You don't get 8 Origin man of the match awards if you aren't...

You don't get 8 Origin man of the match awards if you aren't better than "very good". Today's players have it a lot easier in terms of the physical contact. While I'm all in favour of cleaning up the game, the fact is, it's hard to show your best when you're semi-concussed from an all-in brawl or behind the play punch. I didn't see one punch thrown in last week's Origin game, and no big hitting tackles.

His statue says it all:

WALLY LEWIS
The Emperor of Lang Park

This honour was bestowed upon Wally Lewis by the former Chairman of the Queensland Rugby League, Senator and acclaimed father of state of Origin, the late Ron McAullife, in recognition of the impact Wally had on matches played at this ground across three decades. Lewis is arguably the greatest rugby league player of all time. He is one of only a handful of players to be named a Rugby League Immortal and was one of the six inaugural members of the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame. He achieved the greatest honour in Rugby League: the captaincy of his country, but it was his feats as Queensland skipper and playmaker in State of Origin that he achieved legendary status. He played 31 Origin games (30 as captain) and a record 8 Man of the Match awards over a 12-year period. The name Wally Lewis is synonymous with State of Origin and Queensland Rugby League and continues to be an inspiration to future generations of footballers.