Dec 18th, 2019

Dec 18th, 2019

It's been an iconic decade for rugby league in Australia.

In the 10 years that have passed, the game has seen itself through some of its biggest narratives in its century old history.

In 2010, the Melbourne Storm had their 07' and 09' premierships withdrawn after the discovery of salary cap abuse.

In 2014, South Sydney ended their 43-year title drought with a stirring win over the Bulldogs.

In 2016 Paul Gallen emphatically declared the Sharks faithful could "turn the porch lights off" when Cronulla brought their first premiership trophy back to the Shire.

Broncos super coach Wayne Bennett left Red Hill for the second time, while the Sydney Roosters became the first team in NRL history to claim back-to-back premierships.

Luke Keary (L) and Jake Friend (R) of the Roosters celebrate victory with fans (Getty)

Behind the biggest moments, the standard of play continues to reach new heights, forming the backdrop to which all fans flock to the game.

But it's the superstars who light up the field night-in and night-out, that stand out above all else.

Now, as the sun sets on rugby league's 112th year of competition in Australia, the game's greatest halfback ever Andrew Johns has ranked the five players that have defined the last decade – and according to the eighth Immortal himself, it's Cameron Smith who sits atop that list.

Cam Smith (AAP)

1. Cameron Smith

There isn't much Melbourne's 36-year-old legendary skipper hasn't already achieved in his decorated career, having won the Dally M twice, claiming hooker of the year on eight separate occasions and two golden boots.

In the past 10 years alone, Smith has steered the Storm to two premierships, four grand-finals and four minor-premierships, all to his own gracefully effortless beat.

With an ability to marshal his troops and seemingly orchestrate points at will, Johns says there's little wonder Smith is the greatest player he's ever seen.

"Late in his career he plays dummy half, he gets in first receiver, he covers two or three positions and is one of the best captains you'll see," Johns exclusively told Wide World of Sports.

"He's never flustered, plays 80-minutes, doesn't get injured, kicks goals and plays the game at a different pace to the rest of the field – you talk about all the greats and their attributes. He's something special.

"He's the complete footy player and just the best I've ever seen."

Smith formed part of the pack that enforced Queensland's long-standing State of Origin dynasty, steering the Maroons to seven shields since 2010.

Time seems to know no bounds when it comes to the Storm veteran. His decision to play-on with the Storm for an 18th season is nothing short of astounding, as he extends his record for the NRL's most capped player.

Johnathan Thurston attempts the match winning conversion in the 2015 NRL Grand Final (AAP )

2. Johnathan Thurston

Coming in at second by a whisker is North Queensland icon Johnathan Thurston.

The kid who was once thought to be too small, slow and underdeveloped for professional rugby league proved the naysayers wrong to become won of the game's greatest playmakers ever.

With a good head on his shoulders and an unrivalled fervour for the game, Thurston arrived to Townsville in 2005 and 10 years later would deliver the Cowboys their first ever premiership with his iconic 82nd minute golden point field goal in 2015.

That night marked the first ever all-Queensland grand final and it only seemed fitting that the sunshine state icon himself was the hero of the tale, taking home the Clive Churchill Medal.

With an ability to get his teammates over the line through sheer will and determination, Johns said splitting the difference between Thurston and Smith is almost impossible.

"You're really splitting hairs with those two," Johns said.

"It's hard to say, but I'd probably put Cameron just a tiny bit in front."

Billy Slater (AAP)

3. Billy Slater

For all Smith's success at the Storm, part of it has to be owed to the game's "greatest fullback ever", Billy Slater.

Perhaps the most dangerous part of Melbourne's famous Smith-Cronk-Slater trio, the fullback ravaged defences with his blistering speed and freakish athleticism.

His ball work and passing changed the way the fullback position was conceptualised Johns said, becoming a third playmaker with his ability to ball play in the outside backs.

"From around my time – around the early '90s – he's the best fullback that there's been," Johns said.

"He changed the game, the way fullbacks play. He played like an extra five-eighth when he got back to that fullback position.

"The ability to bring his outside backs into play with that select passing changed the way teams now look at fullbacks.

"And his speed, even into his late career was blinding. No doubt he'll be talked about as an Immortal in years to come."

Jason-Taumalolo (AAP)

4. Jason Taumalolo

The only big bopper to find himself inside Johns' exclusive club, Jason Taumalolo, the North Queensland wrecking ball, has spent his decade demolishing defences.

But the 26-year-old is so much more than a 120kg battering ram.

With the footwork of a playmaker and the speed of a much smaller man, Taumalolo is another one of those special individuals who breaks the mold of his position, says Johns.

"He's just taken the term damaging forward to a whole new level," he said.

"I think back to when I played, we had players like Gorden Tallis or Ben Kennedy as tearaways, but this bloke is on a whole new level.

"The way he runs and dances around with his footwork, he looks like a 90kg player. And he's developed a motor. He's got speed and can play huge minutes."

Johns also celebrated Taumalolo's decision to declare his allegiance to play for Tonga and pioneer a new generation of national talent.

It's a trend that has since been followed by the likes of Andrew Fifita and Tevita Pangai and one that Johns says should be applauded.

"I've got to say his decision to play for Tonga and sacrifice so much money, whether he was playing for New Zealand or even Queensland, I think it says a whole lot about his character," he said.

Greg Inglis (AAP)

5. Greg Inglis

When Greg Inglis announced his retirement from rugby league earlier this year, there wasn't one NRL fan who wasn't left in shock.

Such is the appeal of the South Sydney icon, whose stirring performance to lead South Sydney to their 2014 premiership breaking 43-year drought will forever be immortalised in rugby league folklore.

The talisman of Redfern, Inglis' ball-running ability adorns many of the NRL's most electrifying highlight reels but it's his ability to be devastating in any number of positions that sees him round out Johns' list of the top five players of the decade.

"He won a Clive Churchill medal playing five-eighth, he played centre for most of his career and for Queensland where he was the best centre in the world and then he played fullback for South Sydney and inspired them to a premiership," Johns said.

"He's one of those big match players, the bigger the match the better he plays. So the fact that he's so versatile and can play so many different positions, and to be so devastating in those positions, puts him a nose in front of Cronk."

One of the few players who transcends the game, Inglis has not only left his mark on the footy field but is an icon of indigenous Australia.

Joey's Top 5 players of the decade (Nine)

Special mentions: Cooper Cronk & Jarryd Hayne

Perhaps the most notable omission from Johns' top five players of the decade is Cooper Cronk.

The Melbourne Storm turned Sydney Roosters halfback tied up his career in 2019 with four NRL premiership titles leading the Tri-Colours to historic back-to-back titles.

"Cronk was the one for me that was really hard to leave out," Johns said.

"Juggling between him and Inglis was agonising for me. I tossed up between Inglis and Cronk at number five for a good while but in the end I had to go with Greg."

Johns also gave a special mention to Jarryd Hayne. So highly did he rate Hayne at his best that he believes he would have been in the mix with Smith and Thurston at the pointy end if not for his decision to leave the game in his prime to pursue a career in the NFL.

"I think if Jarryd Hayne didn't go to the NFL he would have been right up that list," Johns said.

"When he went on that run in 08-09, I've never seen footy like that in my life.

"He then made the decision to go for the NFL at his peak, whether that was a mistake or not, I'm not sure but he definitely came back underdone."