Some players rarely get the public acclaim, man of the match awards or Dally M points the ‘stars’ do, but are just as essential to their sides’ successes.
Without these unsung heroes, their teams would struggle.
In this darkest of times, I have taken it upon myself to sing the praises of these mainstays, to make sure that they know that there is a whole lot of love out there for them.
Elliott Whitehead
The bearded lad from Bradford had played seven seasons in the Super League before coming to play with the Raiders in 2016. He has now played over 300 combined games and has represented England since 2014.
Every single week, the 30-year-old plays the full 80 minutes, tackles anything that moves and is hard as iron.
Don’t let his quiet manner and ever-present, wide smile fool you, ‘Smelliott’ is one of the toughest and most durable men in the game.
Elliott Whitehead of England (Image: NRL)
Mitch Aubusson
Aubusson is set to break the 300-game mark in just nine more appearances, all for the Roosters. He debuted for the Tricolours in 2007 and has been a fixture ever since, playing wherever he has been needed and doing it well.
He now has three premiership rings and they are well deserved – this bloke is as tough, durable and versatile as they come.
While some have suggested it, he has never been making up the numbers. The Chooks will suffer when he finally retires.
Gavin Cooper
The lad from Murgon has played 311 games in his 15 years in the top grade – 235 of them with the Cowboys – and at 34 he is still such a vital player for North Queensland. He was still getting selected for Queensland in 2018 at the age of 33, such is his value.
Not only is he a great defender and a hard hitter, he is smart. He knows what lines to run and when to run them.
For years he was a beneficiary of his great combination with Johnathan Thurston, but even since JT retired, Cooper is still a handful for – although an often unheralded one. A total legend.
Tyrone Peachey
I first saw the lad from Wellington – a famous breeding ground of prime NRL players – at Shark Park in 2013. He scored the most beautiful try, displaying both his speed and skills, which was subsequently – unfairly – disallowed.
The Shire faithful already knew he was the goods and were upset when it was revealed that he was off to the Panthers and in his 109 games for Penrith he scored 40 tries.
Now 28, he has played for NSW and may well do so again, however his move to the Gold Coast has seen him fall off the radar. That said, in the Round 1 clash against the Raiders, his pure skill was clear for all to see when he was moved to five-eighth. Immediately the Titans’ defence improved and their attack looked dangerous.
Anybody who thinks this bloke is a has-been is totally wrong. We have not seen the last – or the best – of Tyrone Peachey.
Tyrone Peachey in his time with the Panthers. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Dale Finucane
Bulldogs fans are still ropeable about this bloke being let go, just as Storm fans are amazed they got him. Finucane is a machine.
While other players at Melbourne get the plaudits, he is the key to the Purple Horde engine room that lets the likes of Cam Munster, Cam Smith and Ryan Papenhuyzen weave their magic.
He plays 80 minutes almost every game and while he may not be as flashy as the likes of Jake Trbojevic or Cam Murray, he is just as good. He’d be in any NRL coach’s team if they could only get him.
Rob
Guest
Gavin Cooper has been terrific for the Cowboys and certainly his positional smarts and good hands especially catching the ball in traffic was a highlight for much of his career. Unfortunately he has struggled since 2017 only winning 17 out of 49 games and now he struggles to keep up. His defence last year was ordinary, his work rate average, and his threat carrying the ball outside 5m from the try line is non existent. Ethan Lowe, Asiata and Justin O'nell have been far more influential to the Cowboys fortunes over the last couple of seasons. I agree with Corey Thompson, Josh Jackson and Kyle Feldt being players that could also make the list.
Steve
Guest
If we are talking under rated then Alex Glenn is clearly on this list. Even Broncos supporters have always under rated him. The guy was on track to be a 300 gamer for the Broncos before the Coronavirus rubbish.
matth
Roar Guru
Going back in History, Peter Ryan, Alan Cann and Kevin Campion from the Broncos. Amid all the flashy players these were the guys who held it all together.
matth
Roar Guru
Tim doesn't underrate any Raiders players, quite the opposite.
josh
Roar Rookie
Are these more like the fantasy footy players you pick but never get picked in rep teams? I know this he's no longer playing NRL, but Shaun Fensom comes immediately to mind.
Albo
Roar Rookie
And reads the game better than most ! As does Whitehead.
Corona Kid
Guest
What’s not to like and respect about Teddy , Boyd is, Manu, Tupou , TKO . Aubo just epitomises the hard working good guy imagine. There are plenty of good guys at the Roosters, I think you need to clean the lenses on ya glasses .
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Aubusson looks to me like he plays up to his potential each week and I admire him for that. He is the perfect contrast to Latrell Mitchell but I also think players like Aubusson and their impact on a club can be a touch overrated. In my opinion Mitchell was probably the key player in the comp at all levels in 2018 and if he played for the Storm or QLD instead of the Chickens or NSW, everything changes but it wouldn't matter much who Aubusson played for. I'd put Mitchell on top of the unappreciated list in 2018 particularly earlier in the year when somehow his apparent mistake rate was being over hyped.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Kenneath Bromwich.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Good, thought provoking article, Tim, totally agree with your last 3. What about doing a few more, on the same topic, going back into the recent past. Think, like this one, it would provide us with lively debate & bring back memories.
Muzz
Guest
Aubusson is a great man and very modest. The type of player you love having in your squad.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Sadly Chuck that is not the case, your team & my team for sure but he sadly gets overlooked by many. Yes he is a nice bloke to go with it ....
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Tim. sure is but sadly many do not recognise his contribution because he is not in that "superstar mould" Like Mitch Aubesson who can play so many positions and do it very well, Josh is no flash jack from Gundagai but he turns up just like Mitch every week and does his job. Sure I am biased on both counts actually but it is the actual reality of the situation.
Nat
Roar Guru
I just checked out his stats on Fox. He played every game last year for 9 errors and tackle efficiency above 92%. 32 tackle breaks (has been above 50) and 10 line breaks. Not sur there's another #14 who can top that.
kk
Roar Pro
Great turn of foot in attack and fearless defence.
kk
Roar Pro
Aubo had/has a turn of foot that fooled many a defender.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Anthony Don has been a top winger for a long time now but he's playing for the Queensland plodders. Mead was a top winger and played for the club when it had better times and scored 70 tries from 159 games. Michael Robertson played in some really strong Manly outfits after the Raiders and was a good finisher. he scored 83 tries in 209 games, a pretty good effort. The Donmeister scored 76 tries in 129 games in a drab era for the Titans. Anthony Don is my nominee.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
He’s something of a rarity..holding his place in front of more dynamic players is very proudworthy.
Harry
Guest
Consistency. It's hard to think of a great game by Aubusson, one where he's been the game-breaker, one where he's led the highlights reel... but similarly it's pretty much impossible (for me anyway) to think of a bad game he's had. Sure he's not the best player going around in any particular area but he puts in week in, week out, does his job very well even if he doesn't do it brilliantly, and everyone at the Roosters knows that's what they can expect. I imagine that must be enormously pleasing to his teammates and the coaching staff. I think the same could be said for most players who are regarded as "underappreciated".
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
.....and Tim, thank you for not using the standard 'Roar' footage of JWH looking like a badger - Aubo's far more 'palatable - if that's possible! ;)