Players the (commentators etc) rave about, but you don't see it

[Browny]

Best fullback of the last few years

 

[Coxy]

Best fullback of the last few years

Yep, best fullback since the best fullback ever moved to five-eighth.

 

[mrslong]

Billy Slater. He is good, but the best fullback ever? Puh-lease.

If he continues to improve he will be. I'm pretty sure that's how the commentators are calling it also.

 

[Coxy]

If he continues to improve he will be. I'm pretty sure that's how the commentators are calling it also.

Like most great players, you can only really assess where they sit with their peers (especially in the same position) some years after they've retired. While their deeds are fresh in the mind, they always seem superior to the past.

I would love, say 5 years after Slater retires, to get highlight tapes of him and Lockyer at fullback. I dare say it'd be a bee's dick between them.

 

[Kimlo]

If Slater keeps his amazing form for another 2-3 years then you would be hard pressed to say he isn't the best ever. He's been AMAZING for so long and so consistently now, the only other players who have been consistently great for so long as well are Cronk and Smith which is why it's not surprising that Melbourne have dominated for so long.

 

[Anonymous person]

another player for me is Ben Hannant.

I think hes a good prop, but hes nowhere near one of the best like they always say.

 

[Bull Shark]

Billy Slater. He is good, but the best fullback ever? Puh-lease.

who's been better ? And why ?

 

[Bull Shark]

I've never really understood what Braith Anasta did on the football field other than kick off, kick bombs and look like Ben Stiller (?)

 

[Meat77]

Wasn't he in negotiations with the Cowboys not that long ago? I'd hardly call that overly loyal

 

[mrslong]

Didn't they tell him he wasn't wanted?

 

[mrslong]

If Slater keeps his amazing form for another 2-3 years then you would be hard pressed to say he isn't the best ever. He's been AMAZING for so long and so consistently now, the only other players who have been consistently great for so long as well are Cronk and Smith which is why it's not surprising that Melbourne have dominated for so long.

Cronk is a solid consistent halfback. I wouldn't put him in the same realm as Slater and Smith. Cronk will never be one of the greatest halfbacks. I think JT could push that claim if he can get his club a premiership.

 

[Coxy]

Cronk is a player I do admire because he doesn't have the natural, god given talents that Smith, Slater, Lockyer, Thurston et al have. Everything he does and has achieved has come out of hard work. He has tirelessly perfected all the areas of his game such that he can execute them to perfection at the highest level.

I greatly admire someone like him.

BTW, not saying he has NO natural talent, he wouldn't have got this far if he didn't. Just not as much or as natural as the others.

 

[mrslong]

Yeah no doubt he is a good hard worker. and has Talent. But he's not one of those zomg he's amazing type players.

He's worked very very hard to get where he is, and good on him. Matt Ballin & Kurt Gidley I put in the same class as him.

 

[Coxy]

Yeah no doubt he is a good hard worker. and has Talent. But he's not one of those zomg he's amazing type players.

He's worked very very hard to get where he is, and good on him. Matt Ballin & Kurt Gidley I put in the same class as him.

I think Kurt Gidley is a naturally gifted player, a hard worker, but doesn't handle pressure. He's not a big game player.

Ballin and Cronk are very similar.

 

[mrslong]

Isn't that why all the coache's love Kidley. Cos he trains/tries so hard to improve? I don't think he's as naturally talented as he looks (lol). Otherwise more of his flair would pay off.

 

[Coxy]

Isn't that why all the coache's love Kidley. Cos he trains/tries so hard to improve? I don't think he's as naturally talented as he looks (lol). Otherwise more of his flair would pay off.

I think it's the opposite. I think he tries too hard and that actually stifles his natural flair.

Even Thurston is guilty of that, especially if the rest of his team is dogs balls like the Cowboys were last year.

 

[mrslong]

hmmmmeh. I'm not going to credit Kidley with natural flair. :finger:

 

[Bucking Beads]

Slater keeps getting better. Absolute freak