NRL power rankings: we rank the competition’s starting halfbacks Staff writers FOX SPORTS November 25, 2014 9:30AM We’ve ranked each club’s starting No.7 below based on their performances in 2014. Take a look at the list, cast your vote and have your say below. 1. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys) He may have started 2014 wearing the No.6 on his back but Thurston has always been a natural halfback. While the Cowboys again fell short in the finals due to controversial circumstances, there is no way you can look past the 2014 Dally M Medallist as the top pick. Despite having been in the top grade for 13 seasons now, Thurston’s patented show-and-go still claims its victims, while his kicking game, be it goal-kicking or in-play, is above any other. While he has one premiership to his name, coming off the bench for the Bulldogs, Thurston’s brilliance is surely destined to see him lead the Cowboys to another grand final before he calls it quits. 2. Cooper Cronk (Storm) He is contracted to the Storm for another two-seasons but that hasn’t stopped English club Warrington expressing their desire to bring the Maroons ace overseas. His kicking game is precise and his organisation skills are near impossible to rival. On track to join the 300 club, Cronk had a rough year with injury after breaking his arm in Origin I. Such is his competitive nature, he was back on the field six weeks later and while the Storm were knocked out of the finals in the first week, Cronk’s form never wavered. 3. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles) He is on track to become the richest player in the NRL when he comes off contract at the end of 2015. The 25-year-old Queensland product has been linked with a host of clubs and it is little wonder. After just four years in the NRL, Cherry-Evans has played for Australia 11 times and Queensland on five occasions. His natural instincts are that of a player beyond his years and are only getting better with age. 4. Ben Hunt (Broncos) Making his Australian Test debut this year on the back of a breakout season for the Broncos, Hunt has been a revelation. Having replaced Scott Prince, Hunt repaid the faith put in him by former coach Anthony Griffin by delivering the Broncos a number of wins almost single-handedly. The 24-year-old scored on debut for the Kangaroos and kept Robbie Farah out of the side, cementing the role of utility for the final against New Zealand which saw him enjoy a stint as playmaker. 5. Mitchell Pearce (Roosters) 2014 was a fall from grace for Pearce, coming off the back of his 2013 premiership triumph. The Roosters playmaker was in the headlines for the wrong reasons, which ultimately saw him lose his place in the NSW Origin side. Yet while the 25-year-old was faced with a season of adversity, his form never faltered. 6. Shaun Johnson (Warriors) The Warriors may have finished the year in ninth, missing the finals due to points differential, but the Kiwi international enjoyed a solid season which exploded during the Four Nations. Often referred to as a ‘rocks or diamonds’ kind of player, Johnson turned on a masterclass for New Zealand during the end-of-year Test matches, stealing the show in the final against Australia. His talent has never been in question but the livewire really came of age this year. Whether it is his blistering pace or zippy footwork doing the damage, Johnson is a real X-factor. It is near impossible to predict just what play he will produce. 7. Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) He was linked to rival clubs throughout the entire year but the off-field distractions couldn’t stop him from leading South Sydney to a premiership. A goal-kicking ace, the 24-year-old has been pivotal in the success of his club. A City Origin representative, Reynolds has been tipped for higher honours since his NRL debut in 2012 and has a pin-point kicking game. 8. Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs) Two serious knee injuries previously threatened to put a premature end to his career but last season will go down as Hodkinson’s greatest by far. The 26-year-old led NSW to their first Origin series victory in eight years and scored the match-winning try to end the eight-year drought. Yet he is the third-best NSW half in our list. There is nothing fancy about what Hodkinson does but he provides stability and superb precision with his kicking. 9. Peter Wallace (Panthers) Prior to the ACL injury in late July which put a premature end to his season, Wallace was proving to be the perfect foil for Jamie Soward. The Penrith co-captain returned to his old stomping grounds after six years up north and wasted little time taking the reins. An organiser, Wallace allows Soward to play his natural instinctive game, which proved a masterstroke for the Panthers in 2014. 10. Chris Sandow (Eels) The little halfback showed he has plenty of fight left in him - all he needs is his coach to show a little belief. Sandow was back to his scheming ways, with the livewire regaining the confidence to produce an inspirational hit or chance a chip-and-chase early in the tackle count. Off contract at the end of 2015, Sandow needs a big year if he is any chance of attracting anything close to the big payday he received when he first signed with the Eels. 11. Tyrone Roberts (Knights) He was benched in favour of Kurt Gidley mid-way through the year before earning his starting spot back and leading the Knights to several victories. A versatile player who can goal kick, Roberts is at his best when running the ball. His show-and-go is at times draws comparison with Johnathan Thurston. The 23-year-old has a lot of promise but lacks the polish of a premiership-winning halfback. 12. Jeff Robson (Sharks) In a side with so much instability and uncertainty, Jeff Robson remained the constant. A no-nonsense footballer, the 32-year-old lacks the class possessed by other playmakers in this list. He is solid but not great. 13. Benji Marshall (Dragons) He left the Tigers for a failed stint in rugby and returned to the game which made him a household name with his tail between his legs. After signing a two-and-a half year deal with the Dragons, he made his return to the NRL but it was a slow burn for the former Kiwi international. During his early rounds Marshall was back to his old ways, trying to get his hands on the ball too regularly - though that resulted in him trying to do too much. It was a recipe for disaster. What has worked in his favour is Gareth Widdop and Paul McGregor simplifying his role. Marshall showed a lot of growth and maturity as a player in only half a season. 14. Luke Brooks (Tigers) It was a difficult season for the 19-year-old, who was last year dubbed ‘the next Andrew Johns’. Finishing the year on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, his defence has been a real concern. He finished the year with the most missed tackles of any player, with a whopping 101. However, Brooks is a player who is mature beyond his years. He showed throughout the season why the club views him as their long-term playmaker and will only better with having pout a full year in the NRL under his belt. 15. Daniel Mortimer (Titans) Having released Albert Kelly to join the Super League, Mortimer enters 2015 as the club’s first-choice playmaker. Having joined the Titans mid-year in the wake of an injury crisis, the 25-year-old has an opportunity to shed his tag of utility player and establish himself as a vital member of the starting side. Mortimer finished the year with 11 games for the Titans and while he was a solid performer, the truth is Mortimer has not enjoyed a standout year since his debut season with the Eels in 2009. 16. Mitch Cornish (Raiders) He played 80 minutes in the last two games and guided the green machine to victory over the Tigers and Eels. The biggest issue Cornish faced last season was getting an opportunity. We are still yet to see everything the young half has to offer. He played six games off the bench and had limited minutes, with Ricky Stuart not wanting to rush Cornish as he makes the step up from Holden Cup. As a result, Josh McCrone became the first choice half for the bulk of the year but with Anthony Milford now in Brisbane and Terry Campese on the outer; Cornish will finally get his chance in 2015.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:34:47 +0000
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