The below list takes into account only players who are regular hookers, or players who's best position is wearing the number nine. Cameron Smith is not considered as he is currently unsigned.

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

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1. Damien Cook

Now that Cameron Smith has "retired", Damien Cook takes his mantle as the best number nine in the game. Right now he's holding off charges of some very talented, young players, but Cook is my nine if I'm picking a starting side right this minute.

Five tries, nine forced drop outs, eight try assists, seven line break assists, 94 metres running per game, and six lie breaks have him above all others. Almost 94% tackling percentage is almost unparalleled air.

Across his team's 23 games in 2020, Cook missed 10 minutes in a game Souths were up by over half a century.

As it stands right now, Cook is the best number nine not named Cameron Smith.

NRL Semi Final - Eels v Rabbitohs
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs celebrates as he runs in to score a try during the NRL Semi Final match between the Parramatta Eels and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
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3 COMMENTS

  2. Cam McInnes makes the NSW side as reserve to Cook and kept Reece Robson in reserve grade and he misses the top 10? Your eyes mustn’t work!

  3. Yeah theres no way in the world you can pick Reece Robson on suspicion. Sorry thats ridiculous. McInnes is very good. Robson is not even in his orbit right now.

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