Before you read this you should know that this list was put together with very little in depth research and a lot of opinion-based decisions.
I am very much an armchair coach who thinks he knows it all, and I’m going to share some of that knowledge with you today, as we count down the top 26 players from the regular 2016 season.
Get it. 26, as in 2016. Clever right?
26. Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Sydney Roosters)
25. Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
24. David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers)
23. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
22. Jesse Bromwich
21. James Graham (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
20. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
19. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
18. Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders)
17. Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos)
16. Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)
15. Tyson Frizzell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
14. Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
13. Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels)
12. Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
11. Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
10. Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
9. Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
8. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
7. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
6. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
5. Jarrod Crocker (Canberra Raiders)
4. Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks)
3. Bryce Cartwright (Penrith Panthers)
2. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
1. Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders)
A list of 26 means that plenty missed out. Therefore, I want to make a few honourable mentions.
Josh Papali (Canberra Raiders), Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Josh Reynolds (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs), Solomone Kata (New Zealand Warriors), Matthew Moylan (Penrith Panthers) – and the hundreds of other great players – deserved to be on this list but were unlucky to miss out.
I now understand why Fox Sports do a top 50, because there’s so much quality in the NRL. But that’s what makes this game great.
What do you think Roarers, have I got the list right? Is Cameron Smith now the second-best hooker in the game?
Will Hodgson become the first non-Australian to win the award in the NRL era?
Benedict Arnold
Roar Rookie
Needs the "Ha!" tag.
Bill Larkin
Guest
Not funny. Just a joke.
rangersforever
Guest
I don't think Sammy burgess should be considered in any top players list this year, he has merely been a run of the mill forward. Haven't seen anything since his transition back to suggest he has returned to his top form
Kiwijack
Guest
Not Dugan -most overrated player in the NRL
bearfax
Guest
Patrick oh Patrick. How could you do this to yourself. Making up such a list is only sure to have significant mud slung in your direction. You're a brave man indeed or was this just to get the old juices stiring among the masses.
MAX
Guest
Try Again.
Terminator
Guest
How is Thurston 2nd he hasn't been as good as Rapana, Moses, Leiluia, Cronk
Lowdown
Guest
There's seven players better than Cameron Smith. That'll do me. There's at least 26 players better than Cooper Cronk? Don't make me laugh. Cameron Munster? Cameron MUNSTER FFS. Your anti-storm bias has shone through so brightly...you couldn't even bring yourself to put the team name next to Bromwich. Dally Ms are a compromised, News Corp marketing exercise but at least it's a million percent better than this list.
Phil McCracken
Guest
Love it... Some great players on there who make me want to watch league.... Hodgson Is killing it and Moses is an excitement machine.... Great list without the usual B.S.
The eye
Guest
Taumalolo was up there for the best player and early tip for the Churchill..Frizell is the cheaper version..Jack De Bellin the outstanding dragon,and Jake T.would make my list comfortably..if you're going to put a Knight in far more effort came from N.Ross and mean and skillful Barnett.. a few more Raiders players for sure...
Bob
Guest
Where is Cooper Cronk? Is this supposed to be funny?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
You forgot Jordan Rapana and Dugan was hardly on the park this season.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The only guy that I agree with you Stu is Dugan. But Croker, Noufaluma, James, Norman, Barba and Moses were exceptional this year. Ryan James, in particular, close to one of the best in 2016. He could easily take home prop of the year. Although it's a pretty tough category. Who would you have in their place?
Agent11
Guest
Obviously this list is the best performers over 2016, not the 25 best players in the NRL. Going on just form Croker, Barba, James, Norman, Noufaluma and Moses are worthy choices. Not sure about Dugan... I think Corey Parker, Tohu Harris, Kevin proctor, Ethan Lowe, Jordan Rapana(!!), Iosia Soliola, Ash Taylor, Greg Bird, James Maloney, Wade Graham, Jason Taumalolo... yeah you've missed a hell of a lot of great performers.
madmax
Guest
Can't really argue against Croker & Barba but Dugan, Norman, Burgess, SKD, Gagai, Graham is taking the p@!s. Thank God Gallen is not there!
Stu
Guest
This list is terrible. Croker, Noufaluma, James, Norman, Barba, Moses, Dugan??? Are you on drugs?