NRL Rookie Team of the Year

Here is Zero Tackle's NRL Rookie Team of the Year for the 2018 season. Players who played more than ten first grade games prior to this season were not eligible for this list. Fullback: Kalyn Ponga This generations version of the Bulldogs opting not to re-sign Johnathan Thurston to retain older talent, the North Queensland Cowboys will rue the day they allowed ‘KP’ to walk for the next ten plus year. At just twenty years of age, the talented fullback sits tenth in the NRL for try assists (14), third for tackle breaks (108), third for line break assists (19) and 17th for line breaks (14). In his first full season of first grade, Ponga has already represented Queensland at State of Origin level, was at the overwhelming favourite, at one stage this season, for the Dally M Medal and is tipped to represent the Australian Kangaroos at season's end. [caption id="attachment_33671" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Kalyn Ponga of the Knights in action during the round 13 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Wing: Jamayne Isaako At this point in the season, Isaako is currently favoured to walk away with the official Rookie of the Year moniker at the end of the year. Having developed himself into one of the better wingers this season, Isaako has scored 10 tries, kicked 86 goals (with an impressive percentile of 84.3%) and kicked a lone field goal to sit atop of the point scorers list with 213. Having bulked up in the off-season, Isaako was ready to cement a position in the Broncos top 17. His added size has proven to be a great asset to both himself and Brisbane with the powerful winger recording 50 tackle busts this season along with an average of 95 run metres per game. [caption id="attachment_34512" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Jamayne Isaako of the Broncos scores a try during the round 11 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Centre: Jesse Ramien Having scored 10 tries in 18 appearances this season, Ramien has proven himself to be a strike centre for the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. Another contender for Rookie of the Year honours in 2018, the 21-year-old has averaged 105 metres per game throughout the season, recorded 50 tackle busts along with ten-line breaks and three try assists. [caption id="attachment_35043" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Jesse Ramien of the Sharks watches on during the round 14 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Wests Tigers at Southern Cross Group Stadium on June 10, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Five Eighth: Lachlan Lewis Lachlan Lewis saved Canterbury from the wooden spoon this season, plain and simple. Probably the most impressive rookie to come out of the 2018 season thus far, Lewis would have been a lock for the Rookie of the Year award had he not debuted so late into the season. The Bulldogs have won five of their eight wins this season in the 22-year-olds eight appearances. In those eight games, Lewis has controlled the contest as though he has had 100 first grade caps under his belt. Lewis has recorded six tries, scored one himself, kicked a match winning field goal, provided three-line break assists and broken six tackles. [caption id="attachment_34824" align="alignnone" width="937"] Lachlan LewisSource: Twitter @FOXNRL[/caption] Halfback: Jake Clifford Jake Clifford came of age last week against the Parramatta Eels. Laying on three try assists, Clifford put in one of the better solo efforts all season. In his six appearances, his unconventional kicking game has provided teams with headaches and has proven to be one of the better kicks in the entirety of the competition. Not afraid to overcall the legendary Johnathan Thurston, Clifford has averaged 30 touches, and 150 kick metres per game this season. [caption id="attachment_36110" align="alignnone" width="1024"] CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Jake Clifford of the Cowboys scores a try during the NRL trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers at Barlow Park on February 17, 2018 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Prop: Alex Twal The argument could be made that Alex Twal is Wests best prop. Averaging 10 run metres for 92 metres per contest, Twal provides the Tigers better than the clubs respective starters – Russell Packer (8.1 runs per game for 67 metres) and Ben Matulino (10.1 runs per game for 89 metres). Twal has already represented Lebanon but if he continues on this current path, bigger and better things are on the horizon for him. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] 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] Hooker: Manase Fainu Following the season ending injury to Apisai Koroisau, Fainu was thrust into first grade in Round 16. Fainu hasn’t missed a match since and averages an impressive 65 minutes per game so early into his first-grade career and in an unforgiveable position. In his eight appearances, Fainu has recorded 14 tackle breaks, 13 offloads, three try assists, two-line breaks and a try. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Manase Fainu of the Sea Eagles is tackled 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] Second Row: Rhyse Martin Another player who is a favourite for the top gong in 2018. Possibly Canterbury’s best player throughout the 2018 season, since bursting onto the scene in Round Nine, Martin has appeared 13 times for the Dogs’. The Bulldogs have benefited from Martin’s strong output this season with 11 runs per game for 93 metres and an average of 30.2 tackles per game. Taking over goal kicking duties shortly after his debut, Martin has kicked 33 goals out of 34 attempts for a success rate of 97%. [caption id="attachment_35003" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Rhyse Martin of the Bulldogs converts a try during the round 17 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Canberra Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground on July 7, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)[/caption] Lock: Victor Radley Victor Radley would win the fans choice award for Rookie of the Year, however; he is ineligible due to suspension. Gaining a cult following thanks to his fearless defensive technique which has provided viewers with some of the biggest hits of the year, the lightweight forward has become a household name in 2018. [caption id="attachment_34049" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26:Victor Radley of the Roosters in action 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] Interchange: Alexander Brimson Alex Brimson has been a shining light for the Gold Coast Titans this season. Since his debut in Round 10, Brimson hasn’t missed a game since and has become one of the first names to be penned on the team list. Brimson has recorded 35 tackle breaks, seven-line breaks, six tries, three offloads, three-line break assists and two try assists this season. [caption id="attachment_36010" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Alexander Brimson of the Titans makes a break during the round 24 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Honourable Mention: Tevita Tatola One of only a handful or debutants to have appeared in all 23 of his club’s games this season, Tevita Tatola has provided the Rabbitohs with some real punch off the interchange bench this season. [caption id="attachment_32456" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Tevita Tatola of the Rabbitohs is tackled during the round three NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium on March 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption]

NRL Rookie Team of the Year

11. Honourable Mention: Tevita Tatola

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		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	PEN	12	11	1	24	205
2	NZW	12	9	3	20	154
3	SYD	11	7	4	18	47
4	NEW	12	8	4	18	34
5	MAN	12	7	5	16	103
6	SOU	11	6	5	16	58
7	DOL	11	6	5	16	51
8	CRO	11	6	5	16	40