The top 50 NRL players of 2018: 40-31

Re Fullback runs; Yes, one stat is not an indicator of total performance but Holmes was 6th and Ponga 10th with over 14 and 12 runs per game. The big names were all up there. Runs is an indicator of involvement. In the Holmes case, his six extra runs per game translated into 80 extra metres every single game. That is a lot when Johnson only averaged 85m per game. Over the season Tedesco ran the ball 203 times more than Johnson. There is a lot you can do and contribute to your team with that many more touches.

I felt struth could have thrown a few more struths about. I always thought it was strewth...

It’s a fantastic way to finish the season. The longer we can have these sorts of discussions the shorter the off season will be...and that’s fine by me.

Just to clarify; I was responding to the poster 'Struth'. I wasn't using the word 'struth' in my comment.

I have a question for Scott. When publishing a Top 50 list, do you want people to comment and discuss your selections? Struth, the purpose of these articles is to promote debate. Your point about the subjectivity of the endeavour makes the case for why the article is debatable. As long as the debate is conducted respectfully there is no problem in discussing something that is meant to be a bit of fun.

It’s not bullying. It’s a discussion point. I haven’t criticised Scott or made personal remarks, just put my own case forward. Just quietly, that’s sorta the point. He can respond himself but I’m sure Scott would rather have people respectfully debating the selections than not commenting. I’ve complimented him several times on how hard it is to put this sort of list together and how well he’s done. Missed that bit? I’m sure everyone would much rather read your opinions on the players and the list than your personal opinions about me. It’s interesting that you call me a bully yet you’re the one making personal remarks. If it’s tedious reading my comments, then don’t. I really won’t mind. That’s certainly an easier solution than reading them all and then writing your own lengthy comment about how tedious my comments are. Will keep the tedium levels down too. But anyway, fascinating contribution. You’ve really added depth and insight to this list of top 50 players. Keep it coming.

Geez, I don't know why you bothered to do this top 50 Scott when you must have known that certain individuals (mostly one person) were going to do their best to challenge your selections because they can't help themselves plus they do like to read their own writing. People, it's subjective so why is it so hard to see it for what it is instead of trying to prove to yourself and others that you obviously have a far superior knowledge of rugby league. It never lets up. I don't know why you can't see that Scott doesn't rate Klemmer as high as you do. Fair enough too as its his list. Talk about intellectual bullying a person into giving into you. Scott I don't know why you bother when you know what's going to come. As a casual reader of the NRL on the Roar it does become tedious when one or two people have to prove to themself that nobody knows as much about the game and it's players as they do. Struth if I wanted a top 50 based on stats I'd just as soon wait for Tim's article which I'm sure will come soon enough.

Moylan was overall disappointing,he’s better than this year...Chad Townsend was the pick of the Shark halfs ...which is embarrassing considering how hard the club chased Mitchell Pearce.. You’d expect Ponga and Holmes in the final best 5 and they haven’t made your list of ‘runs per game’ so I wonder about that as a valid performance indicator,BA.. Agree with the wraps on Taupau,second best prop in ‘18 consistency wise behind Fifita..

It will be interesting to see how the Dragons forwards fare and what conclusions can be drawn. Does it mean some of these guys are over rated? What does it say about McGregor if he has all these top 50 players and can’t do better than 7th and week two? It will be interesting to revisit.

Gee there is a few there I really can't agree with sorry. No one can tell me Matt Moylan was in the top 35 players this year. That almost says if you were picking All star teams he would nearly make the second best team. If Moylan gets in for playing maybe 5 good games this year, then you have to have Manu in the Top 50. Far more impressive on just about every measure. Even Moylan's good games were riddled with errors. Not convinced Graham is a top 50 player anymore either. If he is at 37 with Vaughen also in the top 37 players, then you are about to tell me that there are three other Dragons forwards in the Top 30 players in the entire comp because Graham didn't out perform Frizzel, De Belin or Sims. If 5 of the Top 37 players in the entire comp were Dragons forwards then I must have dozed off when they lifted the Premiership trophy, because nobody is beating a team like that.... I know you were not making this all about stats, but.. 15 players played 10 or more games at Fullback this year. Hopoate led the way for averaging the most runs with over 18, followed by Tedesco, RTS, DWZ and Turbo who all average over 15 runs per game and all had great years. Alex Johnson averaged 8.3 runs per game an a tick over 85m. I don't see the Johnson love. The rest seem about right.... :)

Klemmer doesn’t break the line. George only made two all year and Tom six. But Klemmer was 11th among all middle third players for offloads for 2018 and ranked second for passes in general play behind only Sam Burgess. George and Tom had two and ten offloads, Klemmer had 23. George and Tom had nine and 20 passes in general play, Klemmer had 147 You’ve highlighted the problem of making judgements based solely on the eye test.

If only Klemmer added any sort of offload or line breaking threat to go with his hard work, then you might have a case.

I know Manly really stunk the place up this year, but Taupau was a gun. I guess the only negative thing you can say is he tires easily. But used as an impact player, he was as good as any this year. I thought McCullough was relatively poor this year by his standards and hsould not have made the 50. I think he's getting worn down by his workload and injuries at the wrong times. Brisbane really could have used a second option with more spark this year. And Milford - diamonds in his right hand, rocks in his left. He is young yet, there is still time, but Brisbane have done him a real disservice by pairing him with another running half in Nikorima or briefly thinking about Jack Bird. To me they are weakening Milford's strengths to try and turn him into the game manager the team needs. They need to accept he is fullback Lockyer (i.e. the runner) and will never be five-eighth Lockyer (i.e. the leader).

Yeah, doesn't apply to all. NSW have a string of quality halves who lost all confidence after being dropped and the same could be said for DCE. I wrote below that Moylan is an interesting one. He was riding high up to and in 2016, debuting for NSW and taking the Panthers to a Semi. Although spending the majority of 2017 injured didn't help his cause. Jimmy though, I would say he has become one of the prominent halves in the last few years and still made the cut after Freddies NSW clean out this year. Interesting 2018 comparison between the two this year. Jimmy was better in a poorer team (injuries considered) but Moylan had a better team around him for more consistent team success.

I just can't see Moylan being a top 50 player, Scott? He was an SOO quality player in 2016 but has gone backwards since. He shows glimpses of being a better than average player but goes MIA way to often in games for my liking and has not stamped his authority on the Sharks as he should have done. It'll be interesting to see which guys you leave out to include guys like him in the mix.

Does that old adage apply to Moylan and Maloney? I thought they both went backwards when they returned from Origin duty. They certainly didn't improve.

Ok, my mistake. He changed his game up this year, probably allowing for another year. Less runs, therefore, RM then '17 but still 131m ave and 27 tackles but only 8 penalties all year. I don't like the bloke but cannot fault his work and for all the stars the sharks have, without him and Lewis they go nowhere near as close as they do in the last few seasons.