Yes, players have got bigger and stronger on the whole but you can only judge players by reference to their status in their own era. If you look at old footage from as long as 80 years ago you can find examples of far better than you ever see today and with the old balls that weighed a ton in comparison. So you can find tangible evidence of reduced standards in some areas! So far as the British game is concerned there were more quality players in say the '50s than there have been at any time in the last 40 years, so stand out players in that era were, in my opinion, generally better than our stand out players of today. I recall a testimonial match at Widnes in the '70s when Widnes were "Cup Kings" and Vince Karalius played. Although 20 years older than the Widnes players and off the pace due to age when he tackled them (including then current internationals) he chucked them around like rag dolls. Far stronger than most current players of that era.

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