Team of The Year Thus Far

[Deleted member 10972]

Just a quick rundown on the standouts in each position.

Fullback: Jake Mullany (Tigers) has been outstanding, as has Neenan Simpson (Bulldogs), Luke Towers (Roosters), Gareth Widdop (Storm) and Peter Mata'utia (Knights). Josh Dugan (Raiders) and Kevin Locke (Warriors) have looked good in limited appearances.

Wingers: Joe Vickery (Dragons) and Bill Tupou (Warriors) are again standouts, but there is great talent in the Melbourne pair of Josh Jerome and Matt Duffie, as well as Coedi Towney (Tigers), Drury Low (Raiders), Michael Oldfield (Manly), Kane Morgan (Souths) and Michael Fualalo (Penrith).

Centre: Kane Linnett (Dragons) and Taioalo Vaivai (Souths) have been outstanding, as has NYC 'veterans' Sam Joe (Storm) and Daniel Vidot (Raiders). Suitonga Likiliki (Warriors) and Dale Copley (Broncos) look like great talents to watch out for.

Five-Eighth: Robert Lui (Tigers) has looked a standout to me, just ahead of Michael Picker (Raiders) and Kieran Foran (Manly). Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Albert Kelly (Eels), Corey Norman (Broncos) and Jordan Rankin (Gold Coast) are some great young talents though.

Halfback: Beau Henry (Dragons) is the real standout here, only challenged by Daniel Mortimer (Parramatta) and Luke Kelly (Melbourne). Shaun Johnson can again make a claim for this spot too.

Front Row: Siosia Vave (Titans), Trent Merrin (Dragons) and Tinirau Arona (Panthers) are the form props of the NYC. Jessie Browmich (Storm), Shaun Spring (Gold Coast), Ronnie Alovili (Cowboys), Sam McKendry (Manly), Jared Warea-Hargreaves (Manly), Martin Taupau (Bulldogs) and David Hala (Broncos), Matt Britt (Raiders) and Mitchell Johnson (Eels) have been solid too, whilst semi-regular first graders John Mannah (Sharks), Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors) and Martin Kennedy (Roosters) have been solid in limited appearances. One to really watch IMO is Aaron Woods (Tigers).

Hooker: Definitely one with less obvious quality. The most dynamic creative hookers have been Kayne Lawton (Titans) and Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs). However, with Lawton moved to halfback and Reynolds injured, speedy rakes Mitch Rein (Dragons) and James Segeyaro (Cowboys) have stepped into the spotlight.

Second Row: Jake Marketo (Dragons) and Pakisonasi Afu (Bulldogs) are the winners here, but Brock Molan (Souths), Jason Schirnack (Tigers), Fred Makimare (Storm) and Dunamis Lui (Broncos) all look talented.

Lock: Jamie Buhrer of Manly is by far and away the best current lock in the NYC, with Jason Baiteri (Eels) not far behind, and Jason Clark (Souths) and Matt Hyland (Tigers) a fair way behind them. I have actually been impressed by prop-to-lock convert Dane Hogan (Cowboys) and Joel Romelo (Panthers) too.


If I had to pick a 17...

1. Jake Mullany (Tigers)
2. Joe Vickery (Dragons)
3. Kane Linnett (Dragons)
4. Taiolalo Vaivai (Souths)
5. Coedi Towney (Tigers)
6. Robert Lui (Tigers)
7. Beau Henry (Dragons)
8. Siosaia Vave (Titans)
9. Kayne Lawton (Titans)
10. Tinirau Arona (Panthers)
11. Pakisonasi Afu (Bulldogs)
12. Jake Marketo (Dragons)
13. Jamie Buhrer (Manly)

14. Mitch Rein (Dragons)
15. Jason Baiteri (Eels)
16. Jared Warea-Hargreaves (Manly)
17. Trent Merrin (Dragons)

After a couple of rounds update, this is my current general player thoughts:

Fullback: Jake Mullany (Tigers) has been the best definitely, whilst Neenan Simpson (Bulldogs) has shown tremendous tackle-breaking ability, and Gareth Widdop (Storm) is probably the most skillful with the ball in hand. Watch out for Todd Murphy (Broncos) - what a great talent he is.

Wing: Joe Vickery (Dragons), Matt Duffie (Storm) and Kane Morgan (Souths) are the clear standouts on the wing, while Josh Jerome (Storm) has also been good, and Bill Tupou (Warriors) has been consistent.

Centre: Taioalo Vaivai (Souths) is tearing it up in the centres, in an insanely good form streak, while Blake Davey (Manly) is proving to be a great finisher. Kane Linnett (Dragons) and Dylan Farrell (Souths) are also consistent, while Sam Joe (Storm) is great at not only breaking the line, but setting up his outside man too.

Five-Eighth: Robert Lui (Tigers) easily is the best in this position this season, with only Kieran Foran (Manly) coming anywhere near his ability and consistency in this position.

Halfback: Beau Henry (Dragons) is still the runaway leader, but Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Daniel Mortimer (Eels) and Luke Kelly (Storm) have also had good seasons. No-one else really stands out...

Hooker: Kayne Lawton (Titans) is the best hooker, and is back there after a failed stint at halfback. James Segeyaro (Cowboys) and Travis Waddell (Raiders) are showing glimpses of form, while early season wonder Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs) has done little of note, and Mitch Rein (Dragons) has lost some form

Front Row: Siosia Vave (Titans) and Trent Merrin (Dragons) are the current standout props, both averaging more than 165 metres a game. Tinirau Arona (Panthers), Jesse Browmich (Storm), David Hala (Broncos), Martin Taupau (Bulldogs) and Jared Warea-Hargreaves (Manly) are the other standouts, while early season impressive players like Sam McKendry (Panthers), Mitchell Johnson (Eels), Matt Britt (Raiders), Aaron Woods (Tigers), Shaun Spring (Titans) and Ronnie Alovilli (Cowboys) have done relatively little of note since the last update. Someone who has really stepped up is Andrew Fifita (Tigers), definitely one to watch.

Backrow: Pakisonasi Afu (Bulldogs) and Jake Marketo (Dragons) are again still the standouts, while Dunamis Lui (Broncos), Fred Makimare (Storm), Mark Nicholls (Raiders) and the pair of Simon Dwyer and Jason Schirnack (Tigers) have all impressed. Brock Molan (Souths) is good at hitting lines too.

Lock: Jamie Buhrer (Manly) is still the best, while Jason Baiteri (Eels), Jason Clark (Souths), Dane Hogan (Cowboys) and Matt Hyland (Tigers) are all in very good form too.


Players like Drury Low and Daniel Vidot haven't played much in the same position, while injuries to Josh Reynolds, Aaron Woods, Coedi Towney and a few others have stunted their early season for. Josh Dugan hasn't figured much in NYC, but he is a class above.

1. Jake Mullany
2. Joe Vickery
3. Sam Joe
4. Taioalo Vaivai
5. Kane Morgan
6. Robert Lui
7. Beau Henry
8. Siosia Vave
9. Kayne Lawton
10. Trent Merrin
11. Pakisonasi Afu
12. Jake Marketo
13. Jamie Buhrer

14. James Segeyaro OR Kieran Foran
15. Jason Schirnack
16. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
17. Tinirau Arona

 

[abpanther]

Hey Mack, how do you rate Penrith's Joe Romelo?

 

[Deleted member 10972]

I think he has found his best position at lock, gives him more ability to use his size. He was never really an outstanding halfback IMO.

 

[thehattrickrabbit]

After 15 rounds
01. Gareth Widdop (Storm)
02. Josh Jerome (Storm)
03. Taioalo Vai Vai (Rabbitohs)
04. Kane Linnett (Dragons)
05. Joe Vickory (Dragons)
06. Robert Lui (Tigers)
07. Beau Henry (Dragons)
08. Andrew Fifita (Tigers)
09. Kayne Lawton (Titans)
10. Siosaia Va Ve (Titans)
11. Pakisonasi Afu (Bulldogs)
12. Jason Schirnack (Tigers)
13. Jamie Buhrer (Sea-Eagles)

14. Luke Kelly (Storm)
15. Joel Romelo (Penrith)
16. Jake Marketo (Dragons)
17. Trent Merrin (Dragons)

18. Daniel Mortimer (Eels)

Josh Dugan
------------------------
Bolded are top five in NYC at the moment in no particular order (overall talent/performance). Dugan hasn't played enough games imho to warrant selection though I acknowledge he is close to if not the most talented NYC Player this year, But imho he hasn't played enough games to be warranted the best fullback in the NYC performance wise.

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

kinda wish woods wouldnt be injured so much or he would be one of the best u20s props

 

[Iafeta]

Suiatonga Likiliki deserves consideration, and Alehana Mara is getting back to his best form. Va Ve and Lawton from the Titans were destroyed by their opponents in the Warriors-Titans game. I don't see how a team can be running 5th and have no one in that team.

 

[playdaball]

Russell Packer played at prop for the Warriors u/20 yesterday and looked really good

 

[Iafeta]

I've heard good things about this Packer. Na... he couldn't make an U20s side.

 

[playdaball]

If I was the Warriors I'd consider keeping him there as well as 'dropping' down Ben Matulino and Kevin Locke - they might as well focus on the U20s now.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Bill Tupou and Thomas Ah Van are very good finishing wingers, Bristow and Likiliki are strong running centres, Locke and Packer are outstanding players who are now NRL regulars, and Shaun Johnson is, after Beau Henry, the next best halfback in the NYC.

 

[petetheileet]

IMO Marketo and Merrin are two of the only forwards In the NYC who could really hold their own in the top grade, barring Packer of course.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

I would like to see Warea-Hargreaves (Manly), Arona (Panthers), Vave (Titans) and Afu (Bulldogs) in the NRL too. Arona and Hargreaves seem to have a HUGE motors, as does Vave...and Afu has a tremendous ability to break the line almost at will. Jesse Bromwich (Storm) also looks one hell of a player to me as well, and I feel that Aaron Woods (Tigers) and Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors) will excel in FG too, if they overcome injuries. Mark Nicholls (Raiders) and Jamie Buhrer (Manly) are also good backrow prospects.

Shaun Spring (Titans), David Hala (Broncos), Martin Taupau (Bulldogs), Mitchel Johnson (Eels), Dunamis Lui (Broncos), Matt Britt (Raiders) and Andrew Fifita (Tigers) all look the sort of players that are strong U20's forwards, but much like Tohi Leha (Sharks), Mataupu Poching (Warriors) and a few others from last season, I feel they will fade away.

 

[Iafeta]

I would like to see Warea-Hargreaves (Manly), Arona (Panthers), Vave (Titans) and Afu (Bulldogs) in the NRL too. Arona and Hargreaves seem to have a HUGE motors, as does Vave...and Afu has a tremendous ability to break the line almost at will. Jesse Bromwich (Storm) also looks one hell of a player to me as well, and I feel that Aaron Woods (Tigers) and Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors) will excel in FG too, if they overcome injuries. Mark Nicholls (Raiders) and Jamie Buhrer (Manly) are also good backrow prospects.

Shaun Spring (Titans), David Hala (Broncos), Martin Taupau (Bulldogs), Mitchel Johnson (Eels), Dunamis Lui (Broncos), Matt Britt (Raiders) and Andrew Fifita (Tigers) all look the sort of players that are strong U20's forwards, but much like Tohi Leha (Sharks), Mataupu Poching (Warriors) and a few others from last season, I feel they will fade away.

Upu Poching is still with the Warriors. He's playing reserve grade at the moment after an injury riddled start to the year. To the best of my knowledge, he's been resigned for an extended period. He's far from a spent force yet.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

I did an analysis on the NYC centres this season on a Roosters forum, a statistic comparison of some of the better ones this season, if anyone would be interested. These were from the stats up till Round 15 in the NYC.

- Taioalo Vaivai (Souths NYC)

12 games, 13 tries, 19 linebreaks, 2 linebreak assists, 3 try assists, 65 tackle breaks, average 9 runs for 90 metres

- Kane Linnett (Dragons NYC)

14 games, 8 tries, 11 linebreaks, 3 linebreak assists, 4 try assists, 29 tackle breaks, average 11 runs for 92 metres

- *Blake Davey (Sea Eagles NYC)

12 games, 15 tries, 10 linebreaks, 2 linebreak assists, 4 try assists, 26 tackle breaks, average 6 runs for 59 metres

*these stats are not accurate due to stats missing for the Rd 4 clash between Manly and Newcastle

- Sam Joe (Storm NYC)

14 games, 9 tries, 9 linebreaks, 8 linebreak assists, 9 try assists, 41 tackle breaks, average 9 runs for 87 metres

- Siuatonga Likiliki (Warriors NYC)

13 games, 6 tries, 8 linebreaks, 5 linebreak assists, 3 try assists, 65 tackle breaks, average 13 runs for 108 metres

- Rusty Bristow (Warriors NYC)

7 games, 5 tries, 7 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist, 2 try assists, 43 tackle breaks, average 11 runs for 113 metres

- Simon Williams (Knights NYC)

7 games, 5 tries, 6 linebreaks, 2 linebreak assists, 1 try assist, 19 tackle breaks, average 8 runs for 92 metres

...and players who have shown their best form at centre this season, including:

- Daniel Vidot (Raiders NYC)

11 games (9 at centre, all others at fullback), 6 tries (5 at centre), 9 linebreaks (8 at centre), 1 linebreak assist, 1 try assist, 44 tackle breaks (40 at centre), average 13 runs for 133 metres (13 runs for 138 metres at centre)

- Dylan Farrell (Souths NYC)

11 games (9 at centre, all others at five-eighth), 10 tries (9 at centre), 12 linebreaks (11 at centre), 3 linebreak assists (2 at centre), 3 try assists (1 at centre), 44 tackle breaks (42 at centre), average 8 runs for 77 metres (9 runs for 89 metres at centre)

- Josh Bishop (Bulldogs NYC)

9 games (8 at centre, all others on the bench), 5 tries, 7 linebreaks, 3 linebreak assists, 5 try assists, 27 tackle breaks (26 at centre), average 7 runs for 64 metres (7 runs for 68 metres at centre)

- Dale Copley (Broncos NYC)

11 games (9 at centre, all others at fullback), 6 tries (5 at centre), 9 linebreaks (7 at centre), 2 linebreak assists, 1 try assist, 36 tackle breaks (29 at centre), average 8 runs for 71 metres (7 runs for 66 metres at centre)

...

I also compiled the stats they made this round, it is clear that the SAME players are performing well on a regular basis.

Kane Linnett (14 runs, 100 metres, 2 linebreaks, 2 tries, 5 tackle breaks)
Rusty Bristow (10 runs, 131 metres, 2 linebreaks, 1 try, 4 tackle breaks)
Siuatonga Likiliki (14 runs, 150 metres, 2 linebreaks, 1 try, 10 tackle breaks)
Daniel Vidot (23 runs, 223 metres, 3 linebreaks, 3 tries, 10 tackle breaks)
Sam Joe (5 runs, 76 metres, 2 linebreaks, 1 try, 4 tackle breaks)
Taioalo Vaivai (10 runs, 110 metres, 1 linebreak, 1 try, 5 tackle breaks + 2 try assists)

Dylan Farrell had a relatively quiet one, making 8 runs for 66 metres, with 4 tackle breaks and nothing else of note, Simon Williams did little of note with only 7 runs for 55 metres, and 1 tackle break, although he did earn himself a solitary try assist, while Blake Davey will not play this week as Manly have the bye. It remains clear that there is a clearcut, select few of really high standard centres who are simply dominating the NYC, in particular Kane Linnett, Rusty Bristow, Sam Joe and Daniel Vidot who are into their 2nd seasons now.

In regards to other talented centres in the U20's, Moses Pangai (Cowboys) had a BLINDER this weekend (20 runs, 170 metres, 2 tries, 2 linebreaks, 13 tackle breaks) but his season stats, a bit like Dean Whare (Dragons), Jake Clarke (Tigers), Ryan Williamson (Roosters) and Taniela Lasalo (Eels) aren't really anything too good - they have been relatively inconsistent, with Pangai in particular being somewhat error-prone.

 

[thehattrickrabbit]

Very good analysis Mack, I must agree Dylan Farrell was fairly quiet last night.

Vai Vai 20 line breaks for the season. Paki Afu didn't get on the board this week, So Vai Vai is sole leader in that facet. He is still 7 line-breaks adrift of any other centre in the game and 6 adrift of any other outside back in the game in Under 20's, Only front/second rower Paki Afu who is just a absolute machine is 1 line-break behind Vai Vai.

Without Matt Mundine we failed to spread the ball too much, I thought all our outside backs got starved of the ball at times, It wasn't until later in the game when Morgan made a great break was when we were starting to dominate the fringes.

 

[Pumba]

Great work there Mack. Well done!

 

[fortae]

Dylan Farrell had a relatively quiet one, making 6 runs for 49 metres.

Farrell was very good for NSW on Wednesday and was probably tired.

One thing to consider, which has come up a couple of times, is how teams play.

At Saints, Linnett is a big, strong centre, a possibility to become a backrower later on, and he gets a lot of ball because the ball moves very easily to the left and how dominant Henry, Marketo are ...

Meanwhile, they have struggled to organise the right hand side of the attack in both years of the Toyota Cup. Hudson has been fairly consistent but the ball has struggled to get past him and he gets dominated regularly, so the ball rarely goes the same way again. The halves have been getting better, especially with Rosser and now KStanley, but it has been atrocious otherwise.

When Whare has got the ball, especially early ball, he's been as good as any centre going. Unfortunately he's picked up an injury and will probably be out for a while ... and he has been poached by Manly. I'd say he'd be leading all the stats, if he was playing there now.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Whare only scored a handful of tries last year too though, and was very low on metres gained for a centre as well. I have always got the impression that maybe he hasn't been able to back up the wraps on him.

I really like the look of Likiliki though, one hell of a blockbusting centre. Hits like a freight train too.

 

[fortae]

Whare only scored a handful of tries last year too though, and was very low on metres gained for a centre as well. I have always got the impression that maybe he hasn't been able to back up the wraps on him.

As I mentioned, Saints were atrocious on the right, while Mundine dominated on the left. Whare scored a hat trick in one game he played on the left last year. Their best game on the right last year was in the final against the Raiders and they went very close to beating them. They've rarely had any balance in attack. Mundine and Henry barely played together and KStanley only just started again in the under 20s.

Whare also had a serious leg break the year before and did take most of the season to recover his acceleration. Maybe that's why they never tried to set up the attack on the right. They've tried harder this year. The Canterbury game at Kogarah is an example of what they can do, when the attack is balanced.

 

[Deleted member 10972]

Just did a wingers analysis as well for the U20's this season. Again, the 'season' stats are up until last round, and I have added individually the players match stats for the current round that has just past. They are not included in the players season stats.

---

Joe Vickery (Dragons NYC) – 13 games, 17 tries, 12 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist, 0 try assists, 28 tackle breaks, average 12 runs for 108 metres

This round: 13 runs, 94 metres, 0 tackle breaks, 0 tries, 0 linebreaks


Kalifa Fai Fai Loa (Dragons NYC) – 13 games, 7 tries, 8 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist, 0 try assists, 46 tackle breaks, average 14 runs for 133 metres

This round: 10 runs, 60 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 0 tries, 0 linebreaks


Bill Tupou (Warriors NYC) – 12 games, 12 tries, 11 linebreaks, 0 linebreak assists, 1 try assist, 41 tackle breaks, average 9 runs for 85 metres

This round: 11 runs, 75 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 0 tries, 0 linebreaks


Josh Jerome (Storm NYC) – 13 games (12 games at wing, the rest at five-eighth), 11 tries, 14 linebreaks (13 at wing), 2 linebreak assists, 4 try assists, 40 tackle breaks (37 at wing), average 9 runs for 82 metres (9 runs for 81 metres at wing)

This round: 7 runs, 48 metres, 1 tackle break, 0 tries, 0 linebreaks


Matt Duffie (Storm NYC) – 13 games (12 games at wing, the rest at halfback), 16 tries (13 at wing), 10 linebreaks (7 at wing), 1 linebreak assist, 0 try assists, 59 tackle breaks (50 at wing), average 10 runs for 116 metres (10 runs for 102 metres at wing)

This round: DNP (injured)


Kane Morgan (Rabbitohs NYC) – 13 games (11 at wing, the rest at centre/backrow), 15 tries (12 at wing), 11 linebreaks (8 at wing), 3 linebreak assists (2 at wing), 2 try assists (1 at wing), 68 tackle breaks (55 at wing), average 10 runs for 119 metres (10 runs for 120 metres at wing)

This round: 9 runs, 77 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 1 try, 0 linebreaks


Michael Fualalo (Panthers NYC) – 14 games, 11 tries (8 at wing), 11 linebreaks (8 at wing), 0 linebreak assists, 0 try assists, 36 tackle breaks (27 at wing), average 9 runs for 66 metres (8 runs for 63 metres at wing)

This round: DNP (bye)


Coedi Towney (Tigers NYC) – 8 games (7 at wing, the rest at centre), 2 tries, 9 linebreaks (7 at wing), 2 linebreak assists, 2 try assists (1 at wing), 56 tackle breaks (48 at wing), average 15 runs for 146 metres (16 runs for 148 metres at wing)

This round: DNP (injured)


Thomas Ah Van (Warriors NYC) – 12 games (9 at wing, the rest at centre), 9 tries (5 at wing), 9 linebreaks (6 at wing), 2 linebreak assists (1 at wing), 1 try assist, 67 tackle breaks (53 at wing), average 9 runs for 83 metres (9 runs for 80 metres at wing)

This round: 11 runs, 72 metres, 0 tackle breaks, 1 linebreak, 1 try + 1 try assist


*Michael Oldfield (Manly NYC) – 11 games (10 at wing, the rest off the bench), 10 tries, 7 linebreaks, 1 linebreak assist (0 at wing), 2 try assists (1 at wing), 29 tackle breaks (27 at wing), average 9 runs for 97 metres (9 runs for 103 metres at wing)

This round: DNP (bye)


*Kevin Naiqama (Knights NYC) – 12 games (10 games at wing, the rest at centre/fullback), 4 tries (3 at wing), 11 linebreaks (10 at wing), 1 linebreak assist (0 at wing), 4 try assists (3 at wing), 60 tackle breaks (53 at wing), average 9 runs for 89 metres (9 runs for 88 metres at wing)

This round: 13 runs, 94 metres, 8 tackle breaks, 0 tries, 1 linebreak


*these stats are not accurate due to stats missing for the Rd 4 clash between Manly and Newcastle, in which these players participated in. It is still recorded whether they score a try, but everything else is considered as zero.

---

There are some very talented wingers going around too, as can be seen. A few teams have wingers who seem to have been persisted with even though they have shown very little in regards to linebreaking and tryscoring ability, but these individuals have consistently found the ability to break the line and score on repeated occasions throughout the season. I will give particular wraps to Towney and Fai Fai Loa for clearly having a tremendous workrate to go with their natural flair, 130+ metres each is no mean feat! Towney's season has been halted by an injury, however.

Regular winger tryscorers from last season like Mason Pure (Bulldogs), Sonny Tuigamala (Panthers), Kevin Gordon (Titans) have all moved up to NRL and feeder clubs (NSW or QLD Cup) due to the age bracket, while players like Obediah Geia (Cowboys) and Jharal Yow Yeh (Broncos) have had their 2nd NYC seasons interfered with by injuries, stunting their development and undoubtedly robbed them of a chance to once again feature prominently as some of NYC's best tryscorers. The aforementioned Mason Pure (who missed every game between Rd 5 to Rd 16 due to injury) and Thomas Ah Van (who missed all but one game between Rd 6 and Rd 18 due to injury) had injury-interrupted seasons too, but both once returning finished their seasons very strongly to remain among the better wingers.

Then there is the case of Drury Low (Raiders) who was outstanding on the wing for Raiders last season, outshining the better known Michael Brophy easily (who had quite a disappointing season IMO), but so far in this season, it seems his linebreaking ability has been limited by a shift to the centres and fullback (albeit, Low did score himself a hattrick in the centres against Sharks in Round 14, but the fact remains that 6 of his 10 linebreaks this season have come in his 3 appearances on the wing).