A throwaway line on social media by one of our own here at Zero Tackle kick-started a heated debate prior to the kick-off for Round 6.
The debate? Over the best forward pack in the NRL.
Some good arguments were made, for multiple engine rooms. This makes absolute sense as there are currently some magnificient packs in the game.
Most arguments seemed to zero in on which pack makes the NRL's top five. There seemed to be a few agreements but a severe lack of a definitive top three, or even five.
I'll go on record in naming the packs I believe are currently the NRL's best.
For the purpose of this, we'll be dealing with each club's (perceived) full-strength 8-13 and bench forwards. Of course, these rankings are completely objective and here to be debated.
Let us know who you believe are the top five packs in the game:
Honourable Mentions:
Pack: 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Martin Taupau
The Broncos have the form front-rower in the game right now, and arguably the form player full-stop. Haas has been unstoppable with over 185 metres per game and a 98.5% tackle efficiency.
Fledgler and Carrigan combine to form arguably the game's best middle, especially in the defense.
Kurt Capewell is one of the game's most underrated second rowers. He's electric and so very important to this side. Jordan Riki is emerging, very quickly, as a genuine star.
Jensen, Palasia and Tapau are all quality bench players and very much play their part. Corey Paix is a spark off the bench and arguably the club's best-attacking number nine.
The Broncos are probably one star prop off the bench short of the sides to be named further down this list.
Pack: 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Moses Leota 11. Liam Martin 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Luke Garner 17. Jaeman Salmon
Prior to losing Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau, the Panthers had the best pack in the game. Even despite the two giant losses they're still undoubtedly a top-five squad up front.
James Fisher-Harris is a monster - an elite prop and someone who seemingly never has an off day. Prop partner Moses Leota is one of the game's most damaging on both ends of the ball.
Liam Martin is an Origin rep while I have Zac Hosking above Luke Garner (they can be switched if you insist) after his magnificent start to 2023.
Isaah Yeo is the best ball playing lock in the game. He adds something that no other side can match.
Spencer Leniu is a top two, at worst, bench prop. He walks into most other sides with ease. Luke Garner lands on the bench here but could very well start.
Soni Luke is going to make the number nine role his own. Mitch Kenny is more than serviceable but Luke is special.
Jaeman Salmon would drop off my bench for Scott Sorenson but the Cleary's both love Salmon who just seems able to play absolutely anywhere.
Pack: 8. Luke Thompson 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Max King 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Jacob Preston 17. Franklin Pele
Unfortunately we won't get to see this Dogs pack at full strength in 2023 given the season ending injury suffered by Luke Thompson (although recent reports suggest he is targeting a return).
He, Ryan Sutton and Max King are the ultimate head down, no frills, go to work middle. That is, in no way, a negative. They are excellent and fit the game-plan to perfection.
Viliame Kikau is ... well, Viliame Kikau. Very few, if any, can break a game open quite like the Fijian giant. His return will instantly weaponise his side of the field.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner's potential is almost unlimited. I wish him all the best in his recovery also and cannot wait to see him at full flight.
I've included Josh Reynolds in the best 17 as you just can't leave him out. He fits so many roles and is the heart and soul of the club.
Tevita Pangai Jr can do anything on the day. Franklin Pele is near impossible to contain, albeit in a short stints. Jacob Preston is a very short price favourite to win rookie of the year honours.
The Dogs pack that ran out this weekend is worlds apart from their best pack. God help us all if the Dogs can ever name their best 8-17.
Pack: 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J'maine Hopgood 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Jack Murchie 17. Brendan Hands
I'm going to go on record and state that the Eels have the best run on pack in the competition. Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo are both Origin props while Ryan Matterson should have a Blues jersey to his name.
Shaun Lane was destructive last season and has been horribly missed through injury. Bryce Cartwright has been fantastic in 2023, although I'd be willing to swap him for Hopgood via a shuffle.
Josh Hodgson has shown signs this season but if Reed Mahoney slots back in then the Eels are in the talk for the number one pack in the game. Papali'i obviously remains a huge out.
The aforementioned J'maine Hopgood has been a revelation since his shift to the Eels. Bloke is a machine and has a bright, bright future ahead.
Makahesi Makatoa has replaced Oregon Kaufusi to perfection. So much so that it's hardly been noticed, if at all. His minutes will rise as his experience does.
Jack Murchie, much like Makatoa, will see his minutes rise. The Eels bench is a product of their big minute starters.
I've named Brendan Hands here due to Hodgson's peaking at around the 55-60 minutes mark. I would be happy if you swapped him to Matt Doorey or Jakob Arthur.
Truthfully the Eels starting pack dominates so many minutes that the bench is really relegated to bit part players. I'd argue this is exactly what you want from your starts, however the bench does hold the Eels back from attaining top spot.
Pack: 8. Matt Lodge 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May
The pack that started it all. Our own Scott Pryde said that "At full strength, the Roosters might have the NRL's best pack". This kicked-started plenty of discussion.
I tried to find a stronger pack, initially landing on the Eels but with Crichton, Watson, Lodge and Tupouniua still to return, the tri-colours reign supreme.
I don't evn have Sitili Tupouniua in the strongest 17. He could easily replace May on the bench but for mine Nat Butcher is impossible to leave out of the starting side.
Lodge and JWH can swap spots here, I just like the menace off the bench. His injection absolutely changed the game with Souths.
Lodge/JWH and Lindsay Collins are elite middles. Brandon Smith is quickly returning to form. I believe he'd be even better with Watson coming off the bench and splitting minutes.
Nat Butcher should play Origin this season. We all know what Angus Crichton is capable of. He's set to return in the next month, so watch out.
Victor Radley is a top quality number 13. He can change the game with a run, a pass or a hit in defense. That is exactly what you want in your lock.
With Watson, JWH, Egan Butcher and Tyrell May/Sitili Tupouniua coming off the bench, no other forward pack can produce what this side can.