NSW and Test legends believe Darren Lockyer has dethroned Andrew Johns as the greatest player of his generation, calling for the Maroons skipper to be named an Immortal.
As Lockyer closes in on Allan Langer's State of Origin record for most appearances, former Australian halfback Tommy Raudonikis said the Queensland ace had leapfrogged Johns as the most influential NRL player of the modern era.
Former Test captain Johns has long been regarded by many as the code's finest player, with the Newcastle champion installed as halfback in the NRL's Team of the Century two years ago.
But Raudonikis is adamant Lockyer has left Johns in the shade after chalking up a glittering assortment of NRL and representative records that may never be beaten.
Lockyer's latest milestone came last week, when the veteran pivot eclipsed Cronulla icon Andrew Ettingshausen's mark of most NRL games for one club with his 329th appearance for the Broncos.
"I don't think there's any doubt Locky has gone past Joey - he's deadset smashed him into ribbons," said Raudonikis, who played 20 Tests between 1972-80 and captained NSW in the inaugural Origin clash of 1980.
"If you look at the records, he's played more first grade games, more Origin games, more Tests (than Johns) . . . he blows Joey away.
"He rates up among guys like Wally Lewis, Bob Fulton and Brett Kenny. He's made a fool of me. A year ago, I said Darren is better off retiring but champions always make you look foolish and he's just got better and better.
"He's such a wonderful competitor. I'd follow him into battle any time. He's great for the game, he doesn't sook like a lot of modern-day players.
"I'd put him ahead of Joey now, definitely."
Statistically, Lockyer has the edge on Johns, who retired in 2007. He has played 80 more top-grade games (329 to Johns's 249), and is on course to surpass the NRL's all-time record of 349 shared by Bulldogs great Terry Lamb and Manly icon Steve Menzies.
At representative level, Lockyer has played more matches for Australia (51) than Johns's Origin and Test games combined (47). Factor in his Origin portfolio - Lockyer plays his 33rd game this Wednesday night, one shy of Langer's 34-game record - and the Brisbane legend has claims to being an NRL untouchable.
But the one blot on Lockyer's resume is his inability, thus far, to win a Dally M Medal.
By contrast, Johns has won a record three, and many believe Lockyer has never single-handedly dominated a game like the Knights legend did.
Asked to nominate his top-three players in recent times, former Blues skipper Steve Mortimer ranked Lockyer ahead of Johns, with Johnathan Thurston a distant third.
"On his day, I don't think there was anyone better than Joey. But for longevity no one can go past Locky," Mortimer said.
"Some of the players in the game today were three or four years old when Locky started in first grade. To have that longevity in the game is just unbelievable."
Last year, Clive Churchill's widow, Joyce, told The Sunday Mail Lockyer must be named the next Immortal, a stance that has been echoed by Maroons legend Chris Close.
Rugby league historian David Middleton said it was hard to argue Lockyer was in a class of his own.
"I believe Andrew Johns is a better footballer in his day - he changed the game in many ways - but Darren has Joey covered in terms of achievements."
-Peter Badel
