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0 In the way of these things, in our inter-connected chatterbox world of punditry, opinion and Tweetering, twitting, whatever it is, it’s an Accepted Wisdom that Manly Warringah Sea Eagles possess the best and most potent player in the competition in “Turbo” Tom Trbojevic.
Hard to argue. The giant fullback has amazed even himself with his fast-big-kid-in-U/9s-like dominance of the frenetic, frothing, high-impact, action Jackson that is this man’s National Rugby League.
He’s been unbelievable, Tommy.
And on the back of a game plan effectively Give The Ball To Turbo, Manly has firmed into $6.50 to win the 2021 Telstra Premiership, sitting on the second line of betting behind Melbourne Storm ($2.50) and Penrith Panthers ($2.75).
Yet rugby league is, ultimately, a team game. And Manly’s – admittedly, so far, highly-effective – “teamwork” has consisted of 16 players giving one guy the ball.
But they will need more. And according to our definitive – that’s right, no argument, definitive – rankings of the top 40 players left in action in 2021, Melbourne Storm (12) and Penrith Panthers (8) have half of them.
And many of them are up there, top of the pops. Storm has four in the top-10.
Yes, we reckon Turbo’s the best player in the comp.
Yet there’s a reason Storm and Panthers are your likely grand final.
And it’s because: all these guys.
(Pics: NRL.com.)
1 Tom Trbojevic Sea Eagles
Des Hasler and his committed and plucky band of in-form footy-heads may disagree but heart of hearts they know: Tommy in your team you’re top-4. Without him you’re back in the all-panting pack with Eels, Knights, Titans, Raiders, Sharks, those guys. What a player. Has entered the realm of the ridiculous. Think Steve Smith with a cricket bat.
2 Nathan Cleary Panthers
Complete halfback with all the skills in the form of his life. Captain of the club. Good people. Collaroy boy. Doing a bit right, our Nathan.
3 James Tedesco Roosters
While this bloke has a beating heart, the Roosters roll into September very capable of very good footy.
4 Kayln Ponga Knights
Like Trbojevic, Ponga will need some mates to take the heat off. Yet the fullback remains among the most potent, all-action attacking weapons in the competition.
5 Cody Walker Rabbitohs
Potent? Walker is all footy player. Without Latrell Mitchell will need to find other avenues, a big test for the Cliff Lyons of his generation.
6 Cameron Munster Storm
When the big Storm pack get a roll-on, there’s no-one better placed to exploit ragged D-lines than the cymbal-crashing, plate-spinning nut-case that is our man Munster. They were calling him “Westpac” for a while because he was stealing the ball from people but now they don’t.
7 Jarome Luai Panthers
Penrith Panthers are $2.75 with bookmakers for many reasons but high up in that top-40 is the complementary man-action Luai provides Cleary. With Walker, Munster and the next bloke here, Luai is among the most fun to watch footy players in the game.
8 Brandon Smith Storm
God only knows how Andrew Johns turned a Steve Roach reference into “chip off the old Block” which became “Hectic Cheese”. But things can stick and this one did. And today old Hectic Cheese causes more pain than gout.
9 Josh Addo-Carr Storm
Someone, an expert in fast running told someone else, might’ve been Buzz Rothfield, that Manly’s Jason Saab would burn “The Fox” over a hundred metres. I would take the overs on Addo-Carr in a two-man match race. Better finisher than Winston Churchill.
10 Jahrome Hughes Storm
If there’s going to be quibbles in this list it’s here and probably Ponga, and a few other guys, particularly given old mate following we’ve ranked 13. As they say in The Mandalorian: This is the way. But this bloke is just consistently dangerous and consistently excellent. He’s top-10 last men standing. Craig Bellamy will fight anyone says different. Or maybe get Jesse Bromwich too. Regardless – this bloke is a beaut.
11 Isaah Yeo Panthers
Plays like another five-eighth in a team that already has a really, really good one. Yeo’s ball play is best practice. Has this pass that he turns across his body while his shoulders stay lateral with the line. It’s very, very good, and gifts his runners extra split seconds. Cracking footy player.
12 Cameron Murray Rabbitohs
Former inside-centre in schoolboy rugby union is among the most dangerous middle forwards in the maelstrom of first grade rugby league. He’s a cracker, too, Murray.
13 Daly Cherry-Evans Sea Eagles
With Turbo Tom occupying so much opposition head space, Manly’s captain is running and stepping and driving his footy club’s charge into September. Cleary is the best seven in the game. This bloke’s not far away.
14 Dale Finucane Storm
A consistent and quiet achiever; the glue in the Storm pack. Craig Bellamy said Finucane is the best player he ever coached. Which is bullshit but y’know, pretty nice thing to say. (He said something like it. Best trainer or something. I dunno. Who cares.)
15 Ryan Papenhuyzen Storm
Super-speedy pinball who looks back to his all-shredding best. The lumbering forward’s nightmare.
16 Harry Grant Storm
Yes, the Storm’s bench-warming reserve hooker is among the top-20 NRL players still standing in 2021. That’s how good they are. What you gonna do?
17 Villiame Kikau Panthers
As if the Panthers don’t have enough weapons out wide there’s this rampaging, all-action, athletic behemoth. The anytime try bettors’ go-to.
18 Christian Welch Storm
Another glue-man in the relentless Storm machine.
19 Nicho Hynes Storm
Breakout season for the fullback come five-eighth.
20 Josh Schuster Sea Eagles
Breakout season for the five-eighth come backrower with the best no-look pass in the game.
21 Mitchell Pearce Knights
22 Stephen Crichton Panthers
23 Clint Gutherson Eels
24 Mitchell Moses Eels
25 Justin Olam Storm
26 Junior Paulo Eels
27 Liam Martin Panthers
28 Alex Johnston Rabbitohs
29 Kurt Capewell Panthers
30 Kenneath Bromwich Storm
31 Brian To’o Panthers
32 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Roosters
33 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Titans
34 Matt Burton Panthers
35 Haumole Olakau’atu Sea Eagles
36 Jesse Bromwich Storm
37 Jake Trbojevic Sea Eagles
38 David Fifita Titans
39 Daniel Tupou Roosters
40 Angus Crichton Roosters
Reserves:
41 Nathan Brown Eels
42 Tevita Pangai Junior Panthers
43 Api Koroisau Panthers
44 Adam Reynolds Rabbitohs
45 AJ Brimson Titans
How do you have Crichton and Edwards in a list without Burton?
Because I forgot Burton. Ha.
Fixed now.
Sorry, Dylan.
You’re kidding aren’t you with Brian To’o at 31. Mate go and get yourself a To’o highlights reel of the last 2 seasons and see what ‘go forward’ he gives the Panthers…Panthers don’t win the comp without him…🏉🏉
What happened was I originally forgot To’o altogether, and then brushed Isaac Liu and put To’o in at 31. He should be higher for sure.