Top 50 Players NRL 2019 - The Roar

KasparRaider · Post by **KasparRaider** » October 18, 2019, 5:07 pm

For weekend debating.

33. Jack Wighton
22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
19. John Bateman
16. Josh Papalii

10. Latrell Mitchell
9. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Damien Cook
7. Tom Trbojevic
6. Jason Taumalolo
5. Cameron Munster
4. Luke Keary
3. Cameron Smith
2. Josh Hodgson
1. James Tedesco

Read more: https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/10/18/t ... 2019-10-1/

afgtnk · Post by **afgtnk** » October 18, 2019, 5:39 pm

First thoughts are Smith should be ahead of Hodgson, Papalii and Wighton are too low, CNK is too high.

Judging by that overall list, there really does seem to be a dearth of talent in the NRL's playing stocks atm.

Ilanraiders · Post by **Ilanraiders** » October 18, 2019, 6:02 pm

Papa should be in the top 10

Northern Raider · Post by **Northern Raider** » October 18, 2019, 7:05 pm

afgtnk wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 5:39 pm First thoughts are Smith should be ahead of Hodgson, Papalii and Wighton are too low, CNK is too high.

Judging by that overall list, there really does seem to be a dearth of talent in the NRL's playing stocks atm.

Swap Wighton and CNK around and I'd say it's more accurate. No way Townsend should be ahead of Jack.

Having Taupau at 12 is wrong. There are at least 3 props better than him yet he ranks above them all. Could even argue he's not even the best prop at Manly.

edwahu · Post by **edwahu** » October 18, 2019, 7:27 pm

Ilanraiders wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 6:02 pm Papa should be in the top 10

Top 3 I reckon. In terms of influence on results there is no forward near him right now. He just doesn't pad the stats enough to get the recognition from the average joe critic.

I just saw this bloke has Haas and Tapau ahead of him. He has no idea.

BadnMean · Post by **BadnMean** » October 18, 2019, 8:48 pm

Thing is it takes about a year for recognition in league to build up/wear off.

Cotric was selected for Origin and Roos this year purely on last years form.

Cam Smith is sliding down a form snake and now that he is on the nose with the refs and jumped the shark in public opinion, will be back in the pack and far from a top 3 player.

Papalli is still not recognised as best prop because other guys might make flashier runs more often (with no result on a game and not considering opposition/big game). But never mind he makes all his tackles and makes them count too. Or wins the forward battle no matter who else is in the opposition pack.

CNK over Wighton is worse. CNK had an outstanding year but is limited in his talents and ability to impact a game. He can be a great clubman but will never be a top 10 in NRL player. Jack can win a game with his boot, a pass, a hit, speed, energy, his step. It's a different level in class and ability to change the course of a season or turn a game. He's a bit of a Maloney in that he might make 2 or even 3 errors but he'll still be the only way your team can unlock the other guys and win the game.

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 18, 2019, 9:01 pm

afgtnk wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 5:39 pm First thoughts are Smith should be ahead of Hodgson, Papalii and Wighton are too low, CNK is too high.

Judging by that overall list, there really does seem to be a dearth of talent in the NRL's playing stocks atm.

Concur with all of that

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 18, 2019, 9:10 pm

Turbo is sensational but only played half the year and probably shouldn't be so high.

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Lui_Bon · Post by **Lui_Bon** » October 18, 2019, 11:53 pm

If you read the full string, the author is having a bit of remorse about not putting Papa higher. His reasoning is pretty sound on all his other selections though. I'm not entirely convinced on why Tapau is so high but neither are many of the other btl comments. Recency bias?

My only other complaint would be that I'd have found somewhere for Elliot Whitehead. He truly is the world's most underrated player. Did you see his catch and pass in the 9s?

Billy Walker · Post by **Billy Walker** » October 19, 2019, 6:51 am

Botman wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 9:01 pm
afgtnk wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 5:39 pm First thoughts are Smith should be ahead of Hodgson, Papalii and Wighton are too low, CNK is too high.

Judging by that overall list, there really does seem to be a dearth of talent in the NRL's playing stocks atm.
Concur with all of that

I’d agree with that - not sure if CNK gets in ahead of Bateman.

Post by **greeneyed** » October 19, 2019, 7:56 am

Ilanraiders wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 6:02 pm Papa should be in the top 10

Certainly above Haas and Cordner. That’s ridiculous.

-PJ- · Post by **-PJ-** » October 19, 2019, 8:46 am

Papa should top 5.

Where's Croker on the list ?

Curious as to where these nevilles rate our skipper.

Wiki Special · Post by **Wiki Special** » October 19, 2019, 9:46 am

Northern Raider wrote: ↑October 18, 2019, 7:05 pm Having Taupau at 12 is wrong. There are at least 3 props better than him yet he ranks above them all. Could even argue he's not even the best prop at Manly.

Agreed. Fonua-Blake is already better, in my opinion. Jack should be higher, CNK lower. Papa higher. Bateman higher too. Did Whitehead make the list? If not, that gives this list no credibility.

Billy Walker · Post by **Billy Walker** » October 19, 2019, 10:47 am

-PJ- wrote: ↑October 19, 2019, 8:46 am Papa should top 5.

Where's Croker on the list ?

Curious as to where these nevilles rate our skipper.

Hodgo’s second

Seiffert82 · Post by **Seiffert82** » October 19, 2019, 1:12 pm

Smith is on the slide for sure. It's a hard call on where Hodgo really sits in that list - so influential in games, but can be quite poor at times.

I hate DCE, but he has to be higher up that list IMO.

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 19, 2019, 2:11 pm

Seiffert82 wrote:Smith is on the slide for sure. It's a hard call on where Hodgo really sits in that list - so influential in games, but can be quite poor at times.

I hate DCE, but he has to be higher up that list IMO.

I don't know why they don't shift Cam Smith to half, especially when Brandon Smith is in the side.

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afgtnk · Post by **afgtnk** » October 19, 2019, 2:23 pm

Because shifting the greatest hooker of all-time from the position he's played his entire career in makes zero sense and would be highly counter-productive.

The Nickman · Post by **The Nickman** » October 19, 2019, 2:35 pm

Haha yeah, not one of your best, gerg

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 19, 2019, 2:38 pm

He wouldn't have to make 40 tackles a game, they don't have a halfback and their reserve hooker is a kiwi international.

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The Nickman · Post by **The Nickman** » October 19, 2019, 2:40 pm

And their current hooker is one of the greatest players of all time and has revolutionised the position of dummy half

Probably shouldn’t entertain the thought of moving him

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 19, 2019, 7:18 pm

It's not as ridiculous as it immediately seems... the simply reality is that in key moments, inside the red zone, Smith played PLENTY of traditional halfback/first reciever.

I thought it was one of the Bellemy/Smith's strongest points this year, the way he juggled the need for Smith to come into the halves and cover for the issues at halfback, but keep him at hooker for the bulk of the game

RTW · Post by **RTW** » October 19, 2019, 7:43 pm

gergreg wrote:He wouldn't have to make 40 tackles a game, they don't have a halfback and their reserve hooker is a kiwi international.

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I don’t think Brendan Smith will ever be the starting/permanent hooker at the Storm( barring injury).
Harry Grant the falcons hooker will move straight into the role once Smith retires. He is good enough now to start at about half a dozen clubs in the NRL.

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afgtnk · Post by **afgtnk** » October 19, 2019, 7:54 pm

Botman wrote: ↑October 19, 2019, 7:18 pm It's not as ridiculous as it immediately seems... the simply reality is that in key moments, inside the red zone, Smith played PLENTY of traditional halfback/first reciever.

I thought it was one of the Bellemy/Smith's strongest points this year, the way he juggled the need for Smith to come into the halves and cover for the issues at halfback, but keep him at hooker for the bulk of the game

He's done that for years, even with Cronk there when they had a revolving door at five-eighth before Munster.

Moving him there permanently though is something else. There's no better controller of the game in the first two thirds of the field at hooker. There's also then the defensive factor - similar to Hodgson, he doesn't have the lateral movement to be able to defend closer to the edges.

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 19, 2019, 8:34 pm

Yeah agreed there
It’s a different level moving him full time.

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 19, 2019, 9:01 pm

I think they need to find a way to lessen his workload - if he is to play again. He was really good for the first half of the year but possibly should have been rested a little in the last few rounds. Just to freshen him up a bit. The Roosters basically rested half their side on a rotating basis from Origin 3 onwards.

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papabear · Post by **papabear** » October 21, 2019, 2:37 pm

I would switch papalii with hodgson and mayble move papalii to third and hodgson up a few spots.

I would also switch jack and CNK as others on here have mentioned.

its all an opinion though that doesnt really mean anything at the end of the day.

Post by **Matt** » October 21, 2019, 3:21 pm

My 2 cents on rank:

50. Daniel Tupou - High - Good yr, but Maumalo was better.
49. Cody Walker - Low - His fault. Form died after Origin 1, and came back late.
48. Josh Morris - High - Good yr, but best is behind him
47. Shaun Lane - High - I like the guy, wasnt even the best edge player at his club, Ma'u is/ was. Others incl. Matterson, Crichton, Frizell, and Whitehead.
46. Clint Gutherson - Close enough - though a little Eels success affected.
45. Mitchell Pearce - Low - His fault, like Ponga.
44. Siosiua Taukeiaho - High - Had a great year, hence top 50, much more in the modern mobile middle mould, but wont stay here long term.
43. Josh Jackson - High - One of the most overrated players going around!
42. Wade Graham - Low - Like Arrow, injury affected and again, above that prop group.
41. Jai Arrow - Low - Injury related Id say. Should be above that 2nd prop group.
40. David Fifita - High - Has had a good half season. Loads of potential though.
39. Felise Kaufusi - High
38. Viliame Kikau - Low - Id say he is better than that 2nd group of props
37. Josh Addo-Carr - Close enough
36. Cameron McInnes - High
35. Adam Reynolds - Low (refer to Chad)
34. Jesse Bromwich - Close enough
33. Jack Wighton - Low - A CC winner, Origin and Australian rep, isn't outside the top 30
32. Maika Sivo - High - Flash in the pan year. Lets see him do it again before we give him 'Semi' status
31. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - Close enough
30. Chad Townsend - High - There are 4 halves below him, and I rate at least 2 higher
29. David Klemmer - Close enough
28. Andrew Fifita - Close enough - His career might be on the decline
27. Kalyn Ponga - Low - This is his fault largely, poor year really.
26. Sam Burgess - High - His career is on the slide
25. Blake Ferguson - High - Ok yr, injured for a portion, but Maumalo was better (not saying Maumalo is a Top 25 BTW).
24. Dale Finucane - Close enough
23. Joseph Manu - High - Not the 2nd best centre in the game, let alone a Top 25 player
22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - High
21. Addin Fonua-Blake - Close enough
20. Mitchell Moses - Close enough - good recognition for a good yr
19. John Bateman - Low - Should be above Cordner
18. Cameron Murray - Close enough
17. Cooper Cronk - Close enough
16. Josh Papalii - Low - Top 10 player
15. Jake Trbojevic - Low (refer to Turbo)
14. Payne Haas - High - 1 season, but certainly the potential/ promise
13. Boyd Cordner - High - not the player he was 2 or 3 yrs ago.
12. Martin Taupau - High - Jurbo and Papa are all better, Haas will be with more consistency/ time, and you could argue AFB.
11. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - Close enough
10. Latrell Mitchell - Close enough
9. Daly Cherry-Evans - Low, should be above Keary (not necessarily at 4) and you could argue Munster.
8. Damien Cook - Close enough
7. Tom Trbojevic - High - Id have his brother above him TBH, even if Turbo is 'flashier'. Injury affected year.
6. Jason Taumalolo - Close enough
5. Cameron Munster - Close enough
4. Luke Keary - High - Top 10 maybe, Top 15 probably
3. Cameron Smith - Agree
2. Josh Hodgson - Agree
1. James Tedesco - Agree