Part two, 25-1: The best NRL players since inaugural 98’ season

TO celebrate two decades of NRL, 15 expert judges ranked their top 50 players from the post Super League era. Intense debate raged over Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston and let’s not forget Cam Smith and Darren Lockyer.

Who should be crowned the NRL's greatest ever player?

ALL hail Joey Johns.

Twenty years ago, peace was called on the Super League War and the NRL was born.

A whopping 20 clubs contested the 1998 premiership, and, in a sign of things to come, Johns won the Dally M medal as the Broncos Broncos claimed the premiership.

Twenty years on and Johns and the Broncos’ stars dominate our list of the 50 greatest players of the NRL era.

To celebrate two decades of NRL, rugby league experts from NSW and Queensland compiled the list of the best performers, with Johns taking the top spot from eight from the 15 judges.

As you can see in COMMENTS, not everyone has agreed with the judges’ decision to give Johns the No.1 ranking with plenty of support for Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith.

RANKED: NRL’s greatest players (50-26)

Brisbane, who have won three premierships in the NRL era, featured 13 representatives while the Roosters (nine), Penrith (seven) and Cronulla (seven) were the next best.

We based the list on performances post 1998, and with a criteria of a minimum of 100 games played the likes of Laurie Daley, Israel Folau, Kevin Walters and Glenn Lazarus were not considered.

A host of superstars including Sam Thaiday, Lote Tuqiri, Greg Bird and Luke Ricketson missed out. Second-rowers featured prominently with nine players while there were eight fullbacks included.

Johns and Brad Fittler are the only New South Welshman in the top 10 while Sonny Bill Williams is the only non-Australian to finish inside the top 10.

TELL US IN COMMENTS WHO SHOULD BE NO.1

Originally published as Part two, 25-1: The best NRL players since inaugural 98’ season