OK, I agree with alot of the stuff you wrote, but this one I cannot agree with.
Slater is the best fullback that I have ever seen, and will probably go down as the best fullback in history.
olols
please Slater is easily a better fullback than Lockyer was. Lockyer is the better utility'
Why? Lockyer did everything Slater did at fullback and more.
What Slater did in origin this year Lockyer did for 5 years straight at origin level. In 2001 he was an absolute freak then in the 2002 series behind a not so good team he was still an absolute stand out all 3 games as well and so on...
Slater has been lucky enough to play in brilliant teams his entire career, the QLD team and Melbourne cheats for the past 5 years. He's still the best fullback in the game and one of the best ever but Lockyer is arguably the best fullback ever to play the game and even in average teams was a regular standout. It's not a coincidence he's never missed QLD or AUS selection again since he got picked at a young age, Slater has been in and out before.
Lockyer could do everything Slater did but was/is a much better play maker and has a great kicking game to go with it. Lets be honest, how many times has Slater threw a pass over the sideline or made really stupid mistakes and I can't remember Slater ever kicking.
Lockyer was like a second 5/8 added to everything else he had he truly was a once in a lifetime player as a fullback(and 5/8).
Don't take this as me bagging out Slater, he's amazing and by far the best fullback of the past 5 years and one of the best ever but Lockyer was still a level above and if a QLD's best ever team comes up or even AUS Lockyer will be at fullback ahead of Slater and that's just unlucky for Slater.
Slater is 27, he didn't really reach "elite" status till 2007/2008(been a consistent freak since). He actually made his AUS debut at 25 years of age(2008). Lockyer was already one of the games elite and playing for Australia and QLD at age 20, went on to be origin captain at 24 years of age and then went on to be AUS captain at 26 years of age.
He got a Clive Churchill award, 2 club player of the years award, 3 club best back awards, QLD origin player of the series twice, game 3 MOM for QLD and a golden boot award amongst other accolades. All at fullback, pre-2004, in 8 years of playing fullback which is how long Slater has now been at fullback since his debut for.
Not many can remember Lockyer at fullback 7 years later but he was and IMO still is arguably* best fullback to ever play the game.