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?
Angus
Guest
ben barba probably would have gotten it if they let him play origin and for australia. i can understand origin as it's the middle of the year but how does the 'best player in the comp not get picked for the australian team?
Clark
Guest
Hayne isn't even playing in the top 8
Clark
Guest
Based on all competitions, Four nations included later on, I can't go past JT, he plays his best games for Australia
mattray
Guest
Thurston was the worst player in this year's origin series...yes even worse than james McManus. ..Hayne treated thurston like a 7 year old playing on the wing for a under 12 side. If thurston wins it then it's a rubbish decision. It will come down to the 4 nations where hayne will score a few tries like the 9 he scored at last year's world cup and win the golden boot. And as usual james Graham plays one good match last weekend and now he's being touted as a golden boot certainty. .seriously he has better odds in a ed sheeran lookalike contest than the golden boot award
WILLY D
Guest
JT for sure!!
Renegade
Guest
I agree. I thought Sinfield earned his award as well..... Aussie ignorance at its best.
The eye
Guest
James Graham is an enigma,he doesn't have the footwork and offload of a Bromwich or Fifita and he doesn't have meter eating drive in his legs of Mathew Scott or George Burgess..nor does he have the other key component of a scarey impact/ collision like a Moa or Fui Fui..he just has this motor,a Boeing size engine that barely stops for re fuelling..and it's more of a pleasure to watch him play than any other forward..
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Sinfield was captaining the side that won the World Club Challenge and the Super League in 2012 (when there was no major international tournament) I'd say he earned it. Maybe Nate Myles or Thurston if you want to totally ignore club form.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Id like to see Graham win it, the man puts in 110% every second hes out there, also like to see a forward win the M for once
Chris Martin
Guest
Sam Burgess all day
Kris
Guest
I don't care who gets it, as long as it's not a pom. JT for me, or Hayne.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
No way he has been anywhere near as good as Hayne or JT this year. He might have been the best forward this year but he shouldn't even be in this discussion.
maximillian
Guest
I hope Graham gets it. Props rarely get the recognition they deserve & we saw with Manlys capitulation on the weekend that the best halves combination in the game cant do anything without good props going forward 1st.
Jt dragon
Guest
I think it's rewarded after the internationals so my pick is thurston or graham but if you want a roughy..... Gareth widdop will finish top 5 dally m I reckon and could go to a new level in the four nations. I am bias though but his price would be long if you want a flutter.
Redneck
Guest
If it is fair and above board it is between Johnathan and Sam. No way should the lair hayne or foran be considered
Chris morrison
Guest
It will be Thurston or GI. Probably could have been Hayne if the Eels made the finals, but now if Souths or Cowboys can make the GF and win it plus JT or GI put out strong performances in four nations, it can only be out of those two in my opinion.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
When I say that I mean that Australians should have been 20/20 years. 4 anomalies in there. Edit: Googled it. 4 non Aussies in 11yrs. That's 35% of winners I wouldn't have given the award to
mushi
Guest
I'd say a 20% hit rate is well above expectation
Jake
Guest
Hmmm, is that why Australia have had 16 winners out out like 20 years????? Yeah, they obviously love International players.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Probably should be Hayne or Burgess, but Graham is a live chance (the Poms always get a sympathetic hearing with these awards, and its unlikely they'll want to award it to a bloke about to head to rugby). Foran is thousands, and so he should be. Not even the best player at his club, let alone in the world.