In terms of skill set, is Jarryd Hayne

The best player of all time...?

Let me first say, i am only talking about the last 25 years (my era). Dont have a clue about the Langlands, gasnier and Fultons etc, just the last 25 years.

Let me first say, everyone here knows i hold Andrew Johns in the highest regard, but when i was at the game last Monday looking from the sidelines, it got me thinking. Lets look at it like this.

Speed. Hayne is arguably in the top 3 fastest in the comp. I have never seen him get runned down. He came second in that sprint last year. Not only acceleration, but top end, he is one of the fastest in the game. Johns was never a speedster, so Hayne has him covered in pace. Lockyer was also never as fast as Hayne.

Ball playing. well, in the era of gang tackling, wrestling and much much improved defensive structures, Hayne has proven to be an outstanding ball player. right now, i would say he is the best ball player in the comp. I dont know of anyone who can put people through gaps etc etc. Now, Johns was ridicolously good at this. probably the best i have seen. But Johns peaked pretty much in the touch footy era of league. Remember when overs and unders were always set around, 47 - 52? That era was a very high scoring era by everyone. Parra set records in points scored. Imagine hayne in that era?

Stepping ability? We all saw what hayne did against the Dragons at Kograh, i dont think i will see that again. Now Johns was ridicolous in this area, especially when he was close to the try line, i would say they are equal here.

Brute strength. For someone with so much pace and ball playing ability, it is very very rare to be that strong. Johns was unbelievably strong, BUT, if you were 10 metres out from your own line and you need a hit up, you wouldnt give it to Johns for a hit up. Not really. Hayne, definitly, he has the strength and ability to bend the line like a front rower. Hayne has the advantage here.

Defense. Johns was probably the best defensive half i have seen. Hayne while in a different position has pulled off some stunning try savers where all looked lost. He stops players dead on there tracks with that judo style tackle. He is an outstanding defender.

Under the high ball. Well, Johns was never tested due to his position, but Hayne is as safe as anyone i have seen especially with his ability to leap.

Kicking. Hayne has probably the biggest boot i have ever seen, amazing. In terms of tactical kicking, he doesnt get really involved in that aspect. Johns has him well well covered, but Johns boot was not as big as his. Goal kicking, well, Johns is one of the best we have seen, certainly in the top 5-10 i would say.

Boy, in terms of skillset, i am struggling to see if there was ever a better player.

Please note, i am talking about skillset.Nothing about attitude, desire, ability to get involved, direction, take over the game etc etc.

This is where Johns simply takes off into another stratoshpere and why he is the best OVERALL player to ever play.

But in terms of skillset, i think Hayne has him just covered in overall skillset.

Thoughts, opinions?

WTF? NFL?

For starters, Hayne is a FB and doesnt get his hands on the ball near enough as Johns did, but when he does, i dont know a better ball player TODAY than him.

Furthermore as i said, Johns played in the era of touch football. Defenses are way way better today than they were at the early part of the decade. That is evident by the avg ppg being about 10 down