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I know there’s a lot left in the season yet with finals and internationals still to be played, but who do you think are the front runners for the prestigious Golden Boot Award?
In no particular order here’s my top five.
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys/Australia)
A two-time recipient of this award, Thurston is once again putting his name at the forefront of discussions. He is arguably in career-best form, which is saying a lot considering the level at which he has played throughout his career.
Seems determined to lead his Cowboys to their maiden premiership and if he achieves that it would be hard to argue against him receiving the award. He is in elite company, with Andrew Johns and DarrenLockyer, as one of only three players to achieved this accolade more than once.
Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels/Australia)
His form throughout 2014 has equalled his 2009 heroics where he lead the Eels to the NRL grand final. He almost single-handedly won Game 1 of the State of Origin series for NSW and has just received the Brad Fittler medal for being the Blues’ player of the series.
Unfortunately for him, the Eels just missed out on playing finals footy this year, despite his efforts, and I think that may hurt his chances. Still, there is the Four Nations yet to be played this year and if he can replicate the rest his form from 2014 then he will put forward a strong argument
James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs/England)
The things he has been doing on the field and the way he has influenced games during 2014 has been simply amazing. One of the highlights of the NRL season was watching a standing still James Graham take off after Gold Coast winger Anthony Don – who was already at full pace.
He chased him for 90 metres and not only did he keep up with the Titans flyer when no one else could, but he was closing on him before the line. He almost pulled off the tackle of the season.
This epitomised his work ethic and never-say-die attitude that are second to none. He was the main influence behind the Bulldogs early season success which saw them as competition leaders at the halfway point and again will be during their finals push.
I don’t think anyone would argue with him becoming the first ever prop to receive the Golden Boot.
Kieran Foran (Manly Sea Eagles/New Zealand)
The quiet achiever. For the last few years he has been the unsung hero of both Manly and New Zealand’s halves partnership, with Daly Cherry-Evans and his Kiwis teammate Shaun Johnson. However, he has now catapulted himself into the spotlight.
Foran puts 100 per cent of his heart, body and soul into his work week after week and has steered around Manly superbly this year. The 24-year-old, who is regarded by many as the world’s toughest five-eighth, has had a stellar 2014.
He was named Manly’s player of the year and is set to become league’s next $1million-dollar player.
Currently, he has an outside chance to claim the NRL’s Dally M Medal. If the Kiwis were to claim a surprise Four Nations crown, then he would be an outside chance of being declared as the world’s best.
Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs/England)
I, along with every other rugby league fan, think its a crying shame that Slammin Sam is leaving our great game. I truly believe if he were to stay then he would cement his legacy as one of the greatest forwards ever.
He was extremely unlucky not to win last year’s Golden Boot after a World Cup campaign where I thought he was at a level way above any other individual, especially with his performance in the semi-final against New Zealand.
In 2014 though, he has taken that determination and form from playing that World Cup on home soil to even greater heights.
He seems hell bent on leaving rugby league a winner and at this stage, I’m not sure theres a player on the planet that can stop him. Unfortunately, there may be some people who frown upon his departure and that could possibly be the only thing standing in his way.
I hope not though, because a Dally M Medal or Golden Boot would be fitting recognition of how great he has been in his final year
Who do you think looks likely?
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