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The top ten second-rowers fom the 2024 NRL season

Who was the best on the edge of the field?

Published by
Dan Nichols

Post season positional rankings are always fun and create a plethora or discussion.

Today we look at the best wide forwards in the competition.

Typically one of the more difficult to rank due to the different types of second rowers.

Some are attacking, wrecking balls, other are defensive specialists while others are workhorses.

Again, this list is based purely off of 2024 performances and aren't necessarily just the ten best second rowers in the game.

Below are the top ten second rowers from 2024:

Haumole Olakau'atu

The Manly wrecking ball had some moments of inconsistency in 2024 but was still magnificent across the season.

His 21 games saw him score seven tries, make 11 line-breaks, lay on eight line-break assists, break 96 tackles, produce 16 offloads and run for almost 130 metres per game.

He also tackled at almost 92% meaning he was equally as dangerous in both attack and defence.

His efforts saw him make his debut for the NSW Blues. Although Origin Three will be remembered for the wrong reasons, Olakau'atu will remain a rep regular for many years to come.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Haumole Olakau'atu of the Sea Eagles warms up ahead of the round 23 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park, on August 20, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Shawn Blore

I don't think anyone was shocked to see Craig Bellamy turn another fringe reserve grader into a first grade regular.

Shawn Blore had long shown the ability to make his mark at the top level but Bellamy's second row whispering tag just continues to activate.

24 appearances for the Storm saw Blore cross for two tries, produce 39 offloads, make seven line breaks, assist five line-breaks, run for 76 metres per game and tackle at almost 96%.

A tremendous first up season in Melbourne for Blore who now looks every bit the player he showed signs of becoming.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Shawn Blore of the Storm poses at the Shrine of Remembrance during a Melbourne Storm Anzac Day Media Opportunity on April 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Hudson Young

I'm confident in saying that the Canberra firebrand is one of the most underappreciated second rowers in the game.

The Canberra faithful love him while opposition fans despise him ... probably the biggest compliment you can give a player.

His 22 games for the Green Machine netted him 10 tries, 12 line-breaks, 29 offloads, 130 run metres per game and a tackle percentage of almost 89%.

There is a reason the 26-year-old keeps getting picked for NSW and the Kangaroos. He just turns up and creates havoc.

Viliame Kikau

The Bulldogs big man played a massive role in helping his side return to Finals footy in 2024.

23 games for the Blue and Whites saw him cross for five tries, make 11 line-breaks, assist eight, produce 44 offloads, run for over 100 metres per game and tackle at 83.4%.

There was the odd quiet game, as you get with Kikau, which kept him from climbing the rankings further here, but the big games mean he is borderline unstoppable.

Crucially, Kikau has become a leader on and off the field. His recent work in Fiji has to be commended.

Viliame Kikau during the round two NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park on March 11, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)

Jaydn Su'A

The Dragons and QLD back-rower was a genuine highlight in an otherwise pretty dark season for both club and state.

In his 22 games he scored nine tries, broke 88 tackles, made three line-breaks, produced 30 offloads, ran for over 115 metres per game and tackled at just under 90%.

He signed a two year contract extension back in May, and rewarded the Dragons for their faith with a fantastic season.

Su'A is one Dragon and Maroon who can absolutely hold his head high.

MUDGEE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 24: Jaydn Su'a of the Dragons runs with the ball during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers at Glen Willow Sporting Complex on February 24, 2024 in Mudgee, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

David Fifita

The Titans behemoth almost became an afterthought for the Titans given the rise of Kini, Khan-Pereira and co, but still turned in a monster 2024 season.

Injury and a slow start to the season denied him a higher finish but he made up for lost time toward the back end of the year.

His 20 games saw him cross for four tries, make seven line-breaks, assist 11, lay on 34 offloads, run for 145 metres per game and tackle at 92%.

I still have no earthly idea how Fifita was overlooked for Origin honours. Boy could they have used him!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: David Fifita of the Maroons celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during game three of the State of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on July 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Liam Martin

If this list were formulated purely on big games, Martin would be number one by some distance.

His Grand Final heroics were the stuff of legend, while his Origin performances were top notch.

Across his 22 games for Penrith this year he scored four tries, made five line-breaks, ran for 90 metres per game and tackled at almost 91%.

Martin's stats don't always rival some of those on this list, but I could argue that there is no more important second-rower in the game.

Liam Martin. (Photo: Joshua Davis)

Briton Nikora

For the second straight season, the Sharks second-rower misses out on the top two spots by the slimmest of margins.

Nikora had a monster year that would have seen him force a fearsome second row combo for the Kiwis, if not for his wedding and reported post season surgery.

Nikora ran out 25 times for the Sharks for a return of ten tries, 11 line-breaks, 12 line-break assists, 25 offloads, 89 run metres per game and a tackle percentage of just under 91%.

Reports that the Sharks are in serious talks to extend Nikora's time at the Sharks make this Sharks fan very happy.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Briton Nikora of the Sharks celebrates scoring a try during the round eight NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm at Shark Park on May 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Angus Crichton

That horror moment against the Kiwis aside, Angus Crichton had the mother of all comeback seasons.

Relegated to NSW Cup and seemingly on his way to Rugby Union, Chrichton returned to peak form and won back his NSW Origin and Kangaroos rep jerseys in the process.

23 games for the Chooks saw him score 11 tries, make seven line-breaks, assist a further nine, produce 57 offloads, run for over 120 metres per game and tackle at 89%.

Chrichton played a massive part in the Roosters attacking masterclass in 2024.

Angus Crichton. (Photo: Joshua Davis)

Eliesa Katoa

Another Craig Bellamy prospect turns from fringe first grader into rep star ... no the shock of absolutely nobody!

Katoa's second year in Melbourne colours saw him emerge as one of the elite back-rowers in the competition. I believe he was, comfortably, 2024's best.

25 games saw him produce 12 tries, 13 line-breaks, six line-break assists, 26 offloads, 120 run metres per game and almost 800 tackles at 91.6%.

Katoa is the biggest threat in the air when it comes to second rowers. Thus making him a threat literally everywhere.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Christian Welch of the Storm celebrates with Eliesa Katoa of the Storm after victory during the round one NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Melbourne Storm at CommBank Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Published by
Dan Nichols