FlyingHigh
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Hi all, I thought you might be interested in this article from FoxSports. Ranks Manly halves combo ahead of a lot more established combinations. Any thoughts?
Untested combos, proven playmakers: All the NRL’s halves pairings ranked
LEAGUE
Luke Keary and Kyle Flanagan still need time to gel as a combination. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
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While we will have an NRL season, it won’t look like anything we have seen before.
Players were isolated from each other for almost a month, locked away unable to smooth out new combinations and set plays.
It means that as the competition kicks off again, the teams that rise to the top will need well-established, strong halves pairings.
Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk won back-to-back premierships together. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
The premiers of the past have more often than not had two gun halves to draw on — Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk the most obvious and recent example.
This year, however, there aren’t many teams without question marks surrounding at least one of their playmakers.
So, who is best placed with their combinations and who will still be ironing out rust?
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Here are the rankings of all the first-choice pairings as they stand.
16TH - TITANS (Ashley Taylor and Jamal Fogarty)
The Titans have 25 errors and 21 penalties conceded from two games to open 2020, making it hard for any playmaker to stamp their authority. In saying that, when the Titans do get down to the opposition 20 they look rudderless and it comes down to a lack of execution from Roberts and Taylor – it took them 15.1 tackles to score in the red zone - the third-most of any other side in the league. So, coach Justin Holbrook has decided to switch things up. Taylor has been freed up and handed the number six jersey while Fogarty has been rewarded for strong form in the lower grades with a call-up. Taylor certainly has the potential. Only two seasons ago he sat right up the top of the competition for try assists with 29 from 24 games while in 2018 he had 22 from 23 appearances.
Will Ash Taylor get back to his best at five-eighth? (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)Source: AAP
Taylor can clearly create points so the move to five-eighth should give him the confidence he has been missing away from the pressures of steering the team around. Meanwhile, Fogarty also impressed last year with 22 try assists from 26 games for the Bears and also has a pinpoint kicking game. He has a certain calmness to the way he plays and is an excellent communicator, which Titans fans hope will translate into more direction in attack. The 26-year old has played two NRL games, including one partnering Taylor in a 26-14 win over the Tigers. He has starred in the Intrust Super Cup for a while now and although the pair currently don’t have much experience playing together in the NRL, the potential is there for this to be one of Holbrook’s best decisions in his early stint as coach.
15TH - BULLDOGS (Jack Cogger and Kieran Foran)
Brandon Wakeham may have only just re-signed with the Bulldogs but if Tuesday’s team list is anything to go by, he is not currently the club’s first-choice to partner Foran. Of course, Foran isn’t back this weekafter been sent for scans on his injured shoulder but he should return shortly. Leaving Wakeham out is a perplexing call as he would have only benefited from the return of Foran, who would shoulder the bulk of the kicking. Wakeham has great instincts – as shown in his try last year against Brisbane – like any good playmaker, when he sees space or indecision in the defensive line he backs himself. The Bulldogs only need more of that confidence given their stuttering attack. Although, the imminent return of Foran is a huge boost for the Bulldogs regardless of who he lines up with.
Kieran Foran has gone for scans but should be back soon. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)Source: AAP
Interestingly though, all seven of Cogger’s try assists last year came in games where Foran did not feature. In his six matches alongside the premiership winner, Cogger couldn’t record a single one. Wakeham may be only fresh but he has been given little opportunity to continue to improve. Even in their last clash with the Cowboys, Lewis was hooked during the game which only made it harder for Wakeham to settle in. Cogger had just seven try assists from 16 starting halves appearances last year. There are still too many too many lingering doubts over the Bulldogs’ long-term halves solution to rank them highly, including Foran’s fitness.
14TH - WARRIORS (Kodi Nikorima and Blake Green)
Stephen Kearney has mixed things up by starting Nikorima in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita. Harris-Tavita had a shaky start to the season, although he was playing behind a pack that was getting dominated up front and just simply needs more time. He showed glimpses of his potential last year, willing to back himself when he gets opportunities. Given both Nikorima and Green are already established first graders they finish ahead of the Titans and Bulldogs. They also don’t have the advantage of as strong a platform to play off from their understrength forward pack. But there are still question marks over whether Kearney is ready to stick it out with this partnership.
The Warriors need Blake Green’s calming influence to get them through this tough period. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)Source: AAP
Green’s numbers last season were actually pretty good - Green finished with 17 try assists and 14 linebreak assists from 21 games. But at 34 years old and with the Warriors hitting a wall results-wise, they may soon be looking to take the side in a new direction.
If the Warriors are well and truly looking to take a risk, they could give 19-year old Paul Turner a run. At 92 kilograms, Turner has a big body to stand his own in defence but also is instinctive in his ability to spot tired defenders and use his pace and footwork to burn them all the way to the try line.
13TH - COWBOYS (Scott Drinkwater and Michael Morgan)
It may surprise some to have a halves partnership including Morgan down this low. Now, in the short term at least Morgan is sidelined by a shoulder injury but is the first-choice halfback once he is fit. The biggest issue is neither look completely comfortable in their role yet. Drinkwater is still learning how to defend in the front-line and get involved while Morgan is yet to be the leader the Cowboys need. An ageing backline has not helped but it seems like he may be better suited to the number six jersey where there is less on an emphasis on steering the team around and more of an opportunity to take the line on as that is his greatest strength.
Michael Morgan. NRL Round 1 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.Source: News Corp Australia
Drinkwater was caught out a few times in defence against Brisbane which is to be expected in his first hitout. Their new-look backline is far more dynamic and faster, boasting recruits Valentine Holmes and Esan Marsters means there are few excuses for Morgan and Drinkwater. The key will be giving their outside backs early ball.
12TH - DRAGONS (Corey Norman and Ben Hunt)
Norman and Hunt, despite promising so much, have still not gelled as a combination. Like Morgan and Drinkwater, neither have quite locked down their role in the team yet. However, they have had more time playing together and therefore finish ahead of the Cowboys pair.
Unlike Hunt, it was not the big moments Dragons fans were expecting Norman to ice. It was the little things, being present for the entire 80 minutes. Hunt, meanwhile, has copped criticism for his inability to stand up in the big moments.
Ben Hunt is under pressure. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
Hesitation is what you don’t need as a big-game player. Complicating matters is the fact Hunt’s greatest strength isn’t his kicking game. Rather, he is most dangerous scheming around the ruck and taking the line on. When two points are on the line, like they were in round two against Penrith, there needs to be someone in the team you can trust to pass the ball to knowing they will come up with the big play. At the moment, Hunt is not that person but his $1 million price tag suggests otherwise.
11TH - KNIGHTS (Kurt Mann and Mitchell Pearce)
Newcastle have struggled to find a long-term five-eighth and it means that despite Pearce’s strong form, there are question marks over whether Mann is the right fit. He has shown promising signs of improvement in the opening two rounds and has been a solid second-fiddle to Pearce. His more experienced counterpart has been a fantastic addition for the Knights since joining the club.
Will Kurt Mann be the solution to Newcastle’s search for a long-term five-eighth? (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The 31-year old finished his first season at the Hunter just six points shy of the Dally M Medal despite only playing 15 games. He backed it up with another impressive season in 2019, setting up 20 tries and 24 linebreaks from 23 games.
Pearce already has five from two matches this year too. But there is a shortage of strong halves partnerships this year and Newcastle’s is no different with one proven star and another versatile playmaker feeling his way into the side.
10TH - PANTHERS (Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary)
Luai and Cleary still have plenty of growing to do but they could be a great combination because they know each other’s games intimately. The pair have been playing together in the Penrith system since they were 16. Luai has been guilty of not playing direct enough and instead scattering across the field away from what worked for him in his spectacular two-try debut against the Warriors. He needs to inject himself just that bit more to make Penrith’s attack less reliant on Cleary.
Nathan Cleary impressed in the opening two rounds. Picture: Panthers MediaSource: Supplied
The star halfback was under plenty of pressure heading into 2020 and his recent TikTok saga hasn't helped, seeing him sit the next two weeks out. But if the opening two rounds are anything to go by he is going to thrive. The main criticism of Cleary was that his passing and kicking game lacked variety, restricted to short balls to Viliame Kikau and towering bombs. Against the Roosters, he showed early signs of his development as a playmaker. Cleary took the ball right up to the defence and looked at Kikau before double pumping and gave it instead to Jarome Luai who quickly passed to Naden and Penrith had an overlap. That bit more creativity in his game will be crucial in taking Penrith’s attack to the next level.
9TH - BRONCOS (Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft)
The signs are good off the opening two rounds but there are enough doubt from past years to put a question mark over whether the pair can continue to click. Croft left having not established himself at Melbourne, instead in search of more game time and a chance to prove he would be an exception to the rule. The early signs are strong with the 22-year old taking charge to relieve pressure from Milford.
Brodie Croft could be Brisbane’s organising halfback they’ve been begging for. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Behind a rampaging forward, the Broncos were always going to be a premiership threat if they struck that right balance. Croft looked comfortable being the dominant playmaker, allowing Milford to play his natural game. Croft is more experienced than Luai and a more specialised playmaker than Mann, meaning the Broncos partnership has a better chance of immediate success.
8TH - SHARKS (Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend)
This is another combination that looks good on paper but hasn’t really clicked yet. The Sharks don’t have a problem getting down to the red zone but when they do, they squander opportunities. Townsend rarely has a bad game. 19 try assists and 16 linebreak assists from 25 games are really solid numbers. He is a solid player in many respects - but is solid really good enough anymore?
Shaun Johnson is still searching for consistency in his game. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)Source: AAP
Johnson is one of the most naturally gifted players in the game but the gap between his best and worst is too large. 18 try assists and 20 linebreak assists from 20 games last season show what he is capable of. But against Melbourne in round two, both he and Townsend were unable to adapt to a rushing up defensive line. Perhaps there is too much structure in Cronulla’s attack at the moment, making it predictable. Given their experience, the pair finish ahead of the rest despite recent form as they are capable of much more.
7TH - ROOSTERS (Luke Keary and Kyle Flanagan)
This ranking says a lot about the quality playmaker Keary is. The three-time premiership winner and Cooper Cronk would be an easy pick up the top but the arrival of Flanagan means their attack is not as clinical. Keary has conceded the combination may take months to develop. They had plenty of chances against both Penrith and Manly in their first two games of the season but were uncharacteristically sloppy in the opposition 20. Unlike before, set plays were not as slick as they needed to be pulled off. With Cronk, everything was done to precision. Keary is well-equipped to take over as the organiser but he was also the creative spark of back-to-back premierships.
Kyle Flanagan is only in the infancy of his career. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The former Rabbitoh has 49 try assists from 45 games in the past two years. Most of those came playing alongside Cronk, whose kicking game was top-shelf. It is a gap that will take a while to fix but in this disrupted season it is more important than ever they get their combination to an acceptable point. While Keary by himself is one of the game’s elite five-eighths, Flanagan is still developing meaning they finish below a team like the Tigers with two already established options.
6TH - TIGERS (Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks)
Two players have undergone a transformation in the last couple of years to form a really strong, reliable combination. Marshall is always going to go down in history for the flick passes and flashy brilliance but just as intriguing is the way he has re-invented himself since joining the Tigers for a second hurrah. When he joined Wests, they did not need the highlight reels. They were in need of a leader, someone who could help Brooks develop into the player he is today. Marshall already leads the competition this year for forced line dropouts with three.
Luke Brooks of the Tigers during the Round 23 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, August 24, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLYSource: AAP
It has rubbed off on Brooks too, who has been one of the most-improved players of the past few seasons. Brooks’ kicking game in particular has developed. Alongside Marshall, he has grown to be better at reading the game and take control. The Tigers forward pack hasn’t always been the strongest which has placed more pressure on Brooks to kick his side out of trouble and he’s rarely backed down from the challenge.
5TH - EELS (Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses)
This combination has the potential to go all the way but question marks over Brown and their ability to stand up against the best teams remain. Last season, Parramatta caught everyone off guard. If anything the Eels are an even stronger team on paper this time. Most wins for Parramatta won’t be upsets, the expectations are high like they were after a top-four finish in 2017 and we know how they backed that up. It also means more pressure will be on Moses to continue his rapid improvement.
Mitchell Moses is only growing in confidence. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Moses upped his try assists from 10 to 31 while also topping the competition for kick metres with an average of 357. But for every pass that sticks there is the odd one that doesn’t as he finished the season with 40 errors. Brown is still in the infancy of his NRL career with only 17 games under his belt. His involvement against the Titans was strong but it was a 46-6 pile on. Brown’s touches weren’t as sharp in their first-round clash with the Bulldogs where the defence was sterner and the pressure was on. If the Eels are to go deeper into the finals this season, the test for Brown and Moses will be taking control rather than being strangled into submission like they did against Melbourne last year.
4TH - SEA EAGLES (Dylan Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans)
Cherry-Evans is the most complete playmaker in the competition but there are still question marks over whether Walker is a natural five-eighth or better suited to the centres. DCE is one of the most divisive figures in the game. He is intelligent, quick-witted and analytical. Some prefer arrogant. Think what you want though because Cherry-Evans could not care less, his personality has a lot to do with why he has been such a success on the field. His kicking game is his biggest strength, allowing him to take control if his forwards are on the backfoot.
Daly Cherry-Evans is the most well-rounded playmaker in the game. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
He is just as certain of himself when close to the line, finishing lasts season with 25 assists and 21 linebreak assists. DCE is the complete package. Walker is a more raw product. He has plenty of NRL experience but is still learning his trade at five-eighth having played 99 of his 138 games in the centres. Walker can often take the back seat given that Cherry-Evans more often than not is capable of steering the Sea Eagles to victory in the big moments. Unlike other duos, they don’t get in each other’s way and Walker identifies the best times to inject himself into attacking plays.
3RD - RAIDERS (Jack Wighton and George Williams)
Wighton is nearly there while Williams still needs to prove himself at the NRL level before they are bumped up. Williams has only had two hit-outs in the NRL, both against lowly opposition but has combined well with Wighton. His running game is definitely his greatest asset as he impressed in particular against the Titans with a pair of linebreaks and five tackle busts. The 2019 Man of Steel nominee certainly brought some fanfare over with him and it is easy to understand why when you look at his numbers - 14 tries, 21 assists, 2732 metres and 122 tackle busts from 29 games. Unlike Walker, Brown and Flanagan, Williams has proven himself as a top-grade quality playmaker but he will still need to translate that to the NRL.
George Williams has a strong running game. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Wighton still has lots of growth, which is quite scary given how good he is already. He doesn’t always get it right, sending some clearing kicks out on the full. But he makes up for those mistakes. The new Wighton does not bury his head and take out his frustration with penalties or rushed errors anymore. He is better at building momentum and patience, finishing 2019 with 15 forced drop outs. He had 10 assists to his name from 26 games ranking him 29th in the league so if there is any area to improve it would be capitalising on opportunities in the opposition 20. It proved their achilles heel in last year’s grand final against the Roosters.
2ND - STORM (Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes)
Neither Munster nor Hughes are controlling playmakers but Melbourne are the side that bucks that trend and it means the instability shouldn’t impact their combination too greatly. Munster’s greatest strength is his array of skills. Along with his footwork, Munster is also deceptively strong. He is an accomplished all-rounder, averaging 17 try assists, 21 linebreak assists and 66 tackle busts since his move to five-eighth in 2017.
Cameron Munster is strong, fast and skilful - a lethal combination. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)Source: AAP
It makes him hard to defend. Hughes is still developing as a playmaker, having only played 14 NRL matches at halfback. The Storm have been long searching for the replacement to fill Cronk’s void. Hughes is more off-the-cuff, like Munster but the Storm appear to be one of the rare teams that don’t need a controlling halfback. It comes back to the system of accountability Craig Bellamy has built in Melbourne, where every single player knows their role.
1ST - RABBITOHS (Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds)
Walker and Reynolds are one of the more stable halves pairings in the competition and complement each other perfectly. It will make the next two weeks interesting as Souths take on competition heavyweights the Roosters and Storm without Walker, who has been suspended for his involvement in a street fight. The pair have played together since 2016 and both have clear, distinct roles. Reynolds is the organiser with a pinpoint long-range kicking game and deft short-range one. Meanwhile, Walker has the pace, footwork and slight of hand to be an attacking threat close to the line and had 21 try assists and 28 linebreak assists last year.
The strength of their combination will be tested this year though as they won’t get to play behind such a strong forward pack.
Cody Walker is sitting out the next fortnight which will test South Sydney’s depth. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)Source: News Regional Media
Before their late-season slide last year, the Rabbitohs were doing everything at speed. It all started with their forward pack rolling upfield and Damien Cook playing off the back of it. The departures of Sam Burgess, John Sutton and George Burgess have left a considerable gap in the forwards which means Walker and Reynolds may not always have the same platform to work with. While they may not be the best players in their respective positions, they have distinct roles within the team and experience playing together which makes them the best-placed to deal with this disrupted season.
Untested combos, proven playmakers: All the NRL’s halves pairings ranked
LEAGUE
- May 29, 2020 9:38am
- by ANDREW JACKSON
- Source: FOX SPORTS
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While we will have an NRL season, it won’t look like anything we have seen before.
Players were isolated from each other for almost a month, locked away unable to smooth out new combinations and set plays.
It means that as the competition kicks off again, the teams that rise to the top will need well-established, strong halves pairings.
The premiers of the past have more often than not had two gun halves to draw on — Luke Keary and Cooper Cronk the most obvious and recent example.
This year, however, there aren’t many teams without question marks surrounding at least one of their playmakers.
So, who is best placed with their combinations and who will still be ironing out rust?
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Here are the rankings of all the first-choice pairings as they stand.
16TH - TITANS (Ashley Taylor and Jamal Fogarty)
The Titans have 25 errors and 21 penalties conceded from two games to open 2020, making it hard for any playmaker to stamp their authority. In saying that, when the Titans do get down to the opposition 20 they look rudderless and it comes down to a lack of execution from Roberts and Taylor – it took them 15.1 tackles to score in the red zone - the third-most of any other side in the league. So, coach Justin Holbrook has decided to switch things up. Taylor has been freed up and handed the number six jersey while Fogarty has been rewarded for strong form in the lower grades with a call-up. Taylor certainly has the potential. Only two seasons ago he sat right up the top of the competition for try assists with 29 from 24 games while in 2018 he had 22 from 23 appearances.
Taylor can clearly create points so the move to five-eighth should give him the confidence he has been missing away from the pressures of steering the team around. Meanwhile, Fogarty also impressed last year with 22 try assists from 26 games for the Bears and also has a pinpoint kicking game. He has a certain calmness to the way he plays and is an excellent communicator, which Titans fans hope will translate into more direction in attack. The 26-year old has played two NRL games, including one partnering Taylor in a 26-14 win over the Tigers. He has starred in the Intrust Super Cup for a while now and although the pair currently don’t have much experience playing together in the NRL, the potential is there for this to be one of Holbrook’s best decisions in his early stint as coach.
15TH - BULLDOGS (Jack Cogger and Kieran Foran)
Brandon Wakeham may have only just re-signed with the Bulldogs but if Tuesday’s team list is anything to go by, he is not currently the club’s first-choice to partner Foran. Of course, Foran isn’t back this weekafter been sent for scans on his injured shoulder but he should return shortly. Leaving Wakeham out is a perplexing call as he would have only benefited from the return of Foran, who would shoulder the bulk of the kicking. Wakeham has great instincts – as shown in his try last year against Brisbane – like any good playmaker, when he sees space or indecision in the defensive line he backs himself. The Bulldogs only need more of that confidence given their stuttering attack. Although, the imminent return of Foran is a huge boost for the Bulldogs regardless of who he lines up with.
Interestingly though, all seven of Cogger’s try assists last year came in games where Foran did not feature. In his six matches alongside the premiership winner, Cogger couldn’t record a single one. Wakeham may be only fresh but he has been given little opportunity to continue to improve. Even in their last clash with the Cowboys, Lewis was hooked during the game which only made it harder for Wakeham to settle in. Cogger had just seven try assists from 16 starting halves appearances last year. There are still too many too many lingering doubts over the Bulldogs’ long-term halves solution to rank them highly, including Foran’s fitness.
14TH - WARRIORS (Kodi Nikorima and Blake Green)
Stephen Kearney has mixed things up by starting Nikorima in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita. Harris-Tavita had a shaky start to the season, although he was playing behind a pack that was getting dominated up front and just simply needs more time. He showed glimpses of his potential last year, willing to back himself when he gets opportunities. Given both Nikorima and Green are already established first graders they finish ahead of the Titans and Bulldogs. They also don’t have the advantage of as strong a platform to play off from their understrength forward pack. But there are still question marks over whether Kearney is ready to stick it out with this partnership.
Green’s numbers last season were actually pretty good - Green finished with 17 try assists and 14 linebreak assists from 21 games. But at 34 years old and with the Warriors hitting a wall results-wise, they may soon be looking to take the side in a new direction.
If the Warriors are well and truly looking to take a risk, they could give 19-year old Paul Turner a run. At 92 kilograms, Turner has a big body to stand his own in defence but also is instinctive in his ability to spot tired defenders and use his pace and footwork to burn them all the way to the try line.
13TH - COWBOYS (Scott Drinkwater and Michael Morgan)
It may surprise some to have a halves partnership including Morgan down this low. Now, in the short term at least Morgan is sidelined by a shoulder injury but is the first-choice halfback once he is fit. The biggest issue is neither look completely comfortable in their role yet. Drinkwater is still learning how to defend in the front-line and get involved while Morgan is yet to be the leader the Cowboys need. An ageing backline has not helped but it seems like he may be better suited to the number six jersey where there is less on an emphasis on steering the team around and more of an opportunity to take the line on as that is his greatest strength.
Drinkwater was caught out a few times in defence against Brisbane which is to be expected in his first hitout. Their new-look backline is far more dynamic and faster, boasting recruits Valentine Holmes and Esan Marsters means there are few excuses for Morgan and Drinkwater. The key will be giving their outside backs early ball.
12TH - DRAGONS (Corey Norman and Ben Hunt)
Norman and Hunt, despite promising so much, have still not gelled as a combination. Like Morgan and Drinkwater, neither have quite locked down their role in the team yet. However, they have had more time playing together and therefore finish ahead of the Cowboys pair.
Unlike Hunt, it was not the big moments Dragons fans were expecting Norman to ice. It was the little things, being present for the entire 80 minutes. Hunt, meanwhile, has copped criticism for his inability to stand up in the big moments.
Hesitation is what you don’t need as a big-game player. Complicating matters is the fact Hunt’s greatest strength isn’t his kicking game. Rather, he is most dangerous scheming around the ruck and taking the line on. When two points are on the line, like they were in round two against Penrith, there needs to be someone in the team you can trust to pass the ball to knowing they will come up with the big play. At the moment, Hunt is not that person but his $1 million price tag suggests otherwise.
11TH - KNIGHTS (Kurt Mann and Mitchell Pearce)
Newcastle have struggled to find a long-term five-eighth and it means that despite Pearce’s strong form, there are question marks over whether Mann is the right fit. He has shown promising signs of improvement in the opening two rounds and has been a solid second-fiddle to Pearce. His more experienced counterpart has been a fantastic addition for the Knights since joining the club.
The 31-year old finished his first season at the Hunter just six points shy of the Dally M Medal despite only playing 15 games. He backed it up with another impressive season in 2019, setting up 20 tries and 24 linebreaks from 23 games.
Pearce already has five from two matches this year too. But there is a shortage of strong halves partnerships this year and Newcastle’s is no different with one proven star and another versatile playmaker feeling his way into the side.
10TH - PANTHERS (Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary)
Luai and Cleary still have plenty of growing to do but they could be a great combination because they know each other’s games intimately. The pair have been playing together in the Penrith system since they were 16. Luai has been guilty of not playing direct enough and instead scattering across the field away from what worked for him in his spectacular two-try debut against the Warriors. He needs to inject himself just that bit more to make Penrith’s attack less reliant on Cleary.
The star halfback was under plenty of pressure heading into 2020 and his recent TikTok saga hasn't helped, seeing him sit the next two weeks out. But if the opening two rounds are anything to go by he is going to thrive. The main criticism of Cleary was that his passing and kicking game lacked variety, restricted to short balls to Viliame Kikau and towering bombs. Against the Roosters, he showed early signs of his development as a playmaker. Cleary took the ball right up to the defence and looked at Kikau before double pumping and gave it instead to Jarome Luai who quickly passed to Naden and Penrith had an overlap. That bit more creativity in his game will be crucial in taking Penrith’s attack to the next level.
9TH - BRONCOS (Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft)
The signs are good off the opening two rounds but there are enough doubt from past years to put a question mark over whether the pair can continue to click. Croft left having not established himself at Melbourne, instead in search of more game time and a chance to prove he would be an exception to the rule. The early signs are strong with the 22-year old taking charge to relieve pressure from Milford.
Behind a rampaging forward, the Broncos were always going to be a premiership threat if they struck that right balance. Croft looked comfortable being the dominant playmaker, allowing Milford to play his natural game. Croft is more experienced than Luai and a more specialised playmaker than Mann, meaning the Broncos partnership has a better chance of immediate success.
8TH - SHARKS (Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend)
This is another combination that looks good on paper but hasn’t really clicked yet. The Sharks don’t have a problem getting down to the red zone but when they do, they squander opportunities. Townsend rarely has a bad game. 19 try assists and 16 linebreak assists from 25 games are really solid numbers. He is a solid player in many respects - but is solid really good enough anymore?
Johnson is one of the most naturally gifted players in the game but the gap between his best and worst is too large. 18 try assists and 20 linebreak assists from 20 games last season show what he is capable of. But against Melbourne in round two, both he and Townsend were unable to adapt to a rushing up defensive line. Perhaps there is too much structure in Cronulla’s attack at the moment, making it predictable. Given their experience, the pair finish ahead of the rest despite recent form as they are capable of much more.
7TH - ROOSTERS (Luke Keary and Kyle Flanagan)
This ranking says a lot about the quality playmaker Keary is. The three-time premiership winner and Cooper Cronk would be an easy pick up the top but the arrival of Flanagan means their attack is not as clinical. Keary has conceded the combination may take months to develop. They had plenty of chances against both Penrith and Manly in their first two games of the season but were uncharacteristically sloppy in the opposition 20. Unlike before, set plays were not as slick as they needed to be pulled off. With Cronk, everything was done to precision. Keary is well-equipped to take over as the organiser but he was also the creative spark of back-to-back premierships.
The former Rabbitoh has 49 try assists from 45 games in the past two years. Most of those came playing alongside Cronk, whose kicking game was top-shelf. It is a gap that will take a while to fix but in this disrupted season it is more important than ever they get their combination to an acceptable point. While Keary by himself is one of the game’s elite five-eighths, Flanagan is still developing meaning they finish below a team like the Tigers with two already established options.
6TH - TIGERS (Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks)
Two players have undergone a transformation in the last couple of years to form a really strong, reliable combination. Marshall is always going to go down in history for the flick passes and flashy brilliance but just as intriguing is the way he has re-invented himself since joining the Tigers for a second hurrah. When he joined Wests, they did not need the highlight reels. They were in need of a leader, someone who could help Brooks develop into the player he is today. Marshall already leads the competition this year for forced line dropouts with three.
It has rubbed off on Brooks too, who has been one of the most-improved players of the past few seasons. Brooks’ kicking game in particular has developed. Alongside Marshall, he has grown to be better at reading the game and take control. The Tigers forward pack hasn’t always been the strongest which has placed more pressure on Brooks to kick his side out of trouble and he’s rarely backed down from the challenge.
5TH - EELS (Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses)
This combination has the potential to go all the way but question marks over Brown and their ability to stand up against the best teams remain. Last season, Parramatta caught everyone off guard. If anything the Eels are an even stronger team on paper this time. Most wins for Parramatta won’t be upsets, the expectations are high like they were after a top-four finish in 2017 and we know how they backed that up. It also means more pressure will be on Moses to continue his rapid improvement.
Moses upped his try assists from 10 to 31 while also topping the competition for kick metres with an average of 357. But for every pass that sticks there is the odd one that doesn’t as he finished the season with 40 errors. Brown is still in the infancy of his NRL career with only 17 games under his belt. His involvement against the Titans was strong but it was a 46-6 pile on. Brown’s touches weren’t as sharp in their first-round clash with the Bulldogs where the defence was sterner and the pressure was on. If the Eels are to go deeper into the finals this season, the test for Brown and Moses will be taking control rather than being strangled into submission like they did against Melbourne last year.
4TH - SEA EAGLES (Dylan Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans)
Cherry-Evans is the most complete playmaker in the competition but there are still question marks over whether Walker is a natural five-eighth or better suited to the centres. DCE is one of the most divisive figures in the game. He is intelligent, quick-witted and analytical. Some prefer arrogant. Think what you want though because Cherry-Evans could not care less, his personality has a lot to do with why he has been such a success on the field. His kicking game is his biggest strength, allowing him to take control if his forwards are on the backfoot.
He is just as certain of himself when close to the line, finishing lasts season with 25 assists and 21 linebreak assists. DCE is the complete package. Walker is a more raw product. He has plenty of NRL experience but is still learning his trade at five-eighth having played 99 of his 138 games in the centres. Walker can often take the back seat given that Cherry-Evans more often than not is capable of steering the Sea Eagles to victory in the big moments. Unlike other duos, they don’t get in each other’s way and Walker identifies the best times to inject himself into attacking plays.
3RD - RAIDERS (Jack Wighton and George Williams)
Wighton is nearly there while Williams still needs to prove himself at the NRL level before they are bumped up. Williams has only had two hit-outs in the NRL, both against lowly opposition but has combined well with Wighton. His running game is definitely his greatest asset as he impressed in particular against the Titans with a pair of linebreaks and five tackle busts. The 2019 Man of Steel nominee certainly brought some fanfare over with him and it is easy to understand why when you look at his numbers - 14 tries, 21 assists, 2732 metres and 122 tackle busts from 29 games. Unlike Walker, Brown and Flanagan, Williams has proven himself as a top-grade quality playmaker but he will still need to translate that to the NRL.
Wighton still has lots of growth, which is quite scary given how good he is already. He doesn’t always get it right, sending some clearing kicks out on the full. But he makes up for those mistakes. The new Wighton does not bury his head and take out his frustration with penalties or rushed errors anymore. He is better at building momentum and patience, finishing 2019 with 15 forced drop outs. He had 10 assists to his name from 26 games ranking him 29th in the league so if there is any area to improve it would be capitalising on opportunities in the opposition 20. It proved their achilles heel in last year’s grand final against the Roosters.
2ND - STORM (Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes)
Neither Munster nor Hughes are controlling playmakers but Melbourne are the side that bucks that trend and it means the instability shouldn’t impact their combination too greatly. Munster’s greatest strength is his array of skills. Along with his footwork, Munster is also deceptively strong. He is an accomplished all-rounder, averaging 17 try assists, 21 linebreak assists and 66 tackle busts since his move to five-eighth in 2017.
It makes him hard to defend. Hughes is still developing as a playmaker, having only played 14 NRL matches at halfback. The Storm have been long searching for the replacement to fill Cronk’s void. Hughes is more off-the-cuff, like Munster but the Storm appear to be one of the rare teams that don’t need a controlling halfback. It comes back to the system of accountability Craig Bellamy has built in Melbourne, where every single player knows their role.
1ST - RABBITOHS (Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds)
Walker and Reynolds are one of the more stable halves pairings in the competition and complement each other perfectly. It will make the next two weeks interesting as Souths take on competition heavyweights the Roosters and Storm without Walker, who has been suspended for his involvement in a street fight. The pair have played together since 2016 and both have clear, distinct roles. Reynolds is the organiser with a pinpoint long-range kicking game and deft short-range one. Meanwhile, Walker has the pace, footwork and slight of hand to be an attacking threat close to the line and had 21 try assists and 28 linebreak assists last year.
The strength of their combination will be tested this year though as they won’t get to play behind such a strong forward pack.
Before their late-season slide last year, the Rabbitohs were doing everything at speed. It all started with their forward pack rolling upfield and Damien Cook playing off the back of it. The departures of Sam Burgess, John Sutton and George Burgess have left a considerable gap in the forwards which means Walker and Reynolds may not always have the same platform to work with. While they may not be the best players in their respective positions, they have distinct roles within the team and experience playing together which makes them the best-placed to deal with this disrupted season.
