Itโs undoubtedly true that every successful NRL side has a strong spine - the spine players inject creativity, guidance and structure, and touch the ball more than any other player on the field.
The fullback, halfback, five-eighth and hooker control all of the action, direct traffic and are normally the best players on the park, receiving much of the credit when things go right, but equally much of the backlash when things go wrong.
In recent years, the NRL has been blessed with some of the greatest ever spine talent, with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Jake Friend (to name a few) as well as current megastars Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans.
With 2022 set to be as fast, physical and competitive as ever, the sides with the best spines will continue to blow bottom sides out of the water.
Remembering that this is a ranking of spines rather than a ladder prediction, here is how we view each of the club's best spine options for 2022.
5. (12) Gold Coast Titans
Jayden Campbell, Alexander Brimson, Toby Sexton, Erin Clark
Last year, the Titans spine looked a bit old and tired. Jamal Fogarty and Ashley Taylor struggled with injury, AJ Brimson wasnโt injecting himself into the game enough, and Mitch Rein was never bad, but just had minimal impact.
This season is a clean slate.
Jayden Campbell looked the goods last year and will certainly rack up a highlight reel, but his smaller stature may mean he struggles on kick returns until he bulks up a little.
Erin Clark will do well as an impact running hooker like Brandon Smith (and supported by Aaron Booth off the bench).
Toby Sextonโs composure and kicking game was impressive in the few games he played last year, however Iโm not 100 per cent sure that the game management component will click straight away for the Titans with Brimson not a renowned kicker. AJ needs to be brilliant for the Titans to score consistent points every week.
