Just for arguments sake.
A million-dollar pay packet is no guarantee of a listing in the top 50.
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga doesn’t get a start. Neither does Titans edge forward David Fifita.
Even Dally M front-rower of the year Payne Haas has missed out.
On form this year you can’t rate him alongside the likes of James Fisher-Harris, Joe Tapine, Patrick Carrigan, Jared Waerea Hargreaves, Reagan Campbell-Gillard or Junior Paulo.
Even Cody Walker, who was in the top 10 last year, was not consistent enough in 2022 to get a start.
Last year’s No.2 player, Tom Trbojevic and Ryan Papenhuyzen both miss out through injury.
OMITTED FROM 2021 (BIG NAMES MISSING)
Tom Trbojevic (2)
Brandon Smith (10)
Payne Haas (15)
Kalyn Ponga (17)
Damien Cook (18)
Christian Welch (19)
Luke Keary (21)
Ryan Papenhuyzen (22)
David Fifita (26)
Jai Arrow (27)
Daniel Saifiti (29)
Kotoni Staggs (33)
1
Position: Halfback
Rank change: Same
BUZZ SAYS: At 25, Cleary is already being compared to halfback legends Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston after leading the Panthers to consecutive premierships. The most gifted and complete halfback.
2
Position: Centre
Rank change: ↑ from 16
BUZZ SAYS: What a player at fullback, centre or five-eighth. The recently crowned Golden Boot winner finishes higher on the list than James Tedesco because of his versatility.
3
Position: Fullback
Rank change: Same
BUZZ SAYS: The Aussie captain and tackle-busting machine produces at the highest level with unrivalled regularity for the Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos. Gets his hands on the footy more than any other fullback.
4
Position: Five-eighth
Rank change: ↑ from 12
BUZZ SAYS: Stood out again this year as Storm’s best player. Gave up alcohol and the punt for a more stable life and it showed with dominating performances and a level of excellence week in, week out.
5
Position: Five-eighth
Rank change: ↑ from 20
BUZZ SAYS: Truly a great player. The fact he has taken his Penrith form and guided Samoa to the World Cup final, playing so magnificently without Nathan Cleary, says a lot about his ability. Wonderful competitor.
6
Position: Fullback
Rank change: ↓ from 5
BUZZ SAYS: The No.1 player in rugby league on his day but is not as consistent as some of the bigger names. When he’s switched on there is not a better football or excitement machine, as seen with his two tries in the World Cup final.
7
Position: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 14
BUZZ SAYS: Has laid the foundations for Penrith’s two premierships. The most fearless competitor. At 26, he is only now beginning to peak after 157 NRL games. Clearly the best front-rower in the NRL.
8
Position: Lock
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: An even more dominant and dynamic middle forward since coach Todd Payten cut back his minutes. More responsible than any other player for the Cowboys’ sensational season.
9
Position: Prop
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: An unstoppable force for the Canberra Raiders. Big, strong, powerful and the game’s most improved middle forward. Rated just a fraction behind Fisher-Harris as the best prop in the game.
10
Position: Lock
Rank change: ↑ from 13
BUZZ SAYS: A halfback in a forward’s body. Beautiful skills in all areas of the game. Plays 80 tough minutes, rarely makes an error, high tackle efficiency, sets up tries, the complete package.
11
Position: Lock
Rank change: ↓ from 6
BUZZ SAYS: Says a lot about him as a footballer in that he can be equally as effective on the edge or in the middle whether it’s club footy, Origin or Tests. Great leader, great competitor, great player.
12
Position: Second-rower
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Established himself at the World Cup and for Penrith this year as arguably the best edge forward in the competition. Has got the lot – pace, power, strength and work rate.
13
Position: Second-rower
Rank change: ↑ from 43
BUZZ SAYS: Absolute dynamite for the Penrith Panthers on their left edge and a huge signing for the Bulldogs. Uses his size, speed and strength to destroy his smaller opponents.
14
Position: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 35
BUZZ SAYS: Physically the strongest forward in the comp and ball skills to match it. A barnstorming runner and you could see the quality of his offload for Samoa against England in the World Cup semi-final.
15
Position: Winger
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Equal to Brad Fittler as the best teenager I’ve ever seen. Will get better and better and better. Could be at No.1 in a few years such is his extraordinary potential as a centre, five-eighth or fullback.
16
Position: Winger
Rank change: ↑ from 44
BUZZ SAYS: Name any winger who has played for Australia since Ken Irvine and the Kangaroos flyer is the equal or a better finisher than all of them. Has been Australia’s best player at the World Cup.
17
Position: Centre
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Finally found his best position as a centre for the Cowboys and no shock that he was chosen in the Dally M team of the year. Can burst a game open from anywhere. A complete footballer.
18
Position: Centre
Rank change: ↑ from 42
BUZZ SAYS: Big-game specialist in grand finals for the Panthers and at the World Cup for Samoa. Can score a try out of nowhere, can
19
Position: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 41
BUZZ SAYS: The youngest NRL skipper in the competition at just 22 years of age. Has a massive work rate and constantly a threat to his opponents. One of the first forwards picked for the Maroons and Kangaroos.
20
Position: Five-eighth
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: I’m not sure there is a better competitor anywhere in the NRL, whether it’s club footy, Origin or Tests. Plays tough and with furious energy in attack and defence.
21
Position: Hooker
Rank change: ↓ from 11
BUZZ SAYS: Surged past Damien Cook, Api Koroisau and Reed Mahoney to be clearly the best hooker in the competition. Has got a beautiful passing game and reads the game better than anyone.
22
Position: Halfback
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: St George-Illawarra’s best player this year by the length of Kogarah Oval as a halfback and also excelled at hooker for the Maroons and the Kangaroos at the World Cup.
23
Position: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 28
BUZZ SAYS: Old school front-rower, magnificent forward leader for the Roosters, although becoming a liability with his poor discipline. Has led the Chooks to three titles and is still going as powerfully as ever.
24
Position: Halfback
Rank change: ↓ from 23
BUZZ SAYS: Now the No.2 halfback behind Nathan Cleary. Has developed into the complete playmaker. More responsible than any other player for the Eels’ surge into the grand final.
A million-dollar pay packet is no guarantee of a listing in the top 50.
Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga doesn’t get a start. Neither does Titans edge forward David Fifita.
Even Dally M front-rower of the year Payne Haas has missed out.
On form this year you can’t rate him alongside the likes of James Fisher-Harris, Joe Tapine, Patrick Carrigan, Jared Waerea Hargreaves, Reagan Campbell-Gillard or Junior Paulo.
Even Cody Walker, who was in the top 10 last year, was not consistent enough in 2022 to get a start.
Last year’s No.2 player, Tom Trbojevic and Ryan Papenhuyzen both miss out through injury.
OMITTED FROM 2021 (BIG NAMES MISSING)
Tom Trbojevic (2)
Brandon Smith (10)
Payne Haas (15)
Kalyn Ponga (17)
Damien Cook (18)
Christian Welch (19)
Luke Keary (21)
Ryan Papenhuyzen (22)
David Fifita (26)
Jai Arrow (27)
Daniel Saifiti (29)
Kotoni Staggs (33)
1
Nathan Cleary
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Halfback
Rank change: Same
BUZZ SAYS: At 25, Cleary is already being compared to halfback legends Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston after leading the Panthers to consecutive premierships. The most gifted and complete halfback.
2
Joey Manu
Club: Sydney RoostersPosition: Centre
Rank change: ↑ from 16
BUZZ SAYS: What a player at fullback, centre or five-eighth. The recently crowned Golden Boot winner finishes higher on the list than James Tedesco because of his versatility.
3
James Tedesco
Club: Sydney RoostersPosition: Fullback
Rank change: Same
BUZZ SAYS: The Aussie captain and tackle-busting machine produces at the highest level with unrivalled regularity for the Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos. Gets his hands on the footy more than any other fullback.
4
Cameron Munster
Club: Melbourne StormPosition: Five-eighth
Rank change: ↑ from 12
BUZZ SAYS: Stood out again this year as Storm’s best player. Gave up alcohol and the punt for a more stable life and it showed with dominating performances and a level of excellence week in, week out.
5
Jarome Luai
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Five-eighth
Rank change: ↑ from 20
BUZZ SAYS: Truly a great player. The fact he has taken his Penrith form and guided Samoa to the World Cup final, playing so magnificently without Nathan Cleary, says a lot about his ability. Wonderful competitor.
6
Latrell Mitchell
Club: South Sydney RabbitohsPosition: Fullback
Rank change: ↓ from 5
BUZZ SAYS: The No.1 player in rugby league on his day but is not as consistent as some of the bigger names. When he’s switched on there is not a better football or excitement machine, as seen with his two tries in the World Cup final.
7
James Fisher-Harris
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 14
BUZZ SAYS: Has laid the foundations for Penrith’s two premierships. The most fearless competitor. At 26, he is only now beginning to peak after 157 NRL games. Clearly the best front-rower in the NRL.
8
Jason Taumalolo
Club: North Queensland CowboysPosition: Lock
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: An even more dominant and dynamic middle forward since coach Todd Payten cut back his minutes. More responsible than any other player for the Cowboys’ sensational season.
9
Joe Tapine
Club: Canberra RaidersPosition: Prop
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: An unstoppable force for the Canberra Raiders. Big, strong, powerful and the game’s most improved middle forward. Rated just a fraction behind Fisher-Harris as the best prop in the game.
10
Isaah Yeo
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Lock
Rank change: ↑ from 13
BUZZ SAYS: A halfback in a forward’s body. Beautiful skills in all areas of the game. Plays 80 tough minutes, rarely makes an error, high tackle efficiency, sets up tries, the complete package.
11
Cameron Murray
Club: South Sydney RabbitohsPosition: Lock
Rank change: ↓ from 6
BUZZ SAYS: Says a lot about him as a footballer in that he can be equally as effective on the edge or in the middle whether it’s club footy, Origin or Tests. Great leader, great competitor, great player.
12
Liam Martin
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Second-rower
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Established himself at the World Cup and for Penrith this year as arguably the best edge forward in the competition. Has got the lot – pace, power, strength and work rate.
13
Viliame Kikau
Club: Canterbury BulldogsPosition: Second-rower
Rank change: ↑ from 43
BUZZ SAYS: Absolute dynamite for the Penrith Panthers on their left edge and a huge signing for the Bulldogs. Uses his size, speed and strength to destroy his smaller opponents.
14
Junior Paulo
Club: Parramatta EelsPosition: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 35
BUZZ SAYS: Physically the strongest forward in the comp and ball skills to match it. A barnstorming runner and you could see the quality of his offload for Samoa against England in the World Cup semi-final.
15
Joseph Suaalii
Club: Sydney RoostersPosition: Winger
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Equal to Brad Fittler as the best teenager I’ve ever seen. Will get better and better and better. Could be at No.1 in a few years such is his extraordinary potential as a centre, five-eighth or fullback.
16
Josh Addo-Carr
Club: Canterbury BulldogsPosition: Winger
Rank change: ↑ from 44
BUZZ SAYS: Name any winger who has played for Australia since Ken Irvine and the Kangaroos flyer is the equal or a better finisher than all of them. Has been Australia’s best player at the World Cup.
17
Valentine Holmes
Club: North Queensland CowboysPosition: Centre
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: Finally found his best position as a centre for the Cowboys and no shock that he was chosen in the Dally M team of the year. Can burst a game open from anywhere. A complete footballer.
18
Stephen Crichton
Club: Penrith PanthersPosition: Centre
Rank change: ↑ from 42
BUZZ SAYS: Big-game specialist in grand finals for the Panthers and at the World Cup for Samoa. Can score a try out of nowhere, can
19
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Club: Gold Coast TitansPosition: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 41
BUZZ SAYS: The youngest NRL skipper in the competition at just 22 years of age. Has a massive work rate and constantly a threat to his opponents. One of the first forwards picked for the Maroons and Kangaroos.
20
Jack Wighton
Club: Canberra RaidersPosition: Five-eighth
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: I’m not sure there is a better competitor anywhere in the NRL, whether it’s club footy, Origin or Tests. Plays tough and with furious energy in attack and defence.
21
Harry Grant
Club: Melbourne StormPosition: Hooker
Rank change: ↓ from 11
BUZZ SAYS: Surged past Damien Cook, Api Koroisau and Reed Mahoney to be clearly the best hooker in the competition. Has got a beautiful passing game and reads the game better than anyone.
22
Ben Hunt
Club: St George Illawarra DragonsPosition: Halfback
Rank change: New
BUZZ SAYS: St George-Illawarra’s best player this year by the length of Kogarah Oval as a halfback and also excelled at hooker for the Maroons and the Kangaroos at the World Cup.
23
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Club: Sydney RoostersPosition: Prop
Rank change: ↑ from 28
BUZZ SAYS: Old school front-rower, magnificent forward leader for the Roosters, although becoming a liability with his poor discipline. Has led the Chooks to three titles and is still going as powerfully as ever.
24
Mitchell Moses
Club: Parramatta EelsPosition: Halfback
Rank change: ↓ from 23
BUZZ SAYS: Now the No.2 halfback behind Nathan Cleary. Has developed into the complete playmaker. More responsible than any other player for the Eels’ surge into the grand final.
