- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The NRL era began in 1998. The league is on a high at the moment with record amount of money in the game. The calibre of players involved has helped boost the game to new heights.
But who are the best players in the NRL era? Who would be in your NRL dream team from 1998-2014?
Here are my selections:
1. Billy Slater (249 games, 158 tries, Storm, 2003-Present)
The NRL has been blessed with some brilliant fullbacks. Luke Pattern, Anthony Minichiello, Brett Mullins, Matthew Bowen and Rhys Wesser just to name a few.
However the most consistently brilliant fullback has been Billy Slater.
Supreme under the high ball, Slater’s positional and support play is second to none. In 2011 Slater was the Dally M player of the year.
2. Israel Folau (91 games, 73 tries, 2007-2010, Storm/Broncos)
A sensational athlete, Folau can run like a greyhound, step off both feet and his ability in the air was so good in the NRL that he had a brief crack in the AFL.
At the highest level of league Folau brought it too. He scored five tries in five games for Queensland and six tries in eight Tests for Australia.
He had the size and skill to cover centre as well.
3. Jamie Lyon (237 games, 107 tries, Eels, Sea Eagles, 2000-2004, 2007-Present)
When he was 20, Jamie Lyon scored two tries in the 2001 NRL grand final which the Eels lost to Newcastle.
He seemed set for a long New South Wales and Australian career, but in 2004 he left for England. He played 60 games for St Helens and scored 44 tries, winning the 2006 Challenge Cup and Super League titles.
In 2007 Lyon returned to the NRL and has won two premierships, two Dally M centre of the year awards and with his pace, power, and goal kicking accuracy has proven to be a very fine centre.
4. Justin Hodges (214 games, Roosters/Broncos, 2000-Present)
Despite cruel knee and achilles injures, as well as a shocking State of Origin debut, Hodges fierce competitiveness, speed and strength has seen him become one of the premier centre’s in the game.
Hodges has played three grand finals for two wins and in 2007 was the Dally M centre of the year.
5. Greg Inglis (178 games, 115 tries, Storm, Rabbitohs, 2005-Present)
Inglis is capable of playing almost anywhere with his rare speed, size, aerial prowess and nimble hands. He holds the State of Origin record for most tries and is a player of a generation.
6.Darren Lockyer (355 games, 123 tries, Broncos, 1995-2011)
Started as a fullback where he won the Dally M fullback of the year award three times.
He moved into standoff and won the award in that position three times as well.
Lockyer holds the record for most games for the Broncos, the most Tests for Australia (59) and the most State of Origin games (36).
He kicked 341 NRL goals and was named the World’s best player twice, an eventual immortal for sure.
7.Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights, 249 Games, 80 tries, 1993-2007)
Named the eighth immortal last year, Johns is the most complete player of his generation.
On attack he had every trick in the book, defensively he was sound and he was an ace goal-kicker, nailing 917 goals from 1235 attempts, 74%.
Johns also slotted 22 field goals during his career to finish with 2,176 points, which is second all-time on the NSWRL/NRL scoring list.
8. Shane Webcke (254 games, 18 tries, Broncos, 1995-2006)
From 2000-2002, Webcke was named Dally M prop of the year for three years in a row, a remarkable feat for such a demanding position.
Webcke retired after winning the 2006 grand final, it was his fourth premiership and the ultimate compliment for the ultimate warrior.
9. Cameron Smith (262 games, Storm, 2002-Present)
The hardest working player in the game, Smith is an inspirational leader who frequently tops the tackle count and has an attacking game the envy of every hooker in the NRL.
Smith is capable of kicking off both feet, and kicks goals too.
Additionally Smith is deceptively quick and remarkably consistent.
10. Petero Civoniceva (309 games, Broncos/Panthers, 1998-2012)
Civoniceva played much of his career alongside Webcke and was an equally accomplished prop, winning the Dally M prop of the year award in 2008.
Civoniceva also played 33 games for Queensland, twice winning the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland player of the series. Durable, tough and consistent, Civoniceva is everything you want in a prop.
11. Ali Lauiti’iti (115 games, 33 tries, Warriors, 1998-2004)
The most controversial selection in the side, keeping out the likes of Gordon Tails, Steve Simpson, Anthony Watmough, Paul Gallen and Luke Ricketson, Lauiti’iti is chosen for his outrageous ball skills (imagine him in tandem with Sonny Bill Williams) and his ability to change a game.
Lauiti’iti was a huge part of the Warriors surge to their first grand final in 2002, winning the Dally M second rower of the year award.
A player of rare skill, it’s a shame more wasn’t seen of him in the NRL.
In 2004 Lauiti’iti controversially departed the Warriors and went to Leeds where we played 196 games and scored 63 tries, including five in one game. Lauiti’iti won five Super League titles.
12. Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs/Roosters, 98 games, 39 tries, 2004-2008, 2013-Present)
Sonny Bill Williams might be the most hyped player to appear in the NRL, and despite walking out the Bulldogs in 2008, he deserves it!
A supreme athlete with a great work ethic, the most freakish offload in the game and the speed of an outside back, Williams has already won two premierships.
In 2013, upon his return from union, Williams was named the world rugby league player of the year, as he helped the Roosters win their 13th premiership.
SBW tackles like a missile as well which sometimes lands him in trouble.
13. Steve Menzies (349 games, 180 tries, 1993-2008, Manly Sea Eagles/Northern Eagles)
The Beaver holds the record for most tries scored by a forward in the NRL, passing Frank Burge who scored 146 tries in 167 games.
Menzies possessed rare speed for forward and combined nifty skills with a huge work rate. Menzies is unquestionably one of the all-time greats.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.