The TEN best locks in the NRL

Top TEN best fullbacks in the NRL Top TEN best wingers in the NRL Top TEN best centres in the NRL Top TEN best five-eighths in the NRL Top TEN best second-rowers in the NRL Cameron McInnes We start the countdown with a controversial one but for mine Cam McInnes suits the Dragons best at lock. When playing at lock he was near flawless and very capable of a top ten spot here. His figures in 2020 were affected by multiple shifts but he averaged 120 running metres per game and made 978 tackles at 95%. For a middle forward/hooker at his size, that stat is ridiculous! [caption id="attachment_43810" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Cameron McInnes of the Dragons makes a break during the round 7 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground on April 25, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] All reports are that he'll move to nine again in 2021 but rumours linking the Dragons to Andrew McCullough indicate a shift for Cam. A shift I'd be making permanent. Nathan Brown The Eels No.13 went from pretty handy first-grader to absolute star across 18 games in 2020 for his club. His efforts were such that he earned an Origin call up. I'm certain he'll now become a regular at the rep level. 158 running metres per game in a powerful pack, Brown broke 22 tackles and had 30 offloads. He made over 1060 post contact metres and made over 90% of his tackles. [caption id="attachment_28230" align="alignnone" width="696"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Nathan Brown of the Eels in action during the round five NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Brown is an absolute weapon in attack and defence. His discipline improved in a big way in 2020 meaning he became the player we all knew he would. Isaah Yeo The undoubted biggest mover in terms of rankings, Isaah Yeo went from dependable lock to genuine weapon for the Panthers. His efforts earned him an Origin jersey that looked a dream heading into the season. [caption id="attachment_34880" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Isaah Yeo of the Panthers tries to evade a tackle during the NRL Semi Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on September 15, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)[/caption] 140 metres per game, and almost 95% tackle completion rate, 37 tackle breaks and a couple of tries round out an incredible season. His effort to set up what was ultimately the winning try in the Prelim sums up his 2020. He was literally everywhere. Jai Arrow Truth be told Jai Arrow probably didn't have the season expected. He was far from terrible, but Arrow's incredible (and well deserved) reputation arguably promised more. Looking at his stats, I feel bad saying what I did, as he still averaged almost 120 metres, made over 90% of his tackles, and made 31 tackle breaks. [caption id="attachment_84797" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jai Arrow of the Maroons and team mates celebrate victory after game three of the State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on November 18, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] That said, he was relegated to the bench during his last month or so at the Titans. I have no doubt that he'll return to his very best in 2021 at the Rabbitohs. He's still a magnificent player and was a monster in the Origin arena. Joseph Tapine The Raiders No.13 had a break-out season in 2020. That's not to say his career to date hasn't been impressive, but last year saw him enter the top level of star. Spending much of the season out wide or coming off the bench, he found his best position in the middle and is surely the Raiders' answer moving forward. 125 metres per game, again remembering the positional switches, 52 tackle breaks and 34 offloads made for awesome reading. Over 1000 post contact metres and over 92% tackle completion rate just rounds out a more than handy lock. https://youtu.be/pjFZcZSCZYY Watch Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws Dale Finucane Finucane doesn't attract the media attention compared to the likes of Smith, Munster and co, however he is just as important to Melbourne's success as anyone else in the squad. Arguably the most underrated player on this list, Finucane is an elite middle forward who fits the Storm system to absolute perfection. [caption id="attachment_46645" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Dale Finucane of the Storm is tackled 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] Almost 120 metres per game, two tries and 91% tackle ability won't grab you mass headlines but those are perfect stats for the role he plays. The pinnacle of consistency and a destined rep footy regular. Jake Trbojevic Jurbo, like most of the big name stars wearing maroon in 2020, fell victim a little to the Sea Eagles' poor season of results. His attacking stats probably don't match that of previous, more successful seasons for the club. [caption id="attachment_32452" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Jake Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles in action during the round 11 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Manly Sea Eagles at Cbus Super Stadium on May 20, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)[/caption] His defence was again absolutely top notch, making just under 95% of his tackles. He still managed 117 metres per game and scored two tries. Trbojevic played big minutes at Origin level and, as expected, certainly didn't let anyone down. Victor Radley To say the Roosters missed their star No.13 this year is putting it very lightly. Radley's injury in Round 7 robbed not only the Tri-colours but also the Blues. He was an absolute certainty to debut in 2021. Radley was on fire in the early rounds. Keeping in mind he was limited to just seven minutes in his seventh game; he averaged 118 metres per game, scored a try, had a try assist and three offloads. [caption id="attachment_34049" align="alignnone" width="696"] 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] The Roosters will become even more dangerous in 2022 with their young star ready to return. Cameron Murray Despite flirting with an early season move to the wider running second row position, Cam Murray has proven again to be an elite level lock forward. Surely any such experiments are left in the past. In a season where his numbers were affected by the early shift, he still managed over 100 metres per game, 23 tackle breaks, 30 offloads, and tackled at over 93%. [caption id="attachment_46538" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Cameron Murray of the Rabbitohs watches on during the round 14 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on June 15, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] I would be absolutely shocked if there is any talk of shifting him back to the second row to accommodate new signing Jai Arrow next season. Murray's as close to the number one lock as anyone is going to get anytime soon. Jason Taumalolo The undisputed No.13 in the game had yet another monster season that no one else could come close to matching. Across 16 games he averaged 207 metres from 17 hit ups per game, broke 53 tackles and recorded 1407 post contact metres. Taumalolo has become an one-man wrecking crew over the past two seasons and is relied on in a huge way. The fact he is capable of such huge numbers despite big minutes and a big defensive workload is testament to just how good he is. [caption id="attachment_44515" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys is tackled by Kevin Proctor of the Titans during the round eight NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans at 1300SMILES Stadium on May 03, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] A long, uninterrupted off-season is exactly what the Cowboys machine needs as I expect 2021 will be a story of much the same for player and club. If any man can single-handedly carry a forward pack though, it's the best lock of the modern era.