The top ten centres from the 2024 NRL season

Much like the wing position, I'd argue that the role of the centre has never been more important. The complete, modern day NRL centres are running machines, aggressive in defence, fleet of foot and able to put a winger over the try line in seemingly untouchable circumstances. We are blessed to be enjoying one of the greatest centre crops of all time. Some of the names who missed the cut on this list can consider themselves very unlucky. With that said, below are the Top 10 centres from 2024. MORE: Top 10 Wingers of 2024 MORE: Top 10 Fullbacks of 2024 Again, this is not a list of the top ten centres but is based purely on efforts in 2024. Honourable Mentions: Jake Averillo and Paul Alamoti Bronson Xerri The Bulldogs took a hunt punt on the returning Xerri. Fair to say it paid off. Any worries that he had lost either his speed or abilities were soon put to bed as Xerri hit the ground running in the NSW Cup and quickly returned to the top grade. He managed 19 appearances for the Dogs for 10 tries, four assists, 10 line-breaks, 39 tackle breaks and 145 run metres per game. He'll be better for another off-season also so I am super excited to see what he can produce in 2025. [caption id="attachment_206184" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Bronson Xerri of the Bulldogs runs the ball during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on February 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Joseph Suaalii Rugby's new multi-million dollar man signed off with a more than stellar 2024 season. Unfortunately a lot will be made re his short Origin career but it was just a big hit gone wrong. Just has to be mentioned. For the Roosters he ran out 21 times for five tries, 10 assists, nine line-breaks, 59 tackle breaks and 123 run metres per game. The Roosters are really going to miss his brilliance out wide in 2025. [caption id="attachment_144131" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the Roosters watches on during the warm-up before the round two NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors at Allianz Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Bradman Best Truthfully, if Best plays a further five or six games this season, he will more than likely land much higher. Still, in his 17 games this year, Best was, as the kids say, a "beast!" Seven tries, six assists, 10 line-breaks, 49 tackle breaks and 163 run metres all present a good case but he literally won games for his club this year. Best has two Origin performances and would have scored near perfect 10s on the old Rugby League magazine ratings. [caption id="attachment_152193" align="alignnone" width="696"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Bradman Best of the Knights is tackled by the Panthers defence during the round seven NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Kayal Iro The Sharks rookie was unleashed in 2024 and completely sured up the competition's most hit or miss left edge. Defensively he was a monster, completing 88.5% of his tackles. To compare, Stephen Crichton was under 84, while the other Dally M centre, Herbie Farnworth, was at 89. Elite company. Attacking wise Iro, in 23 games, crossed for six tries, had ten assists, 10 line-breaks, 102 tackle breaks and 161 run metres per game. Iro's inclusion improved the Sharks on both sides of the ball. You can't ask much more from a rookie. [caption id="attachment_208206" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Kayal Iro of the Sharks celebrates scoring a try during the round four NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders at PointsBet Stadium, on March 31, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Joseph Manu Manu signed off of his rugby league career (for now) with a more than solid season. Probably not the most destructive season you've seen from Manu, but that is more of a testament to what he has produced in previous years. His 23 appearances netted ten tries, nine assists, ten line-breaks, 104 tackle breaks and 126 run metres per game. As a league fan, I am so sad to lose this guy to that other code. [caption id="attachment_115343" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs and Joseph Manu of the Roosters shakes hand after the round three NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium, on March 25, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Izack Tago If this list had been compiled ten weeks ago, Tago isn't even making the shortlist. His back end of the season though was absolutely scorching! 26 games for ten tries, seven assists, 14 line-breaks, 74 tackle breaks and 131 run metres per game make for pretty reading. I'd argue, though, that Tago's efforts go well beyond his attack stats. Defensively he had a far superior tackle percentage than the game's best centre Stephen Crichton. At 22 years of age, it's frightening to think what this kid may become! [caption id="attachment_160016" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Izack Tago of the Panthers is congratulated by team mates after scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between the Dolphins and Penrith Panthers at Kayo Stadium on July 16, 2023 in Redcliffe, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Valentine Holmes The Cowboy turned Dragon may have endured a slow start to the season but he flew home! His 24 games saw him score 16 tries, assist 10, make 18 line-breaks, break 92 tackles, run for over 150 metres per game and slot 101 goals. Holmes was on track and dragged his side to the most unlikely of Finals victories until injury ended his season and his Cowboys stint. I fully admit I was a little worried re his move to centre. Safe to say I wasted my energy. Another brilliant season. [caption id="attachment_56951" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Valentine Holmes of the Cowboys passes the ball during the round three NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans at QCB Stadium on May 29, 2020 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Jesse Ramien The Sharks centre must have missed out on Team of the Year honours by the slimmest or margins. Ramien was in everything that was good for the Sharks in 2024. His performances were massive while he also largely cut out the brain snaps of the past. Across his 24 games he crossed for six tries, had 13 try assists, 11 line-breaks, 84 tackle breaks and 163 run metres per game. Unfortunately, Ramien missed some key games for the Sharks, and no one in the squad was capable of covering his absence. That says everything about his talents. [caption id="attachment_50079" align="alignnone" width="696"] 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] Herbie Farnworth Farnworth took a huge punt on himself in heading to the Dolphins. Fair to say that it, thus far, has paid off in a big way. The English superstar was absolutely magic out wide for the Phins. In his 20 games he had eight tries, seven try assists, broke 105 tackles, made 10 line-breaks and ran for 170 metres per game. Honestly I was sure Farnworth would walk into the team of the year, to the point I'll even here an argument that he could be the centre of the year. Farnworth lines up for the English national side having come off a near flawless season, especially the back end. [caption id="attachment_207802" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins takes on the defence during the round one NRL match between the Dolphins and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, on March 10, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Stephen Crichton I was genuinely worried in the pre-season when the world's best centre was rumoured to be switching to fullback. I'm glad he stayed put. Chrichton was massive on and off the field and helped turn the Dogs around. He is the main reason they played Finals footy in 2024. Across his 21 games he crossed for 10 tries, laid on eight try assists, made 42 tackle breaks and ran for almost 115 metres per game. The greatest compliment I can give Chrichton is stating he would walk into any side in the world. Without question! [caption id="attachment_206183" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Stephen Crichton looks on during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on February 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption]