Over the years, the NRL has a lot of players that have made a habit of finding themselves in open space and scoring tries. Nathan Merrit, Manu Vatuvei, Billy Slater, Akuila Uate and more recently, Semi Radradra.
There is a new breed of young try scorers in the game now and they will all be pushing for the mantle that has been held by some of the game's best.
Read on for my bold prediction of 2018's Top 10 Try Scorers, with a few surprises and some notable omissions.
10. Peta Hiku (2017 Rank: N/A)
Undoubtedly a huge smoky but let's not forget back in 2014 Hiku dotted over for 17 tries.
He should slot onto the wing in a dangerous backline for the Warriors with the added stability of Blake Green. Time to scrape out the coin jar and wager on Hiku barnstorming his way into the Top 10?
9. Alex Johnston (2017 Rank: 2nd)
Johnston jagged second spot in 2017 thanks to a 5 try haul at the tail end of the 2017 season. He has a proven track record when it comes to bagging tries.
Set to see out the year in the Number 1 jumper, he drops down on the list for that reason alone.
8. Jordan Rapana (2017 Rank: 3rd)
While we can't see Canberra challenging the top four this year, Rapana seems to have the innate ability to find the line. Much will depend on the form of the ‘Liepana’ edge combo.
He should rack up well over a dozen four-pointers for the year and comfortably into the Top 10.
7. Latrell Mitchell (2017 Rank: 11th)
Off the junk food and looking lean and hungry for work, we are anticipating a huge break out year for the youngster with a try-scoring tally to match.
With the added incentive of a possible Origin berth, Mitchell could very well challenge the top guns. Watch this space.
6. Sione Katoa (2017 Rank: N/A)
Cronulla like to play expansive football and boom rookie Katoa has the raw talent to reap the rewards.
With his finishing prowess and his ability to spark his own raids, we have Katoa marked as the biggest mover and shaker in the try-scoring stakes.
5. Suliasi Vunivalu (2017 Rank: 1st)
Its hard to imagine Vunivalu not being in the Top 3 based on last years stats, but a number of factors lead us to believe he will get knocked of the top perch for 2018.
The Fijian flyers will certainly cross the chalk, but we have him missing out on a few due to the straight hard running of Brodie Croft.
4. James Roberts (2017 Rank: 8th)
Another one pushing for Origin selection, Roberts is hoping for a big year and we believe he is gonna reap the rewards outside a fit Jack Bird to improve significantly on last year’s tally of 16.
3. James Tedesco (2017 Rank: 50+)
Teddy was nowhere to be seen on last years top try scorer list owing to a struggling Tigers outfit along with injury and Origin duties. On the back of a Cronk directed backline and a forward pack with some serious go forward we are anticipating big things for Teddy in 2018.
2. Josh Ado-Carr (2017 Rank: 5th)
Along with his fellow wingman Vunivalu, Josh Addo-Carr is sure to feature at the end of many Melbourne storms raids. Another with his hat in the ring come Origin time.
We have him topping the charts for the Storm and therefore landing at Number 2 for the year.
1. Tom Trbojevic (2017 Rank: 18th)
Injuries ruined what was looking like a massive 2017 for Tommy Turbo. He'll lose the odd game to certain Origin selection but with the rejigged bye schedule we can still see the afterburners firing up for what could be his best season to date. Turbo rockets up our list and into the number one spot.
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