Every position on the rugby league field is important but there's just something about those truly elite number nines.
Given they touch the ball more often than any other player on the field, they can change a game in the blink of an eye.
Whether that be spotting an overlap, a quick kick or a blink and you're gone run, having a world-class dummy half is almost imperative in 2022.
Here we look at the top 10 hookers from 2022. As with the previous lists, only 2022s form is taken into account.
For a player to qualify, they must have played more games at nine than elsewhere so Brandon Smith, for example, is not considered.
7. Jeremy Marshall-King
He may not have the name value, or rep experience, of others heading north, but JMK looks like one of the Dolphins best signings for next season.
Marshall-King completed 927 tackles at almost 94% in 2022 adding a real defensive steel to an impressive attacking presence.
His five tries, four try assists, five line break assists, nine offloads and 62 run metres per game run helped spark the Dogs attack all season.
With Reed Mahoney incoming the Dogs made a decision to not fight for JMK. Their loss is the Dolphins' gain as I'm tipping him to be a huge success in their colours.
“The Sharks youngster is the most difficult to place here. On his day he’s magic to watch but there are times you wonder what goes through his mind.”
Yes ! Rating him 6 is too high for him, in my view. I rate Verills more highly.