It’s that time again. With the 2023 NRL season just around the corner, it means The Roar’s annual countdown of the Top 50 players in the NRL is back underway.
A quick recap on how it works: four of our NRL experts here at The Roar have put our heads together and listed our top 50 players each. Then, points were awarded based on how high they ranked on each expert’s list.
Said points were then tallied to give you our definitive top 50 for season 2023.
We have already listed players 50-41. Here are the next 10 as we begin the countdown to the top 10.
Who makes the cut… and who misses the list? Let’s find out. Who’s high, and who’s too low? Let us know in the comments below.
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Everyone loves Big Papa.
He has been the heart of Canberra’s engine room for the past 12 seasons, wreaking havoc wherever he goes, and gearing up to do it all again this season.
The 30-year-old has also been causing headaches for NSW players since 2013 as one of Queensland’s most destructive forwards.
He’s taken home the Mal Meninga award a record four times and has also won the 2020 Dally M Prop of the Year.
A brilliant 2021 saw To’o become a household name and crowned Dally M Winger of the Year.
While the talented 24-year-old was injured and missed a chunk of 2022, he was still a huge part of the Panthers’ successful title defence and was a star for Samoa at the World Cup
The Panthers didn’t want him going anywhere and made sure they locked him down until the end of the 2027 season.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
He can be so good yet so frustrating at the same time.
The 2021 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year has a world of talent, but discipline and hot-headedness see him sit further down this list.
He can get in his own way and go MIA when the Bunnies need him, but when he is on he can spark something out of nothing and is exactly what his team need to get the points on the board.
Heading into his eighth season at Redfern, Walker will be looking forward to a much more consistent 2023.
No longer in Mitch Moses’ shadow, he is known now as a dominant half in his own right. Brown had a standout season in 2022 and helped lead the Eels to the Grand Final.
He was an integral part of the Kiwis’ World Cup campaign, and there were high-fives all around from Parramatta fans when the club secured Brown with a contract that includes the option to stay until the end of 2031.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
So much talent and just as much attitude.
Fans from other clubs think he is a punk who is nothing with Nathan Cleary, while the Penrith faithful will defend him to the death.
Like his mate To’o, Luai had a standout 2021 but a quieter 2022 including a poor Origin series. But definitely ended the year on point thanks to back-to-back premierships and a first-time World Cup final appearance with Samoa.
Mahoney was back to his brilliant best last year after injury robbed him of the end of 2021.
This guy has toughness and determination in spades. One of the best number nines going around, he made the most tackles out of ANYONE in the competition last year with a whopping 1130.
Finishing up with the Eels, Mahoney will be showcasing his talents at Belmore this season, trying to help them Dogs rise up the ladder.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Ten seasons at Redfern saw Reynolds become the club’s highest-ever points scorer, as he also holds the record for kicking the second-most goals ever in a season. He also steered the boys around the park for their 2014 grand-final win over the Dogs.
The Broncos secured his serves for 2022, but injury denied him the chance to make the impact everyone was expecting.
If he can remain fit and on the field in 2023, we should see him back to his electrifying best.
Deservedly named 2022 Dally M Second Rower of the Year, Kikau had a phenomenal season.
The talented Fijian is one of the most destructive back-rowers in the game, trampling people at will. If he is already close to the line, it’s best to just let him pass.
After a successful six seasons at the Panthers, he leaves the club with two grand final titles and will be looking to take that success and continue it at his new home of Belmore.
A sensational fullback with an even better haircut.
After five seasons at the Storm, Paps still is one of the most electric and elusive number ones in the game. 2022 was tough for the 24-year-old, suffering a broken kneecap and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
With his return date still uncertain for 2023, once he gets the green light he will come out all guns blazing, and will no doubt be back to doing amazing stuff like this.
He was great for Penrith in the centres, but he found his home at Belmore wearing the number six.
Burton was a huge get for the Dogs, and even though the 22-year-old started off a bit slow, as the season went on Burton just got better, making his presence well and truly known on the field.
And don’t we all love a Burton Bomb! Can’t wait to see more of them this season.
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