The 2018 season has once again seen a number of players light up the competition. These 10 players have managed to defy most expectations and excel throughout the year. No rookies were included on the list.
With the loss of James Maloney in the off-season, Chad Townsend had no choice but to stand up and lead the way for the Sharks. A Top 4 finish is an excellent result for a club that lost it’s key playmaker and Townsend certainly played a big part in that result.
Robert Jennings has enjoyed the best year of his career, with an exceptional season on the wing for the Rabbitohs. Despite a fairly serious injury late in the season, Jennings finished third on the top try scorers list– only a few behind David Fusitu’a and Valentine Holmes.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon enjoyed his best NRL season so far, topping his solid 2017 season. Fitzgibbon showed he was a dynamic, hard-working forward, regularly playing 80 minutes. The young back rower finished the season with nine tries and 12 line breaks from 21 matches.
Another Knights player that had his best season to date, Slade Griffin finally had an opportunity to be a club’s first choice hooker. The former Storm player showed he deserved the opportunity he was given and even earned a New Zealand call-up for strong start to the season. His injury later in the season severely damaged the Knights finals chances.
Tevita Pangai Junior had a strong season for the Broncos; his most consistent so far. The Tongan international got the attention of the rugby league community with his solid go-forward and determined attitude. Many clubs will be hoping to sign the young man as he continues to improve.
After a rocky 2017 season many NRL viewers thought that Benji Marshall’s career was all but finished. However, Marshall has had a major career revival in 2018, taking the Tigers to within a few wins of finals return. The famous five-eighth has been so good that the Tigers resigned him for another season.
Blake Green was a terrific buy for the Warriors as he has provided some much needed game management to the club. The experienced five-eighth was instrumental in helping the Warriors play finals football in 2018, which few thought the New Zealand club was capable of doing.
Used primarily as a bench prop in 2017, Tariq Sims replaced Joel Thompson in the number 11 jersey for the 2018 season. Sims has been superb for the Dragons and has had his best NRL season to date. The powerful forward was rewarded with his first New South Wales game.
Like Jarrod Wallace before him, Jai Arrow left the Broncos and became an unstoppable force in the Titans forward pack. Arrow’s regular return of over 200 running metres saw him selected by Queensland in all three State of Origin matches.
Without a doubt Damien Cook has been one of the NRL’s best in 2018. The explosive hooker has helped take the Rabbitohs to the Top 4 and the Blues to a series win. It would not be surprising to see Cook receive the Dally M Medal, which would be huge as he was battling Robbie Farah for the starting hooker role before the season started.