Each year in the NRL, a number of players have excellent seasons but fail to make the finals.
This is disappointing for the players and fans alike as many of these players certainly deserve to be there.
Here are our best 17 players that will not take part in the 2017 finals series.
Fullback – James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
James Tedesco was huge in an average side once again in 2017. A strong ball running ability when combined with try saving defence has made Tedesco one of the best fullbacks in the competition.
Winger 1 – Nathan Ross (Newcastle Knights)
Nathan Ross continues to develop as a player. Always plays his heart out and 2017 was no different with Ross being a key member of the Newcastle side before his season was ended prematurely.
Centre 1 – Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Dane Gagai has consistently performed well for Newcastle despite being in an outplayed side quite often. Just short of 3000 running metres proves what a huge effort he put in for the Knights in 2017.
Centre 2 – Jarrod Croker (Canberra Raiders)
2017 was another strong season for the Raiders captain who finished with 9 tries, 10 line breaks and 7 try assists. Finished third on points scored due to his impressive goal kicking.
Winger 2 – Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders)
Though the Raiders failed to make the finals in 2017, Jordan Rapana was as deadly a finisher as he was in 2016. He finished the season with 21 tries, the third highest in the competition and had 24 line breaks – more than any other player.
Five-Eighth – Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Walker has performed well in a Rabbitohs side that has been disappointing. 18 try assists, the equal second highest in the league were backed up with 16 linebreaks and 6 tries.
Halfback - Ashley Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)
Ashley Taylor finished the regular season equal first for try assists with 19, an impressive statistic given how disjointed the Titans were in 2017. At only 22 years of age, he will continue to improve.
Front Row 1 – Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Ricky Stuart may be regretting letting Paul Vaughan go to the Dragons as the prop has run for over 3000 metres and scored an incredible 8 tries. He will likely play Origin next year if his form continues.
Hooker – Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Cameron McInnes tops the NRL top tacklers leaderboard in 2017 with more than 1100 tackles, the only player to break the 1000 mark. Add to this some quality service and a vastly improving running game and it is easy to see why McInnes had such a good season.
Front Row 2 – Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
More than 3300 running metres and a good offloading ability mean that Aaron Woods remains one of the best props in the NRL. Always leads the way for the Tigers.
Second Row 1 – Angus Crichton (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Angus Crichton has been a breakout star in 2017 and was one of the Rabbitohs best forwards, his 2600+ running metres going nicely with 7 tries and nearly 700 tackles in his first full season.
Second Row 2 – Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Tyson Frizell has continued his growth as a player in 2017. Used primarily as an impact player the Dragons, NSW and Australia lift thanks to his strong runs and continual 100% effort.
Lock – David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
David Klemmer is one of the most dangerous players in the game with the ball in hand. Each team he plays for are better with him on the field due to his ability to terrorise opposition defence.
Interchange 1 – Jarrod Wallace (Gold Coast Titans)
Jarrod Wallace has worked extremely hard in 2017, his 2800 running metres and 700 tackles in only 21 games demonstrating why he was selected for Queensland.
Interchange 2 – James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs)
James Graham was solid once again for the Bulldogs, providing go forward and strong defence in a team that often lost their way. His leadership in the side cannot be understated.
Interchange 3 – Jack de Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Jack de Belin has been great for the Dragons once again this season. 3000+ running metres and almost 800 tackles when paired with his ball playing skills and offload ability make him a great competitor.
Interchange 4 – Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors)
One of the top tacklers in 2017, Simon Mannering is one of few consistent players for the New Zealand Warriors and more than 2600 running metres along with nearly 950 tackles proves that.
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