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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40. Josh Papali’i (Raiders)
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.
39. Brian To’o (Panthers)
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)
38. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
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.
37. Dylan Brown (Eels)
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)
36. Jarome Luai (Panthers)
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.
35. Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs)
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)
34. Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
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.
33. Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs)
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.
32. Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)
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.
31. Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
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.
Juku
Guest
Dylan Brown is better then Burton and Luai by a considerable margin 2nd best 5/8. Think Josh Papalii has fallen and not great anymore
Gus O
Guest
Now I'm confused, the article says top 50 players “for the 2023 season”. Paps is out with a shattered kneecap and now isn’t expected back until mid season… returning from a major injury. I hope he comes back strong and fast and confident, but how can anyone rank Paps as the 32nd best player for the coming season 2023? Do you have an injury substitute available?
Gus O
Guest
I don’t see much value in comparing a prop forward to a winger to a half. I asked Google AI smartbot what question i could ask that would give me a ranking result of “40 Josh Papali’i, 39 Brian To’o, 38 Cody Walker” and my phone blew a fuse.
Dutski
Roar Guru
:laughing:
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Now I'm shaking my head at my then Stray Cats bouffant and rat tail. What was I thinking?
Dutski
Roar Guru
3RM I’m old enough to remember the last round of mullets. None of those memories are good. *shudders*
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
A fully fit Ryan Papenhuyzen would be top 10 or 15.
OnyaCody
Guest
Interesting that the guy whose raw power turned #38 into a speed bump in the prelim final (the move which psychologically ended the game with 40 soul-crushing minutes still to be played) is one spot below him on this list.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Best and fairest... on and off field. :silly: :thumbup:
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
I'm getting more confused as we go along. Are the experts rating the players purely on 2022 form, or over the last X years, or over their entire careers? At #50, we've had Sifa Talakai who has had one decent season At #42, we've had Chad Townsend, who has had two decent seasons: last year at the Cows and 2016 playing second fiddle to James Moloney in the Sharks GF-winning side. Now, at #38, we've got Cody Walker, who has had quite a few decent seasons, culminating in a stellar season last year, in which he made up for Adam Reynolds being missing, and (as Glory Bound has itemised), his stats were very impressive. Compared to Sifa and Chad, Cody should be much higher.
3 Recalcitrant Monkeys
Guest
Best mullet in Australia Dutski he should keep it until he's 45 even if he goes bald , then it would be the best skullet in Australia.
Tony
Roar Guru
What's the Ken Stephen medal got to do with it GB?
Dutski
Roar Guru
No argument about Papenhuyzen being an amazing fullback but there will never in this lifetime be a point where I will agree that’s a good haircut.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Matt Burton better than Dylan Brown. This is a gee up, has to be.
Chris
Guest
Wow, winger of the year down at 39. Down there in a big group of other grand finalists & grand final winning players. If only you had made up your lists to go with players contract values. These players would be so much cheaper!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Cody Walker is only ranked 38? Seriously? Cody was the 14th highest Try scorer in the NRL in 2022. Ahead of Dylan Brown (33rd) and Jerome Luai (outside top 50). He was also ranked above players who will be in your top 30, James Tedesco (23rd), Cameron Munster (23rd), Joey Manu (36th) and DCE (outside top 50). www.nrl.com/stats/players/?competition=111&season=2022&stat=38 Cody Walker was 3rd for Try Assists (tied with Dally M winner Nicho Hynes. Dylan Brown (11th), Matt Burton (19th) and Jerome Luai (22nd). www.nrl.com/stats/players/?competition=111&season=2022&stat=35 Cody Walker was also ranked 3rdfor Linebreak Assists. Dylan Brown (9th), Viliame Kikau (12th), Matt Burton (18th), Jerome Luai (again didn't even make the top 50!). www.nrl.com/stats/players/?competition=111&season=2022&stat=31 Cody Walker had 1 less line break than Joey Manu and Brian To'o, 3 less than Dylan Brown and Jerome Luai was ranked outside the top 50. www.nrl.com/stats/players/?competition=111&season=2022&stat=30 Cody Walker was ranked 12th for Players in Support. Jerome Luai was 36th and Matt Burton and Dylan Brown didn't make the top 50. www.nrl.com/stats/players/?competition=111&season=2022&stat=1000015 Cody Walker was also the Ken Stephen Medal winner in 2022. How did Luai, Kikau and Burton get rated above Cody Walker?