Which NRL Player is the GOAT? And Can Anyone Surpass Him?
Who is the greatest NRL player of all time? It's a question that has been debated for years, and there are many worthy candidates. But for me, there is one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest: Johnathan Thurston.
Thurston was a brilliant all-around player who could do it all. He was a gifted ball-handler, a lethal runner, and a pinpoint kicker. But it was his vision and leadership that set him apart from the rest. He had an uncanny ability to see the game unfold before it happened, and he always seemed to know where to put his team in the best position to score.
Thurston was also a fierce competitor. He never backed down from a challenge, and he always played with his heart on his sleeve. He was the kind of player who could inspire his teammates to play above their heads.
Thurston's career was filled with highlights. He led the Cowboys to their first NRL premiership in 2015, and he was named the Dally M Player of the Year four times. He also played for Queensland in State of Origin for 17 years, and he represented Australia in 37 Test matches.
Thurston retired from the NRL in 2018, but his legacy continues to live on. He is considered one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and he is an inspiration to young players everywhere.
But is there anyone who can surpass Thurston? It's hard to say. The NRL is constantly evolving, and new stars are emerging all the time. But if there is one player who has the potential to match Thurston's greatness, it is Nathan Cleary.
Cleary is a young halfback who plays for the Penrith Panthers. He is already one of the best players in the NRL, and he is only getting better. Cleary has all the skills that Thurston had, and he also has the same fierce competitive spirit.
It's still too early to say whether Cleary can reach the same heights as Thurston, but he has all the potential to do so. If he continues to develop and improve, he could one day be considered the greatest NRL player of all time.
Only time will tell if anyone can surpass Thurston as the greatest NRL player of all time. But for now, we can all be grateful that we got to witness the brilliance of one of the greatest players to ever play the game.