Straight off the bat, I'm going to admit that ranking the second rowers in 2022 was the most difficult of all lists.
There were so many good performers this season which made narrowing it down to just the ten very difficult.
Ranking them was even more difficult. I very much look forward to the comments, which again I expect only to be complimentary.
Here are the top 10 NRL backrowers from 2022. Only performances this year are taken into account and only players who were named in the back row more often than they were in other positions are eligible.
For the record Liam Martin, Briton Nikora and Jai Arrow were all shortlisted but missed the final cut.
3. Viliame Kikau
Not for a second am I going to begrudge Kikau his spot in the Team of the Year. He was brilliant all season, perhaps even more so than he was in 2021, where he also earned that honour.
In 2022 Kikau played a huge role in his side's second straight title win. Nine tries, eight line breaks, 15 line break assists, 45 offloads, 10 try assists, 70 tackle breaks and almost 90% of his tackles made.
I'd like to see a stat for opportunities created due to defenders rushing in on Kikau. His presence is enough to create chaos.
Bulldogs' fans can be very excited for Kikau's arrival in 2023. He once had a reputation of coasting sometimes. That is now gone. Monster!!!
Koloamatangi for me, for consistency.
I was surprised you gave Briton Nikora a place in the shortlist. I don’t rate him as highly as Cronulla compatriots Williams and Wilton (but you’re probably a better judge of Sharks personnel than I am).