The top ten halfbacks from the 2024 NRL season

There is no more important position in rugby league than the halfback. The difference between an average, or even good halfback and an elite halfback but create a massive gap between sides. This is going to be a difficult list to compile due to a number of top tier halfbacks having suffered long term injuries in 2024. Please remember that this list is based purely on 2024 performances. Below are the top ten halfbacks from 2024: Honourable Mentions: Shaun Johnson, Jamal Fogarty Mitchell Moses I am going to largely ignore my own rules here and name Moses in the top ten despite only running out for eight NRL games and two Origin games. Let's be frank here though, his inclusion saw the Blues end their Origin series loss streak. He was also there for everything that was good for the Eels. In his eight NRL games he scored four tries, had four assists, five line-break assists, nine forced dropouts, 470 average kick metres, just under 90 run metres and even broke 12 tackles. Throw in an Origin best on ground, leading his side to an Origin series win and a debut for the Kangaroos and I'll see you in the comments! [caption id="attachment_211674" align="alignnone" width="696"] Mitchell Moses. (Photo: Joshua Davis)[/caption] Kieran Foran The Titans veteran turned back the clock in 2024 in leading the Titans with class. He managed 21 games in 2024 for two tries, 15 try assists, 17 line-break assists, 10 forced dropouts, almost 300 kick metres per game and tackled at almost 85%. Foran signed a well-earned extension for 2025. Over the past four years Foran has played 25, 24, 20 and 21 games. Not bad for someone who is supposedly "injury prone". [caption id="attachment_126016" align="alignnone" width="696"] Gold Coast Titan's Kieran Foran (Image: Gold Coast Titans Twitter)[/caption] Isaiya Katoa Dolphins youngster Isaiya Katoa played well beyond his years in just his second year of NRL action. In 22 games he crossed for a pair of tries, had 10 try assists, 13 line-break assists, forced six dropouts, kicked for over 450 metres per game, ran for 80 metres per game and tackled at 85%. At 20 years of age, Katoa is very much the future of the halfback position. His start to the season was so encouraging that he signed a long-term extension to remain the face and chief playmaker for the NRL's newest club. [caption id="attachment_207578" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Isaiya Katoa of the Dolphins warms up prior to the round 24 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Dolphins at Allianz Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)[/caption] Nicho Hynes Rugby league fans have a short memory. All the garbage that comes about due to Hynes late season struggled seem to overpower his ridiculous start to the season. Hynes, plagued by a horror injury managed 18 games for two tries, 13 try assists, 14 line-break assists, over 105 run metres per game and a tackle percentage of over 90%. He was one game off the Dally M lead prior to his Origin selection, which for the second straight season derailed both he and the Sharks. The off-season should allow Hynes to re-find himself and silence those lazy critics who can't look past a slow end to the season. [caption id="attachment_210886" align="alignnone" width="696"] Nicho Hynes. (Photo: Joshua Davis)[/caption] Te Maire Martin Shaun Johnson's late heroics largely stole the headlines but the efforts of Te Maire Martin was the main man in Warriors colours this season. His 16 games saw him cross for five tries, lay on 16 try assists, create 14 line-breaks, force eight dropouts, run for over 80 metres per game and tackle at over 86%. The Warriors massively underperformed in 2024 but it certainly had little to do with TMM's efforts. I'd argue he looked better in the seven than Johnson. A potential halves combination with Luke Metcalf next season is one that excited this rugby league fan. [caption id="attachment_160952" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Te Maire Martin of the Warriors passes during 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] Ben Hunt Ben Hunt was, again, in almost everything good that happened for the Dragons in 2024. Ignore what parts of the Red V fanbase tell you, Hunt carried his team this season and almost saw them to an unlikely Finals finish. His 22 appearances saw him cross for four tries, lay on a lazy 30 try assists, provide 17 line-breaks, force 14 dropouts and kick for just shy of 500 metres per game. I agree that it is time for Hunt to move on but I am fearful of what the Dragons produce in 2025 without him. [caption id="attachment_123870" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Ben Hunt of the Dragons runs with the ball during the round 24 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, on August 28, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Nathan Cleary I can hear the comments already. Some will argue he is too high, having only played 13 games. Others will say he's too low due to what he produced. I just want to justify his position, having played just the 13 games. 11 wins, two losses, and a fourth straight Grand Final win. Enough said. Those 13 games also produced four tries, 16 try assists, 13 line-break assists, 10 forced dropouts, 380 kick metres per game and 135 run metres per game. We are at a point now where Cleary is probably only a dominant Origin series victory away from discussions at one of the greatest of all time. [caption id="attachment_214842" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers poses during NRL official Grand Final press conference at Overseas Passenger Terminal, on October 03, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Sam Walker Despite this being his fourth season at the NRL level, Roosters halfback Sam Walker truly came of age in 2024. Walker is the textbook example of copping his lumps and using it to improve. Him being dropped to the NSW Cup last year could have ruined him but instead looks to have been his making. 21 games this season saw him produce seven tries, 21 try assists, 16 line-break assists, 10 forced dropouts and saw him land 88 goals. Walker played a huge part in the Roosters scoring points for fun. Hopefully he is back up and running very soon following an ACL injury. [caption id="attachment_209179" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Sam Walker of the Roosters kicks during the round two NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters at 4 Pines Park, on March 17, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Daly Cherry-Evans In earlier positional lists, I referenced players finding the fountain of youth. I'm convinced it's in DCE's postcode. Despite turning 35 year's of age in the pre-season, Cherry-Evans produced a season that saw Manly win a Finals game, and DCE himself almost snag a Dally M. In 2024 DCE ran out 24 times for eight tries, 17 try assists, 19 line-break assists, 21 forced drop outs, 410 kick metres per game, 76 run metres per game and a tackle efficiency of almost 90%. Throw in an entire Origin series and this is someone who shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. [caption id="attachment_45514" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Sea Eagles talks to team mates during the round 14 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Lottoland on June 16, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Jahrome Hughes I'm not always huge on the result of the Dally M medal count, but in 2024, the system worked to perfection.Jahrome Hughes was the best individual player for 2024. His 23 games saw a return of 12 tries, 26 try assists, 26 line-break assists, nine forced dropouts, run for 115 metres per game and kick for 360 metres per game. It's worth remembering that he produced a majority of that sans Cam Munster, who missed a huge part of the season through injury. Hughes may have fallen a result short of delivering the perfect season but he was 9.9/10 for much of it. [caption id="attachment_144123" align="alignnone" width="696"] Jahrome Hughes during the round two NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park on March 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	+/-
1	MEL	2	2	0	4	74
2	NZW	2	2	0	4	58
3	PEN	2	2	0	4	46
4	WST	1	1	0	4	28
5	CAN	1	1	0	4	1
6	CRO	2	1	1	2	20
7	NEW	1	1	0	2	10
8	SOU	2	1	1	2	2

The top ten halfbacks from the 2024 NRL season

Who were the best in the No.7?

1. Jahrome Hughes

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