George Burgess has had a breakout season for the Rabbitohs. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
IT'S that time of the year again. Winter is on the way out, eight finals positions are up for grabs and the game's individual awards are soon to be determined. I'm getting in early to reveal the team of the year.
Fullback: Greg Inglis
How could you pick a team without the great Billy Slater at fullback? Easy. South Sydney's Greg Inglis has been clearly the dominant No.1 in the game. There have been some other standout performers, none more so than St George Illawarra's Josh Dugan. Anthony Minichiello has had another great year at the Roosters. Brett Stewart is approaching his best form at Manly and Michael Gordon has been outstanding at the Sharks.
Wingers: Jorge Taufua and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Probably the most difficult choice because so many have emerged this year and played better than the established representative wingers. We've gone for the Sea Eagles' Jorge Taufua as first choice. He has to be there on Fox Sports statistics which show, going into yesterday's game against the Warriors, he has broken the line 25 times this season (the most of any player). He has also scored 16 tries, ran 145m per game and made more metres (2748) this season than any player. The Roosters' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is on the other wing. What a player! The boys at the Wests Tigers, Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma, are extra special. Penrith's Dave Simmons has held his own every week against the best in the competition.
Centres: Michael Jennings and Jamie Lyon
It's never easy leaving out quality players like Justin Hodges at the Broncos or Josh Morris at the Bulldogs. At the same time, you can't ignore the form of Michael Jennings in the Roosters' backline and Jamie Lyon at Manly.
Five-eighth: John Sutton
Without doubt the toughest job is settling on a five-eighth. James Maloney, Todd Carney, Kieran Foran, John Sutton, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Reynolds and Johnathan Thurston - what an era for number sixes. Certainly the best since Daley, Fittler, Mundine, Matty Johns, Kevvy Walters and co. Maloney had another blinder on Saturday night for the Roosters against the Raiders, Carney has stormed into Dally M contention but we've gone with Sutton. He's big and makes nearly 100m a game and has grown into a wonderful leader. Mullen is unlucky too. He has had a super year this season playing for the Newcastle Knights.
Halfback: Cooper Cronk
It impossible to go past Cooper Cronk but many others have had greats seasons. Daly Cherry-Evans at Manly, Adam Reynolds at the Rabbitohs, Albert Kelly at the Titans and Shaun Johnson at the Warriors have been outstanding. Trent Hodkinson at the Bulldogs deserves an honourable mention. Mitch Pearce too has exploded back from an ordinary State of Origin series, stylishly steering the Roosters towards the minor premiership.
Lock: Sam Burgess
Sam Burgess has staked a claim this year as the world's best forward, from lock, second-row or prop. Paul Gallen is the defending Dally M lock of the year but hasn't played enough football. The Broncos' Corey Parker and St George Illawarra's Trent Merrin have done well.
Second-rowers: Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Watmough
It's impossible not to choose Sonny Bill Williams. He has the best off-load in the game and has lived up to all the pre-season hype. Anthony Watmough continues to impress for Manly and has done more than Sam Thaiday at the Broncos.
Front-rowers: George Burgess and Andrew Fifita
The one position where there has been a real changing of the guard this season. We've settled for Souths' George Burgess and Cronulla's Andrew Fifita, two explosive ball-runners. Matt Scott and James Tamou were entrenched at the beginning of the year as the game's No.1 props but have been disappointing in a struggling Cowboys pack. Aiden Tolman, James Graham and Sam Kasiano have been in great form for the Bulldogs. At Manly, Brenton Lawrence has been almost the find of the year. Willie Mason has been strong at the Knights and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves magnificent at the Roosters. I'm also a fan of the Storm's Jesse Bromwich.
Hooker: Cameron Smith
Australia's Test captain Cameron Smith has to be the first man chosen after yet another standout season. The biggest improver is Jake Friend at the Roosters, who is getting so close to the Tigers' Robbie Farah as the game's No.2 hooker that it's not funny. When Smith eventually retires, Friend will play for Queensland and Australia. Michael Ennis is again showing great leadership qualities at the Bulldogs and James Segeyaro has done exceptionally well in his first season at the Panthers.
Coach: Trent Robinson
It has to be the Roosters' Trent Robinson. We know he got Sonny Bill Williams, Michael Jennings and James Maloney but it normally takes more time to mould a potential premiership-winning outfit. This Roosters side is playing like it has been together for years. Ricky Stuart and Phil Gould won premierships in their first year as coaches - and Robinson could do the same at the Roosters.
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