurston forged an astronomical career. Multiple Dally Ms, multiple golden boot awards, the longest streak of Origin games played and series won by a state, and so many more.
Johnathan Thurston (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
In Melbourne, Cronk led his side to numerous grand final appearances in the same time period (albeit in a dodgy system) and to many other preliminary finals.
From 2005-15, Thurston had appeared in two grand finals, winning one, and only one other preliminary final match (2007).
In the same period, Cooper Cronk appeared in five grand finals, winning three (two stripped) and preliminary finals in 2011 and 2015.
Yes, the Storm sides were better in the earlier part of that decade, but the 2015 Cowboys were better than what Cronk worked with in 2012. In terms of winning, it’s advantage Cronk.
Individual brilliance, it is hard to falter JT. He slotted into sides and adapted to the style or coaching fit.
Cronk, as mentioned, is a mechanical, structural halfback, where he suits a system based around his talents. In terms of the skill each halfback brings individually, JT sneaks past. One apiece.
As far as important to a team goes, these two champions played on numerous Queensland and Australian sides together but the example I want to use is in 2014.
The Maroons were hot off a record eight series wins but Game 1 unravelled quickly when Cronk went down a broken arm.
Thurston was the main man, it was his time to shine and what happened? They went down to NSW 12-8, with Thurston missing both conversions to possibly tie the game up.
Game 2 came around, and Thurston again lost the game, seeing the Maroons lose the series.
No Cronk, and the record is halted. Thurston had his time to impose his will on Origin folklore, but failed to do so.
As for Game 3, Cronk made a miraculous comeback and the Maroons steamrolled the Blues.
Overall importance to a team? Cronk.
It’s 2-1.
Cooper Cronk (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Ultimately Cronk’s importance was proven in 2018 and 2019 at his new side, the Roosters.
First, the Bondi boys defeated Cronk’s old side in the ’18 decider, then he guided them to another premiership in ’19 over the Raiders. This man went to two clubs and won multiple premierships at both, whereas JT won a premiership off the bench for the Dogs and then only one in more than a decade in Townsville.
Admittedly, after 2015, his career faltered and Cronk seemed to find a new gear, appearing in four straight grand finals, winning three.
So as far as premierships and team success, our winner is Cronk, but JT takes it on individual successes.
Still, Cronk wins the overall debate 3-2.
Yes, Cronk had the better players and coaches, but he also made those players and coaches successful because of his play.
The most underrated player in the Queensland era of dominance, if you’re asking me to pick a halfback between the two, I am going with Cooper Cronk.
So if JT is apparently a shoo-in Immortal, why isn’t Cronk?
Paul
Roar Guru
Wow! All things I knew nothing about. Many thanks for enlightening me. It certainly places a very different perspective on the man
Rob
Guest
I believe players have been a little aggrieved by social habits over the years. A demotion from Captaincy because teammates are trying to run him over in the car park? A full time personal minder to keep things from hitting the media? Player talent walking away over clique mentality? Club management under investigation for giving prescription drugs to husband of wife having sexual activity with star player in airport toilets during game travel? Club doctor implicated. Man losses job from drugs given to him from Cowboys management. I hate to say the crime rate in Townsville is off the charts with indigenous youth unfortunately. It out of control over the last 10years and someone only offers his mentoring for a price.
Madmax
Guest
Cronk better than JT.........:laughing:
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Willie, I value RL players for a living and while any opinionated article like yours is simply an "opinion", something you are entitled to have, it does not change the silliness of your headline. The 2 highest-rated players in my system are Andrew Johns and Jonathan Thurston. Without going into any detail Cooper Cronk is not even in the conversation and I am certain Coops would be the first to agree.
elvis
Roar Rookie
This year I have been all shook up, but it has still been ok for a fool such as I.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
So it's been a tuff year in the Ghetto Elvis?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Willie, I would like to nominate your article for the 2020 golden click-bait title.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
I live in FNQ deep in Cows country and I say both Smith (obviously) and Cronk were superior to JT (who was still an incredible player of course). So that's who my "favourite" is. Suncorp crowds are not representative of all QLD we are a big state with a widely spread population. Brisbane and the South East corner of QLD live in their own world and do not know or care about wider QLD as a whole in league or anything else.
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
Ricky Stuart and Peter Sterling where better...
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I really only put post up to prove a point on stats, in hindsight Mullins may go down as one of the most underated fullbacks of all time. Maybe there's an article in there for Matth :stoked:
Rellum
Roar Guru
I think Bowen was better, not by much but over all better. Faster off the mark, bigger step. Both were just amazing to watch. Put it this way, those two I think have the most kick return tries. Maybe a 2012 Barba is the only thing close to them.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Rob. My fav Cows game of all time ( apart from the GF win ) is the preliminary final win in 2015. What a pack , what a performance. Still get shivers watching that game. My wife ' are you watching that prelim final again. ? ' You are mad.' Me ' but it makes me happy.'
soapit
Roar Guru
i taped it and the recording finished 1 min from regular time or something. went to bed but took a while to get to sleep so jumped on the internet and wff! . i will say that if the game had ended then it would have been remembered as a pretty ordinary match
matth
Roar Guru
I’m trying to think of anyone else with that running game from the back. Maybe Dale Shearer at club level? People forget how quick a young Lockyer was and how good he was at getting to the outside and swerving through a gap. But I think I have to hand it to you. Mullins. Best pure running fullback.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Very much so. Mullins was a star running the football. Teddy is great at pin balling his way around. Slater to me was put into more holes than he created on his own.
elvis
Roar Rookie
A dodgy live stream? Luxury!
matth
Roar Guru
If they are desperate I’m happy to give them Hunt
matth
Roar Guru
Is Billy Smith still kicking around?
matth
Roar Guru
Wally did some fabulous things for Valleys when they weren’t that great, the 1980’s Origin teams were always considered inferior on paper, it’s only hindsight that calls them superstar teams. Of course QLD are always worse on paper ...
matth
Roar Guru
Ponga vs AJ Brimson?