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.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Sam's a try scorer, he's scored one this year and has scored quite a few through the years. But yes Nat, our defensive effort(s) were very poor and pathetic, Sam would have added something in the forwards but, you cant accept defensive lapses like the Oates try and the Boyd try, which was just Kennar's very lazy effort (btw Kennar was injured and had a heal injury throughout this game) as he might be out for the season and that is why he probably didn't have a go at Boyd. There are no excuses and Sam has to come into this side against the Dragons and have a real go and get the boys enthused and firing, that is his main go and that is why he's such a great player but, he can't do it all on his own!
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes TB, we are all crying out 'We Miss You Sammy' come back quick Sammy 'You're Our Hero Sammy'!!! lol TB, his behaviour is not being accepted, far from it, all we want him to do is play his hard style of footy as that is what is being missed at Souths. Go the Bunnies!!!
Stu
Guest
Or RTS or Luke or Harris ahead of Green
The Barry
Roar Guru
I reckon in the last couple of minutes I’d be looking to get the ball to Johnson not Green...
Eel
Guest
I'll take The Jet anyday
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
TPJ is a much easier way to refer to him, thanks. He was unstoppable in last week's game.
Rellum
Roar Guru
TPJ is already the Broncs MVP. No one else is even close.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
" and consistencies of the referees continuously change." Love it!
Albo
Guest
I think the author is looking for that player who the team looks to who can single handedly create something directly or indirectly to pull the game out of the fire ? Not necessarily the MVP . I would nominate these players at their Clubs: Dragons (Hunt) Panthers (Maloney) Warriors (RTS) Storm (Smith) Tigers (Benji) Knights (Ponga) Bunnies (Sam) Roosters (Teddy) Sharks (Moylan) Broncos (Millford) Raiders (Leilua) Titans ( Taylor) Sea Eagles (Turbo) Dogs ( Mbye) Cows ( JT) Eels (Moses)
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for commenting DNZ - unfortunately I don't get to go to too many Raiders games, but I have experienced the Viking Clap live, which was powerful. You have a great fan culture. BJ is rocks and diamonds, but the team clearly turns to him when something is needed. His combo with Rapana is also special.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comments kk. It is very tough to split some players. I am also a huge fan of Jordan Rapana and will never forget the amazing try he scored a few years ago by chasing a kick that looked to be going out, but took a bounce towards him. Everyone else had given up on the play. Corey Oates is class too, but he makes a few too many errors for me to make him the MVP.
DNZ
Guest
BJ Leilua costs the Raiders at least as many games as he wins. As a season ticket holder, I can't stand him. He's a defensive liability and his repeated brain fades are tiring. It's a shame as there is a player in there but the flaws in his game (and his inability to overcome them) mean that for me he will never reach his potential.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
Thought Taumalolo was a kiwi.
Ray Stewart
Roar Rookie
So far, each teams match winner that I have observed. When they are missing, the team struggles Dragons (Hunt); Panthers (Maloney); Warriors (Luke); Storm (Chambers); Tigers (Brooks); Rabbits (Cook); Roosters (Keary); Sharks (Townsend); Broncos (McGuire); Raiders (Havili); Titans (Arrow); Sea Eagles (Korisau); Bulldogs (Mbye); Cowboys (Taumololo); Eels (Gutherson)
kk
Guest
Hi Jay, Agree on Widdop, Maloney,Burgess and Smith. Differ as follows NZ. Issac Luke. Met his relatives who live on the CC. They worship the ground he walks on. So do I. Raiders. Jordan Rapana. The energiser. Never stops. Love to have a greyhound like him. NQC. Kyle Feldt. Earns about 1/3 of what Jason gets, delivers by the truckload. My favourite Cowboy. Broncos. Corey Oates. The #2 who never stops giving. McCullough and Gillett dead heat on return.
Nat
Roar Guru
How do you figure you would have won with Sam last week? He can tackle - high and late - but he's not a try scorer. 1st try came from a fumbled grubber and last came from a 1m forward pass. Kodi and Oates run straight through them. Boyd, of all the fast men, beat your boy to the ball and Jet done what Jet does? How does Sam fix all that up? Ahhh, by taking Milfords head off!! Gotcha! ;)
The Barry
Roar Guru
You miss him don’t you Stevie... “Hopefully Sammy B has learned the 2018 rules...” hahaha - when was the era when props were allowed to head high halfbacks and elbow players in the throat? He’ll never learn while those that love him most keep making excuses for him. “It’s not your fault Sammy, they keep changing the rules” Sounds like what Rusty says to him “I know you’re in trouble again Sammy but it’s not your fault. I want you to know your mother and I love you very much.”
steveng
Roar Rookie
We were robbed with Sammy B lol If he were in the side last week we would have won. Sammy B is a typical Englishman that plays his footy on his sleeves and never the twain shall meet but, the bloke has to change his tackling style otherwise, he will be spending most of his footy carer on the sideline. Hopefully Sammy B has learned the 2018 rules as the rules and consistencies of the referees continuously change. I predict that Sammy will come back a different player and he will enforce his style and talent to the max, Souths need him and his enthusiasm and skills are a vital part of where and what Souths will do from now on in the 2018 comp, it could be make or break for Souths, they can't afford to lose too many more games. Go the Bunnies!!!
Trent
Guest
Sam Burgess is the main man for the Bunnies but he’s not the MVP from the sidelines. He needs to fix his tackling style!!