The best and most important players in the NRL are often spine players.
All of the top teams have a number of excellent players in the spine, and the Dally M Medal count was dominated by spine players in 2021.
While fullback Tom Trbojevic won it, the top five was made up of halves Nathan Cleary, Cody Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans, while another fullback rounded it out with James Tedesco finishing fifth.
All of those players are at the peak of their powers, and their teams made up those going deep into the finals.
There could be a change a foot for 2022 though, with a few bottom-eight teams from 2021 appearing in the top eight of this list.
Yesterday, we ran through the bottom eight spines in the competition, and now, it's time for the top eight.
Here is the list.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jack Wighton, Jamal Fogarty, Tom Starling
Jamal Fogarty seems the perfect signing for Canberra after a 2021 in which they looked rudderless at times.
Given the side had gotten off to a poor start with George Williams in the fold though, him leaving was always going to leave the green machine a little more than a bit short in attacking creativity.
Fogarty needs to take charge of the Raiders and let Jack Wighton roam freely and make chances with his superb running game and vision for the contest.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad also needs to find his groove quickly, or he risks being shifted out wide and being replaced by Xavier Savage, who isn't completely out of the running to make a Round 1 start at the back as it stands following some impressive form in Canberra's two trials - one of which Nicoll-Klokstad missed due to the coronavirus.
If Ricky Stuart nails the Josh Hodgson and Tom Starling partnership this year and the halves click, we could see the Raiders return to September action this season.
William Kennedy, Nicho Hynes, Matt Moylan, Blayke Brailey
With Braydon Trindall missing the start of the season with suspension and having an overall poor trial, the Sharks are likely to go with Matt Moylan and Nicho Hynes in the halves, for now at least.
Will Kennedy is an excellent fullback and, having gone from strength to strength in 2021, could enter the upper echelon of NRL fullbacks soon.
Nicho Hynes comes into the season in red-hot Melbourne form, while the hooker partnership of Blayke Brailey and Cam McInnes provides the right balance between strong defence and electric attack. Matt Moylan’s best is not beyond him, but he needs to stay injury-free to nail down a spot in the side going forward.
Tom Trbojevic, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Lachlan Croker
Does Tom Trbojevic repeat 2021 or tear a hamstring in Round 1? These seem to be the two eventualities for the Sea Eagles, who could easily be ranked higher on this list.
When Trbojevic is on, more often than not, Manly score 50 points. However, with his injury history, be wary of over-hyping the Sea Eagles just yet.
Moreover, with Cherry-Evans at 33 and Foran having consistent injuries over the back end of his career, injury and unavailability looms a threat, especially around a packed Origin schedule.
Croker, not a renowned number nine. will be vital in keeping the forward pack rolling and helping the side win the close affairs which eluded them last season. Plenty of promise for Des Hasler.
Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Reed Mahoney
2022 is Parramatta's realistic last bite at the cherry.
Losing Marata Niukore, Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali'i, as well as potentially Ryan Matterson and Tom Opacic due to a salary cap squeeze, Brad Arthur needs to find a way to keep his side firing for an entire season.
Having started brilliantly in recent seasons, the Eels have had a habit of fading in the post State of Origin period.
With all the experience of capped Origin players Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson as well as Mahoney (who was selected but didn’t play for Queensland last season), the Eels should be more than equipped to handle the rigours of a full season.
Perhaps with the most settled spine in the NRL for the last three seasons, the Eels’ mental challenges seem to be the only thing stopping them from succeeding, with Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses combining down short-sides, and Mahoney feeding Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard through the middle.
Is 2022 the year in which the Eels finally put it all together and go deep into September? We shall see…
Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias, Damien Cook
With Latrell Mitchell currently suspended, he won’t play Round 1 but will play the rest of the season for the Rabbitohs.
Losing club captain, goalkicker and game manager Reynolds will be tough on the Rabbitohs, but with such a stacked representative-quality side, they are still primed for September action.
It remains to be seen what Jason Demetriou brings to this Bunnies side, but Mitchell and Cody Walker’s sheer weight of points created down the left side ensure that the Bunnies shouldn’t have too many problems scoring.
The best thing for Ilias is for him to take a back seat in attack, kick well and make tackles, and continue to develop as he gains experience.
Damien Cook will continue to be Damien Cook, and his partnership with Cameron Murray through the middle will only improve in 2023. Losing Reynolds, Benji Marshall and Joshua Cook, they may struggle for depth around the Origin period.
James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Sam Walker, Sam Verrills
The Roosters, with the likely Australian captain James Tedesco, the injury-prone yet brilliant Luke Keary, plus teen prodigy Sam Walker and premiership rake Sam Verrills should return to the 2022 top four.
Having missed experience and class in the halves last year and numerous major injury crises, Tedesco carried the Roosters on his back and the club still nearly made the top four.
In 2022, Walker and Verrills will continue to develop (under a little less pressure now) and with a fit team, the Walker-Keary halves partnership should steady and calm the side.
There’s a lot to look forward to for Roosters fans, especially with Brandon Smith on the way in 2023.
Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Apisai Koroisau
No surprises here. The game’s best halves of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, pairing along with an Origin hooker in Apisai Koroisau and the tireless Dylan Edwards presents a remarkable threat to opposition defences, with all four also strong defensive players.
Cleary picked up the Clive Churchill medal, captains Penrith and vice-captains New South Wales come State of Origin time, and there’s no secret why.
His unrivalled kicking game allows Penrith to dominate the field position battle every game, while Edwards’ fitness, work ethic and positioning are perhaps only matched by James Tedesco, with his tally of over 200 run metres with a broken foot in the grand final a testament to his character.
Koroisau’s ability to make decisive runs from dummy-half is a valuable quality in today’s game, while Blues Origin five-eighth Luai continues to be the perfect halves foil for Cleary.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant
Strong as ever, Craig Bellamy has Queensland stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant as well as NZ halfback Jahrome Hughes and Clive Churchill medalist Papenhuyzen at his disposal.
That doesn't even mention Brandon Smith who will likely start at lock with the Storm attempting to replace the departed Dale Finucane, who has held down the 13 jumper for years.
Hughes has emerged as one of the game’s best calm heads with a strong kicking and running game to partner Munster’s creativity and flair.
Around the ruck, Melbourne remains the most dangerous side, threatening defences with Papenhuyzen’s electric speed, Grant’s piercing dummy-half runs and their lethal mastery of the outside-inside play.