How could anyone say players from 50 years ago were 'fitter, faster or stronger' than the modern players ?

Question

I know there will be a lot of emotions, and believe me, i think players were 'tougher' back than eg, John Sattler playing the GF with a brocken jaw.

But, there is just no way players were anywhere near the standards of the modern game ie, last 20 years, compared to the first 80 years!

No offence but players from 50-80 years ago would be lucky to make 'Reserve Grade' when competing for positions in train-on-squads in the modern game!

People have evolved, in 20 years time 6 ft tall will be the 'norm', where as 50 years ago that was 'uncommon'. See what i mean?

Answer 1

No ones argueing they are fitter or faster now - because years ago they were not full time professionals and training techniques have improved so much over the last 20 years. However just an example in another sport - Murray Rose won the gold medal in the 1500m freestyle in 1956 (and is an Australian and world sporting legend). Years later as a 50 yr old he started training again using the the new improved training methods and actually swum faster at 50 than he did in winning gold in 1956. So no one is arguing that the players arent fitter or stronger - but does that mean Murray Rose was a joke that would not have been a sporting legend - no - he proved he could cut it by swimming faster times when he was 30 yrs older. Same as the guys would have done that dominated there eras if they played under this regime.

Get over it - you are beginning to annoy everyone.

Answer 2

Well for a start it was genuine toughness, not drug enhanced!

Answer 3

Today's players are fitter, faster & stronger, although I would debate the last point.

Clubs all use dietitians, a number of medical staff, have access to IT programmes, etc etc.  That's just the way of the world.

Wayne Pearce, Des Hasler and Phil Blake were leaders in showing the way with fitness.  I don't think Junior has even touched alcohol.  Other players in that same era, did not have the same dedication.  Dallas Donnelly was notorious for his ability to knock over loads of beers.  Peter Sterling had a junk food diet.

Yet, I would have Sterling as a starting halfback over any current or past player.  Sterling & Wally Lewis are the only two players I have seen, that know what will happen two and three tackles ahead, in attack and defence.

No diet, weights, sand hill runs or body fat tests could ever match pure genius on the field.  Sterling & Lewis had that.

Answer 4

well todays players are definately more athletic but our mindset is now off nrl and onto money, which is this games greatest flaw.

Answer 5

they were fitter because they even played while hurt and today if players are hurt they go off hurt

so 50 years ago was fitter then todays players

Answer 6

Get over it. Of course through the ages players have evolved just as all codes have in every sport. Such as swimming, horse racing, boxing, sprinting but we cant just forget the champs of the past. The pioneers who could only dream of such resources made available today.

You just can not go comparing today to yesterday. Point is players in the past in relation to those around them at the time were great and fantastic to watch in relation to the training facilities and methods and resources. These great names were doing incredible things with their surroundings and opportunities, even more so than players in today's game if we are going to start comparing.

The great name players of the game often stood head and shoulders above their peers. Team of the century is a game made up of all the great players of every era.

Only a few in today's modern game stand head and shoulders above their current peers and those are the ones who will also be remembered as greats of the game in 50 yrs.

Respect the champs of the past they put a lot of current/modern day players to shame.