We are compiling a list of the greatest athletes of rugby league, which will then be voted on, and the winner placed on the shortlist of the all-time greatest athlete ever (all sports). The first stage is to get nominations for rugby league before the vote is started. See the current list below of top athletes, compiled using other published lists and visitor feedback. See also the Golden Boot winners for some of the modern greats.

If you believe that there is someone missing from this list, please let me know, including any relevant details about the person.

Rugby League Greatest Players

The athletes below are listed in no particular order - once the shortlist is complete, then you will be able to vote for who you think is the greatest of all.

Name Notes
Isaah Yeo He won the Golden Boot Award in 2024
James Fisher-Harris He won the Golden Boot Award in 2023
Allan Langer He won a Rothmans Medal in Brisbane and the Clive Churchill Medal. He also led the Broncos to three grand-final wins and a Super League crown.
Andrew Ettingshausen Some of his achievements included Dally M Centre of the Year in 1994 and 1996, and Kangaroo Tours in 1990 and 1994.
Andrew Johns Twice winner of Golden Boot Award (1999 & 2001)
Arthur Beetson He represented Australia in his first season in Sydney, where he earned his nickname "Half-a-game Artie" after a superb cameo in the Ashes-deciding third Test against Great Britain.
Billy Slater Twice winner of the International Player of the year (2008, 2011) and once winner of the Golden Boot Award (2008).
Brad Fittler Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 2000.
Cameron Smith Played hooker with the Melbourne Storm (2002-2020), as captain for 15 of those years. He holds many records in the NRL's, including the most games played (430). He won the Golden Boot Award in 2007 and 2017
Clive Churchill In 1981, he was named one of Rugby League Week's four "Immortals." He took over as the captain of his country in 1950, and led Australia to the first Ashes win in 30 years.
Dally Messenger He was known throughout Rugby League as "The Master." He played a vital role in Eastern Suburbs' premiership trilogy in 1911-13
Darren Lockyer Twice winner of Golden Boot Award (2003 & 2006)
Andrew Farrell He won the Golden Boot Award in 2004
Anthony Minichiello He won the Golden Boot Award in 2005
Greg Inglis He won the Golden Boot Award in 2009
Benji Marshall He won the Golden Boot Award in 2010
Johnathan Thurston He won the Golden Boot Award in 2011, 2013, and 2015
Kevin Sinfield He won the Golden Boot Award in 2012
Shaun Johnson He won the Golden Boot Award in 2014
Cooper Cronk He won the Golden Boot Award in 2016
Tommy Makinson He won the Golden Boot Award in 2018
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck He won the Golden Boot Award in 2019
Joey Manu He won the Golden Boot Award in 2022
Ellery Hanley In 2007 he was voted as the greatest British rugby league player of all time. Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 1988.
Gareth Edwards Gareth Edwards is a former Welsh rugby union footballer who played scrum-half. Has been described by the BBC as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey". In 2003, a poll of international rugby players conducted by Rugby World magazine declared Edwards the greatest player of all time. In 2007, former England captain Will Carling published his list of the '50 Greatest Rugby players' in The Telegraph, and ranked Edwards the greatest player ever.
Jonathan Thurston Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 2011.
Mal Meninga Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 1989.
Peter Sterling Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 1987
Stacey Jones Winner of the Golden Boot Award in 2002
Wally Lewis Winner of the inaugural Golden Boot Award in 1984