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.
6. Blayke Brailey
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.
In attack Brailey is starting to deliver on his undoubted promise. Three tries, nine try assists, nine linebreak assists and three forced drop outs is a more than handy return.
He defends at 95% despite being one of the game's smaller number nines. On paper, he is a complete hooker and probably should be higher.
Unfortunately, a series of brain snaps, some of which saw him sat down for ten minutes, seem to hold him back. He needs to up his 43 metres run per game average in 2023.
“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.