Most 'Important" position in modern NRL

[maxta]

The game has changed vastly to the point Star fullbacks command Monster $$$ as are involved far more than chiming into the backline, kick returns and last line of defence as now ball play and more involved ....heck your wingers are now the biggest inflences on momentum at times and used to be skinny fast ppl that stayed near the chalk and were only involved if the ball came their way and were horrible tacklers (some still are) ....then the old front row has always and will always be integral in winning the middle which as we all know, paves the way for victory more often then not and is the foundation of any team....the cunning hookers now quicker than ever, are so crucial as have more touches than the rest and dictate direction in attack and get their players hitting over that advantage line and some even have a kicking game.....centres are gamebreakers and the 1 on 1 battles can decide games....backrowers are like backs in the pack, punching holes every opportunity and defensively can control opposition attack with good, physical decisions.....the locks are still workhorses but some are now laced with attacking thrust to bend lines and make the occasional line break, generally creative and great defensively.....the 6 and 7 has changed a bit, with both owning either the right and left side, or edge as they call it, but control so much on the field setting up much of the teams success and failure which is why my pick for Most valuable would be the 7....but there's many reasons other positions "today," could also lay claim to the Most Important mantle ....I know blocker Roach or old Rex Mossop would say front row and offer some decent arguements along the way

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You could pick any ( or all ) of 1,6,7 & 9

 

[mave]

Some great points here.

All I know is that poor defensive centres will cost you a lot more than good attacking centres will give you.

There is an argument to be made either way for every other position, except centre.

 

[ABTK]

And don't forget the club's accountant in all of this too...

 

[Carl]

If I was picking an NRL best of team, my first pick would be Cleary so I vote for 7.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

If I was picking an NRL best of team, my first pick would be Cleary so I vote for 7.

Yep, depends on who is in team. At Pen Cleary plus lock and prop (JFH is a big loss for them)
At Storm it could be 5/8, half or hooker.
Manly - half, and fullback

 

[LeonardCohen]

Because it's a team sport and many variables amount to success, one can always find an argument that it's any one particular position, e.g. a good 7 can only be effective with strong go-forward, but you can just as easily find examples of teams with strong packs that struggle to create points.

So with that in mind, I believe that 7 (and to some extent 6) is the most important position. It's still a position that is at the mercy of the other 16 players, but no position on the field is immune to this notion, so I have to simply pick the one that I think stands above all else as the most dominant determining factor in a side's success.

I understand that a number of sides of use the 6 on one edge and the 7 on the other, but even so, the 7 is typically the dominant voice (can overcall) and takes the 5th tackle responsibilities (not always, but often). The 7 makes more important tactical decisions than any other player on the field and are the brains of the side. They are also the hardest type of player to develop and/or recruit. A creative half with a strong kicking game is pretty much top of every club's Christmas list, because they're rare as hens teeth.

In the last 15-20 years, how many premierships have been won without Cronk or Cleary?!

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Because it's a team sport and many variables amount to success, one can always find an argument that it's any one particular position, e.g. a good 7 can only be effective with strong go-forward, but you can just as easily find examples of teams with strong packs that struggle to create points.

So with that in mind, I believe that 7 (and to some extent 6) is the most important position. It's still a position that is at the mercy of the other 16 players, but no position on the field is immune to this notion, so I have to simply pick the one that I think stands above all else as the most dominant determining factor in a side's success.

I understand that a number of sides of use the 6 on one edge and the 7 on the other, but even so, the 7 is typically the dominant voice (can overcall) and takes the 5th tackle responsibilities (not always, but often). The 7 makes more important tactical decisions than any other player on the field and are the brains of the side. They are also the hardest type of player to develop and/or recruit. A creative half with a strong kicking game is pretty much top of every club's Christmas list, because they're rare as hens teeth.

In the last 15-20 years, how many premierships have been won without Cronk or Cleary?!

Agreed. Someone like Chad Townsend is quite an outlier.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I don’t see 9 being as critical as it used to be when Scam was playing.

Consider a guy like Mitch Kenny or Billy Walters who played 9 on Brisbane’s run. They’re nothing spectacular.

It appears to me that the importance of the position depends on the importance of the player to the team and how they perform in big moments. Cam Munster for example. Play him in any jersey and he’s still the most important player on the field when it comes to the crunch for his team.

 

[Scorpio]

Agreed. Someone like Chad Townsend is quite an outlier.

Shane Perry is another.