Picking the top five NRL tries of 2011

At the end of the 2011 NRL regular season, here are my top five tries. There were some absolute crackers this year, and a few were unlucky to miss out. I have chosen these tries based on the difficulty in getting them, rather than their impact on the game, or there would have been a few changes.

Number five: Phil Graham with “Never Say Die”.

Number five goes to Phil Graham agains the Sea Eagles in Round 22. Though Graham gets the prize, it is really the Roosters who need to be applauded for a magnificent team try. Starting 15 metres out from their own line, with 79 minutes gone and 32 points behind, the Roosters refused to lie down.

Going through nine sets of hands on their way to the opposite wing, and then infield, the move is capped off by a cross field bomb from Mitchell Pearce for Graham to put down for a memorable moment to the Tri-Colours.

Number four: Daly Cherry-Evans with “Who Needs Two Hands”.

Number four is given to Dally M Rookie of the year, although his partners in crime deserve the plaudits for this one. Kieran Foran takes the ball 35 metres out from the Broncos tryline before placing a perfect bananna kick into the hands of a falling Brett Stewart.

Taking the ball with one hand, Stewart’s right hand seems to be tucking the ball into his chest, but in a split second (watch the replay to see what really happens) flicks it across his body just before coming into contact with the fullback to Cherry-Evans who is steaming through to put the ball down for Manly.

Number three: David Mead with “The Rabbit Out of the Hat”.

Number three goes to David Mead’s try against the Sharks in Round 22. This is an absolute beauty, and possibly the best pick-up for a try ever seen.

Taking Scotty Prince’s cross-field kick outside the sideline with one hand, and behind his back, Mead gets the four-pointer in the highlight of a disapointing season for the Titans.

The commentary surely makes watching this try all the more enjoyable. Is he a magician? You would think so.

Number two: Ben Barba with “Cirque du Soliel”.

Number two is Ben Barba’s athletic put-down against Newcastle in Round 25. The move starts from the Canterbury 40-metre line in fairly embarrassing fashion with a overdone play the ball, before a Josh Morris line-break down the left leads to a kick which looks certain to go dead.

Barba is having none of it as he leaps from the field of play, grabbing the ball in the air before flipping and placing it behind him to seal a memorable Bulldogs comeback to keep their season alive.

Number one: Shaun Johnson with “Touch Footy”.

Number one goes to Shaun Johnson. This is his try in Round 22 against the Brisbane Broncos, and is a one of the finest individual tries of recent times. Not only does he beat six players, but from a move that is not broken play.

Stepping through two Australian representatives including second rower of the year, Johnson outpaces one man who goes for the ankle tap, goose-steps the fullback, and puts on a wicked left foot step to get past the covering left winger

The try’s quality is only increased by the fact that it is scored against the Broncos who have only conceded 372 points all year, and that Johnson is only 20 and playing his first year of NRL. You can see why touch football was his first game.

Did I miss any, or do you think they were in the wrong order? Also, what was everyone eating for breakfast in Round 22?

Special mention to Mr Petero Civenoceva, who enraged the Prop Forward community at their annual book club meeting with a fullback-worthy sidestep during the Women in League round. Watch from 0:32 for the moment of glory.