For the purpose of this list, we've only considered players who are known primarily as a five-eighth.
Of course, there is big cross-over potential with halfbacks, however, we've stuck with players most recently recognised in the six jersey.
Top TEN best fullbacks in the NRL
Top TEN best wingers in the NRL
Top TEN best centres in the NRL
Top TEN best five-eighths in the NRL
Top TEN best second-rowers in the NRL
5. Shaun Johnson
I'm absolutely shocked by any list that doesn't have Shaun Johnson in their top five somewhere. I'd argue that his 2020 was his best yet, including his ridiculous efforts whilst wearing the Warriors emblem. He was always known as a brilliant, individual player, but he was an all-round star for the otherwise struggling Sharks in 2020.
If you take Johnson out of the Sharks in 2020, they don't finish anywhere near the finals. He dragged them to that eighth spot and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Only injury cost him a genuine crack at the Dally M Medal in a team that never looked close to being a top-four side.
23 try assists in 16 games saw him set the pace. It took the aforementioned Luai 23 games to achieve what Johnson did in 16 despite the fact the Panthers were flying for 99% of the season. Johnson also had 18 forced dropouts, almost 300 kicking metres per game and 12 line break assists. Incredible.
Call me bias but swap Wighton and Keary around and your pretty spot on.
Youโre biased. Wighton is still mostly only going to damage opposition teams , if they donโt tackle well. As heโs mostly just a running 5/8th.