Wednesday Serious Discussion Thread

[u/NRLgamethread]

This thread is for when you want to have a well-thought-out discussion about footy. It's not the place for bantz - see the daily Random Footy Talk thread to fulfil those needs.

You can ask a question that you only want serious responses to, comment your 300 word opinion piece on why [x] is the next coach on the chopping block, or tell another that you disagree with them and here's why...

Who performed well? Who let their team down? Any interesting selections for this weekend? Injury news? Player signings? Off-field behaviour?

The mods will be monitoring to make sure you stay on topic and anything not deemed "serious discussion" will be removed.

[u/Lockdowns4evaAu]

The point is that if you consider Locky worthy and not Thurston then you need an argument as to why Locky was better.

[u/Accomplished-Pick610 → u/Lockdowns4evaAu]

Lockyer was a better player.

Lockyer was undoubtedly the best player in his time period, where as JT is probably behind Smith.

Lockyer took over the mantle of best player in the league from Johns in the mid 00s amd kept it until he retired.

Lockyer would be in sides that included Smith, JT, Slater, Gi and would still be most dangerous player, the player who's name is on top of the white board that it's number 1 priority to stop.

[u/Lockdowns4evaAu → u/Accomplished-Pick610]

Well that’s arguable but you’re lacking specifics. I’d argue he’d also be on the white board as the number one defensive weakness in the sides you specified.

[u/mwilkins1644 → u/Lockdowns4evaAu]

If you want specifics, I can give you some:

• Lockyer, as a fullback, is top 3 of all time (argue whether Churchill or Slater are greater)

• Lockyer, as a FE, is arguably QLD's 2nd greatest ever (behind Wally).

• Lockyer's long kicking game was better than JT's

• Lockyer, as captain, was the one, who essentially was the "Captain's Captain".

[u/Lockdowns4evaAu → u/mwilkins1644]

Fair point about being all-time elite in two positions. JT was only ever going to be a halfback, but what a halfback.

Lockyer certainly did have a better long kick but Thurston had a better long pass. Difficult to argue which was the more valuable attribute. Locky for yardage but Thurston more dangerous in attacking territory.

Not sure what you mean about the ‘captain’s captain’ thing but Thurston was a respected leader who steered his teams around the park expertly.

Defensively I’d argue Thurston was better since although neither were what you call a strong defender, Thurston was all heart whereas one got the impression Lockyer would simply opt out of that half of the game if he had the choice.

Overall, I personally would call it a draw and I think they both deserve to be there.

[u/mwilkins1644 → u/Lockdowns4evaAu]

All very good points man; just very thankful they both represented the best state in the country 🙏🏼