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Every elite sports team needs that special player who can swing a match when the battle is in the balance. The guy who everyone turns to when the pressure is mounting and the seconds are ticking away.
So who is the MVP of your team?
New Zealand Warriors – Blake Green
The New Zealand Warriors’ five-eighth is currently at the peak of his powers. He’s able to set up key plays in attack and boasts a suburb kicking game that either builds pressure or creates tries.
I was tempted to name Shawn Johnson, but Green has shown his importance by lifting and guiding the team to many victories in Johnson’s absence.
Last year, without Green, the talented halfback found it difficult to play an organising role without it affecting his dynamic running game. Green takes pressure off Johnson and makes everyone around him play at their best.
Canberra Raiders – Joey Leilua
This pick may surprise and divide, however when Leilua is on, magical things happen.
Not only does his power running dent the opposition and set up tries, his monster defence can swing momentum. He is known to have brain snaps, but when the result is on the line, the Raiders attack always seems to head his way in hope of a miracle.
St George Illawarra Dragons – Gareth Widdop
Gareth Widdop is the heartbeat of the Dragons – he controls the attacking raids and shows passion in defence, often closing gaps and making the last-ditch effort to turn or save the game.
Ben Hunt is a close second – the new recruit for the Dragons has settled in well and looks at home dictating the play and darting around defenders. However, Widdop wins the MVP because of his spark, international experience, calmness under pressure and added value as goal-kicker.
Gareth Widdop (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox)
Penrith Panthers – James Maloney
He always wants the ball and when the game is there to be won, more often than not, he wins it. Other key credentials include Maloney’s competitiveness, his supreme confidence and big game experience. Not to mention he’s a handy back-up kicker for Nathan Cleary.
Even if the injured Cleary was back in the side, Maloney would still be top dog in the MVP stakes.
South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sam Burgess
The England forward is the superhero of the Rabbits’ pack. His endless energy, aggression and will to win propel the entire team forward when the chips are up or down.
It’s clear that a fear of losing drives him further than most players in the competition. Who can forget him playing most of the Bunnies’ 2014 grand final win with a broken jaw?
Without Sam Burgess, Souths are a different side – opposition teams celebrate if he’s missing (lately due to suspensions caused by over-zealous tackling). Damien Cook is impressing in 2018 and is probably next in line.
North Queensland – Jason Taumalolo
Normally you’d place Johnathan Thurston in the position as MVP of not only the Cowboys, but of Queensland and Australia. This year hasn’t been his best. And even though JT’s a gun in the goal-kicking department, I’m voting for the unstoppable giant in Taumalolo.
His powerful 117Kg frame combined with his deceptive pace makes him a menace in attack and defence. I’d turn to him in a crisis, whether saving a game through aggressive, jolting defence or winning the game by barging through the line to make an incisive break.
Jason Taumalolo (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Melbourne Storm – Cameron Smith
Now that Cooper Cronk has departed, Smith wins by a mile. He seems to thrive under pressure, whether it’s setting up an attacking play, rushing the opposition with nagging defence or slotting over a match-winning goal kick.
Billy Slater, Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron Munster are important weapons in the Storm artillery, but Smith is definitely the general.
Brisbane Broncos – James Roberts
When in doubt, the Broncos send the ball out to Jimmy The Jet – his blistering pace from out wide creates gaps that don’t exist. He also adds value by sucking in multiple defenders. Jimmy is a dynamic player who is always ready to pounce on a short kick or loose ball.
Not far behind is Darius Boyd, who plays like an extra half in attack and knows how to spot a weakness in defensive structures. He’s experience is valuable to the team in tight contests and he sets a great example, exuding calmness and poise on the field.
If Tevita Pangai Junior keeps playing like he did last week, he’ll become the Broncos’ MVP in no time.
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