Following the passionate response to our statistics based team of the year so far, we thought it was time to pick a totally subjective side.
When commenting please keep in mind that the thing with selective sides is just that, they’re selective. It really depends on which aspects a person feels is more important than others.
The criteria for this was easy. They are the players I believe have performed the best over the opening rounds in each position. The bench, unlike the previously named side, is made up of four run-on players who I believe could have easily made the run on side.
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters)
There have been plenty of positional changes this season. Ben Barba and Anthony Milford to the halves, Hopoate to fullback etc, and although some have been more successful than others, it has been RTS’s move to fullback which has been the most successful. He has recorded incredible metre making stats from the back, and has looked right at home. It’s a shame after bringing him through the ranks that the Roosters will lose him at season’s end, as it looked as though they had nailed down a ten year fullback. RTS has been slightly ahead of Josh Dugan, who could have very easily filled this spot.
Wing: Marika Koroibete (Storm)
Although his levels of performance over the past few weeks have not been overly exciting, he absolutely electrified the early rounds of the competition. His ability to break tackles from kick returns, and turn defence in attack were key to the Storm’s early season form. He has suffered an injury and will miss the next six weeks, which could halt his momentum, or could freshen him up for a return prior to the finals. Anthony Don and Valentine Holmes were close inclusions, but none have impacted their sides as much as Koro.
Centre: Will Chambers (Storm)
His 2015 form has earned him both Origin and test jumpers and has placed him amongst the elite outside backs in the competition. I’m still shocked he was not man of the match for Origin one following his brilliant performance. There was a slight fear that the Storm could go backwards this season and fail to score the amount of points needed, but Chambers and the aforementioned Koroibete have been brilliant in scoring points, and in Chamber’s case preventing them. Arguably the form centre of the competition.
Centre: James Roberts (Titans)
If Chambers is not the form centre, then the Titan’s James Roberts certainly is. In my opinion the quickest man in the competition, he has absolutely carved up opposition defences in 2015. The way he turned Bryson Goodwin inside out last weekend was a perfect summation of his attacking prowess. His ability to read the game and take interceptions has also been a key attacking weapon. In the clear, there is no one that can catch him. He and Chambers beat the likes of Gagai to the spots.
Wing: Curtis Rona (Bulldogs)
The competition’s leading try scorer has done far more than just catch the ball and fall over the line for the Bulldogs. He has arguably been their best player this season. Has made a mountain of difficult metres, and has converted half chances, and even made them look easy at times. His position was under threat pre-season with the amount of backs on the books at the Dogs, but there is no doubt he is the form winger of the competition right now. He will score plenty more tries too.
Five-Eighth: Blake Austin (Raiders)
To be honest I cannot believe Blake Austin was not there for Origin One. He has been arguably the form five-eighth of the competition, despite his side not setting the game on fire. He has completely transformed the attack of the Raiders, and has added a steel in defence that was sadly lacking in 2014. Canberra lead the competition in terms of points scored, and Austin has had a huge role to play in achieving that. I know plenty of Tigers fans who are, as they were when he announced his move, still shocked that he was allowed to walk away from the club. Just beats Michael Morgan and Gareth Widdop.
Halfback: Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Although Benji Marshall is leading the Dally M count at this stage, no player has been more influential this season than Thurston. 15 try assists, and 16 line break assists see him head and shoulders in front of anyone else in terms of scoring plays. There was a thought after the first three rounds that Thurston may be in for a quiet season. It has certainly not turned out that way. Not only has he lead the Cowboys on their incredible run of victories, but he also helped lead QLD to an Origin One victory at ANZ Stadium. He is the form player of the competition for mine. Pipped the likes of Marshall and Pearce.
Prop: Jesse Bromwich (Storm)
The Storm and Kiwi big man has been an absolute wrecking ball so far in 2015. He has carried on his impressive 2014 form, and has even lifted a gear, to be one of the top three or four props in the game. His metres made stats have been immense and his defence has been almost flawless. He is big, fast, and as aggressive as they come, without being over the top. He’s the modern day blue print of a front rower. His form puts him just ahead of Matt Scott and James Tamou, who have both been massive in 2015.
Hooker: Jake Granville (Cowboys)
This was easily the toughest position to fill, but Jake Granville has outplayed the likes of Peats, Ennis, and Hodgson to earn his position. He does not get the credit he deserves and is often outshone by his superstar halves pairing but he has been a giant at 9 for the red-hot Cowboys. He would be up there with Austin and Soliola as the buy of the season. His hattrick against the Warriors included a late match winner. One of the most underrated players in the game, but having an absolute break out season.
Prop: Aaron Woods (Tigers)
Another prop who just edges out the Cowboys pair. Woods has been a one man army at times for the Tigers, and has recorded some ridiculous numbers. Probably lacks the game breaking ability of the likes of Scott, Fifita and Bromwich, but his effort is second to none. He has limited his errors and looks the complete player. Would have been one of the first players chosen for Origin duty. The fact the other Tigers forwards haven’t been brilliant probably means he stands out more than Scott, who takes his place in a dominant Cowboys pack, but there wouldn’t be many begrudging Woods his spot.
Second Row: Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
All looked lost for Thaiday following his public grilling post round one. His response to Bennett’s harsh words were that of a champion, using them as motivation rather than sulking and looking for a release. The Broncos have fired since their first up hammering to the Bunnies, and Thaiday can take a great deal of credit for his efforts. Another player who seems to get better with age and experience, it would be border line criminal for the Broncos not to re-sign him for next season and beyond.
Second Row: Tyson Frizell (Dragons)
One of the surprise packs of the season in a side full of them. Tyson Frizell has been incredible across all aspects of the game. His is carving defences apart, breaking tackles with ease, and is cutting attackers in half with his brutal defence. A future NSW rep, and a former Welsh international, we may be yet to see the best of this talented back-rower just yet, which is a scary thought. He was a stand out last season in a pretty poor Dragons side. This year however he has lifted his game and is flying high along with his side.
Lock: Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
Although he missed a few weeks through injury, Taumalolo has been damaging in the games he has played, totally justifying the big money contract extension he secured with the Cowboys. I don’t like comparing young players to others, but the SBW comparisons look on the mark. There is literally nothing this kid can’t do. The fact he is still only 22 years-old is frightening. Shaun Johnson aside, there is no player more important to the future of Kiwi rugby league. A brilliant player.
Interchange: Ben Matulino (Warriors)
The Warrior man mountain has been the most consistent performer in a side known for inconstancy all season. He has dominated opposition big men and makes metres even in defence. You have to be having a special season to be chosen ahead of Matt Scott, and Matulino is having just that.
Interchange: Iosia Soliola (Raiders)
Pre-season there was absolutely no chance that Soliola, as solid as he is, was ever likely to jag a spot in the team of the year so far, but he has absolutely shone for the Raiders in 2015. His defence has been scary, and his ability to offload in tackles after bending a defensive line has been worth its weight in gold. He and club-mate Blake Austin would battle Granville for the buy of the year. His consistency sees him just ahead of Simon Mannering for the spot.
Interchange: Joel Thompson (Dragons)
Another surprise packet at the Dragons, Joel Thompson has gone from solid first grader to NSW future rep player. Whether he is riding the momentum of his red-hot side, or he is responsible for the momentum, is an argument I have seen online, but no one can doubt his performances. I can certainly see why Canberra were so eager for him to return to the capital.
Interchange: Benji Marshall (Dragons)
As mentioned, Benji is leading the Dally M charts and is picked ahead of Michael Morgan for this side. His efforts this year have absolutely obliterated those of his return season, and he shapes as a genuine match winner in a side that could very well shock the world.
