Think it’s safe to say we’ve had some class players in a trinity shirt!

In your opinion which isn't the final word is it.

No he wasn't and yes he was is my opinion. He was better or a step above because he played in Australia, when as now it was a far better competition. However I also believe that had Myler played over there for any length of time he'd have given Lewis a run for his money.

I don't want to decry Lewis but he is viewed through somewhat rose tinted specs at Wakefield, usually to a group of older fans who had very little to cheer about when he arrived at Trinity.

At his peak he was the best of his generation but that's not just ability it's also good fortune. Whether he's the best of all time I don't think anyone can say as you simply can't compare eras IMO.

Is he better than Thurstone? I don't know, but I do know the game JT played in was a lot faster and more physical that WL - ditto Myler v Lewis - it's impossible to say.

What I do know is I saw in Myler all the core skills and strength that I did in Lewis, so I personally believe that had he been NSWRL or QLRL he'd have given the king a run for his crown. Also just look at the players who surrounded Lewis especially at International level, hell they would make almost any player look great (though I do actually think he was a great player).

Finally Lewis is only really known by the King title in Queensland, other than when he played in the Green and Gold he wasn't in NSW. Any other times most blues fans would give you a long and impressive list of NSW players who they considered better, I know because I was there. Lets not get too carried away, he was better but not IMHO that much better than a number of his contemporaries and I include Myler in that.

If we are talking about the "Best" players then Shane Tronc has to be in there, those few games for us that he played for us he was the best prop in the league by an absolute mile.

I also thought of him when I made my list as he was a favourite of mine but he was here for such a short time it'd be hard to dislodge others, especially Fifita who's been awesome the last 2 years. England, Huby or Watene are also hard to judge against. But just as a straight out quality player, he's definitely one the best we've had in the shirt, even if it didn't work out in the end.

We'll just have to disagree I'm afraid.
I watched him well before he came to Wakefield.
Lewis dominated the games he played in.
The fact that he is in the Australian's immortal list voted by many New South Welshmen speaks volumes.

But you have made me think about looking up the 1986 test series when they played opposite each other.

Again look at the team Wally had around him, I get your point but it's hard to judge Myler who was basically playing with one hand tied behind his back in many ways.

By that logic you could say none of the Aussie team were as good as their British counterpart.
The British team had Edwards Hanley Schofield Hampson Ward Goodway

Wow. I just watched the 86 highlights.
Great players on show.
Kevin Ward was the best prop on show. And although you probably wouldn't have dropped Kenny or Miles for Schofield at centre he wouldn't have out of place at all.......... But at 6......it was a man playing a boy.

Owing to his modern day persona people tend to forget just how good a player Schofield was; one of the greatest players I've had the privilege to watch.

Kevin Ward just phenomenal.

That’s just plain insulting guff to claim Myler was a boy and Lewis a man utterly pathetic even for you - say that to his face would you tough guy?

I would have said the same - but maybe he misses out on that fantasy squad, because he wasn't here for long enough; but I totally agree - he was the best prop in SL and, iirc, was top of the list in metres made and tackle busts for several months after he left, such was his contribution.

Shame how his life turned out after he left us - but he was outstanding for his short spell.

Watch the game and come back to me.
I hold Myler in high regard but Lewis was utterly dominant even in his own team.

It's also not just my opinion. Lewis is in the Australian Legends list. The first 5 were voted in when he was still a young player. He was the next voted in after he retired. Myler as good as he is and he's one of the best British stand offs I've seen, isn't even in the Widnes Hall of fame.

The 'tough guy' bit is over dramatic but to explain, I was referring to their role in the games and their level of skill.

Just a point of correction, not being picky but when comparing players it’s important, 2 is Right Wing & 5 is Left Wing. That makes the choices Johnstone or Cockayne and BJB or Tadulala which for me isn’t so straight forward. Semi was a far better defender than BJB and offered more when bringing the ball back.

Tony Myler is the 2nd Best Stand Off I’ve ever seen play the game.
Lewis’s stats at Origin level blow Thurston out of the water, although I rate Thurston as the 2nd best Aussie Half I’ve watched in my 50+ years.

No way should JD replace Poching as a Loose Forward

I agree with Aiton over other Hookers, there was a good reason Leeds went after him.

Ashurst, as good as he is, isn’t in Lauitiitis league and playing Ali in the same 17 as Solomona would be a nightmare for the opposition.

Rooney had far more to his game than Miller, no contest for me.

All just my opinion of course

Just a point of correction, not being picky but when comparing players it’s important, 2 is Right Wing & 5 is Left Wing. As the comparison t am has Tadulala on the right the choices are Johnstone or Cockayne (Tom by a mile) and BJB or Tadulala which for me isn’t so straight forward. Semi was a far better defender than BJB, offered more when bringing the ball back and was better under the high cross field kicks while he we no slouch for speed either.

Rooney had far more to his game than Miller, no contest for me.

Fifita in for Korkidas

I agree with Aiton over other Hookers, there was a good reason Leeds went after him.

Ashurst, as good as he is, isn’t in Lauitiitis league and playing Ali in the same 17 as Solomona would be a nightmare for the opposition.

No way should JD replace Poching as a Loose Forward

Tony Myler is the 2nd Best Stand Off I’ve ever seen play the game.
Lewis’s stats at Origin level blow Thurston out of the water, although I rate Thurston as the 2nd best Aussie Half I’ve watched in my 50+ years.

All just my opinion of course

LOL at Korki being included by some. I would say we've probably had the following props who were better than him (roughly in order):

Tronc
Fafita
Watene
Stosic
Lauititi
Pauli
Wilkes
Amor
Griffin
Jackson
England

And that's just from the top of my head.

He was included by some. He was included by enough of the majority to be voted in the original team. I agree with the first 4 you put in though, except two didn't make a full season.

If you don't mind me asking and I realise this is a bit of a drift from the original subject but knowing when you played you must have lined up against Woods, Holmes, Myler, even Topliss at Hull? Who would you say the best was in your experience?

When EW mentioned Aiton I was surprised I'd forgotten him. I'll put it down to the fact we've been through a fair number of players just in the last 5 years or so.



Would you say the Ali we got when he left Leeds was in a different league to Ashurst? Obviously, over his career, he was a special player and we saw some of it here but he didn't play very long minutes by the time he arrived and although he could still create havoc at times, his defence or work rate wasn't near Ashursts. For me, it all depends on the makeup of your side.

Rooney had a better kicking game than Miller for sure but conversely, Miller has a far better running game than Rooney did and Miller is leading the try assists for SL this year, so he's no slouch there either. Be interested why you think it's a no contest in Rooney's favour between them Clan.

Don't know if my memory is totally right and tbh I missed some of his time here but Tadulala did have some those qualities especially bringing the ball back and his defence wasn't too shabby but I also remember him being a bit of an error and knock on merchant, to the point I almost closed my eyes when he'd get the ball at times.

Like you say it's all about opinions and sometimes hazy memories.

Tadulala would take high ball after high ball during the pre match warm up then knock on from receiving the proper kick off. Remember him letting a drop out through his legs during the original million pound game v Cas. On the +ve, remember him running the ball out up through the middle v Bradford and setting Ben Jeffries on a try scoring run under the sticks.