Earlier this week I was discussing with a group of friends the current crop of match-winning centres in the NRL.
We've seen some world-class number threes and fours in the past but never has the role been as important as it is in modern day league.
Centres are now required to defend and run like forwards, ball play like halves and score tries like wingers.
In 2022, we saw some special performances. Narrowing down a top ten was much easier when it came to fullbacks and wingers than it was here.
Some monster performers will miss out below, such was the talent on show in the position in 2022.
Here though are the top ten centres from 2022. As with the previous lists, a player can only qualify if he played more games at centre then other positions. Again, this isn't necessarily the top 10 centres in the game but the ten best performers in 2022.
A rare standout performer in a dire Dragons outfit, Suli finally went a long way to realising the potential we all know he possesses.
Suli's stats in 2022 are impressive, albeit not to the level of some higher here. Five tries, three assists, 90 tackle breaks and 143 metres per game make for good reading.
I'd argue Suli actually outperformed those stats, especially considering the lack of match winners around him. He matured in a big way and looks a complete centre now.
He lifted his metres run average by 40 metres from 2021 into 2022. The fact he tackled at over 86% better highlights his performances on both sides of the ball.
I'll admit it: I didn't totally understand Hiku's signing. Just like with other Cowboys signings I doubted, he seemed to take that personally.
Hiku was magnificent in 2022 and played a huge role in the Cowboys dream season. He was so good he kept the Hammer out of the side.
Five tries, seven assists, four line-breaks and an 82% tackle efficiency are all very acceptable stats but his 157 running metres per game is a stat worth its weight in gold.
In the Finals Hiku ran for 314 metres and 191 metres. That just shows his worth, as an experienced player, in a big game. What a season.
Ramien may be the most difficult to place here. I originally had him 10th but then his stats saw him briefly move into the top five. Ultimately, we land here.
His stats indicate he probably should be higher: 10 tries, nine assists, 93 tackle breaks, 11 line-breaks, 125 metres per game and 38 offloads.
The reason he didn't land higher is that he has an error in him. A brain snap cost his side victory in Round One while his passing is very hit or miss.
If Ramien can limit the errors in 2023, there is no reason he can't be in Origin discussion. He has the raw talent to be a top three centre in the game. 2022 showed that.
I'd argue that Justin Olam had a below par season, which says everything about his abilities as his 2022 was monstrous.
10 tries, five try assists, 15 line-breaks, 103 tackle breaks, and 125 metres run per game prove how difficult he is to handle in attack.
The reason I say he was a little under par as there was the odd average game in amongst the carnage. That's something I can't remember from his 2021.
Olam is one of the Storm's relatively unsung heroes. Close to the line he is almost unstoppable. His 2022 was very impressive in difficult circumstances and amongst a big injury toll.
2021's Grand Final Hero turned 2022 general hero upon returning to his preferred position in the centres.
In his 23 games this season he crossed for 13 tries, laid on eight assists, broke 59 tackles, made 11 line-breaks and ran for 134 metres per game.
Brian To'o has spent the past two seasons attacking outside Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton. What a dream. Crichton makes it very easy for his outside winger.
His early season performances were so good that he earned an Origin call up. He'll represent Samoa but would not have looked out of place in that Kangaroos 13.
Talakai was probably a victim of his own success in a way. Comments that his destruction of Manly was his only standout game this season as laughable as they are untrue.
His stats are slightly skewed by two short stints off the bench but his 2022 saw a return of seven tries, nine line-breaks, 14 line-break assists, 176 metres per game and 86% tackling efficiency.
Talakai was routinely the Sharks second best player, behind Nicho Hynes, and his metres coming out of his own end tore opposition defences to shreds.
Talakai earned his Origin spot, although he was used without any thought. He routinely bodied his opposition centre. It's a shame the carnage he caused against Morgan Harper is all many remember.
Campbell Graham's being announced as part of the Kangaroos squad for the upcoming World Cup is the perfect reward for yet another magnificent season.
The Souths weapon is absolutely the most underappreciated centre on this list, perhaps due to lack of man of the match efforts. In terms of consistency, he's arguably the most consistent here.
Five tries, eight assists, eight line-breaks, 68 tackle breaks and 143 metres per game run, all while tackling at almost 88%.
He didn't always produce the highlight reel efforts but he always produced. Others on the list can produce a worldly effort followed by a stinker. Campbell Graham is always good to great.
Penrith fans could be forgiven for being a little worried about the centre position after losing Matt Burton and Paul Momorovski. Young Tago made sure they needn't have worried.
13 tries, nine try assists, 15 line-breaks, 70 tackle breaks and 139 metres per game provided so many highlights. In defence he made 89% of his tackles also.
Tago's early season form was electric, especially considering he entered 2022 with only six games to his name. His try scoring slowed but his performances never dipped.
It's hard to be a standout in that all-time great Panthers side but Tago routinely stood out. What a incredible season for the relative rookie.
For the second time on this list, I have to eat crow. I was shocked when the idea of Holmes playing in the centres was floated. He emerged as one of the Dally M centres of the year.
Adding to his spot in the Dally M TOTY were accolades including: 2022 top point scorer and selection in his new position for both Queensland and Australia.
In 24 games, all at centre, Holmes scored 10 tries, kicked 100 goals (at 82%), broke 90 tackles, made 12 line-breaks and ran for 146 metres per game.
In many other seasons Holmes is the undisputed number one centre with his 2022 effort. He played a massive part in the Cowboys success this year.
I think it's fair to suggest that Joey Manu enjoyed a pretty handy 2022 season. Probably one of those rare moments in league where an opinion won't lead to scorn.
23 appearances for 11 tries, 12 try assists, a ridiculous 145 tackle breaks, 13 line-breaks, 140 metres run per game and a tackle efficiency of 84%.
Manu has all the talents to be a top-class fullback but seems happy with settling for being the game's elite centre. A mantle that is now undisputedly holds.
There's still that off game where Manu is kept quiet, but they are very few and far between. More often than not he was borderline unstoppable in a near flawless 2022.