My NRL dream team

Sometimes, when I’m feeling depressed, I have a look through the Dragons’ playing roster and make a two-page list of players who should be punted at the earliest opportunity.

Just the thought of them clearing out their lockers and being run out of town on a corner post can cheer me up no end.

But today, I took this innovative therapy one dangerous step further, and imagined a Dragons team recruited without any salary cap restrictions and came up with the team I’d like to see running out in the red and white next week against Newcastle as we seek to stay in the top eight for at least another week.

The mathematicians among you will note that there are seven bench players. I suggested this change in a recent article in order to alleviate the growing instances of teams playing short-handed due to injury, so my dream team accommodates this proposed change. The NRL will catch on eventually.

Here’s the run-on team.

1. James Tedesco
Yes, I know, captain obvious selection here, but who else would you choose at the back? He is simply the best player in the game, a threat in attack for the full 80 minutes, and can both organise the defence and pull off the big tackles when required.

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

2. Brian To’o
He’s the best up-and-coming winger in the game. He knows the way to the try line, makes the hard carries coming off his line and knows how to tackle.

3. Latrell Mitchell
He’s now on fullback money at Souths but he’s easily the best centre in the game. Mitchell is impossible to contain when he’s in the mood and he knows how to set up his outside men.

4. Bradman Best
Best is a classic centre. He runs the ball hard and straight, consistently gets on the outside of defenders, can brush off tackles and defends well.

5. Brett Morris
Not much needs to be said here. Morris is still the best winger in the game in either attack or defence. Give him a try-scoring opportunity and he’ll take it every time.

6. Jarome Luai
Luai is the best eyes-up footballer in the competition. He plays what’s in front of him and always asks questions of the opponents’ defence. He has a great short kicking game, brilliant footwork and can make his tackles.

7. George Williams
He’s just like an English halfback should be: tenacious and always scheming. Williams leads the team around well, can either score a try himself or set up his teammates, and has an excellent kicking game.

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

8. James Fisher-Harris
He’s easily the best front rower in the game for the last couple of years. He combines controlled aggression with a relentless style of play that sets the benchmark for his forward pack. Capable of big minutes, he has a good offload, and is a feared defender.

9. Cameron McInnes (captain)
He’s not as flashy as some hookers but he’s the best in the game. His passes from the ruck always hit their mark, he’s a very strong defender and has a good running game when the opportunity presents itself. McInnes leads by example on the field and never shirks the hard stuff.

10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
Like Fisher-Harris, he is a non-stop performer who controls the middle of the field in defence and eats up the metres in attack. Taukeiaho doesn’t bother with the heroic hits and tough-guy impersonations, he just dominates opponents week after week.

11. Angus Crichton
Now back to his best form, Crichton is a damaging edge runner with a good offload. He’s a strong defender who doesn’t take a backward step.

12. Viliame Kikau
He’s a true X-factor player who terrorises the defence. Kikau is impossible to stop on his day and he creates opportunities for those around him.

(Matt King/Getty Images)

13. Isaah Yeo
Yeo has it all. He can defend like a front rower, has great ball skills, and is very mobile in attack. He seems to be improving his game every week.

The science around the make-up of the seven-man bench is a work in progress, however I would go with:
• A hooker who can also play as a running forward
• Two backs who can each provide cover from fullback to halfback
• Three mobile middle forwards
• One versatile edge forward

Here’s the seven-man bench.

14. Brandon Smith
Did someone say a hooker who can play as a running forward? Enter Brandon Smith. He can adequately cover dummy-half duties or play as a destructive running forward.

Brandon Smith (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

15. Cameron Munster
He’s a sensational player with ball in hand who could cover every back-line position with ease.

16. Jack Wighton
Like Munster, he could fill any back-line position and is also tough enough to play in the forwards if required.

17. Josh Papalii
I don’t want to claim that I know more than Ricky Stuart – well not about league and refereeing standards anyway – but big Josh would be the ideal weapon coming off the bench to wreak havoc in that middle third of the game.

18. Christian Welch
Like the Terminator, Welch is relentless in either taking the ball forward or bringing down opponents in defence. He just does not stop.

19. Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui
A psychological weapon if ever there was one. No tiring opponents want to see big Tino on the sideline with an interchange card in his hand.

20. Cameron Murray
He’s the complete modern-day forward who plays on the advantage line and maintains the momentum in attack. He can cover lock and second row with ease and is also skilful enough to play in the backs if required.

So there’s my Dragons shopping list for Ian Millward to get cracking on. I won’t be holding my breath.

Anyway, a man can dream, can’t he?