If SBW or Mason had played out their career with us could they have become Imortals.

[D.O.W.]

No way Mason would be an Immortal, too many who are as good as him or better.

SBW on the other hand would've achieved legendary status and become the best ever forward to have ever played the game.

SBW will be remembered as an elite athlete, if he stayed at Canterbury or just in Rugby League, we would almost certainly be talking immortal status

 

[Cook]

Probably loltals….

 

[CrittaMagic69]

SBW yes

But who cares about being an immortal, its a stupid tag. Joey is the 8th immortal - drug addict dog of a ****

I'm also that. The drug part not the immortal.

 

[Bulldogsteve]

there is a difference between best players and most talented.
SBW is the most talented forward i have ever seen, but is he the best player no.
Benji is the most talented back i have ever seen, but is the best player no where near it. there is a massive difference.
Both players can do things no player can do, but where they the best ever players no.

 

[bullanth]

He was pretty good man, he carried the Knights and Blues for many years, but was too injury towards the end of his career. The fact that in 2005, betting odds were on hold pending him being under and injury cloud, was quite amazing.

Agree 200%,as a commentator he gets on my nerves,but as a footballer he had few who came near him,he and Wally Lewis were the 2 best in their positions I’ve seen,they both read a game so well.

 

[CroydonDog]

My thoughts are that with this thread we have officially reached Peak Off Season

 

[Dogs&Cats]

Neither.

Put Mason’s mixture of mongrel and lair in with William’s natural talent (minus the injuries) and possibly, but neither had the ability on their own merits to get within cooee of those that have been granted Immortal status. Mason didn’t have the ability, and William’s didn’t have the heart.

 

[silva]

Neither.

Put Mason’s mixture of mongrel and lair in with William’s natural talent (minus the injuries) and possibly, but neither had the ability on their own merits to get within cooee of those that have been granted Immortal status. Mason didn’t have the ability, and William’s didn’t have the heart.

Mason was a bitch from what I remember lucky he was the biggest **** on the field

 

[bulldogsmyte]

Mortimer did things no half back before him ever did. He changed that position.

plus no half back since Mortimer could do the things that he did on the field.

 

[N4TE]

Both would have been club legends I would say Mason is still very well respected at Belmore but SBW will never be.

 

[chuckynemo]

What a joker. $oney money bills william$ was shitting himself with that low ability team in 2007 or 08. He is not a central player and only a good player to play alongside a strong team. Big floppy mason was an egomaniac that thought he was the never going to become shit. He eventually become a player that settled for any contract above the income of a formworker.

 

[GUSLER]

Doesn’t matter where SBW played in the nrl, if he stayed In the nrl he would have been the best ever forward, better than Sam Burgess

 

[Diatribe 2000]

So take Johns out of the 1997 and 2001 sides - do either win the Comp?

 

[Diatribe 2000]

Doesn’t matter where SBW played in the nrl, if he stayed In the nrl he would have been the best ever forward, better than Sam Burgess

Low benchmark
Compared to the great Bradley Clyde?
A distant second
Clyde is so forgotten, relative to his ability and achievements - likely because he has kept a low public profile, but was the greatest

 

[Diatribe 2000]

plus no half back since Mortimer could do the things that he did on the field.

Maybe not but Ricky Stuart changed the game and created the role of the modern halfback with his passing, kicking, and tactical game
That is the true mark of greatness - changing the way the game is played

 

[bulldogsmyte]

Maybe not but Ricky Stuart changed the game and created the role of the modern halfback with his passing, kicking, and tactical game
That is the true mark of greatness - changing the way the game is played

>"That is the true mark of greatness - changing the way the game is played"
Not necessarily.
No HB can emulate Mortimer because they don't have his blinding acceleration to score solo tries and save countless tries with his cover tackles. Plus Turvey's vision set up countless tries with his passing and kicking.
Just like no other tennis player can play like Federer as they don't have his hand eye co-ordination to play inside the baseline, hit half volleys at will and his fluid movement and shot making. Federer won 17 majors with an obsolete racquet from the mid 1980's while his rivals used the latest equipment.
It's easier to have an impact on the game if your style of play does not require unique physical attributes or out of this world talent which then makes it more feasible for the average joe to copy. The average HB can play like Stuart because of repetition and hard work just like the average tennis player can learn to play like Novak rather than Roger.

 

[bulldogsmyte]

So take Johns out of the 1997 and 2001 sides - do either win the Comp?

You could say the same for many great HB.
Take Mortimer out of the 79, 80 and 85 sides. We don't make the 79 GF and we don't win the 80 and 85 GF either.
Take Cronk out of 2012 and Dogs are odds on to win that GF.
Johns played most of his career in a star studded Newcastle side often with 8+ internationals/Origin players. His GF record doesn't stake up against other great HB. Langer played in a star studded Brisbane side and won 3.5 GF compared to John's 1.5.

 

[Freakzilla]

So take Johns out of the 1997 and 2001 sides - do either win the Comp?

They don't even make the finals.

 

[Freakzilla]

You could say the same for many great HB.
Take Mortimer out of the 79, 80 and 85 sides. We don't make the 79 GF and we don't win the 80 and 85 GF either.
Take Cronk out of 2012 and Dogs are odds on to win that GF.
Johns played most of his career in a star studded Newcastle side often with 8+ internationals/Origin players. His GF record doesn't stake up against other great HB. Langer played in a star studded Brisbane side and won 3.5 GF compared to John's 1.5.

What a terrible take. Joey is the GOAT!

 

[GoTheDoggies]

IF my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle