There is always plenty of discussion following the crowning of the Golden Boot each season, but nothing like we have already seen this season.
The general consensus seems to be that while Shaun Johnson is amongst the elite in the rugby league world, he isn’t the world’s best player.
To be honest I thought Sam Burgess had the award absolutely parcelled up.
Man of the Match in the Grand Final, after a super season, including a Dally M lock of the year award. Seemed like he, or co-Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston were the only genuine contenders.
The only argument, at least in my mind, could come in the form of big James Graham, who had one of the best seasons I have ever seen for a front rower.
One thing I certainly did not see happening was the award being presented to the Warriors superstar number seven.
I don’t begrudge Johnson the award. I am a huge fan of his, except when he’s playing in a side opposing the one I am supporting, and there can be no argument that he is one of the most exciting players in the game … but I wouldn’t put him in the top five.
Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Jarryd Hayne, James Graham and Sam Burgess were the top fivers players last season.
For mine Thurston, and Hunt were better halfbacks than Johnson last season.
There’s no doubt Johnson had some amazing games. His Four Nation’s tournament was incredible. That being said, he just didn’t show the level of consistency required to be crowned what is effectively the best player in the world.
The Warriors did not make the finals. Johnson did not finish in the top 10 of the Dally M medal count. The New Zealanders only JUST beat a severely understrength Kangaroos side.
Surely the side, containing the world’s best halfback, would have made the Top Eight? Surely the world’s best player would have claimed a top few spot in the Dally Ms, which to be fair is a subjective award? Surely the world’s best halfback would have led his side to a big win over a third rate Kangaroos side?
It seems as though his performance in the Four Nations won him the award, which is an absolute laugh in itself. Thurston, who was in my view the most dominant player of the season, would not have even been considered due to him not taking part in the tournament. Hilarious.
Thurston or Burgess should have been presented with the award.
While looking at the supposed best in the world, how about the World XI?
Dean Whare? Manu Vatuvei? Kevin Proctor?
How about the fact Thurston was named as five-eight in the World Team XI, despite the fact he played his best football when he returned to wearing the number seven?
OK, so the last comment was nit-picking, but I don’t understand how those tasked with selection the World XI came up with the side they did.
Am I way off here? Was Johnson really as consistently good as Thurston and Burgess?
My World XI would have been.
- Jarryd Hayne
- Ryan Hall (I don’t rate the ESL anywhere near the level of the NRL, but Ryan Hall is a special winger and arguably the best winger in the world right now)
- Jamie Lyon
- Dylan Walker
- Josh Mansour
- Johnathan Thurston (despite the fact he played his best footy at halfback, it seems the popular thing to do is to name him as a five-eight)
- Ben Hunt
- James Graham
- James Segeyaro
- Jesse Bromwich
- Aidan Guerra
- Simon Mannering
- Sam Burgess
