Yeah I knew they only played a handful of games at most together in the halves but I'd say even before that as a partnership, Barrett/Johns and definitely Fitler/Johns were better than Thurston/Cronk.

I was also at that '04 game (can't believe it's 9 years ago now) and think the same. I doubt I'll ever see a singular performance as good as what Lockyer put on that day again. I'm happy to say I was there to witnes it, even though it wasn't for the team I wanted to win.

Its all in the eye of the beholder I guess.
Johns was one of the best ever.
Fittler was right up there.
Barrett was a good Club player and a solid SOO performer but in many fans opinions had an inside lane in selection for the Test team similar to Kurt Gidley nowadays.

Thurston is considered in Australia as one of the best players in the NRL for many years and is often rated in the top three players in the game.
Cronk has had to wait in the wings for some time but is an accomplished player and right up there but had to wait for a chance in the Kangaroos halves. (IMO Lockyer played a year or two past his best where he was no longer a threat running the ball past 15 yards and consequently limited his play that opposing Coaches nullified a lot of his threat)

I've never understood why JT is so underrated in this country. He's up there with the best I've seen in my life time.

His prime years have been with the Cowboys and they are always talked about as contenders without ever really having the ability to live up to it, Thurston's name is a big part of that expectation.

If he had played for the Storm, Manly or perhaps stayed at Canterbury he would have had a better balance of players around him so that he could shine rather than be expected to do it all himself.
A Half can only do so much and if his backs can not complete what he sets up it nullifies some of the skills he brings to a game.

The Cowboys have very good backs: Matt Bowen, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett and a couple of good wingers.

Graham isn't a big public talker. He didn't say much while he was over here.

I remember him being quoted in a press release about his decision to leave Saints that he had been worried how the fans would take his decision but had been really happy when reading all the messages of goodwill that fans had left on the website when his decision was announced. We'd never have known he was worried though as he said nothing and just kept playing to his usual high standard.

He played just as well and with the same impact for Saints as he does for the Dogs. It's great to watch him going about his business even though I wish he was still wearing the red vee.

The Canterbury fans love the guy: www.thekennel.net.au/forum/showt ... 382&page=2

The Canterbury fans love the guy: www.thekennel.net.au/forum/showt ... 382&page=2

Sound like a classy lot them dogs fans

quality forum that, who needs the AUP lol

Doggies forum is a funny place. Always have a look when they're playing the Raiders.

It's one of the best forums on the Internet. Outside the UK, sports forums are much more laid back and enjoyable to read. It can be a bit uptight on the RL forums in the UK sometimes though.

Graham after getting hit high just then.

"Oh, you f**king tw*t!"



The benefits of live TV.

In a recognisable scouse twang. No denying the culprit.

There's lots of laid back British forums, they just tend not to be rugby league ones lol

Rugby league forums in the UK have a completely different demographic to Aussie ones.

Bulldogs definitely have one of the best forums for league.