BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Dane Gagai of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round nine NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

After eleven weeks of NRL play, South Sydney have stamped an authoritarian boot on the competition. After a recent rooster stumble, they look the team to beat in 2019.

Typically, Melbourne Storm are sniffing around the upper rungs of the ladder and Newcastle have stunned the rugby league community and perhaps themselves, with a winning run that has them inside the top four.

Conversely, the Bulldogs, Panthers and Titans are still in first gear, with little fuel in the tank and a long way to travel. 2020 should be their focus after disastrous starts to the season.

Over those eleven rounds, I’ve watched a lot of football; every game in fact. It is potentially, the most satisfying job in the world.

Whilst team performance ultimately reigns, the freakishly talented individuals in our game never cease to amaze. On current form, these are the men I would be happy to watch every day of the week.

Fullback – James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

It is hard to believe that Tedesco continues to add strings to his bow, yet the 26-year-old has now become the elite custodian in the competition, on the back of explosive speed and ever-increasing game awareness. Despite the Tricolours' recent issues, Tedesco has maintained his form and looks likely to be a key figure in the upcoming Origin series.

Winger – Ken Maumalo (New Zealand Warriors)

Oft the phrase, “run at the line…..hard”, is muttered in rugby league circles. It is what we were all told as kids. Maumalo was well and truly listening when his junior coach mentioned it to him. It is unscientific and pure macho aggression, but beautiful to watch, as the Samoan and New Zealand international throws himself into defensive lines.

Centre –  Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

When Gagai left the Knights and headed to Redfern in 2018, I felt the Bunnies had made the buy of the season. Under the astute guidance of Wayne Bennett, the 28-year-old has added further polish to his game and become part of a machine-like South Sydney side that look destined for a top-two finish in 2019.

Centre – Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

Many would admit to not knowing too much about the Wellington-born 20-year-old at the start of the season. However, if they have been watching closely they too would have seen the touch of class he possesses and the enormous future he will have in the NRL. Already an Indigenous All-Star, the idea of an experienced Staggs at age 25 is a mouth-watering one.

Winger – Corey Thompson (Wests Tigers)

Unlike Maumalo, it is for a completely different set of reasons that Thompson is on my list of favourites. Well short of being a dominant and powerful attacking modern day winger, Thompson uses his smarts to compete in the top grade and is compiling another impressive season with the Tigers. A century of first-grade games isn’t too far away for the Queensland born winger, something many doubted he would achieve.

Five-eighth – Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

New South Wales representation is a fitting accolade for a new look Walker; another bunny flourishing under the sage-like guidance of Wayne Bennett. After a troubled and ill-disciplined past, the master coach has his pivot playing superbly and now labelled as arguably the best in the game. His footwork and balance are a treat to watch.

Half-back – Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)

Despite the Cowboys finding little fluency in the early rounds of the competition, Morgan never once dropped his colours and has been rewarded with Origin selection for the 10th time. His utility value will see him start Game 1 in the centres and that says a lot about both his unique talents and ability to adapt.

Lock – Tevita Pangai (Brisbane Broncos)

Some players simply take your breath away and Pangai is one such player. Even with the Broncos struggling early in the season he stood out. In much the same vein as Jason Taumalolo, Pangai looms as the archetypal modern forward; intimidating to tackle and brutal in defence. When the two come face to face once again in Round 21, their clash alone will be worth the price of admission.

Second Row -  Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)

As the Panthers spluttered their way through the early rounds of the season, it became clear that one of the fundamental reasons was their reliance on Kikau on the left edge and the lack of a plan b. Just the three tries have come his way thus far in 2019, yet the sheer terror Kikau evokes on the fringe often has him swamped by four or five defenders. If the Panthers used him more astutely and precisely, their season might be looking a whole lot better than it currently does.

Second Row – Joel Thompson (Manly-Warringah)

Now in the veteran ranks, Thompson has been instrumental in the Manly revival of 2019. When there is dirty work to be done, he does it. No thanks are required, nor reward. It is just the way the 30-year-old does business and the way I like my footballers.

Front Row – Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)

The rugby league world always suspected that the 27-year-old had another gear to shift into and he has discovered it in spades this season. With 180 games now under his belt for the Raiders, Papalii looms as a problematic challenge for the Blues’ forwards in Origin 1. The sheer ball of power and speed he embodies makes him the most dangerous of big men.

Hooker – Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders)

The footballer’s footballer, Hodgson has been an NRL star since his arrival from England in 2015. There is no more creative or dangerous ball-playing rake in the competition and whilst injured in 2018, the deficiencies in the Raiders’ attack were obvious for all to see. Sadly, it appears an injured thumb may interrupt his 2019, however, expect the Englishman to play a key role in the finals for the Raiders.

Front Row – Martin Taupau (Manly-Warringah)

If anyone does put together a Taupau highlight tape, send me a copy. The 29-year-old from Auckland is arguably the best forward in the game, such is his impact on a weekly basis. Another player with little science behind his game, Taupau is a human wrecking ball and one of my all-time favourite players to watch.

So there you have it. The men I am loving watching in the NRL right now. What would your team look like?

3 COMMENTS

  1. Storm 2nd on the ladder, Munster Dally M leader and no mention. Again not an ounce of Bias in sight.

    Go Storm, all these zero worth assessments will matter ziltch come Grand Final time.

  2. Mitchell Pearce is the outright Dally M leader not Munster, he’s not there either so your argument is invalid. The article is about the most enjoyable players to watch and nobody wants to watch Munster and his grubby play like deliberately kicking players in the head.

  3. Which part of ‘my personal selections’ and the ‘players I most enjoy watching’ escaped you. Munster is a terrific player no doubt. To suggest his absence is due to his club is a little tin foil hat.

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