With the NRL heading into the final six rounds of the regular season and the top eight battle heating up, we thought we would take a look at the top five players who have surprised us this reason.
The players have been listed in accordance with their reputation, or lack thereof, coming into this season as well as the impact they have had on their team's fortunes in the 2019 season.
2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
With Jack Wighton set to shift to the halves in the 2019 season and the Raiders lacking depth in the outside backs, Ricky Stuart took a punt on the New Zealand Warriors reserve outside back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, signing the Cook Islands representative to a two-year deal from 2019-2020.
Stuck behind Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo at the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad made an impressive start to his NRL career while in Auckland in his limited opportunities, scoring seven tries in seven appearances over his two years in their first-grade squad.
Having been signed initially as a utility back by Raiders recruitment guru Peter Mulholland, Nicol-Klokstad was handed the Raiders' No. 1 jersey for the opening game of the season and hasn’t looked back since. Going onto feature in every game at fullback, netting 10 tries as well as averaging an extremely impressive 174 running metres per game.
Largely a flashy player during his time at the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad has been the epitome of consistency during his time in the capital, emphasizing effort areas while still being able to pull out his trademark right footstep.
Currently sitting fifth in the NRL for tackle breaks and second for total runs, the Raiders are looking to tie down the former Warrior to a long-term deal following his impressive and surprising start to the 2019 season.
