Add another vote for Lockyer. Although, it surprises me Thurston has got so few votes. I don't think he should win, but I think he should be higher than where he is.
As much as I hate Johns and DO think he is overrated, it's ridiculous to suggest he shouldn't be on this list. I will vote for Lockyer as I am biased and think he's better, but Johns was a great player.
Unfortunately he was the closest thing NSW have had to a player like Lewis or Langer, and therefore they have glorified him to the point of him literally getting away with being a drug addict for his entire career.
Yeah, no problem with Johns being on the list. He played from 2000-2007.
But Lockyer simply has to be the winner. Just look at the list of feats and achievements:
Premierships: 2000, 2006 (captain)
Clive churchill medal: 2000
Golden boot: 2003, 2006
State of Origin series wins: 4 (2001, 2006, 2007, 2009) all as captain
Tests: 40+ (most as captain)
NRL Games: 220-odd
Johns was good too:
Premiership: 2001 (captain)
Clive churchill medal: 2001
Golden boot: 2002 (I think)
Dally M: 2001 and 2002 (I think)
Provan Summons Medal: 2001-2004 I think
Lockyer edges him out, but Johns is a worthy member of the top 10 of the decade.
Lockyer deserves the win, and i voted for him - but to suggest that Andrew Johns doesnt deserve to be recognised as one of the best players of the decade is ludicrous. love him or hate him, he was one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
he is right up there with Langer and Lockyer as the best the game has ever seen, druggo or not. im just glad that he missed so many origin games, or played them out of position, as we wouldnt have won half the games we did if he played at halfback in every game.
I do agree that John is well entitled to be in there (and up very high) on that list. Not a fan of him myself but his career was a great one - and he was an incredible RL player. But his acolades have nothing on Locky - and I have voted for him :)
Lockyer's really the only one on that list who's dominated/been near the top for the entire decade. The others have all had 4-6 years of good work in the 00's but aren't in the same league when it comes to achievements over the whole decade.
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