Zero Tackle’s NRL Team Of The Year

With finals footy kicking off tonight, eight teams are looking forward, the other eight are looking WAAAAY forward (to 2020).

This gives us a chance to look back and appreciate the best of the best in 2019.

Below is my annual Team of the year. There is no set criteria here. This isn't necessarily the players I believe will win Dally M awards (Predictions coming next week).

This is the team I would choose, based purely on 2019 form, to represent us as the team of the year.

As always, thoughts and disagreements encouraged below:

Fullback: James Tedesco

The game's best player right now is the Roosters' No.1. This is his best season to date, which is frightening seeing as that he is still only 26 years of age. 15 tries, 13 try assists, 22 line breaks, 148 tackle breaks, 205 metres per game. Phwoar! He was, for the second straight year, the Blues' best, and the best in the Origin series. There is no better player in the world right now than the Dally M medalist elect. First player picked.

Wing: Maika Sivo

What an absolute monster. The rookie winger scored 20 tries this season, the most in the NRL, and caused countless number of nightmares for opposition wingers. Blake Ferguson was signed as the best winger in the game, but right now it is his younger wing partner who wears that crown. Has become a cult hero across 25 rounds. The story of his dad visiting and seeing Maika run out in person is the story of the year. Incredible player.

Centre: Latrell Mitchell

It's scary to think that Latrell has probably had a bit of a 'down' season, given the carnage he has caused. Topping the points scoring tally, finishing second in the try scoring tally, he's still the game's elite centre despite missing Origin selection. Was being referred to as the game's best player earlier in the year. I think that's hyperbole but he's the first centre chosen for me in any side in the world.

Centre: Josh Dugan

I can see the social media pitchforks being lit as I type this, but hear me out. Put aside all the jokes re Dugan staying down after tackles aside and he has been an absolute monster this season for the Sharks. Filling it at fullback, or on the wing when needed, Dugan's best position is still at centre. He has won games on his own back for the Sharks. Has 22 games, 11 tries, 120 metres per game, and 107 tackle breaks. Huge numbers. Come at me!

Wing: Ken Maumalo

The big standout in an otherwise dire season for the Warriors has been giant winger Ken Maumalo. 17 tries in a team that only scored 72 tries is pretty incredible. A threat literally anywhere on the field, he looks just at home flying above defenders as he does twisting his body to score the seemingly impossible try. Running over 190 metres per game, he assisted his superstar captain RTS brilliantly. Amazing season.

Five-Eighth: Cameron Munster

Cameron Munster edges the likes of Luke Keary here after taking the Storm to yet another Minor Premiership. The first half picked in literally any side named, Munster had seven tries, 14 try assists, 13 line break assists and 11 forced drop outs this season. He averages over 30 metres more per game than the second best running half in the game behind Shaun Johnson. Munster is the main man in purple moving forward and will be in the running for the Dally M. He'll certainly win one before his career is done.

Halfback: Mitch Moses

Plenty here will argue for DCE, not a bad shout, but Moses for mine has been the best halfback across the regular season. An incredible 24 try assists sees him finish six ahead of DCE. Moses also forced 14 drop outs and dictated games with his boot. Moses at Bankwest is one of the most destructive players in the competition in any position. Moses, in 2019, has become the player we have expected him to be. A genuine Origin contender next year with Maloney moving on.

Prop: Josh Papalii

The Raiders' bookend has been a revelation in 2019. A career best year for mine, which is saying something considering his career to date. Papalii averages over 145 metres per game in a forward pack that shares the load. He hits big, he runs hard and he's really tightened up his discipline. 1200 post contact metres this year prove how hard he is to tackle. Huge!

Hooker: Cameron Smith

Smith pips Damian Cook at the line here as the best number nine in 2019. I believe he's firmed into the top three in Dally M betting. Looking back at the season he's had, he's almost gone under the radar. His stats aren't amazing, although with 13 try assists, 13 line break assists and 18 forced drop outs, he's hardly stuttered either. That said, his influence is in counting the numbers and setting the play up. There's no better captain in the game. Make all the jokes you want but Smith's still in the game's elite.

Prop: Payne Haas

Scary. Payne Hass is SCARY big and he's SCARY good. His start to the season was so good he was blooded in the Origin arena despite being only 19. 19!? That's insanity. He's been Brisbane's best player this season by a big margin. Averaging almost 190 metres per game with 97 tackle breaks and over 1400 post contact metres, you couldn't pay me enough to try and tackle him. 92% tackle efficiency shows he's not all about attack either.

Second Row: John Bateman

The Englishman has made a huge impression for the Green Machine this season. One of the game's smartest off-loaders, he creates quality second phase play. His numbers are impressive, almost 120 metres per game, 35 offloads, even scoring four tries. He's quick, elusive and can change momentum in both attack and defence. Also tough as nails as he came back from injury many weeks before it was even thought possible. Brilliant season.

Second Row: Kenny Bromwich

Kenny Bromwich may be the most improved player in the competition. His 2019 has been huge in every way. Five tries, eight line breaks, a ridiculous 11 line break assists. He's become one of the Storm's genuine attacking weapons. Has gone from a bench player to a true star across 24 appearances in 2019. He isn't used as a battering ram so his average metres (94) aren't massive, but the danger he creates out wide cannot be measured.

Lock: Cameron Murray

Truthfully, I didn't see any name here other than Jason Taumalolo any time soon yet here we are. Cameron Murray has been HUGE in 2019. Making his Origin debut, Murray has become one of the game's elite this year. He scored 10 tries, including some absolute highlight-reel efforts. Murray averages over 115 metres a game in a huge pack, but his efforts in defence and ability to bend the line and play the ball quickly are beyond measure.