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Yesterday, I listed the best 10 number nines in the NRL in 2012. Next up is my list of the best props in the NRL. It can be argued that today’s lock plays like a third front rower, but for this top 10 I will only select players named at numbers 8 or 10, or off the bench.
Therefore, I must say sorry to guys like Paul Gallen or Chris Heighington.
10 Bryan Norrie (Storm). He gets the job done every week for his coach and club, yet people still bag him. His side is leading the comp. Knowing how important props are to a team’s success, he can’t be too bad of a player.
9 Jesse Bromwich (Storm). Without good props, your team doesn’t get into the position to score points. Bromwich along with Bryan Norrie are the quiet achievers in the Storm side. Should earn a call up to the Kiwis national side very soon.
8 Sam Kasiano (Bulldogs). Built like a brick you know what, he has great offload skills and is powerful runner. This kid is getting better with every game and now looks to have cemented his spot as a regular prop in Canterbury’s starting 13.
7 Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders). There is no doubt he has talent and just needs to string together regular games in a row to see his full potential. Each week he is improving and if he stays fit will cause some damage.
6 Trent Merrin (Dragons). His start to this season has been impressive, with over 140 meters per match and just over 30 tackles a game on average. But, even considering these impressive stats, he still can’t get a regular starting berth in the Dragons side.
5 Josh McGuire (Broncos). The first of three Broncos in my top 5, McGuire is pushing hard for a Queensland Origin berth and could be a bolter for the ANZAC Test. The only negative I can find is that I’d like to see him play more game time, but that’s up to the coach.
4 Petro Civoniceva (Broncos). This guy could play for another 10 years if his knees allow him to do so. He may not be the number 1 prop in the game anymore but he certainly puts a lot of the younger props to shame with his never-say-die attitude.
3 Luke Bailey (Titans). I really don’t understand why this bloke is not first picked in the Blues Origin side. For some unknown reason he is always overlooked and then called upon when the series is lost. He is maybe past his best but in my view he is still the best prop New South Wales has to offer, excluding Gallen.
2 Ben Hannant (Broncos). Hannant is next in a long list of great props to wear the Broncos jersey. His early form has been terrific and it has to be, with McGuire and Civoniceva fighting for the starting prop positions.
1 Matt Scott (Cowboys). Rated by many as the best prop in the world and I can’t argue. He gets through a bucket load of work, seemingly with no fuss. The only problem with him: he is another Queenslander.
So maybe you’re saying I have missed a few, but the 10 above have been the pick of the bunch for mine after six rounds in 2012. Special mention goes to James Tamou and Michael Weyman who could have been there too.
What do you think, Roarers? Have I got it right?
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