Whether they are returning from injury, making their debut or being given a second chance, here's the Top 10 surprise players of 2017.
Has anyone else surprised you so far this season?
North Queensland Cowboys - Second-row
Coen Hess made his full NRL debut back in 2015 for the Cowboys in round 24 against the Warriors scoring a try and setting one up. Before the 2017 season, this wrecking ball had only played 9 games but, still, was able to bag himself a total 5 tries with an assist. The reason why I’m emphasising on his ability to score so many is that not only does he consistently roll over and steamroll through his opponents, he’s also deadly close to the line. It’s surprising to me how he only has 2 individual accolades to his name.
This mammoth of a second rower has managed to bag himself 10 tries in all 13 games this season. That’s unbelievable! He’s also statistically out of this world for a rookie when comparing him to the best in his respective position. He has 41 tackle breaks, 132 total hit ups, 1323 ARM and only 17 missed tackles.
No wonder why the QLD Maroons were so eager to pin him up against Fifita…
Parramatta Eels - Fullback
Clinton Gutherson made his NRL debut for Manly in 2013 in round 26, scoring a try and showing potential. Fast forward to 2017, after suffering a few injuries only allowing him to play a handful of games, a second chance at the Eels would see him flourish.
This young gun has been outstanding and consistent for the Eels both statistically and ethically. He’s racked up a total of 193 tackles (avg of 13.8 per game) in 14 games. He’s also bagged himself 7 tries, 4 try assists, has 1,337 ARM, and 11 line breaks.
He stands well and statistically holds his ground against the top and experienced FB’s in our game, deservedly, earning himself a spot on this list.
St George Illawarra Dragons - Prop
Born on the 23rd of April, 1991, the Italian made his NRL debut for the Raiders back in 2013 and left his mark with a debut try and, for his all-round efforts that year, was named the Raiders rookie of the year. 2016 though was a different story. He was dropped from the first-grade team by Ricky Stewart after a lacklustre season in round 18.
Come 2017, a new contract and a fresh start, the 27-year-old has found his feet and made an impact helping his team find some form seeing them sitting comfortably in 4th place on the ladder. Pinning him up beside the great props of our game, no wonder why he’s giving the NSW selectors headaches this year. He has himself 3 tries, 1 try assist, 400 total tackles, 1961 ARM, 191 all runs with 180 hit ups and 28 tackle breaks… wow!
For me, although the NSW team did an amazing job in game 1, he definitely should have been selected replacing someone, I won’t mention, from the Tigers. Paul Vaughan is a beast!
Brisbane Broncos - Halfback
The 23-year-old gun has been a revelation for the Broncs this season, more than adequately, replacing the out-of-form and relegated Ben Hunt in the 7. Nikorima, who usually features as a utility, is usually seen being interchanged from the bench as a dummy half or lock to inject speed and agility against tired forwards late in the game.
Kodi made his NRL debut for the Broncs in 2015 against the Sharks and leaving his mark on NZ selectors. Since then, he’s featured in a few games for his national team and a few more for his club. Come 2017 and the Kiwi has stepped up and overtaken his predecessor as the starting and long-term halfback for the Brisbane-based club.
When starting in his new role, Kodi has aided the Broncos to win all 5 games bagging 4 tries and 1 assist. He’s also made 138 tackles 66 all runs.
Sydney Roosters - Five-eighth
Luke Keary is famous for his bust-up incident vs Russell Crowe in January 2016, after the actor claimed he wasn’t worth his money. He then signed with the Roosters from the Rabbits and played his last game for the Rabbits in R21 vs the Raiders. So far this season, he seems to have made the famous Aussie actor eat his words.
Keary has played a key role in aiding the Roosters to sit comfortably in 2nd place. Pinning him up beside some of the best and more experienced 6’s, he’s done exceptionally well.
Keary has scored 3 tries and has 11 try assists in his 14 games this season. He also has 6 line breaks, 262 tckles, 977ARM, 77 total kicks, 14 line-break assists and 13 offloads leaving the Rabbits in his tail lights.
Melbourne Storm - Fullback
This legend needs absolutely no introduction. He literally revolutionised the way we see and interpret a good, modern day, fullback. Now, before you all come down on me for including him, let me explain.
Billy has made his, long awaited, return from, possible career ending, injuries (bad shoulder injury in 2015 and arthroscopy in 2016) in Round 3, 2017. Through the 2015 and 2016 season, Billy was only able to play a handful of games leaving him depressed and unsure of his playing future. This legend didn’t only decide to push on and play the sport he loves, but he’s returned with a bang. He’s literally, again, my no.1 fullback in the NRL and will make his return to rep footy in Origin game 2.
Billy, in his 11 games this season, has scored 5 tries and created 11. He has 166 AR, 62 tackles, 1368 ARM and 21 offloads. Why he wasn’t selected for Origin game 1 is beyond me.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Halfback
Matt Frawley finally got the debut he’s been waiting for and took it with both hands. He made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in round 5 vs the Broncos due to Moses Mbye being suspended, and what a game he had! His inspirational performance was key to the Bulldogs finding form and outclassing a resolute Broncos side to a 10-7 win.
Before I talk stats, let me give you some history on this class act. His NRL hasn’t been easy for him as in 2012 and 2014, he played for the Raiders NYC team and captained them in 2014. After the Raiders signed Blake Austin, he was in doubt about his skill and almost chose another career path selling retail clothes. The Bulldogs saw something special in him and gambled, signing him for two years in 2015. Now, he’s fighting, tooth and nail to revive a very disappointing Bulldogs season.
Frawley has 2 tries and 2 try assists in the 10 games he’s played (4 of which were off the bench). He’s also accumulated 2 line breaks, 149 tackles, 401 ARM, 84 total kicks and 13 tackle breaks. Not bad, not bad at all.
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Second-row
The 21-year-old made his debut for the Rabbits in 2016 but only made 8 appearances failing to impress. Fast forward to 2017 and the second-rower has made a dent and a name for himself amongst his peers and fans.
Angus has featured in 13 games this season scoring 7 tries with 1 try assist. He has an average of 31.3 tackles per game with a total of 376. He’s accumulated a total of 1292 ARM with 139 total runs, 3 line-breaks and 5 offloads. For a struggling team, he’s more than helped to keep them from the bottom.
Melbourne Storm - Winger
Born on the 29th of July, 1995, debuted for the Tigers against his current employers scoring a try and, obviously, impressing Craig Bellamy. He later that year signed a 3-year-deal with the Storm failing to impress his previous club. He then made his storm debut in R1 vs the Bulldogs in what was a tight encounter.
Pinned up beside some of the best wingers today, he’s really impressed with his stats. He’s scored 9 tries in 13 games. He’s made 9 line-breaks, 63 tackles, 1828 ARM with 165 all runs and 51 tackle breaks.
This bolt of a winger has helped the Storm consolidate their position at the top with style.
Cronulla Sharks - Lock
Born all the way back in 1981, this old vet is still giving it to the young, rising, stars and paving the way for his team to challenge for and defend their premiership title. This loyal, NSW, hero has divided opinion for years being a villain, labelled a grub and recently seen as a diver to anyone he opposes, fans and players. Through adversity, Gallen wishes to extend his contract with the Sharks to play on through the 2018 season at the tender age of 36.
Gallen has himself 2 tries and 1 assist in 13 matches. He has also made 2 line breaks, 403 tackles, 2368 ARM, played 816 minutes, 251 all runs, 2 line break assists, 227 hit ups, 25 offloads and 34 tackle breaks. He could easily compete at Origin level, even at this age.