First things first, Don Bradman is the GOAT of all GOATs. For anyone to argue otherwise is generally pure folly.
But firstly I would like to talk about the careers of Cameron Smith and Tom Brady, the GOATs of their respective football codes of rugby league and American football.
Brady will play his tenth Super Bowl today as he aims for his seventh NFL championship ring. At the age of 43 this season Brady has finally silenced anyone who doubted that he is the greatest quarterback of all time. I was one of the doubters.
I never doubted his ability. The comeback he engineered in Super Bowl 51 is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen in sport.
I just wondered how much of his success was due to his coach Bill Belichick, the organisation he played for, and the ensemble of great players assembled around him. If Drew Brees played for the Patriots, would he have been the GOAT of the NFL? Maybe.
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
But what Brady did this season with Tampa Bay is remarkable and should silence any doubters. He has propelled an organisation that had not made the playoffs since 2013 to fifth seed in the NFC and then through three sudden-death road playoff wins and into to the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, in New England, the Patriots stumbled through a dreadful season and without Brady were absolutely embarrassing almost all season long. You might argue that there were mitigating circumstances and that maybe timing is everything.
But the plain facts are that Tom Brady is in yet another Super Bowl and the Patriots were shot ducks barely half way through the season.
The NRL GOAT Cameron Smith has had an equally stellar career. He has similar numbers to Brady, in that he has played in eight grand finals, winning five of them. It would have been nine but he was suspended from the grand final of 2008. His team lost that game 40-0.
The Melbourne Storm seem determined to move on from Cameron Smith. They want to lock up promising youngster Harry Grant as they look to the future. But Cameron Smith has not announced his retirement yet and the whispers are that he will soon sign with the Gold Coast Titans for 2021. I really hope he does.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
I want to see if Cameron Smith can show who the real brains of the Storm are. Can he engineer an NRL fairy tale and make the grand final in 2021? Will Storm coach Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm capitulate without Smith and miss the finals for the first time in forever? Wouldn’t it be nice.
Today I’ll be rooting for NFL GOAT Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. They enter the game as huge underdogs to the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and possible future GOAT Patrick Mahomes. If Mahomes wins he will continue his quest to chase down Brady’s six championship rings. If Brady wins a seventh, his record may never be equalled.
After that I will eagerly await the news on the playing future of NRL GOAT Cameron Smith, whose many career records will surely never be surpassed.
Here is my list of GOATS. What is yours?
Cricket (batting): Don Bradman – he averaged 99.94, there’s no more to be said.
Cricket (bowling): Shane Warne – has anyone here seen one better?
Swimming: Michael Phelps – lots of gold and longevity.
Rugby league: Cameron Smith – such a glittering career at all levels.
American football: Tom Brady – 43 and loving it.
Golf: Tiger Woods – his 2019 Masters clinches it.
Basketball: LeBron James – his longevity of greatness gives him my nod.
Boxing: Joe Louis – 25 consecutive heavyweight title defences is amazing.
Tennis (women): Serena Williams – so dominant for so long.
Tennis (men): Novak Djokovic – has dominated Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and will finish with the most slams.
Rugby union: Richie McCaw – a pure competitor and great leader.
Baseball: Babe Ruth – the Bambino was a pretty good all-rounder
Cycling: Anna Meares – four-time Olympian and legend.
Netball: Anne Sargeant – very tall and basically just dunked it every time.
Darts: Phil Taylor – the Power was for so long just unstoppable.
Horse racing (mares): Black Caviar – 25 from 25 and has never been whipped.
Horse racing (horses): Takeover Target – lion-hearted globetrotting legend.
Horse racing (humans): Tommy Berry – just back him and you’ll know why.
Athletics: Usain Bolt – pure perfection.
Football: Usain Bolt – he was looking really good for the Mariners.
AFL: Warwick Capper.
Speed skating: Steven Bradbury – the master tactician.
Matt
Guest
AFL is Haydn Bunton. Won 3 brownlows and 3 sandovers in just 14 years of top footy. Also was briefly ahead of Bradman on the cricket pecking order when he was selected fir the NSW probables vs Bradman in the NSW possibles at one point.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Athletics - Usain Bolt? doesn't athletics also include 5k, 10k, marathons, shot put, high jump,. the list of events goes on - 44 in fact (according to wikipedia) he was a fast sprinter and fair chance would come dead last in probably every other event apart from the 100m & 200m
deucer
Roar Rookie
It was more referring to it being viewed through the eyes of the first world nations and USA in particular, who hardly know about Cricket. With such a large following it seems a bit condescending not acknowledging it's reach, even if it is only a few countries, it's countries with huge populations.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
LBJ was a Texan and George Herbert Walker Bush moved to Texas with his family including his son George W Bush. With the Kennedys gone George senior became head of the CIA in 1976 and then Vice President controlling the country while Ronald Raegen was sleeping at the wheel. Then GHW Bush became president followed later by his son. It’s obvious to see who gained from the killing of the Kennedys. The Bushes were war mongers.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Don Bradman should be much higher because he was so much better than everyone else that played the game. Had he played against the countries that play today he would've averaged over 200. I wouldn't call a sport elite. Soccer is popular because it is played and watched by millions not necessarily the elite, for example David Beckham. That reminds me of when I was at school, a soccer player of Italian descent would tell me Soccer players were smart and Rugby League players were d___. He and his mate would sit behind me in Maths exams and copy my answers because I usually got 100%. Ch__ting isn't smart.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Don Bradman should be much higher because he was so much better than everyone else that played the game. Had he played against the countries that play today he would've averaged over 200. I wouldn't call a sport elite. Soccer is popular because it is played and watched by millions not necessarily the elite, for example David Beckham. That reminds me of when I was at school, a soccer player of Italian descent would tell me Soccer players were smart and Rugby League players were dum. He and his mate would sit behind me in Maths exams and copy my answers because I usually got 100%. Cheating isn't smart.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Having lived in Canberra since 1974 I've known more than a few Victorians, SA, WA and Tasmanians. One of them didn't like AF but said he liked Football, it's Football not Soccer he would say but he did admit his ignorance in not knowing the difference in the Rugby codes. Rugby is played all around the world although it is dominated by NZ, South Africa, Great Britain and France. Soccer is popular in Australia and has the most participants but Rugby League is popular because it is an exciting physical game to play and watch. Having played all four I can say RL was my favourite although it could be because of growing up watching St.George who were masters of the game. Have you played Rugby League or are you a sensitive socceroid with delusions of grandeur.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
One thing is certain: The Montanna v Brady debate has been well and truly settled in my mind.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
What in blue blazes are you talking about Diabolic? RL is the no 1 winter sport in NSW & Qld. VFL is no 1 in Vic and the rest. Not that I give a flying intercourse about the VFL or Victoria. I also like the NFL because it's probably most similar to NRL and I've noticed they've pinched a few ideas off us this year. I also follow ( loosely) the NBA, Epl, tennis etc and other sports, but Rugba League will always be no.1 in my heart.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Fair point Joe. If we combine collisions, power AND stamina probably NRL players have it over the NFL. But don't forget, its usually only the first 20 minute 'softening up' period where the hits are fiercest. Fatigue tends to lessen the impact (especially in the second half). NFL players have so many teams and rest period such that the hits are as hard in the 1st minute as they are in the 60th. Definitely not padded up sissies.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Fair enough Nat. As a New South Welshman, I'd put Langer and Lockyer above Johns. Has there ever been a better clutch player than Lockyer?
Diablo
Guest
Australians don't watch Australian sports. We had a Federal sports minister who didn't know what the major sport in NSW is? Good luck finding an AFL fan that knows there are 2 rugby codes and which one is dominant in NSW/QLD. No one outside Australia watches AFL or RL because they're too exciting. Poor soccer will just have to console itself with being the world's most popular sport. Meanwhile you can boast about being a sporting backwater. Try to be humble about it.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Nope, "wouldn't it be nice" is a reference to a Belichek and Brady. Like wouldn't it be nice to see if Bellamy is a success without Smith or if Smith could lift another club up, wouldn't that be nice to see. But as Barry said the NSW QLD thing does keep this site ticking. Where was Sam Thaiday born again :laughing:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Instead of Smith, a better equivalent may be Cronk? If we include the stripped titles, 4 rings @ Storm 2 rings @ Easts Like Brady, brought immediate success with new club. Like Brady, the consumate professional on and off the field with an incredible work ethic.
Micko
Roar Rookie
You won't recall it because it has just been revealed in the last 20 years or so. The soviets removed the nukes from Cuba, and the yanks secretly removed the nukes from Turkey...which is what instigated the whole mess in the first place!
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It was made into a TV movie, Thirteen Days (in October), with Kevin Costner and Bruce Greenwood. I was seven at the time and don't recall it. I have clear recollections of the 22/11/63 assassination as the Saturday morning cartoons were interrupted with a news break telling us President Kennedy was dead. The only other time that happened was when Darwin was destroyed by Cyclone Tracey and the Navy called for their sailors to get to their ships asap.
Graeme Docker
Roar Rookie
Number 72 ??? Only the BBC would do that !
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Do I have to spell it out? "wouldn't it be nice"...for Storm to fail.
Micko
Roar Rookie
JFK was killed because he stood up to the tribe. He (and his brother) were planning on breaking the monopoly of the private central bank known as the "Federal Reserve". His brother wanted to finish the job they started, and was assassinated whilst running for US President a few years later. The Soviets put nukes in Cuba as direct retaliation for the US putting nukes in Turkey. Part of the secret agreement to solve the issue was the yanks dismantling their nukes in Turkey which triggered the situation in the first place!
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
JFK and Kruschev saved the world from nuclear war that the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and other advisors recommended. Robert McNamara said this was so and Mark Lane, Jim Fetzer and James W Douglass suggest this too. Why do you think JFK was killed? It was of their own making and as Bob Menzies had told his party we should follow the US in the fight against the communism we went into Vietnam with disastrous consequences. Do you remember Harold Holt saying "All the way with LBJ"? He didn't sound convincing.