The 2019 NRL season is just around the corner with the long and tedious off-season drawing to a close, and that means it’s time to reveal The Roar‘s top 50 players in the NRL.
In a five-part series, we will count down the 50 finest players in the game today. Given the magnitude of that task, we’ve got some of the best minds in the game to give their thoughts: Mary Konstantopoulos, Stuart McLennan, AJ Mithen and Tim Gore.
The five-person panel (myself included) was asked to vote for our 60 best players, with points assigned to each depending on their position: a first-placed vote earned a player 60 votes, all the way down to a single one for being named at number 60.
Then it was a matter of ranking everyone based on the number of points they earned. If two or more players were tied, whoever appeared in the most lists was ranked higher. If that was even, the player who received the highest individual vote was ranked higher. If that was still tied – as happened in one case – then it went down to their second-highest placing.
Related
We’ll be revealing our top 50 in ten-player instalments this week, beginning with 50-41 today.
Without further ado, let’s rip into this year’s countdown, starting with…
50. Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
Whitehead is one of the best English players in the game (although not the best at his club), and has fast turned into a reliable second rower at the Raiders.
With a dangerous running game and a strong presence in defence on the edge, Whitehead has quickly stamped his authority as a starter for both the Raiders and his country. If he can maintain a nearly 90 per cent tackle efficiency on almost 30 per game, there is no reason he won’t move further up this list.
Last year, he ran in ten tries in his 24 games while finishing the year with almost 100 metres per game.
49. Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Dane Gagai is one player who needs to have a much improved 2019.
It’s not as if he was bad over the last 12 months – far from it – but he wasn’t at the level when we saw him set the world alight at the Knights.
That might be the result of finding himself in a stronger all-round side and not standing out as much, but Gagai still had errors in his game, and his Maroons spot didn’t seem quite as secure as it once was leading into Origin 2018.
Still, he has the potential to be one of the best outside backs in the game.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
48. David Fusitu’a (New Zealand Warriors)
Fusitu’a is just about the best winger in the game. This communal list won’t reflect that personal opinion, but I’ve previously made my thoughts clear on Fusitu’a and his running, finishing and defensive ability.
I’m surprised he isn’t slightly further up the list, but his try-scoring prowess and power on the wing make him a tough defensive assignment for any opposition, and he will be a dangerous asset for the Roosters this year.
47. Adam Reynolds (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Like Fusitu’a, I’m surprised Reynolds isn’t further up the list. He was absolutely outstanding in 2018 and while Souths were good right across the park, it was Reynolds who steered them around from halfback.
His kicking game has been frequently talked about; when it’s good, it’s one of the best in the game. Reynolds has a freakish ability to land the ball on a five-cent piece and there can be no doubting his standing as a top 50 player.
What impressed me (and as a Dragons fan, hurt me) was his calmness under pressure last year. His field goals, penalties and good decisions in that semi-final were those of a premiership-quality playmaker.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
46. Blake Ferguson (Parramatta Eels)
There were plenty of eyebrows raised when I left Ferguson out of my own top 50 at the end of last season – a perfectly fair criticism.
It wasn’t an oversight at the time, but my opinions on the former Roosters winger have certainly changed since then.
If you’re looking for important players for the 2019 season, then the Eels recruit is right up there, because he is going to need to take his game up another level over the next 12 months.
Ferguson’s running game is his main strength, especially getting sets off to a good start in his own team’s red zone, but his defence will need to continue improving if he’s to move up this list.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
45. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Ah, the Fiz.
One of the hardest ball-runners in the competition, Frizell is universally loved by Dragons fans and, come Origin time, Blues fans.
A real hard nut with an ability to play in the middle as well, he was quiet in patches last year, but is an outstanding, rep-quality player.
(Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
44. Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
If there’s one man who goes harder than Frizell on his day in attack and defence, it’s Tariq Sims.
He had tries to show for it in what was a breakout 2018, but it’s the pressure he put on opposition halves which won the Dragons more games than anything, as well as a dogged determination to break the line or make something happen at all costs.
Sure, he gets some fans offside with the way he plays, but there is a lot to like about Sims. A maiden Blues jersey and elimination-final hat-trick were deserved returns in what was a career-best year.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
43. Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
There’s no question that Walker is one of the most exciting halves in the game. He finally kicked into gear in 2018, and was part of a damaging Rabbitohs left edge which really had all the answers to every defence they came up against.
Sure, playing with Reynolds, John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston and Robert Jennings helped him, but for a lot of the time, Walker was still the orchestrator of that attack.
His passing game and vision to get the ball out wide and get it out there quickly was second to none at Redfern, as was his running game, which presented plenty of opportunities.
(AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)
42. James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos)
After a State of Origin debut last year, Roberts will be looking to take his game up another level during the next 12 months.
The Broncos centre still has a lot to prove, and while his attack and pace out wide are blistering, there are still question marks over his defence – some of which he slammed the door shut on playing Origin.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
41. Josh McGuire (North Queensland Cowboys)
McGuire’s move to the Cowboys is an intriguing one. He is one of those players who will give 100 per cent every week on the field, with a consistent game featuring hard runs and big tackles.
Every team needs a forward like him if they want to win the competition.
His importance will be diminished a little bit in a strong Cowboys pack, but he still deserves his place.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Be sure to check back in tomorrow when Mary Konstantoplous runs through players 40 to 31.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Ah Terry Fahey, "the Redfern Express". I remember him well. I have a mate who knew him and says he is a top bloke. He was the only highlight reel for Souths in the mid to late 70's. Before the Roosters stole him. The first time I ever witnessed a penalty for a voluntary tackle was when he had lined up Alan McMahon from the Balmain Tigers who fell on the ground and surrendered rather than getting smashed.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I started to get to Brookie after Souths Huge golden era and saw them at their worst. One player we couldn't handle though was Terry Fahey. When bringing the ball back from kicks he looked like he could score a try every time , he was just too strong and fast with enough evasion to be a terror. Coach Gibson rated him the toughest player he had coached if my memory is correct. It's a wonder the Silvertails didn't sign him!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
So I take it that was a YES about being a Manly supporter? Looking at supercoach scoring as an example he would lead the league in line breaks and line break assists and possibly try assists, break tackles as well. Another similarity that Cody Walker shares with Cliffy IMO is his sudden acceleration from a standing start or while drifting across field. He also has good vision like Cliffy and the ability to attract defenders and put an outside support through a hole (of course not to Cliffy’s standard I grant you). The way Cody drifts and feints moves and then looks like he is about to surrender to the defence before countering is also very reminiscent IMO. That and the ability to bring the defence up and expose them to short little attacking kicks behind the defensive line. You are right. The game needs more players who have attacking flair and an ability to play what is in front of them rather than running plays by the book. It’s so much better watching creative players like Cliffy and Walker than players who just score their points backing up others who make line breaks and create opportunities, like Terry Lamb who scored most of his tries supporting breaks made by his teammates. Sam has been below his best but is still inspirational and still one of the better forwards in the game and he should improve in 2019 on last years form. Bennett should know how to bring out his best which IMO would see Sam attacking on the right edge. He has a good turn of pace for a big man and a decent right foot step and he is near impossible to defend one on one.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Why? Based on his performance and stats in 2018 and Souths finishing equal 1st on the ladder before points differential was taken into account. Do you think that Adam Reynolds deserves to be ranked lower than an average player like Ben Hunt? Milford was also unspectacular in 2018 and Mitchell Pearce only played half the season for crying out loud! Yet they all made it into the top 30 along with James Graham who spent as much time on the sidelines as on the field which was still more time throughout 2018 than Mitchell Pearce. So HOW could either of them rank in the top 30 players based on performances in 2018? Everyone knows that Graham is ranked behind Frizell, Sims and JDB in the Dragons pack yet Sims and Frizell are rated here behind Graham. I don't even think Dragons fans can fathom that one.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I had the pitchforks come down hard on me on the Manly forum when I suggested that Inglis really dented the confidence of some opponents in SOO and that I suspected that Jamie Lyons was one of them. Lyons stepped down from SOO and I reckon it was the correct call for him and the club. He 'won' the most over rated award a little while before that. As happens it all gets twisted into something like 'you're saying that Lyon was scared of Inglis' blah ,blah, blah . It went on for ages until I quoted what Jamie Lyon said at the time in the press which was along the lines of what I had guessed. Still waiting for a reply , years down the track. I played a fair bit of touch footy with Cliffy when he was at his best as a league player. His pace surprised me at his fittest, he wouldn't of been a hell of a lot slower than O'Conner over 50 metres I'd say. He is the best at putting a player thru the gap that I've seen in league. It's a pity he wasn't in the era of stats. One of his last years when they dragged him back from memory a long way thru the season he was right up near the top for break assists or whatever they call it. We need player like Walker and I wish him well. I tend to think Sam Burgess was injured for the last part of the season at least and if he was fit they probably would have won the whole thing. He was top dog in the comp before that , no doubt.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Gagai consistently gets most of his defensive reads wrong. He is more comfortable attacking and defending on the right wing. He only got promoted to fill a need at clubs like the Knights and Rabbitohs on the strength of being a SOO rep player who crushed it on the right wing so they assumed his experience and confidence would be enough to help him to transition to a new role. It wasn't, and you are right FT, centre is a highly specialised position these days, particularly defensively when most teams formulate block plays with the express purpose of isolating an edge defender and forcing an edge back-rower and centre to make a call defensively. If Bennett is half the coach that he thinks he is he will know this and play Gagai on the right wing. Mitchell is very much every bit as dangerous, exciting and dominant as GI was at the same age but GI had him for speed I think (although perhaps not now). While Inglis was at the Storm Billy Slater said that GI was quicker than he was over 100 metres (though Slater said he was faster over 50 mtrs). Judging by how Gagai finished two Maori All-Star backline movements to get a brace of tries things look promising for Souths on the right flank if Bennett plays Gagai in his preferred position. The only question will be who will his centre partner be? So you are a Manly supporter by the sound of it FT? The player I feared back in the day was Cliffy Lyons. He was an absolute magician. Souths have a player in much the same mould in Cody Walker. He may be a long way off Cliffy but he is the closest person IMO to play like him that I have seen play since and I think Walker will go up two gears under Bennett in 2019 IF Souths forwards continue to dominate the middle third and get a roll on allowing Cook to exploit defensive weaknesses and allowing Walker and Reynolds to capitalise this.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Centre is now a very difficult position to play P.S, reading the players coming at you and making the right call is not easy. A simple way of rating attacking players for me, is how much much fear you feel as an opposing fan when they get the ball. Inglis was terrifying when he was young and Mitchell is similar now. Seeing the ball passed to Fittler against some weak Manly and Northern Eagles years ago was just put the glasses down. With players like Gagai I hope they get the ball. I don't think I'm imagining things
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
You hit the nail on the head Forty Twenty. Gagai is a right winger NOT a right centre. He has been played out of position at both the Knights and the Rabbitohs but looks the goods when playing on the right wing where he has starred for QLD in SOO. His two freakish tries for the Maori All Stars proves where his best position is. He is a great finisher but his defence in the centres is a real Achilles Heel. If Bennett is half the coach he thinks he is he will play Gagai on the right wing, AJ on the left wing and throw the FB jersey to Corey Allan.
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
Reynolds deserves to be lower on the list...imo
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I've been saying for quite a while that Gagai is nowhere near the player he was meant to be. It's not his fault but he just isn't dangerous and should always be on the wing where he is a handy finisher.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good call...Fonua absolutely killed it in the first half of the season until he broke his arm. I can’t see him making this list. Same with Arrow. From memory he picked up a few niggling injuries (lower back?) around origin time. His first half of the season was outstanding.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I suppose the ranking is based on more than just season ‘18 but on that rather than a players’ NRL life,Mahu Fohnua was the most improved surprise packet back..how dangerous was he ball in hand...far more consistent than the jet...and Jai Arrow far more valuable contributions than Maguire..I’m assuming they both haven’t made it..
Albo
Roar Rookie
Whitehead - agree Gagai - no way - can only play in Maroon colous David Fusitu - line ball - best hands in the game - but a bit lazy for mine. Adam Reynolds - line ball - good kicking game - little else Blake Ferguson - agree - top 20 Tyson Frizell - agree Tariq Sims - line ball - consistency issue for mine Cody Walker - agree James Roberts - agree Josh McGuire - agree
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, actually, you're right - Friz missed out TB.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think the friz missed out on Scotts top 50 last year? Gagai is an interesting one. If you were picking on rep footy he’d be possibly even higher but club footy for mine would struggle to make a top 100 at times. Ferguson could be higher. I think he was the most influential winger in the comp last year (although that might be a backhanded compliment). Good to see Sims live up to his potential last year. I liked him when he broke on the scene at the Cowboys but he had a couple of nasty leg fractures. He over does the “bullying” of the halfbacks at times...although his clash with Hurrell last year was good fun. It’s tough to comment on 41-50 though when you don’t know who’s in 1-40.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Indeed, they are.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hey BA - from memory, they were around the 25-30 mark, but yeah, have been voted down a little bit... Gagai is excellent in Origin. It's a mystery to me why he can't turn that into consistently good club form.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
'The Fiz' and Tariq were in your top 15 (or there abouts) at the end of last year. I am guessing you either had a change of heart or your colleagues have voted them out and down. :) Gagai doesn't belong in the top 50 players in the NRL. A top 50 player is almost top 3 or 4 at any club and Gagai wouldn't make the starting 17 at one or two clubs.
Drew Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Interesting I would of thought that a countdown list would of been done at the end of the season not before. Plus already broke out some big names, Gagai, Reynolds interesting to see you’ll make the top ten.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
The next lists will be interesting if this lot, almost all current SOO or rep players, only make the 4th XIII.