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THE votes are in and the best Indigenous rugby league players of the past 50 years have been named.
In partnership with the NRL, Nine.com.au put a spotlight on some incredible athletes, with rugby league fans joining a panel of experts to vote for the top 10 Indigenous Australian players to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC week.
Respected NRL historian and statistician David Middleton compiled lists of 40 men and 20 women from which to choose from, and the top 10 of each can now be revealed.
Johnathan Thurston tops the men’s voting and Tamika Upton tops the women’s.
Thurston narrowly beat out Greg Inglis for the title, with the late great Arthur Beetson in third and Latrell Mitchell fourth.
Upton narrowly beat Lavina O’Mealey to the women’s gong with Caryl Jarrett third and Jaime Chapman fourth.
Thurston nails the match winner
All up, a total of 1688 public votes were cast for the men’s and 1299 public votes were cast for the women’s.
“I’m a little lost for words, really,” Thurston said on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night.
“Given the calibre of players that have come before me – Lionel Morgan and Artie Beetson, who was the first Indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport – I’m a little bit lost for words.
“I’m extremely humbled and proud to be voted by the fans as the deadliest.
“I’m starting to sweat now.”
He said he was “extremely proud” of his Indigenous heritage.
I’m very comfortable in my own skin,” Thurston added.
“And I know that I’ve got an opportunity to give back to the community as well – and that’s what I do with the Johnathan Thurston Academy.”
