The comparisons are tough from different era's and what abilities we all look at - that make 1 player better than the other.
I seen a bit of Eadie (in his twilight admittedly) and he was 1 of my favourites, in fact this bloke epitomized the Manly spirit that won me over watching my first games of footy - tough, powerful, reliable and a true competitor with a massive heart.
It's what excites us as individual fans, whether it be ultra speed, power, aggression, big hits, X factor game breaker - ect......
Those who like old school tough generally are fans of Matai, Spud Carroll, Randall, Ron Gibbs....and probably as a Fullback - Eadie who had some pace himself - would be more renowned for his power game and reliability which any 12 men up front love from a Fullback.
Those who like dynamic excitement machines go for Fulton, Turbo Types....add the Snake who lit up the field with blinding pace and I feel defensively and as an organiser, he was Very under rated.
Then there's pure class and you have Beaver, Cliffy, Lyons....
The other factor is those who have played footy, regardless of any level - schoolboys, club, rep or pro level or in the back yard - players always favour those who play in their position.
If you watch any NRL game Buderus will talk about the rival hookers, Roach will talk about the big props to determine the game and Sterlo will stress the halves will decide the outcome....just another angle that determines our favourite players.