Is Cameron Smith the greatest player you've seen?

Discussion in 'The Cesspit: Rugby League Discussion' started by Maroon_Faithful, Jul 22, 2017.

  1. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    There's no doubt in my mind he's the most valuable I've seen. But he may well be the greatest to lace up a boot. By the time he's done, I mean he could play into his late thirties, he may go down as the best.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Jul 22, 2017
    #1

  2. Magic AJ Parker

    I just wonder how much of his tactical brilliance we as fans aren't privy to. He may be the greatest ever and we just don't know it.

    He's definitely one of the best ever.
     
    Magic, Jul 22, 2017
    #2

  3. Cribbage RG Cribb

    Maybe it's just nostalgia on my part but Johns is clearly #1 for me. Big gap between #2 (Smith) and #3 though.
     
    Cribbage, Jul 22, 2017
    #3

  4. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    It's a difficult argument because Smith has far more influence on his side's defence purely due to the parameters of a RL match and the position of hooker.

    In one respect it's an advantage. On the other hand, it's a disadvantage because he chews through more juice. I wonder how making 40 tackles a game would've impacted Johns/Lewis/Thurston/Lockyer etc. I think he is the most complete footballer.

    My settled consideration is that if my life was on the line in: A.a club season, I'd take Johns. B.an Origin series, Lewis. C.Both, I'd take Smith.
    D.up by 24 with 30 to go, Parramatta.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Jul 22, 2017
    #4

  5. Tartmaster AJ James

    I think Joey was a better player judged solely on skill.

    But I think Smith brings more to a team, I'd say Smith is a more valuable and more influential player than Joey/anyone else I've ever seen.
     
    Tartmaster, Jul 22, 2017
    #5
    Paddy and Maroon_Faithful like this.

  6. Paddy P Orr

    Definitely one of the best I've seen play in my time.
     
    Paddy, Jul 22, 2017
    #6

  7. Mr Fourex MR Fourex

    My own personal preference, Wally Lewis is the best I've ever seen.....at all levels.

    Smith was always next in line, but after his game 3 performance I've got no problems putting him above Lewis now.

    So to answer the question, yes...Cameron Smith is the best I've ever seen.
     
    Mr Fourex, Jul 23, 2017
    #7

  8. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    Congrats to Smithy on 350th match. Soon to be the most decorated player of all time.

    350 NRL games
    42 Origins
    50 Tests
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Jul 30, 2017
    #8

  9. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    If I had to have one of either Smith or Thurston at my club, I'd take Thurston, some of the games he's turned for the Cows pretty well single handedly has been phenomenal. Smith definitely the most complete across all levels though.
     
    Sultan Pepper, Jul 31, 2017
    #9

  10. Julian BJ Taylor

    It's a hard question to answer.

    Hookers have only been genuine dummy halves for 30 years or so. Smith probably would've been a so-so halfback if he appeared in the 70s or 80s. This is what sways me to say no, he's not the best I've seen. The importance of the ruck/wrestle/play the ball in how the game has developed over the last 10 years part way leads to Smith being such a dominant player as well IMO. He's definitely the best of the current generation (post Johns) IMO. He's more valuable as a player than Thurston and Cronk would never have happened if not for him.
     
    Julian, Jul 31, 2017
    #10

  11. Boobidy BJ Gemmell

    I've got him at #2 behind Tunza.
     
    Boobidy, Jul 31, 2017
    #11

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