Golden Boot 2014

[Big Pete]

Who do you think it's going to be?

 

[Super Freak]

Hayne.

 

[Big Pete]

I actually think they'll go Shaun Johnson.

The question will be, does he deserve it?

Admittedly, I think he does.

Considering that these are usually weighted more on representative performances than actual club performances, I thought SJ was the best player all series and really the only players who could lay claim otherwise would be Taumalolo or Bromwich.

It wasn't like his club form was poor either. Sure, he started slow because the entire club was struggling due to being saddled with a coach they didn't want but some of his performances were the best of any halfback in the entire competition. Put it this way, I rate his 2014 better than the journo's pick.

Great long distance kicking game, amazing running game and lead his country to their forth ever title over Australia.

Outside of the Kiwis, only other player I'd consider is Graham. Just about carried the Bulldogs to a premiership. If his team mates could have held the ball and allowed the Dogs to score some early points, they probably could have.

But that's for another thread known as the Woulda, Shoulda Coulda thread.

 

[Big Pete]

Hayne.

Forget Hayne.

He dropped the NRL like a bad habit, thus he doesn't deserve anything more than the News Limited medal.

 

[Super Freak]

Forget Hayne.

He dropped the NRL like a bad habit, thus he doesn't deserve anything more than the News Limited medal.

Yeah, I don't think he deserves anything. I just have a feeling he will win it.

Sam Burgess is in with a chance also.

 

[Alec]

The 3 best players this season - Thurston, Burger and Hayne - did not play in the 4N...so the award is pretty meaningless.

 

[Anonymous person]

Burgess without a doubt IMO. Anyone else is the wrong choice. Absolutely sublime year, have never seen a better one by a second rower.

 

[Sproj]

Agreed. Has to be Surgess but he won't get it after defecting, same as Hayne and SJ's excellent game this year is fresh in mind so he'll get it because let's be honest, that's how these awards are given.

 

[mitch222]

They will give it to some super league hack or Johnson
Thurston is the best player in the world though and deserves it.

 

[vertigo]

They will give it to some super league hack

Sinfield ahead of Smith in 2012 sullied the award for me.

 

[Big Pete]

vertigo, if only you were watching in 2004 when they gave the award to Andy Farrell over Darren Lockyer.

Lockyer produces one of the GOAT performances by any international player and they have the hide to hand it to Farrell.

But hey, I watch very little Super League outside of the odd highlights package so I can't really judge. Considering they've produced some amazing players like James Graham, Gareth Ellis & Sam Burgess maybe they're onto something?

 

[Cult]

vertigo, if only you were watching in 2004 when they gave the award to Andy Farrell over Darren Lockyer.

Lockyer produces one of the GOAT performances by any international player and they have the hide to hand it to Farrell.

But hey, I watch very little Super League outside of the odd highlights package so I can't really judge. Considering they've produced some amazing players like James Graham, Gareth Ellis & Sam Burgess maybe they're onto something?

It's easier for good players to stand out over there.

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah but I think they take that into consideration because it isn't like they're handing the trophy based on stats otherwise you'd just give it to a Sam Tomkins who had insane Tries, Line-Break, Try Assists and Line-Break assists stats.

It doesn't mean they're any less good or great.

Especially in the forwards.

Poms traditionally suck in the backs, but damn if they don't produce some quality forwards.

 

[Broncoman]

vertigo, if only you were watching in 2004 when they gave the award to Andy Farrell over Darren Lockyer.

Lockyer produces one of the GOAT performances by any international player and they have the hide to hand it to Farrell.

But hey, I watch very little Super League outside of the odd highlights package so I can't really judge. Considering they've produced some amazing players like James Graham, Gareth Ellis & Sam Burgess maybe they're onto something?

I think they awarded it before that game from memory. Was one of the greatest performances ever, Lockyer and Australia were untouchable in the first half and all the talk in the buildup was how the Poms were about to bring Australia down.

 

[Big Pete]

It may have been but that performance really exposed the awards to a lot of people.

Then again, I don't think I would have considered Lockyer the best player in the world at that time.

 

[Broncoman]

And who would've been the best?

 

[Big Pete]

I can't say for sure since we're going 10 years back, I just know Lockyer wasn't at his best that year.

 

[Mr Fourex]

I actually think they'll go Shaun Johnson.

Why...is the golden boot awarded solely on the back on a performance in the 4N final?