The NRL regular season is over and after 26 rounds, 17 players stood above their peers to be named in my 2016 NRL team of the year.
Fullback – James Tedesco
It seemed only injury could stop Tedesco this year. The Wests Tiger was one of the most dangerous players with ball in hand. His pace, support play and cover defence granted him NSW selection.
Wing – Jordan Rapana
One half of the Raiders’ lethal left edge, Rapana led the NRL in linebreaks in 2016. His thin frame and crafty footwork helped him finish second overall in try scoring.
Centre – Jarrod Croker
The NRL leading point scorer by a mile, Croker performed to a consistently high standard all year. Croker is just a smart footballer who excels in defence and can always sniff a try.
Centre – BJ Leilua
Leilua is the most difficult man to tackle in the NRL. The Raider always had the talent, but it was just a matter of being able to put all of his skills together. Leilua leads the competition in offloads, with his ability to fend off strongly making him the best centre in the NRL.
Wing – Josh Mansour
The Penrith winger was the number one player for metres gained during the regular season. Mansour is such a luxury to have as another foward, to start off sets, and also doubles as a very handy finsher.
Five-eighth – Corey Norman
He may have had a disastrous 2016 off the field, but on the field Norman was a bright spot in an otherwise horrible season for Parramatta. The five-eighth has slick hands, a willingness to take on the line and a long-range kicking game. He was leading Dally M voting before he was suspended. Next year, Norman can cement himself as the premier five-eighth in the NRL.
Halfback – Cooper Cronk
Cronk once again illustrated his precision as he helped guide Melbourne to the minor Premiership this season. Cronk led his team brilliantly, laying on tries and controlling matches with his kicking game.
Prop – Ryan James
James benefitted from his leadership role in a young Titans side. He showed his strength as a support player, breaking the record for the most tries by a prop in a year.
Hooker – Josh Hodgson
The favourite to take out this year’s Dally M Medal, Hodgson is the most creative and attacking hooker in the NRL. Much of the juggernaut that Canberra has become has plenty to do with his presence. Hodgson was injured during the Raiders’ semi final against Cronulla, and Canberra never looked the same in his absence.
Prop – Jesse Bromwich
The new member of the Storm’s big three, Bromwich is easily the NRL’s most skillful prop, with his ability to offload and fend. Bromwich averaged over 140 metres gained a game this year.
Second Row – Tyson Frizell
Frizell was a battering ram in 2016, who punched holes and remained stout in defence. He was the best player afield in the last two State of Origin games.
Second Row – Josh Papalii
Canberra’s Papalii was able to produce his best season to-date, protecting team-mate Aidan Sezer, while still remaining a damaging ball runner. He has became the leader of the Canberra pack. Papalii was also impressive for Australia and Queensland.
Lock – Jason Taumalolo
The best power foward in the game, who is just a force up the middle. Taumalolo had another cracking season, and others noticed too, as he was named the NRL Players Champion.
Bench
Ben Barba
Sam Kasiano
Tohu Harris
Wade Graham
Albo
Guest
I'm with you eagleJack ! The author has picked a pretty good 17. Picking such a team is always going to be very subjective , but it should at least attempt to reflect 2016 form which his has. For me Josh Hodgson has been vital to the Raiders success and has put in match winning performances most weeks this season so he should go in as the 9 ahead of Cam Smith ( my player of the decade) in such a list. There are a number of "big name" regulars who have not featured as strongly this year as in the past, hence the likes of Scott & Thurston would be under pressure to make such a team for 2016. Some positions are really tough to pick as there are so many great players in many positions. Take the fullback role. I would toss up between Moylan & Boyd for their impact on their Club ( & State) team's performances right through to the finals, but you could argue about Tedesco, Trbojevic, Coote, Wighton , & Munster all having great years.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Couldn't have Corey Norman either. 5/8 is a tough one though. I'd probably go Moses ahead of Maloney. Norman should be awarded for his services to the brewing industry in developing new flavour profiles. But that didn't really enhance his on field performance...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Frizell made a couple of big plays in Origin but overall his numbers weren't that impressive. Let's not forget that his massive chase was valiant but ultimately unsuccessful. Like a couple of others I also thought he was pretty quiet in the regular season. There seems to be a lot of myth surrounding Frizell at the moment. I'd have gone for Gillett too but can probably think of half a dozen backrowers I'd pick ahead of Friz. Papalii Gillett Jackson Whitehead Graham Lowe Cordner would be close but didn't play enough games and the way Thaiday started and particularly ended the season I'd probably have him in front as well. One of the most under rated backrowers in the comp is Kenny Edwards. He filled in at centre and 5/8 a number of times in the year but I like how he goes 100 miles an hour into everything. He's big, fast, skilful and hits hard in defence. I'd love to see how he'd go in a starting role at the Eels (or elsewhere) instead of being the back up.
ceci
Guest
Semi won the eels games on his own back on a few occasions and ran over props, he and Korobete I would pick over Mansour
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Not by his standards but he lead the league in meters made so I gave him a start
Gus Paella
Guest
Excellent passive aggressiveness Max.
Griffo
Guest
I know everyone laughed when he jumped over defenders to score earlier in the year but I actually think that was very clever and it showed that when he's not kicking tacklers in the face he's capable of intelligent play.
Mike from tari
Guest
James Graham didn't have a good year, too much running at 45 degree angle, easily chopped down every game.
Terminator
Guest
I'm a Doggies fan and he is our best attacking player. He brings such an impact off the bench.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Here's my team with notes on why I differ from the author Barba (Tedesco injured too much) Vunivulu Croker Leluia Rapana Maloney (Norman missed half a season, how could he get in) Cronk (Thurston pipped by his own high standards. Like LeBron in MVP race) Ryan James Hodgson James Graham Gillette (Friz dropped off after a huge origin) Cartwright Taumololo
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah Friz was great in rep footy but faded in a dud team after that
MAX
Guest
eJ, I apologise for my post being deemed disrespectful.
Ron Norton
Guest
It's becoming very obvious that everyone has an idea on the best team. Some of us might be expressing a little bias but we could all name a team that would stand a fair chance of beating the other's. We're lucky to be able to watch such a great lot of outstanding rugby league talent.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I'd have Matt Gillette ahead of Frizell
The eye
Guest
How's last years GF relevant to the 26 rounds of '16 eyeball ? All Raiders players are very worthy inclusions within the authors qualifications..its 26 rounds not 4 games.. Having said that,I'd quibble over Qlder Norman...Maloneys the Sharkies main man and been more influential on his teams outcomes...blokes like Smith and JT are bench at the very minimum..I'm a Sam K. fan but he hasn't gone consistently better than Fifita,Jack De Bellin (toughened right up)Jake T. or Merrin
eagleJack
Roar Guru
No need to disrespect someone who has taken the time to pen an article MAX. It's a subjective topic. Most likely we'd all name completely different 17s.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It's a team of the year. 2016 form only. Not the overall best players in the competition based on years of experience. Matt Scott? Average year from him. Thurston? Great game last night, but overall a quiet year. His coach said as much last night, and Thurston would agree. Although in all honesty no 7 has had an outstanding year. Plenty have been solid. Cam Smith? Good year but Hodgson will likely win the Dally M. He has been the best 9 in the NRL by a fair margin. I agree that Boyd should be there. But Tedesco was also super impressive
MAX
Guest
The Boss may be an unemployed joke writer . He gave himself away with Kasiano on the bench.
The EYE-BALL Opinion
Roar Pro
No mention of Thurston, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Darrius Boyd, etc ... I accept this is a subjective article, but you saw the game last night and probably last years GF, and the two golden point deciders played earlier this season - and that being a given, you still have only manage to pick a single player from those contests for you '2016 NRL Team of the year'. Can I politely suggest you are either a NSW'men, living in Canberra, and with some Kiwi origins, or someone with phobias about QLD'ers probably caused by your SOO nightmares.
Geoff Evans
Guest
What about Thurston?? Cronk has been the most consistent Halfback all year where Thurston has had quite a few poor games Also i think that Darius Boyd has been the best fullback all year..