Every NRL team's most underrated player

Every NRL side needs superstars. Players who routinely take the game by the scruff of the neck and guide their side home. We're inundated with reports and social media posts about how good the likes of Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco and Harry Grant are. Almost as important though are those players who do their job week-in and week-out, whether or not they attract the plaudits said job deserves. Today is a chance to celebrate those players. The players, I believe to be, underrated by the majority of fans. Let us know below who you believe is the most underrated player in your side: Sydney Roosters Nat Butcher We start with one of the game's most underrated and underappreciated players in the Roosters' Nat Butcher. His late season form was at a level that would have justified a Kangaroo squad call up. [caption id="attachment_34724" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26:Nat Butcher of the Roosters is tackled during the round 12 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans at Central Coast Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Given the larger names in the Roosters pack, such as JWH, Radley and Crichton, Butcher's work goes under the radar far more than it should. He had a career-best year in 2022, with 11 tries, almost 80 metres run per game and a tackle efficiency over 95%. Do not be surprised to see the 25 year-old, Sydney-born Butcher in Origin contention next season. He'll go quietly about his work regardless. Canberra Raiders Jamal Fogarty I don't think I'm speaking out of turn to suggest that Canberra's finals run coincided with the return to the side of Jamal Fogarty. That sounds obvious given his position of halfback, but even when the Raiders were flying it was reported to be on the back of Wighton, Savage, Whitehead and Tapine. [caption id="attachment_114227" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Jamal Fogarty of the Raiders looks on during the NRL Trial Match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders at Central Coast Stadium on February 25, 2022 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Fogarty was one of the form halfbacks in the back-end of the season. You ask a casual viewer of the game though, and they may not even be able to pick him out. If Fogarty had started the season then Canberra would not have been relying on Brisbane to capitulate late on. This despite the lack of attention he receives. Melbourne Storm Reimis Smith When you think of the Storm you think of Grant, Munster, Papenhuyzen and Hughes. You'd likely run down the forwards and Justin Olam before even reaching the Maori All Star representative. [caption id="attachment_103609" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Reimis Smith of the Storm runs with the ball during the round seven NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park, on April 25, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Of course, the Storm missed their megastar fullback following his severe injury but, for mine, they missed Reimis Smith almost as much. His speed, ability to break the line and his defensive expertise were sorely missed as the Storm struggled to settle on a centre anywhere near his talents. As a Sharks fan, I wasn't too cut up about him not being there this season as he feasted on the Sharks twice in 2021. That stuck with me. Hugely underrated talent. Cronulla Sharks Sione Katoa In the Sharks winger we have yet another case of "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". The Sharks fanbase absolutely wished they had him come the Finals. I have no doubt that, had he been on the wing against the Cowboys, the Sharks host a Preliminary Final against the Eels. [caption id="attachment_34867" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Sione Katoa of the Sharks makes a break during the round 15 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Brisbane Broncos at Southern Cross Group Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption] Katoa scores highlight reel tries and is known for his acrobatic finishes, but the bulk of his work comes when bringing the ball out of his own end as a regular feature atop the tackle-breaking charts. The Sharks missed the Tongan international in a big way - but if you ask people to name a Shark, I'd be shocked if his name came up in the first ten. His talents suggest he should. Wests Tigers Alex Twal Alex Twal cops an unfair wrap as just a tackler. Don't get me wrong, defensively he's one of the best in the game, but he offers much more. He was the Tigers' pack leader in the early rounds. He averaged almost 110 metres per game and broke 16 tackles. This coming in just 13 appearances. [caption id="attachment_41407" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Alex Twal of the Tigers makes a break during the round 24 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 23, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Heading back to the defensive side of things, Twal made 408 tackles in 2022, prior to his injury, missing only three. That translates to 99.3% efficiency. Unheard of! There is a joke that Twal is "your favourite Prop's favourite Prop". Given his abilities, he should be many people's favourite Prop. Brisbane Broncos Corey Oates Did you know that Corey Oates scored 20 tries in 2022? That magnificent achievement largely went under the radar in Brisbane due to the performances of the Broncos' other winger. Selwyn Cobbo dominated the headlines but Oates had a wonderful 2022 and almost dragged the Broncos to the Finals even though many of his teammates had seemingly checked out. [caption id="attachment_57134" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Corey Oates of the Broncos celebrates his team's victory during the round nine NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)[/caption] I had to look up whether Oates played Origin this season. He did - Game Three - and he was incredible. Adding to his 20 tries this year, Oates also broke 79 tackles, made 18 line-breaks, and ran for 169 metres per game. Not bad for a player who is forgotten far more than he should be. Newcastle Knights Jackson Hastings Jackson Hastings arrives in the Hunter as the club's most underrated player. He's so underappreciated that the Tigers let him walk away after just one year of his contract. As good as David Klemmer is, the Knights absolutely won this trade. They've banked their first-choice halfback for the next few seasons. [caption id="attachment_36539" align="alignnone" width="696"] Jackson Hastings[/caption] Hastings was ridiculously played out of position at the Tigers. They simply did not realise what they had. He's a playmaker through and through. I guarantee you that no matter how Newcastle travel this season, Hastings will more than do his part. A huge pickup for the blue and red of the Knights. New Zealand Warriors Wayde Egan Full disclosure, Egan was the 11th hooker on my list of top ranked number nines in 2022. Looking back on his stats, I may have done him a disservice by leaving him out of the ten. Truthfully the Warriors were pretty dire in 2022. They absolutely had excuses and did improve upon returning home, but Egan was a very rare constant week-in and week-out. [caption id="attachment_112383" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Wayde Egan of the Warriors breaks through the Panthers defence before scoring a try during the round 18 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, on July 18, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)[/caption] While Shaun Johnson and Reece Walsh provided the highlights, they also turned in shockers, whereas Egan was good at minimum, every week. The 25-year-old had a career-best year and despite playing second fiddle to Johnson and the incoming Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, I fully expect his 2023 to be just as good, if not better. South Sydney Rabbitohs Tevita Tatola Unlike many players on the list, Tatola is talked about. Quite often in fact. That said, he should be talked about in the very elite middle forwards. Tatola absolutely battered the Roosters and Sharks forwards in the Finals in 2022 and was one of Souths' best in a brave effort against the Panthers. [caption id="attachment_36309" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Tevita Tatola of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round 18 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] The fact he is not in very serious Origin consideration for early predicted 2023 teams says it all. He absolutely should be, and right now would be hard done by not to be picked. This time next year, this is not a name I expected to be seen on this list but right now, the world simply isn't high enough on the Rabbitohs' monster middle. Manly Sea Eagles Reuben Garrick Manly's magician winger-turned-fullback may be one of the game's most underrated players. He's certainly Manly's most underappreciated team member. As eye-wateringly brilliant as Tommy Turbo was in 2021, he couldn't do it alone. Garrick was his right-hand man and would have played in the World Cup had it gone ahead as scheduled. [caption id="attachment_47131" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Reuben Garrick of the Sea Eagles celebrates scoring a try during the round 18 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Parramatta Eels at Lottoland on July 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Forced into a move to fullback in 2022, Garrick was routinely one of Manly's best as the club fell apart around him. He ultimately fell away late also, probably through utter exhaustion. I'm really looking forward to his rumoured move into the centres in 2023. Manly need him on the ball more if they're to return to Finals footy. Gold Coast Titans Beau Fermor When you think of Titans forwards, one of two names come to mind; David Fifita or Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Based on 2022 form, Fermor should be one of those two named. Despite crossing for 11 tries, making 10 line-breaks and running for 116 metres per game in 2022 all the talk was "Fifita this, Fifita that". [caption id="attachment_120878" align="alignnone" width="696"] COFFS HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 18: Beau Fermor of the Titans watches on during the round 15 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans at , on June 18, 2022, in Coffs Harbour, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Fermor started to get his due late-on in the season, but with Felise Kaufusi hitting his 30s, Queensland may opt for a younger option moving forward. Fermor should be in contention. At only 24 year's of age, the sky's the limit for Fermor. He seems content to work under the radar of his two renowned teammates. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Jake Averillo The Bulldogs youngster (he's only 22 years of age) had a brilliant 2022 season. For mine he was easily within the top 10 performers at fullback. Comments on the ZeroTackle Instagram largely disagreed, making his choice here a no-brainer. Averillo is the very personification of underrated. [caption id="attachment_82521" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Jake Averillo of the Bulldogs is tackled by Royce Hunt of the Sharks during the round six NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium on June 21, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Junior dominated the headlines in 2022 for the blue and whites, but Averillo should have also been in headlines. His shift to fullback largely kickstarted the Bulldogs return to form. He played with great freedom under Michael Potter and looks set for a huge 2023. North Queensland Cowboys Peta Hiku If this list was written 12 months ago, pretty much the entire Cowboys side could have been considered underrated. Now, not so much. That said, one player who just doesn't attract anywhere near the attention he should comes in the form of Peta Hiku. [caption id="attachment_125891" align="alignnone" width="696"] MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 26: Peta Hiku of the Cowboys catches the ball during the NRL Trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos at BB Print Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Take this example; the Cowboys semi-final win over the Sharks. All everyone was talking about were the spine players and Taumalolo. Meanwhile, Hiku ran for a game high 314 metres and tore the Sharks to shreds. I scrunched my nose at the signing of Hiku. He fed me serving after serving of piping hot crow and now sits as one of the game's most underrated centres. Parramatta Eels Shaun Lane Shaun Lane should have been on that plane to England for the World Cup. He was one of the game's elite wide-running second-rowers yet still remains an under the radar player. His 2022 was massive. He was probably the standout in a pack that contained the names Papali'i, Paulo, Campbell-Gillard and Matterson. [caption id="attachment_47602" align="alignnone" width="696"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Shaun Lane of the Parramatta Eels runs the ball during the round 7 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] The Blues have an all-star forward pack but surely there is a spot for the Eels monster. This despite his name not appearing in many pundits' top forward lists. Lane has promised so much for so long, but in 2022 he delivered. I don't expect him to remain underrated for long, with many to jump on the bandwagon in 2023. Penrith Panthers Moses Leota Every single member of the Panthers side is, rightfully, held in high regard. It's hard to come up with a name here. Or at least it should be. Moses Leota stands as that very player. I could name 12 of the Panthers starting 13 for the Grand Final without any thought at all. Leota took me a few seconds. [caption id="attachment_37276" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Moses Leota of the Panthers celebrates after scoring a try during the round four NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Penrith Panthers at 1300SMILES Stadium on March 29, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] This entry comes more so via the fact his teammates are flashy, world class superstars rather than anything negative on Leota's part. Leota's efforts in the decider were mammoth, and rumours are he may be on the move in the near future. 10-or-so sides should be knocking door his door to obtain his signature. St George Illawarra Dragons Moses Suli The Dragons have two class centres. One played for the PM's 13 against PNG, but the other had a far superior season in every single way. Suli was one of the Dragons' best in 2022. Outside of the near flawless Ben Hunt, it's tough to actually name a player who performed better consistently. Maybe Jaydn Su'A - but that's it. [caption id="attachment_120476" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Moses Suli of the Dragons passes as he is tackled during the round four NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, on April 03, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] The Dragons centre finally lived up to his undoubted promise in 2022 before injury cruelled his back-end to the season. That leads me to believe his credit will come in 2023, but for now Suli remains criminally underrated. He has put all the issues behind him and now looks for an Origin-quality 2023. The Dolphins Jeremy Marshall-King The Dolphins have made some handy signings, some head-scratchers and a few absolute beauties. In the latter category falls Jeremy Marshall-King. JMK was brilliant for the Dogs in 2022 and really made that number nine jersey his own, earning himself the George Peponis Bulldogs Player of the Year award. [caption id="attachment_47577" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jeremy Marshall-King of the Bulldogs celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the round 21 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is arguably the most exciting name to be added to the club's inaugural roster, but I'd argue JFM is right behind him. He's another player I believe will exit this list moving forward. If he continues his rapid growth, he'll be one of those names the kids have printed across their jerseys in years to come.

Every NRL team’s most underrated player

We’ve analysed all 17 team lists to compile this collection of the game’s most under-rated stars.

The Dolphins

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