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
5. Jeremy Marshall-King
If injury didn't rob JMK of multiple games this season, I'm confident that he would have cracked the top four here. What a brilliant recruitment decision by Wayne Bennett.
In his 15 games he delivered a pair of tries, an incredible eight try assists, eight line break assists, over 50 run metres per game and tackled at 92%.
When fit, I believe he's the Kiwis first choice hooker. That is saying something considering the talent available.
I'm really excited to see what Marshall-King can do with a full season to his name next year.
