Andrew Johns moved a step closer to becoming rugby league's next Immortal after being named the best player of the last 30 years.

The former Test captain beat Queensland king Wally Lewis and NSW star Brad Fittler in a `Modern Masters' poll by Rugby League Week magazine to decide the best player from the past three decades.

The same magazine bestows league's highest honour and Johns now appears an Immortal-in-waiting after he "reigned supreme" over his biggest threat Lewis.

"It is a sensational honour and it blows my mind," Johns told the Nine Network.

"To be mentioned alongside them, it is a great honour and from within you sort of question whether you are worthy."

The accolade also removes any doubt that Johns' shock drug admission last year had tarnished his remarkable efforts on the field for Newcastle, NSW and Australia.

Johns stunned the rugby league world just three months after his retirement last year when he admitted using recreational drugs all throughout his career.

He later revealed in his autobiography that he suffers bipolar disorder, but says now his health is in great shape.

"I'm at the best place I have been in a long time," he said.

"It's not until you step away that I realise all the pressure I was under.

"I'm not going to miss playing at all."

Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer ranked fourth in the poll to be the highest rated current player, while former Broncos halfback Allan Langer completed the top five.

Other current NRL stars to feature in the top 30 are Newcastle captain Danny Buderus (22nd), Cowboys superstar and two-time Dally M medallist Johnathan Thurston (23rd), Melbourne captain Cameron Smith (24th) and tireless Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh (29th).

The judges commissioned for the poll included RLW editor Martin Lenehan, former editors Tony Durkin and Norman Tasker, league historian David Middleton, former NSW and Test player Mark Geyer and veteran journalist Tony Adams.

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