It’s that time of year again, September. The distinct scent of finals Footy in the spring air, stagnant for all footy fans to embrace. But along with September also comes Awards season.
It’s the time we commend certain individuals for their brilliant work over the duration of the season on the field, but also get to inspect the player’s WAGs to commend them on the work they are evidently doing off the field.
The performance from South Sydney’s young stars last Friday night provided yet another reminder of the ridiculous young talent that is running around in the NRL.
Constantly players who have established themselves in the Holden Cup, NSW Cup or Intrust Super Cup are seamlessly fitting into the NRL system. It’s remarkable to see both the maturity these young players posses, and the confidence these players have, which enables them to then display their flare and skills on a much grander stage.
The Dally M Rookie of the Year award is handed to the best first year player in the NRL, or the best second year player, as long as that player played no more than three first grade games in their first year in the NRL.
The following is my opinion on what the 2014 NRL Rookie Team of the year would look like, consisting of players that are all eligible for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
1. Fullback: Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
10 Games: 8 Try Assists, 11 Line Break Assists
2. Wing: Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15 Games: 17 Tries, 15 Line Breaks
3. Centre: Kirisome Auva’a (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
18 Games: 8 Tries, 8 Line Breaks
4. Centre: Kurt Mann (Melbourne Storm)
8 Games: 6 Tries, 3 Line Breaks
5. Wing: Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights)
7 Games: 7 Tries, 7 Line Breaks
6. Five-Eighth: Jack Littlejohn (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
5 Games: 3 Try Assists, 3 Line Break Assists
7. Halfback: Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers)
21 Games: 12 Try Assists, 6 Tries, 7 Line Break Assists
8. Prop: Shannon Boyd (Canberra Raiders)
21 Games: 333 Tackles, 132 Hit Ups, 1404 Run Metres
9. Hooker: Michael Lichaa (Cronulla Sharks)
15 Games: 365 Tackles, 597 Run Metres
10. Prop: Tim Glasby (Melbourne Storm)
12 Games: 211 Tackles, 610 Run Metres, 55 Hit Ups
11. Second Row: Manu Ma’u (Parramatta Eels)
13 Games: 340 Tackles, 1381 Run Metres, 102 Hit Ups
12. Second Row: Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers)
7 Games: 134 Tackles, 552 Run Metres, 37 Hit Ups
13. Lock: Paul Carter (Gold Coast Titans)
21 Games: 450 Tackles, 1509 Run Metres, 83 Hit Ups
14. Interchange: Ken Edwards (Parramatta Eels)
18 Games: 402 Tackles, 1334 Run Metres, 120 Hit Ups
15. Interchange: Kyle Turner (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
21 Games: 6 Tries, 495 Tackles, 1039 Run Metres
16. Interchange: Tepai Moeroa (Parramatta Eels)
9 Games: 3 Tries, 229 Tackles, 539 Run Metres
17. Interchange: Tupou Sopoaga (Cronulla Sharks)
15 Games: 408 Tackles, 1119 Run Metres, 94 Hit Ups
Unlucky to miss out:
Yeo, Fusitua, Sene-Lefao, Koroisau, Hoare, Pauli, F. Brown, Watene-Zelezniak
What do you think Roarers? What’s your Rookie NRL team of the year look like?
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
Thanks Casper, yea in regards to the props – Shannon Boyd has been a huge shining light for the Raiders, great to see a young prop doing well as it’s often so much harder for them to assert themselves at a young age. Glasby has done brilliant for the Storm, but I think with maybe some more time game, and learning from Scott, Tamou and Ashton Sims will really benefit him! Sam Hoare has a huge future, I know a lot of the Cowboys fans are already calling him the next Matt Scott which is a huge rap. I thought Mbye had a great season, and Littlejohn obviously only played a handful of matches. But I just felt, in the few games he did play Littlejohn really stamped himself on the match, and had a great impact. Keen to see more from both next year. With the depth of wingers, it was hard for Gutherson to get a look in considering he only played 3 games. In saying that, 3 tries in 3 games is brilliant output, but preferred Mata’utia and Johnston to him.
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
Casper
Guest
Really sad that the era of the Broncos producing young talent seems to be over, why none of their U20 squad never got a look in for a senior run this year is a mystery? They'll buy players & lose the ones they have put years into developing. When you go through a tough season of disappointing results, the one good outcome is young players got some experience. Didn't happen at the Broncos. Shannon Boyd is a real talent, Hugh is not far off the mark with that side. Sam Hoare from the Cowboys deserves honorable mention for filling in when Matt Scott was injured, he'll become a quality prop. Glasby off to the Cowboys next year, that's a good buy for them, he should cover the Tariq Simms gap. Moses Mbye from the Bulldogs would oust Littlejohn in my side. Thought Clint Gutherson from Manly would be in contention somewhere. Both of those Newcastle Mata'Utia boys have real talent & I'd like them at my club. Interesting how many of the forwards are islander boys, wonder how they back up when they have to play week in week out after their rookie season. That's generally the challenge. Overall, the quality of young players coming through bodes well for the future of the competition, and they're all so confident!!!
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
I was only including regular season statistics, wasn't including his excellent double against Manly last weekend
cr
Guest
Alex Try tally is 19 for the year not 17
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
Completely agree Wooliemern, there was a period in the middle of the season where he worked his way into the starting side for Parra, and was ridiculously destructive. Breaking tackles, brilliant offloading and passing, and pulled his weight in defence. But I felt after this mid season form, his form dropped away and eventually resulted in him being dropped! He will be a future NSW rep I have no doubt about it, I rate him extremely highly, for a big man (in fact not a big man, a huge man) has brilliant hands and vision, but just missed out for me due to the late season drop in form
Wooliemern
Guest
Pauli Pauli (Eels) is unlucky to miss out on a prop/second row spot. 17 games for 3 tries, 224 tackles, 1228 meters and 113 hit ups.
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, it's obviously a lot easier for an outside back to flourish from a very young age, compared to say a Front Rower. Hope these players continue to develop at the rates they are
Terry
Guest
Johnston should be a moral for the Dally M Rookie. Brooks went ok, but underperformed - though he walks on water according the 9 team.....ugh.
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
I think Valentine Holmes displayed plenty of potential in the closing rounds of the season and I would have rated him above Jacob Gagan. While Gagan was a great finisher, I feel Holmes has more to offer. Look forward to seeing more from these sharks youngsters next year
Jay C
Roar Guru
Wow, I didn't realise Moylan played so many games last year. All I can remember is Gus whining about not being able to play him at the back end due to the second tier salary cup or something. And you're right, there's no way Granville was on par with Lichaa. Although I am expecting some big things from him at the Cows next year.
maximillian
Guest
A lot of talented outside backs this year with Matautia/Johnston/Holmes/Zelezniak/Fusitua etc. Add Hiku/Tuivasa/Scheck from last years class & there could be some good battles out wide amogst these guys over the next decade.
Hugh McDonald
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Matt Moylan debuted in Round 7 last year and ended up playing 13 games in 2013, so he was over the "3 games in first year". I tell you what Jay C if he was available, no doubt he would have been straight into Fullback and Moses to Five-Eight, Moylan's had an outstanding season! As for the Broncos, yea you're right I believe the only player who was really up for consideration was Jake Granville. Season has been too bad, and while McCullough was injured for a few weeks in the middle of the season he stepped up, although I don't think he was any better than the likes of Lichaa or Koroisau
jamesb
Guest
Sqiudward, from Cronulla, you could add Valentine Holmes.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I'd chuck in Jacob gagan in the centres instead of Mann Quite a good rookie year. Better than most years
Jay C
Roar Guru
I was (sadly) trying to think of a Bronco who could be added to this list. But there are none. I don't even know is we blooded a rookie this year? Also does Moylan not qualify as a rookie? He only played a couple games last year didn't he? Isn't under 5 doesn't count or something...
Pete75
Guest
That was a joke right? Both players were rookies about 5 years ago at Manly and the Tigers respectively.
Crank Yanker
Guest
Throw Michael Bani and Shannon Gallant in there. Both young up and comers for the Cowboys. Good luck against the Raiders on the weekend.