The Australian Kangaroos squad has been named and features many excellent players. However there are a number of players that did not make the cut that could likely represent their nation well.
Injured players such as Kalyn Ponga and Blake Ferguson have not been considered for this list.
Josh Jackson was named the Dally M second row forward of the year despite his club struggling for much of the season. Jackson has already played two matches for the Kangaroos and nine for the Blues, and has never seemed out of place in the representative arena. A return to the Australian squad would have been a great end to Jackson’s year.
The Rabbitohs were the NRL’s best attacking team in 2018; due in large part to their five-eighth Cody Walker. Walker made 19 linebreaks and 19 linebreak assists in a great season, and the dynamic half could provide the Kangaroos with a great attacking option.
Damien Cook was always going to be used as Australia’s first choice hooker, but Jake Friend will be wondering what more he had to do to be included in the squad. The Roosters hooker is a great defender and has proven himself on the big stage, meaning he would fit into the Australian set up with ease.
Nathan Cleary continued to impress NRL viewers in 2018, with a number of excellent performances for the Panthers in addition to a successful first series for New South Wales. As the Blues halfback, Cleary would have definitely been considered by the Australian selectors for a spot in the squad. Though the young half missed out this time, he will play for the Kangaroos sooner rather than later.
Dale Finucane has consistently provided the Storm with strong runs and solid defence despite rarely playing entire 80 minute matches. One of the most underrated forwards in the NRL, Finucane always performs, even when his team is not at their best. The powerful lock would certainly not look out of place in the Australian squad.
Josh Papalii has recorded nine games for Australia and 12 for Queensland in his impressive representative career. With a strong season behind him, both for the Raiders and Queensland, Papalii would have re-joined the Kangaroos with ease. His ability to play in many positions and his powerful running game could have assisted Australia in physically dominating their opposition.
For a long time Will Chambers has been an instant selection for the Australian team, and missing out in 2018 will hurt. Latrell Mitchell has certainly earned his selection in the national side, but Chambers is still a solid centre option for the Kangaroos and has plenty of representative experience.
2018 was a breakout year for Titans forward Jai Arrow, who earned a call-up to the Queensland team. The middle forward averaged more than 140 metres per game in 2018 and outperformed players much more experienced than himself. Arrow proved that he is made for tough matches with his impressive Origin returns.
Josh Addo-Carr has cemented himself as one of the best wingers in the game over the last few years and probably deserved an Australian call-up. The man known as “The Fox” is a proven try-scorer and is easily one of the fastest men in the NRL. Addo-Carr would no doubt have demonstrated his finishing ability for the Kangaroos.
Luke Keary solidified himself as one of the NRL’s top playmakers with his man of the match performance in the grand final. The 2018 Clive Churchill medallist had an excellent performance when it was most needed and would easily slot into the Australian line up.