The 50 most valuable players

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Berkeley_Eagle

Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
The 50 most valuable players

                              By David Riccio | March 09, 2008

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23342797-5006066,00.html

THESE are the statistics that will strike more fear into Cowboys coach Graham Murray than any one of his 15 NRL rivals.                                                    Rated the most valuable player in a statistical study of NRL stars, Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston has edged out Kangaroos hooker Cameron Smith.
With superstar Thurston unavailable until mid-April after two shoulder reconstructions, the results could prove damning for Murray in his final season at North Queensland.
Murray must conjure up some early-season magic without his ace or prepare for the real prospect of being the first coach axed mid-way through rugby league's centenary season.
It's the third season in succession that The Sunday Telegraph has commissioned a statistical analysis to determine the 50 most valuable players in the NRL.
Fox Sports Stats ranked 400 first-graders, based on their overall output and how they performed against their rivals in certain positions.
                                                                           
                                   
               
                     
                        Incredibly, $1 million Roosters recruit Willie Mason plummeted from his lofty second-placed ranking following a powerful 2006 season with the Bulldogs to 32nd - ensuring he has plenty to prove at Bondi.
Thurston finished sixth in the corresponding study last year, behind league legend Andrew Johns.
"While Thurston's attacking numbers when running the ball are similar across both 2006 and 2007, his ability to create tries and line breaks for his team-mates was a significant factor in his leap to the No1 position,'' Fox Sports Stats Ian Collis said.
"He rated very highly across all the categories for halves; his only score below 8.5 was for his defensive ranking, which was 7.5. His running, kicking and passing game are all first class.
"It's going to be interesting to see how big a challenge the Cowboys face to perform in the opening rounds of the season without him. The results suggest they'll find it tough.''
Players were ranked in five key categories relevant to their positional requirements. Their final ranking was then determined by comparing scores against those of players in all positions.
The exclusive analysis delivered a further shock, with Kangaroos captain Darren Lockyer finishing 47th. "Although the players are ranked individually, the performance of their team as a whole will always have an effect on individuals numbers,'' Collis explained.
"Brisbane won only four of their first 12 matches (last year), and while his form at Origin level was good, his overall numbers for the Broncos were down on last season, even taking into account his injury.
"Danny Buderus (19th) is another player whose numbers have suffered with the performance of his team last season. The loss of Andrew Johns early in the year took away the key focal point in the Knights attack, and put more pressure on Buderus as a game breaker.''
The top 10 players were Thurston, Smith, Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen, Brisbane's Justin Hodges, Warriors veteran Steve Price, Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah, Sharks captain Paul Gallen, Manly's Anthony Watmough, Sea Eagles team-mate Brett Stewart and Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater.
Players who are not playing this year but played in the 2007 season were not included.
 
Finding the NRL's top 50 is just a matter of stats
EACH player is ranked against other players in the same position based on stats selected as key for that position. This is the third season The Sunday Telegraph has commissioned a statistical analysis to determine the NRL's 50 most valuable players. Four hundred first-graders were evaluated to come up with the top 50. For halves, it is their ability to create breaks and tries, their running and kicking game and overall defence. For the forwards, their running and off-loading, as well as minutes played and defensive ability are key components. Attack is the primary focus with outside backs. While defence is included in the overall package, it is the players with the ability to find the tryline or bust the defence that rank well. - Ian Collis
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Well, Well, Well, Choc rates so highly yet the representative selectors still find it hard to find a place for him. Funny about that.
 
Dont disagree with too many. Surprised Lockyer's so far down - although, he had a sh*thouse 07.
 
The changed the table from the one I saw this morning to exclude players that have left for this season. Monaghan was on the exact same points as Orford if anybody is interested.
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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