With the off-season comes the usual troupes.
Talk of expansion, the divisions talk, player movements and of course post-season rankings.
Today we're here to focus on the rankings. More specifically, the NRL hooker rankings from 2023.
Please keep in mind that these rankings are based only on 2023. Both NRL and Origin performances will be taken into account. Not specifically who is the best hooker outright.
Before we start, I'm going to take a moment to answer some of the usual questions to appear in the comments to any sort of rankings.
Do I even watch football? Yes, every game.
Are my eyes painted on? No. That would be funny though.
Who am I? Just a fan.
With that said, below are the top 10 NRL hookers based purely and totally on 2023:
Hon Mention: Phoenix Crossland
9. Mitch Kenny
The big question heading into 2023, at least at the foot of the mountains, was could Mitch Kenny replace the outgoing Api Koroisau?
He wasn't Api, nor did he need to be. What Kenny did was play his hand to perfection. He chimed in but also, and perhaps more important, didn't get in the way.
That may sound like a cop out but when your halves and forwards are do dominant, it's all about crisp, early service.
That said, Kenny played 23 games this season for a try, three try assists, five line break assists, three forced drop outs and a 90% tackle completion rate. Great stuff from the youngster.
