Hang on. Why is today seen as having an "advantage"? Why do you think players have all the time to train as much as they want on every facet of the game?
Gregory would have had to seriously improve his athleticism and speed, both of foot and of mind.
The game is far, far faster, players are far, far stronger and far more powerful. I'd say that's an advantage to Gregory not to Smith.
Players can't train all day long, in fact they'll probably do no more than 1.5 - 2 hours on-field training per day. Probably 3 days a week. The rest is recovery and rest time alongside off-field training. You train much more than that and your players will be tired on matchday.

If you put Gregory into that environment today he might flourish, he might crumble but I don't see why he's be somehow streets ahead of the top current SL players.

Too many RL fans have a habit of thinking players in the past were somehow amazing compared to modern players. Especially half backs because they put players through gaps. Well there were a hell of a lot more gaps and a far, far slower and much less effective defence for them to deal with. Just because it was better to watch doesn't mean it was a better standard.

Don't get me wrong I'm not one who thinks everything is better today either. But I think there's a lot of lack of respect for current players in RL when compared to past players. And I don't agree with it. I think today's players are just as skillfull.

I think if you put great players from the past into today's teams (having gone through modern training etc) then I think some would suffer and fall away and some would still be great players. And vice-versa for modern players.

I watched Roger a lot and whilst he was a good player not in the same class as others of his era or thereabouts even at half back - Murphy was different class.

Of players I've seen in the flesh it would have to be Ellery Hanley and Mal Meninga.

I was fortunate that when I was taken to my first St Helens game as a kid was during Big Mal's season at Saints.

Of Aussies in last 30 years I'd say Big Mal and Fittler for consistently come up with the decisive play when the chips were down in big games.in an earlier era, Reg Gasnier stood out. Best Aussie of all time - Brian Bevan.

As a kid the only RL I watched was GB v Aus. My favourite players were Hanley and Offiah. I liked Little Andy Gregory too. I think Little was his first name anyway - Ray French always called him that.

Mal Meninga was the player I remember most from the Australians. He was awesome.

well he'd only need to watch a reserves game to see better players than friggin chariots wouldn't he??

If he names Offiah, then i'd have to assume he has at least seen one game so that rules him out