The 2018 season has once again seen a number of players light up the competition. These 10 players have managed to defy most expectations and excel throughout the year. No rookies were included on the list.

8. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

Lachlan Fitzgibbon enjoyed his best NRL season so far, topping his solid 2017 season. Fitzgibbon showed he was a dynamic, hard-working forward, regularly playing 80 minutes. The young back rower finished the season with nine tries and 12 line breaks from 21 matches.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Lachlan Fitzgibbon of the Knights celebrates after scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Newcastle Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium on July 27, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)