Over the past 26 rounds we have seen some amazing football.
I can’t remember a season with so many brilliant tries, especially in terms of individual brilliance.
Nor can I remember a season where young players made such a big impact so quickly.
Although the Dally M medal is likely to go around the neck of a certain Cowboys halfback for the second year in a row, some of the positional awards will be hotly debated.
Below is the side I believe to be the team of the 2015 season:
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa Sheck (Roosters)
Andrew McFadden and Warriors fans can’t hide their smiles as they look forward to welcome RTS into their number one jersey next season. The Roosters fullback has produced some incredible performances this year, and edges the likes of James Tedesco and Josh Dugan to the fullback of the year award. Despite spending his first full year in the custodian position, RTS shapes as the Roosters most potent weapon in the upcoming finals.
Runner up: James Tedesco
Wing: Semi Radradra (Eels)
The flying Fijian topped the try scoring charts in 2015 with an amazing 24 tries from just 18 games. To say the Eels had a disappointing season is being kind, however it was not due to a lack of potency on their left wing. Eels fans raise to their feet every time the giant winger touches the ball, and for good reason. If he’s not scoring tries he’s busting tackles or making breaks. Curtis Rona has a brilliant season, but in terms of left wingers, Semi is the man.
Runner up: Curtis Rona
Centre: Jarrod Croker (Raiders)
The Raiders captain ended the season as the top point scorer with an amazing 236 points, 10 clear of his nearest rival James Maloney. Croker managed to score 12 tries, but it was the mark improvement in his defence that saw Croker become a far better player in 2015. Being called up to represent country was a well-earned sign of how highly he is regarded. James Roberts early season form had him at very short odds to capture a positional award, however Croker’s consistency in the later rounds sees him win out.
Runner up: James Roberts
Centre: Will Chambers (Storm)
Will Chambers is another player who seems to get better with every passing year. He was QLD’s best in Origin one, despite being overlooked for man of the match honours. The Storm have long relied on their big three, however Chambers is definitely the fourth star in the Melbourne side. Michael Jennings had yet another brilliant season, but it was Chambers who stood tall at right centre.
Runner up: Michael Jennings
Wing: Valentine Holmes (Sharks)
20 year-old Valentine Holmes had a massive hand in turning the Sharks from wooden spoon certainties to a team that fell just two points sure of a top four finish. His speeds, flair, and creativity has given the Sharks an attacking option they have not had for many years out wide. He was one of the very few wingers to get the best of Semi Radradra in 2015. Holmes was able to slot three high pressure field goals, where many would have wilted under the pressure. Top scorer for the Sharks with 16 tries, the sky if the limit for this young star.
Runner up: Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Five-Eighth: James Maloney (Roosters)
James Maloney has had arguably his best year to date. Plenty predicted a struggle for the Roosters number six after his halves partner went down injured, however if anything he has thrived under the increased pressure. If you had a large wager on a conversion being landed, it’s Maloney who would be lining it up. Michael Morgan and Blake Austin has brilliant seasons, but Maloney led his side to the minor premiership under huge pressure.
Runner up: Michael Morgan
Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Although the likes of Maloney and RTS will be close, Thurston is at very short odds to add to this three Dally M medals. At his best, there is no more destructive player in rugby league. Unfortunately for the majority of the Cowboys opponents this season, Thurson has rarely been down on his best. His running game is second to none, his kicking game is almost perfect, and he’s capable of putting on game changing hits. The complete player. Ben Hunt has been incredible all season, but there is no doubt Thurston has been the best player in the game this year, regardless of position.
Runner up: Ben Hunt
Prop: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)
The Roosters big man announced himself as one of the top three props in the game with his efforts this season. Unfortunately his season is over due to injury, but not before trampling over the majority of his opposite front rowers in 2015. Has cut a lot of niggle out of his game and has emerged a better player for it. Ben Matulino has matched JWH’s consistency this season, but the Roosters enforcer has set the Roosters on their way and has turned them into an almost unmatchable force.
Runner up: Ben Matulino
Hooker: Michael Ennis (Sharks)
The Sharks number nine has completely transformed the attitude within his squad. Last year the Sharks were dominated up front and lost the mental battle in the majority of their games. Although they missed the top four, the Sharks are no longer mental pushovers thanks to their niggly number nine. His ability to lift players around him, combined with the incredible amount of tries he has contributed to, make him one of the buys of the season. In any other year Jake Granville would have coasted to the honour.
Runner up: Jake Granville
Prop: Jesse Bromwich (Storm)
Rounding out an all New Zealand front row, the Storm big man has produced a downright scary 2015. If Chambers has made it the Storm big four, Bromwich rounds of their best five. He routinely made well over 100 metres and his offloads have led to second phase play that allows the Storm to get a roll on. One of the best defensive front rowers in the competition, and willing to do plenty of work. Kasiano has produced plenty of highlights but has been too inconsistent to truly trouble his fellow Kiwi front rower. New Zealand have some intimidating front rowers.
Runner up: Sam Kasiano
Second Row: Josh Jackson (Bulldogs)
A NSW Origin jersey was just reward for a brilliant 2015. No play better sums up the player Josh Jackson is other than his last minute tackle to stop a rampaging Solomone Kata to ensure the Dogs finished fifth. Has filled in at numerous positions for the Dogs which showcases his versatility. Has a huge future ahead of him, but will do well to produce a better season than he did in 2015. Bryce Cartwright provided plenty of highlights but must find consistency next year.
Runner up: Bryce Cartwright
Second Row: Gavin Cooper (Cowboys)
Although Thurston, Coote, Granville and Morgan will attract the attention and earn the plaudits, Gavin Cooper is the unsung hero of the Cowboys 2015 campaign. He made a mountain of tackles, and metres, and managed to score some important tries. His combination with Thurston is up there with the game’s best. Wade Graham produced his career best year, and if continues to improve, is not far away from an Origin jersey.
Runner up: Wade Graham
Lock: Corey Parker (Broncos)
Everyone knows the expression re the fine wine getting better with age. Corey Parker is the personification of that very expression. After a fairly average 2014, Parker has thrived under the direction of Wayne Bennett this season. Man of the series in the State Of Origin, Parker is one of the key ingredients as the Broncos search for the title. Cowboys hitman Jason Taumalolo has had the season everyone expected and has a brilliant career ahead of him.
Runner up: Jason Taumalolo
Coach: Trent Robinson (Roosters)
The Roosters have a brilliant roster, but it is Trent Robinson who brings it altogether. The way he has led the club in the face of serious allegations and a late-season injury crisis is downright incredible. A fair few pundits had the Roosters slipping after losing a certain second row superstar, but if anything their game has evolved. His leading his side to a third straight minor premiership was enough to edge Bennett for the honour.
Runner up: Wayne Bennett
Rookie Of The Year: Jack Bird (Sharks)
In a season that has featured many young stars emerging such as Elgey, Mbye, Lolohea, Kata and Trbojevic, it is the Sharks youngster who takes the cake. The Sharks season looked done and dusted after they fell to a fourth straight defeat to the Titans. Enter Jack Bird, playing out of position, to single-handedly deliver an against-all-odds win over the Roosters. Bird has played well beyond his years and experience, and should only improve once he moved to his favoured centre position. Lolohea made a late run for the honour, but the Warriors form arguably cost him a real shot.
Runner up: Tuimoala Lolohea
Buy Of The Year: Blake Austin (Raiders)
Canberra’s recruitment failures were well published last year, but all has been forgotten on the back of some brilliant signings, led by the brilliant Blake Austin. He was the in-form five-eighth in the competition for the early rounds of the competition, and although he fell away slightly toward the end of the year, he should be very happy with his 2015. His running game is arguably the top across the competition for number sixes. Michael Ennis and Anthony Milford probably share second place, but in terms of value, none have been any better than the Raiders number six.
Runner up: Michael Ennis
