I think GREAT just goes too far.
I consider myself to have been a fan boy. I'm pissed at the moment.
Yet I think a balanced view over the years is has consistently left a tinge of disappointment, and never quiet lived up to his potential, and that is how history may view him.
The sour ending just adds to the disappointment.
I was disappointed he didn't embraced the goal kicking role, I still think that could have helped his composure, his leadership and his general kicking accuracy.
It's an inability to grow or grow parts of his game quickly that permeates.
The game management, short kicking game, the repeat set in touch when that was the dominant play, the landing those bomb always being a long way out when other 7 are pin point.
I think of Thurston in his prime,he had a running game, he'd take a hit over and over when halves were NOT protected, same with Cronk. DCE never. Thurston Cronk would have games where they just had the ball on a string with hand and foot. DCE just always a bit short of that mark with the foot. Thurston Cronk they could influence the ref, team mates, opponents. It's the Game Management and Leadership more broadly on field I think DCE really falls a long way short.
Always hit and hope without building pressure and grinding the game, or influencing other with his mind.
Some field goals off the left foot, but the memory often reminds me that if turtles game management and even set play management was better, it never should have come down to a field goal never mind him landing his 3rd attempt.
His defence, that rushing out of the line, you can't say teams haven't targeted him and often found a channel right in between him and his back rower. It his read has been a weakness as opposed to tackling technique.
The turtle has been a good player for sure, and good for a long long time,
But even as a fan boy I think GREAT just goes that little to far on how History should and will view him.