Welcome to the meaty centre of The Roar Experts’ NRL top 50 for 2020.
If you’ve been joining us on this journey you know how things work by now – myself, Mary K, Joe Frost, Scott Pryde and Tim Gore listed our top 60 players, they were allocated points according to rank, magic happened, and here we are.
The Roar’s NRL top 50 players: 40-31
The Roar’s NRL top 50 players: 50-41
There have been some big calls already from 31-50 and the hits keep coming today.
There’s sure to be disagreement, so bring it on! That’s what lists like this are all about.
Here’s today’s ten.
30. Tyson Frizell
St George Illawarra Dragons | Second-rower/Lock | Last year: 45 (+15)
A big one to start off! There will definitely be eyebrows raised here.
St George Illawarra were abysmal last year and that affected everyone on the squad, in particular representative forward Tyson Frizell.
Frizell copped it from fans and foes alike as he went through a pretty down year on a Dragons team that got bashed around every week.
But his talent is undeniable and he’s proven himself before, hence the rating.
It’s a contract year for the 28-year-old and there are a few clubs kicking his tyres. He has a chance in 2020 to get back to the heights of not long ago and he still has plenty of time and ability to make an impact for whoever signs him.
(Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
29. Nathan Cleary
Penrith Panthers | Halfback | Last year: 13 (-16)
Some may be surprised to see Nathan Cleary this low after his 13th spot in 2019’s list, but questions linger over the young Penrith halfback.
The biggest of them all will be how he goes in with no James Maloney beside him. Maloney was an irrepressible force on the field, involved in everything. Cleary may well relish the extra time on the ball and the added responsibility for the attack.
His stats were just okay in 2019 with nine try assists and eight linebreak assists, but with 79 first grade matches and two State of Origin series under his belt now, surely 2020 is the time to make the move from a good halfback to a great one.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
28. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Canberra Raiders | Fullback | Last year: N/A
From obscurity to the NRL grand final, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was one of the most pleasant surprises for Canberra Raiders fans since Raiders milk changed flavours from lime to mint.
If CNK was not able to play like he did, chances are Jack Wighton may have had to head back from five-eighth and Canberra’s game plan was ruined.
Given a chance after seven games with the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad blossomed, scoring 11 tries and averaging 175 metres a game. He led the league in kick return metres, was fourth in the NRL for tackle breaks, and safe as a bank when targeted by opposing kickers.
A tied finish for eighth spot in the Dally M voting showed how influential he became in his first full year in the NRL.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
27. Clint Gutherson
Parramatta Eels | Fullback | Last year: 67 (+40)
The Eels skipper should bring up his 100th NRL game in 2020 if all goes well, and he’s been pretty good value for all of them.
Last year he signed on at Parramatta until 2022 and he was also called into the NSW squad by Brad Fittler for Origin 2 in Perth.
Gutherson does have an error or two in him, but he churned out 1048 kick-return metres in 2019 to go with 13 try assists and eight tries of his own.
Parra score a lot of points, and Gutherson is a big part of it.
(Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
26. Martin Taupau
Manly Sea Eagles | Prop | Last year: 25 (-1)
Taupau is another who highlighted some Expert disagreement, with two having him in their top 20 and one not in their top 50 at all!
He’s a fearsome competitor, a barometer for Des Hasler’s Sea Eagles and his hard hitting, offload-hunting style fits in perfectly at Manly. Taupau gets through a truckload of work for his team (727 tackles at 92 per cent, and 3270 running metres at just under 150 per game) in pretty limited minutes – he never played more than 60 minutes in 2019.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
25. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Sydney Roosters | Prop | Last year: 58 (+33)
I am outraged about this ranking. I had Sio Siua Taukeiaho at ten in my top 50, one other Expert didn’t have him at all.
Taukeiaho is the modern prototype for a big man. He’s agile, faster than most forwards, able to break a line and take off down the field before picking the right play to get points.
When the Roosters score one of those great tries out of nothing, a lot of the time SST has played a big part. He might not get credited with the try assist in the stats, but rest assured it was a ball from him somewhere in the play that set one of the backs free.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
24. Mitchell Moses
Parramatta Eels | Halfback | Last year: N/A
He’s definitely a polariser, is Mitchell Moses. The experts had a 40-place difference in their lists when it came to ranking him. A lot of people don’t rate him cos they don’t like him, which is not the right way to look at things.
Try to look at it objectively. Moses is a gun.
Able to leave a mark on a game with deft passing (first in the NRL for try assists with 25) and a big boot (first in the NRL for kicking metres with 9413 and 92 goals at 78 per cent accuracy).
Love him or hate him, you can’t avoid him in a game because he’s in everything.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
23. Viliame Kikau
Penrith Panthers | Second-rower | Last year: 31 (+8)
Like a lot of the Panthers’ roster, Kikau’s 2019 season was impacted by injury and suspension. Penrith rely heavily – perhaps too heavily – on the Fijian in attack because at his best he is a tackle-breaking, ball-playing big man who can waltz through the line and put a teammate away, or just as easily go tuck the ball under his arm and be lethal anywhere inside the 30.
There’s work to be done on his defence, but he’s not a solo Mountain Man in that regard. Kikau is a great talent who is still only 24 years old.
Related
22. Payne Haas
Brisbane Broncos | Prop | Last year: N/A
What price do you put on a young game-breaking front rower? Ask Wayne Bennett, who before he left the Broncos signed Payne Haas to a six-year, $3.5 million deal in 2018.
At the time the master coach was ridiculed, but right now you can argue Haas is underpaid, big time.
Who’s the last 19-year-old you can remember to cause such demolition in the front row? Haas played 21 games in 2019 averaging a ridiculous 185 metres each outing. He topped 200 metres in a game eight times and ran for 3888 metres overall, a third of which was post contact (1475).
He’s an amazing talent who won the NRL and RLPA Rookie of the Year awards. If he can maintain the mix of athleticism and power, who knows what else he’ll do.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
21. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Sydney Roosters | Prop | Last year: 79 (+58)
A powerhouse in the front row, and forever the 2019 Clive Churchill medallist in the hearts of Roosters fans. A 219-game veteran, club vice-captain and regular terror of defensive lines.
In 2019 Waerea-Hargreaves averaged 141.4 running metres a game, topping 150 eight times in the 20 games he played.
JWH is the player opposing fans love to hate. He’s cheeky, plays with an inordinate amount of aggro and because of that is on a first-name basis with the referees and the NRL judiciary members.
He runs hard, he most definitely hits hard and he’ll be doing so for a while yet, after signing a three-year extension with the Bondi club in November.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The top 50 so far…
50. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
49. Josh McGuire
48. Chad Townsend
47. Tevita Pangai Junior
46. Valentine Holmes
45. Paul Vaughan
44. Ryan Papenhuyzen
43. Cameron McInnes
42. Josh Jackson
41. Cody Walker
40. Andrew Fifita
39. Adam Reynolds
38. Josh Addo-Carr
37. Jai Arrow
36. Joseph Manu
35. Michael Morgan
34. Mitchell Pearce
33. Blake Ferguson
32. David Fifita
31. Dale Finucane
30. Tyson Frizell
29. Nathan Cleary
28. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
27. Clint Gutherson
26. Martin Taupau
25. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
24. Mitchell Moses
23. Viliame Kikau
22. Payne Haas
21. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
20. Latrell Mitchell
19. David Klemmer
18. Cameron Murray
17. Jack Wighton
16. John Bateman
15. Boyd Cordner
14. Kalyn Ponga
13. Josh Papalii
12. Wade Graham
11. Daly Cherry-Evans
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm no relation. Never met the guy or his dad or Freddy. But I am a Panthers fan and I am actually one of his harshest critics. He has plenty still to learn about the game particularly in terms of reading the game and dominating the play. And I am impatient for him to keep improving. But he is still learning and right now , I see no better option for NSW as you know that he will do all the key jobs asked of him without erring, which is vital at SOO level. The proof is in the past two series victories. Many fail that test which costs SOO wins.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
yeah right mate??? Happy that you see so much benefit there already.. hope he proves you right this season cos as of right now I’m seriously suspecting you are either his Dad or Freddy Fittler.
Albo
Roar Rookie
The occasionally uninjured Reynolds, and especially Pearce, had already registered a list of SOO failures for a decade in the halfback role for NSW , and Keary was rightfully stood down for his regular head knocks. The NSW selectors knew that more of the same failed selections would produce more of the same failed results. So Cleary got the nod as a 20 year old and has been part of back to back Origin Series wins, something that NSW had not achieved since 2004. A proven masterstroke by Fitler & his selectors. Not stepped up, you say ? Throughout those past two series, Cleary completely shut out QLD's dangerous left side attack that included the likes of their main stars Munster, Inglis, Ponga & Slater, which contributed greatly to NSW's success. These QLD " left side " guys even had to switch sides in game 1 of last year, to attack NSW weak left side defence around Walker & Mitchell ( finishing off their SOO season) , to have their only attacking success for the series. In the 5 SOO matches Cleary played before being injured and missing the last one of 2019, he probably made one error, kicking a ball dead in game 1 last year. He didn't create a lot as Maloney was still the key playmaker, but his kick chase game was good, his defence was excellent, and he did his job that the selectors needed him to do. If uninjured this year, Cleary will again be the first halfback picked for NSW. Because, as Gus & Fatty say, he was made for Origin !
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Keep in mind over the border there was a dominant half and legend in Thurston so we may have expected Cleary to be a bit more involved or shine more than he did?? I just thought Reynolds was more valuable as an attacking half with his short kicking game, defence and combination with Cook. In saying all that I’m still filthy that Freddy would knock Cody after one game so maybe I’m just off the blues and looking for reasons to have a sook??
Chilli
Roar Rookie
I would’ve backed Reynolds a lot more when he returned from injury mate, Pearce was more obvious a pick than Cleary and Keary would’ve trumped them all if not for injury. Cleary has not stepped up at all bro? Looks good this year though with some added size to his frame but without the Fittler family connection he doesn’t get picked and/or sticked period! One good club year and being picked on potential does not make him a protected origin species.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think we must be watching different games ? Who would you have had as the NSW halfback these past two years ?
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Mine for 2020 Adam Reynolds 3 Cameron Murray 2 Damian Cook 1 Dirty Ten I fear the most in 2020: 1. Wade Graham 10 2. James Tedesco 9 3. Taumalolo 8 4 Josh Papalli 7 5. Munster 6 6 Keary 5 7 Cherry Evans 4 8 Nathan Cleary 3 9. Moses 2 10 Milf 1
Chilli
Roar Rookie
However it may be interesting if we get each member to nominate the 3 most important players in the club they support, in order Dally M style? Then everyone could nominate ten opponent players they feel jeopardise their chances of winning the most when playing against I.e players we hate playing against Wade Graham, Tedesco, Cherry Evans etc.. rank them again in Dally M points. I reckon you would have a pretty bang on result?
Chilli
Roar Rookie
I may be pretty mate but I ain’t stupid!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Game on! I think we’ll be pretty close from here...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Oh dear Baz. Here come the flaming pitchforks...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thanks mate...appreciate that I think we’ve had this chat before. I think Tupou was better but I’m happy to concede the benefit he gets playing outside those better players and It probably helped that I watched him play a lot more than Maumalo too
souvalis
Roar Rookie
And he’s bigger now, the half back literally bowling balled the Parra defence last week in one of his tries.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Think you’ve done a wonderful job Baaz especially in rewarding people who genuinely belong there and haven’t just phoned your team in. Blokes like Hopoate, AFB, the fish from Penrith, even Brooksie all very worthily honored. Just on the Tupou thing. I used to think pretty lowly of Ken Maumolo till last season. Once the Warriors made him their main go to man instead of Fuss he killed it, didn’t make as many errors and topped every single wingers key stat except tries. Tupou was in wingers heaven outside Keary, Mitchell and Teddy and with no more Fergo got nearly 4 times the ball B Moz got on the other side.( same thing happened at Melbourne with Kafusi being overthrown by K.Brom) Ken,however, in really only his third full NRL season was the deserved winger of the year and I’d have him as high as Number 20 for the anticipated carnage he’s going to make of defences this season. Tupou deserves recognition for sure, couldn’t have done more, but wherever he is Kens in front of him imo.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Cleary has plenty going for him Albo but I suspect he will be replaced in the SOO side at some stage, because of pressure from a half like Moses, unless his attack becomes more dangerous. I believe he isn't laying on or scoring tries at that level. Unfortunately for him being part of winning teams doesn't mean his spot won't be up for grabs I suspect.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough mate I was looking at how these guys have played over the past season or two, but mostly last year I thought Tupou was outstanding last year. He was the aerial threat he’s always been, scored good tried but was also immense at the other end of the park, being fifth in the league for all run metres and third for post contact metres Did Cleary and Reynolds match that level of excellence in their position? I don’t think so. Tupou was my highest ranked winger at 25 and Manu my number two centre at 24, so there is an element of handicapping for position If we end up just putting the most important players to each team in the list, you’ll end up with the best 45 best spine players and maybe a couple of extras like Jurbo or Haas. Whats the point? Have a crack at it...it’s pretty tough
Chilli
Roar Rookie
It’s because he is surrounded by the shadow of nepotism which as a culture we really don’t like. Fittler should never have picked him for origin and then he should never have stuck with him mate.. his club form was extremely poor, his origin form has always been neutral at best yet he keeps getting a sky blue. Painfully obvious Fittler is picking him based on relationships which is a rep selection criteria that isn’t acceptable. I don’t mind giving a young fella a go and blood him early but don’t knock others on the head after one bad game and keep the kid there. Not young mans fault but until he really truly steps up the shadow will always be there.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Brother Baz I’m sorry mate but I reckon there’s a few howlers.. in saying that isn’t it aha Ing how different perceptions are between individuals? Most important players right? So how is Tupou (a winger) and Manu (2nd string centre) anywhere near the top 50. And how are they above Cleary & Reynolds.. obviously everyone does this and every list is different but I just can’t fathom those two in particular mate. Roosters could put any young fella on the wing and be outcome neutral I reckon.
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm just meh on wingers and centres. Would I pay the best winger more than the 64th best spine player in an auction? Not sure
The Barry
Roar Guru
Come on Mrs Tupou !!! You know I’ve been raving about his 2019 season for a while Don’t think there are too many outside backs to come Overall I had 5 fullbacks 4 wingers 4 centres 6 five eighths 5 halfbacks 9 edge forwards 13 middle third forwards (props and lock) 4 hookers