OPTA Index: Players of the month for May

[bartman]

Thought I might put these up, something different to discuss and might give those not in the UK some insight into how a range of people are performing. OPTA base these on statistical analysis of player performances - not always a perfect measure, but what is?

Courtesy Rugby League World, these would probably be for rounds 12-14 and CCR5... Listed in order of best ratings - don't ask me what the numbers mean - and team of the month in bold.

Fullbacks :
Mark McLinden (Quins) 2896
Motu Tony (Hull) 2706
Richie Mathers (Leeds) 2327
Paul Reilly (Hudds) 1994
Chris Ashton (Wigan) 1722

Wingers:
John Wilshere (Salford) 2054
Gareth Raynor (Hull) 1848
Nathan Blacklock (Hull) 1743
Semi Tadulala (Wakey) 1702
Ade Gardner (St Helens) 1636

Centres:
Aaron Moule (Salford) 2180
Shontayne Hape (Bradford) 2149
Keith Senior (Leeds) 1776
Kirk Yeaman (Hull) 1611
Jason Demetriou (Wakey) 1533

Stand-Offs:
Danny McGuire (Leeds) 2616
Lee Briers (Warrington) 2178
Paul Cooke (Hull) 1787
Leon Pryce (St Helens) 1622
Paul March (Huddersfield) 1619

Scrum Halves:
Richard Horne (Hull) 2911
Stanley Gene (Bradford) 2206
Luke Robinson (Salford) 1986
Robbie Paul (Hudds) 1942
Rob Burrow (Leeds) 1513

Props:
James Graham (St Helens) 2540
Danny Nutley (Cas) 2427
Andy Lynch (Bradford) 2417
Stuart Fielden (Bradford) 2089
Iafeta Paleaasina (Wigan) 2046

Hookers:
Brad Drew (Hudds) 2781
Richard Swain (Hull) 2124Malcolm Auker (Salford) 2062
Andrew Henderson (Cas) 1887
Mick Higham (Wigan) 1808

Second Rowers:
David Solomona (Wakey) 2388
Willie Manu (Cas) 2296
Lee Hopkins (Quins) 2156
Lee Radford (Hull) 2125
Paul Sculthorpe (St Helens) 1935

Loose Forwards:
Simon Finnigan (Salford) 2323
Monty Betham (Wakey) 2131
Ian Hindmarsh (Catalans) 1841
Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan) 1736
Ben Roarty (Cas) 1711

- - - - -

Interestingly, of the players in this "team of the month":
3 are from Salford
2 are from Castleford and Hull
1 each from Wakefield, Huddersfield, St Helens, Leeds, Bradford, and Harlequins, and
0 from Catalans, Warrington and Wigan

 

[WJ]

All that proves is that stats mean very little. St helens have just 1 player who was the best from the stats in his position, yet they are the stand out team.

 

[Fairleigh Good!]

I would usually agree with you that stats mean very little, but this time it seems to be pretty reflective of what is happening.

The players I have been most impressed with over the last few weeks have been McLinden, Horne, Drew, Graham, Manu and Finnigan. They are all acknowledged in these stats.

 

[WJ]

I would usually agree with you that stats mean very little, but this time it seems to be pretty reflective of what is happening.

The players I have been most impressed with over the last few weeks have been McLinden, Horne, Drew, Graham, Manu and Finnigan. They are all acknowledged in these stats.

and danny mcguire?:lol:

 

[douglasallen91]

one stat is interesting is:
8 of the 13 are non gb