King dethroned! Wally Lewis edged as rugby league’s top five-eighth
He’s an Immortal, captained his country and dominated rugby league’s biggest stage for more than a decade — but Wally Lewis is not the No.1 five-eighth of the modern era. Check out the list and vote!
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The King has been dethroned.
Despite anticipated rancour from across the Queensland border, I have rated Parramatta genius Brett Kenny ahead of Wally Lewis as rugby league’s greatest five-eighth since 1980.
It wasn’t an easy decision. Lewis is an Immortal, Kenny isn’t. Lewis captained Australia, Kenny didn’t.
Kenny though was the most naturally gifted player – alongside Andrew Johns – I have seen in 33 years of covering rugby league. There was also Thurston, Lockyer, Daley, Fittler, Lyons, Marshall, Walters and Lamb to consider. It wasn’t easy.
Here are my top 20:
1 BRETT KENNY: My favourite. Was a wonderfully gifted player with speed, acceleration, a swerve and anticipation.
Any player that can score two tries in three successive grand finals is something special. Made his first grade debut back in 1980 and proclaimed: “It wasn’t that hard.” Wasn’t being smart, merely pointing out how naturally the game came to him. Never received the recognition he deserved when playing Wally Lewis due to the noisy Queensland media cheer squad.
2 WALLY LEWIS: A fierce competitor who was strong and deceptively quick. Lewis had plenty of whack in defence too. He dominated Origin – rugby league’s biggest stage – for more than a decade, collecting a remarkable eight man of the match awards. So clever, so creative. The asterisk next to Lewis’ name though comes through only playing 80 NRL games, 34 for lowly Gold Coast.
3 JOHNATHAN THURSTON: In July, 2018, NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce said: “It’s always great coming up against great players and Johnathan Thurston is probably the greatest.” You could mount a compelling argument JT was in fact the greatest. Two premierships, four Dally M Medals, 37 Origin games and 39 Tests. Wow. Tough too for a player who weighed just 86kgs.
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4 DARREN LOCKYER: Something happened every time this bloke touched the ball. The only other player like that in the modern era was Andrew Johns. Lockyer had sublime skills. He did things on the field others wouldn’t even attempt. And it all came so naturally. One of the few players in history who switched from being the game’s best fullback to become the game’s best five-eighth.
5 LAURIE DALEY: A Rolls Royce number six. So strong for a five-eighth, Daley had blinding speed and incredible vision. Gus Gould once wrote that Daley “had the ability to influence and inspire everyone around him.” People forget Daley captained NSW at just 22. He was amazingly robust in defence – a trait which shouldn’t be neglected. A personal mate of mine, a friend with rare loyalty and manners. Proof nice guys can finish first.
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6 BRAD FITTLER: Strapping five-eighth who had the greatest sidestep in rugby league since ‘Changa’ Langlands. Hit a hole with power and read a game with deadly accuracy. Set a rare standard for durability, resilience and longevity by averaging 27 games a season. Fittler played with complete freedom, nothing fazed him. He led Australia in 20 Tests, the Kangaroos winning 17. A true larrikin.
7 TERRY LAMB: Champion little player. Tough, aggressive with a touch of niggle made for one of the great competitors of the modern era. His small stature coupled with a chunky body and dynamic speed over 30 metres made Lamb difficult to contain. He was without doubt the finest support player of the modern era.
8 GREG INGLIS: Didn’t know where to rate Inglis given he only played 49 matches at number six. Clearly among the greatest players in history through his brute strength but excelled more at fullback and centre. Played five-eighth in Melbourne’s winning 2007 grand final.
9 KEVIN WALTERS: Wonderful support and link player between Alf Langer and his outside backs. Smart football brain and knew where he needed to be and when. Might not have been a dazzling player but won an incredible six premierships. His ability forced then Broncos coach Wayne Bennett to move Wally Lewis from five-eighth to lock in 1990. Funny bloke who has never taken life too seriously.
10 CLIFF LYONS: Last of the old school footballers. There used to be a small room next to Manly’s dressing room at Brookvale. You’d often see ‘Napa’ duck in for a smoke before the game or even halftime. Unique player who played off-the-cuff. Struck up a remarkable on-field partnership with Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies. When in possession, anything could happen but mostly it was footballing magic.
* If your pick for the best five-eighth is not in the poll tell us who we missed in the comments below
11 BENJI MARSHALL: Brilliant, flashy and unpredictable, Marshall is – alongside Robbie Farah – Wests Tigers’ greatest player. Possesses astounding footwork and speed – even now at age 35. Many say he revolutionised rugby league attack. Marshall became a brand as much as a footballer. Forever be remembered for an awe-inspiring flick pass which led to a Wests Tigers try in the 2005 grand final.
12 JAMES MALONEY: A winner. Everywhere he went, he conjured success. Tough, gritty, yappy, Maloney had deceptive speed and was a tremendous support player and goalkicker. Played ten kilograms above his tiny 83kgs frame.
13 ALAN THOMPSON: Was a lovely link between his Manly halves – which included John Gibbs, Gary Stephens and Steve Martin – and his outside backs, primarily the great fullback Graham ‘Wombat’ Eadie. Super passing game and clever between the ears.
14 GREG FLORIMO: Heart and soul of the North Sydney Bears. An aggressive and dangerous ball runner who loved rolling his sleeves up during his 285 games. Bryan Fletcher once rated Florimo among the toughest three players he ever confronted.
15 TRENT BARRETT: Had a beautiful running rhythm and an ability to shred a defence. Played rep footy for 14 years – a stunning tribute to his skill, durability and longevity. Wasn’t afraid to think outside the square on the field.
16 PHIL BLAKE: Freakish talent who had explosive speed over 30 metres. In 1982 and ’83, Blake was a genuine ‘boy wonder’. His career stalled several times but had the mental strength to bounce back. Kids mimicked his famous chip and chase for years.
17 MICHAEL HAGAN: Crafty, intelligent and knew how to win. Hagan always played with time. Never rushed and made those around him look good. Was a key player in Canterbury’s Dogs of War era.
18 ANTHONY MUNDINE: I will be bagged for including Choc but, boy, he could play. Had every skill and could destroy a side when he turned up focused, fit and firing. Made few friends for his outspoken views but that shouldn’t detract from his raw ability.
19 MATT JOHNS: Might be Andrew’s older brother but don’t be fooled, Matty could play. Creative link man with a wonderful football brain. Had a flamboyant approach to the game. He was an entertainer on and off the field.
20 TODD CARNEY: Sadly he will be remembered for all the bad things. But when Carney wanted to play, there were few better five-eighths. A free running number six, Carney was a natural. Could have been among the greats had he had behaved.
Honourable mentions: Luke Keary, Steve Carter, Rocky Laurie, Gareth Widdop, Scott Hill, Cameron Munster, Kieran Foran, Garry Hughes, Olsen Filipaina and Brad Izzard.
Originally published as King dethroned! Wally Lewis edged as rugby league’s top five-eighth