As Round 16 of the regular season comes to a close, we allow ourselves to reflect on the year so far, and uncover some of the hidden gems in the NRL.
There is always a handful of players who are integral to their teams but don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve.
Here’s a team of 17 such unsung heroes.
Fullback: Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys)
The Cowboys’ number one has been relatively quiet this season, the year after winning his, and his side’s, maiden premiership.
Coote has taken the fullback jersey in this side, not so much because he is underrated, but because of the superstars in the North Queensland spine he is playing with.
With the likes of Jonathon Thurston and Michael Morgan shining in the six and seven, Coote has been preserved at the back but has still done his job to perfection.
His running and passing game has been fantastic, his kicking game takes plenty of pressure off his halves, and his positioning at the back is the best of any fullback in the NRL.
He was unlucky to miss a Blues jersey and will push hard to find a spot for Game 3 at ANZ Stadium.
Wing: Tuimoala Lolohea (New Zealand Warriors)
The Warriors flyer could have made the team at fullback, wing, centre or five-eighth. His versatility has been well-utilized by the Warriors this season as they deal with the loss of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Lolohea has speed to burn and knows how to break a tackle. He has a decent passing game and is good with the boot.
He has filled in at five-eighth this season and shown his playmaking ability, but also played fullback and wing to make use of his evasive talent.
Lolohea would be a valuable addition to any side, and should be praised more in New Zealand.
Centre: Ricky Leutele (Cronulla Sharks)
In a Sharks backline full of stars, Leutele has been used at centre, wing, and even off the bench, in an effort to keep him in the 17.
Think of any Cronulla back. Who comes to mind? Ben Barba, Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird. Leutele is very much flying under the radar in 2016 but is putting in the hard yards for his side.
He also represented Samoa against Tonga in the Pacific Island Test, a game where he scored a good try, taking players over the line with him.
He also scored a last-minute match-winner against the Bulldogs and kept New Zealand international centre Gerard Beale on the bench at the start of the year.
Centre: Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons)
The young outside back has really stepped up this season in the red and white, making that right centre spot his own.
The Dragons have had issues with the backs in 2016, loosing Josh Dugan to injury and Peter Mata’utai to the Knights.
But Aitken has been a shining light, transforming himself into a powerful, hard-running centre.
He scored a four-pointer on debut for Country and went over for a match-winning intercept try against the Raiders in golden point.
He looks dangerous nearly every time he touches the ball, and should be a household name in no time.
Wing: Aaron Gray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Souths’ winger Gray has been one of the safer yet quieter backs at the Rabbitohs this season. He has been able to fill both wing and centre spots as his teammates fall all around him.
In a side where Greg Inglis seems to be playing a new position every week, Gray has locked down a permanent spot nicely.
He started the year scoring four tries in the opening two games, before slowing down as the Bunnies’ form decreased.
He has had his fair share of injuries but is coming back stronger than ever, and after scoring four tries for City earlier in the year, he should be gaining the confidence to help Souths climb back up the ladder.
Five-Eighth: Blake Green (Melbourne Storm)
He may be the most obvious choice in the side, as Melbourne’s Green has done his best Gareth Widdop impression in supporting Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith superbly.
Much like Coote, Green has made an appearance in this side because of the talent around him overshadowing his ability.
His passing and kicking game is strong and he gives quality service to the players around him.
Green does not need to do much more in a side with the likes of Smith and Cronk; he gets the privilege of a front-row seat to the Melbourne Storm show.
Halfback: Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels)
While Norman does get plenty of recognition and praise for what he does in the blue and gold, he gives so much more that just a good step or a nice pass.
Heading into 2016, all the talk in Parramatta was about Kieran Foran. Even after Norman led the Eels to an Auckland Nines trophy, all anyone wanted to talk about was the new Manly recruit.
Now with Foran ruled out for the season, people have no choice but to talk about this talented playmaker.
Even with Foran in the side, Norman was controlling the play and cutting the opposition open.
He’s a natural footballer, and Parramatta would loose so much more with Norman out than they have without Foran.
Prop: Leilani Latu (Penrith Panthers)
The big Panthers prop has stepped up another level in 2016 and is leading from the front of a young Penrith side.
At 190cm and 115kg, Latu is not small by any stretch. He uses every little bit he has, running with intent on all of his carries.
He does not slow down when he gets to the line and has good ball skills as well. He’s a good overall forward, and will be a leader at the foot of the mountains for years to come.
Hooker: Matt Parcell (Manly Sea Eagles)
He might not be underrated for the Super Coach players among us, but Parcell has flown under the radar as an important component of the Sea Eagles spine.
Parcell’s very quick out of dummy half and creates plenty of chances for the talented Manly backline. He gives good service to his playmakers, and takes his opportunities close to the line.
If he keeps up his good work, he might just solidify a starting hooker spot for 2017.
Prop: Agnatius Paasi
The Titans enforcer is having his break-out season and is making a fair few people stand up and take notice.
He’s been running hard and making breaks for a while now on the Gold Coast, and it’s taken far too long for everyone to realise how good he is.
Paasi’s powerful hit ups have been damaging all season and he has been rewarded with a fair few tries.
He lit up the Auckland Nines in the pre-season and has brought that form into the NRL.
Second row: Elliot Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
Another English forward has found a way to thrive in the NRL and Whitehead loves it down in the cold of Canberra.
He has been solid on the right edge for the Raiders this season, scoring a few tries and setting up a few more.
Ricky Stuart is a fan, and so will the Raiders faithful be when they realise the talent they have.
Second-row: Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs)
The big New Zealand international has been one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent forwards this season, shifting between lock and second row.
Eastwood has fantastic ball skills for a big man, and great footwork to accompany it. He runs and tackles hard and does everything he is asked of at Belmore.
Lock: Elijah Taylor (Wests Tigers)
The West Tigers found the missing link in their attack when they recruited Elijah Taylor mid-season from the Penrith Panthers.
Taylor’s ball skills have brought a fresh brand of attack to the Tigers, giving young halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses much more time with the ball.
He is a tackling machine and his experience is greatly accepted in a young Tigers team.
Bench:
Nathan Ross (Newcastle Knights)
Alex Glenn (Brisbane Broncos)
Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks)
Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
So what do you think, Roarers? Was anyone left off this list that you believe is underrated? Did anyone undeservingly make the list?
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