not equal with slater, Lockyer was never this good as a fullback.
Lockyer could never do the freakish **** that Slater can do, however Lockyer was more reliable in the fact he wouldnt have a blunder every now and then, Slater is prone to that once in a blue moon
Really? I think Slater was never as good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAQb9_BrPko and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6ccVdVMMdU I know people have short memories so that should refresh it
Just look at Lockyers passing and kicking game and how many tries he lays on for others as a fullback, Slater isn't anywhere near as good in that department(kicking wise is non-existent) and the running trys, freakish plays, splitting the defence open and pulling off amazing tackles and freakish passes to set up tries are just as good and in some parts far better than anything Slater has done and this was at a time where the two origin teams were at similar levels unlike now where QLD is well and truly ahead.
Slater was dumped in 2005 didn't return to origin till 2008 in which he played half games coming off the bench during the series switching with Hunt. It wasn't until last year, where Slater has been starting fullback however Lockyer from his debut carried the no.1 jersey uncontested for 6 years until he moved to 5/8. At the same stages in their careers(X years at fullback) Lockyer had in his first 6 origin series won the Player of the series award twice, Slater got his first this year 7 years after his origin debut.
I'm sorry I just can't see how anyone can confidently claim that Lockyer was never as good as Slater. I can agree that Slater has been as good as Lockyer but only really since last year where as Lockyer was as good as Slater was now during his entire time at fullback at all levels and has always been automatic selection which Slater hasn't been till 2 years ago. He also always had a kicking game and passing game far ahead of Slater(and pretty much any fullback before or since) and it's arguable that Slater had a better running game, defensive game or support game than that of Lockyer.
So I still stand by what I said and I still believe Lockyer is the better fullback. If Slater can do what he has done this year and before it for at least another 2-3 years then it would be hard to argue either way who the better play was but if Slater retired or changed position right now Lockyer IMO undoubtedly goes down as the better fullback to play the game. If a team was selected to be the best ever Lockyer would be at fullback, Slater would be at wing.