Our NRL Team Of The Year – Is This Who You Would Pick?

With the Daly M night only a week away it’s time we shared our team of the year.

With NRL legends in fine form and youngsters setting the field alight it wasn’t easy to decide on most positions here but we’re going to have a crack anyway.

1. Fullback

With so many exciting and lethal fullbacks in the game such as Billy Slater, Kaylyn Ponga, Valentine Holmes, James Tedesco, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck & Tom Trbojevic it was difficult to select just one.

Verdict: Billy Slater – With his experience, speed, strength and determination we couldn’t go past Billy.

2. Wing

Wingers have gone to another level over the past couple of years and the ability to get the ball over the try-line even when it seems impossible to stay in play is invaluable to teams.

Verdict: Josh Addo-Carr – With his blinding speed and prolific try-scoring ability it was easy to have him at wing.

3. Centre

There were a few young guns putting their hand up this year and with the best centre’s not only being strong in attack but also defence it left us with a few stand outs.

Verdict: Greg Inglis – His transition from fullback to the Centre position had Inglis back in great form and with his tremendous strength and experience he had opposing players worried at all times.

4. Centre

With quality centre’s such as Will Chambers, Euan Aitken, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Dugan having great seasons we were scratching our heads as to who should be picked.

Verdict: Latrell Mitchell – His strength, speed and aerial ability makes him a threat in any field position.

5. Wing

Another position where the NRL is blessed with so much talent and with Blake Ferguson, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Mansour & David Fusitu’a left to chose from it’s no wonder there were so many tries scored this season.

Verdict: David Fusitu’a – The Warriors high-flyer had a great year and made it hard to leave him out.

6. Five-Eighth

A pivotal position for any team and a position where the right player can win or lose you a game.

Verdict: James Maloney – It’s hard to argue with two premiership rings in five years and his form this year as good as ever.

7. Halfback

A very hard position to decide. Do you go with the legend Johnathan Thurston or upcoming star Nathan Cleary or do you go with the ever-consistent Cooper Cronk?

Verdict: Johnathan Thurston – We couldn’t go past one of the greatest players of all time. Even though he had a shaky start he finished the season in fine form.

8. Prop

Every good team has good props and to be a good prop you need someone who is always putting his hand up to run the ball up and will make endless tackles every game.

Verdict: Sam Burgess – Slamin’ Sam has been in fine form this year which made him clear pick.

9. Hooker

I think this is one position where everyone will agree who is the number one pick as the games best.

Verdict: Cameron Smith – Clearly the best hooker in the game with his ability to control the flow of the game and the clock makes him a huge asset.

10. Prop

With Sam Burgess taking the first spot we still had plenty of quality props to choose from.

Verdict: Jason Taumalolo – He is undoubtedly the most powerful forward in the game and was essential to getting the Cowboys on the front foot.

11. Second Row

Plenty of experienced players stood out from the pack here and it’s exactly what we were looking for in this position.

Verdict: Tyson Frizell – Frizell is the go-to man for the Dragons and his form this season has been electrtic. We can’t wait to see him again next season.

12. Second Row

Manu Ma’u, Josh Jackson, Tariq Sims, Boyd Cordner, Wade Graham & Matt Gillett were all in the hunt here but we can only select one.

Verdict: Wade Graham – He may have had a frustrating year due to injury but when he was on the field it was clear to see he is a dynamic and game-winning player.

13. Lock

A position that we like to see someone who can tackle well, run hard but also become a ball player if needed.

Verdict: Jack De Belin – Ticks all of the boxes here and played well this season.

Bench: Boyd Cordner, Paul Vaughan, Tom Trbojevic, Will Chambers & Cooper Cronk

So that’s our 2018 NRL team of the year.

Tell us what you think in the comments below.