Michael Withers?

George Fairbairn, Man of Steel in a team that got relegated. Says it all.

Paul Charlton played for Salford in the 70's. Whey ahead of his time, record try scoured for a fb for about 30 years. Only ever seen Stuart wright from widnes take him on the outside and only once. Greatest I've ever seen.

Paul Charlton was quick with a long stride like Sam. He was exciting to watch as well. He played in a great team with the likes of Dai Watkins and Keith Fielding. Unusually for a full back at the time, he didn't kick.

But none of the full backs from the last 40 years can be compared to Sam. He is as good as anyone defensively, but his attack is without equal. People speak as though attack and defence are of equal importance. At Wigan it is quite simple, unless you can defend you don't get to play for too long. It is what you do with ball in hand that sets you apart. And Sam has been quite brilliant.

Now - at the moment we don't know whether he ranks as amongst the best in the world. Australia have Slater/Hayne/Boyd/Barba/Bowen who are conceivably better. We may have a better idea when we see Bowen next year.

Rads all the way for me, hios defence was solid.

Sam is a legend of the game and no one can deny his talent and ability to turn a game but I think he was always more of a 6 than a solid defensive full back

You say Rads "all the way" then make no case for him! You damn him with faint praise!

I mean, Shaun Briscoe was "solid". Any number of Super League fullbacks are "solid".

If you think that Rads was better than Sam you have to do better than that.

I always thought that Sam's defence was really good. How many times would we see him fearlessly throw himself at players bringing down much bigger than himself only yards from the try line. His positioning was very good on most occasions and only the odd dropped high ball let him down now and again.

Saying Tomkins was/is seen more of a stand off is a little like saying that Jason Robinson was seen more of a scrum half.

I remember when Radlinski made it look impossible for a kicker to get a bounce on a kick, he just used to glide across the whole field and jump up and snatch it out of the air.

Also in my opinion he was better at backing up a player obviously not in the same league in the running and play making

As a outsider but admirer of both I would have to go with Radlinski. For me Radlinski was the more complete FB. Tomkins has that unpredictability about him, chases lost causes and although does get criticised defensively he often pops up with a telling tackle but imo his hands let him down as does his timing and positioning. Don't get me wrong these points are not bad but are lacking enough for me to go with Radlinski by the narrowist of margins.

This whole topic backs up how Rads is one of the most overrated players we've had. He was very good at the basics but oftered nothing special.

Incredible

Reardon fits that description, Radlinski's support play, tackling, bomb difusal and positioning were all up there with the best.