Captain of the Gate
Reserve Grader
Now that we are halfway through the season regular (well 1 game shy) I was thinking about which players would be in line for Dally M Rookie of the Year.
For those who don't know to qualify you have to have played in no more than 3 games in previous seasons. Buhrer still qualifies if my math is correct because the 3 games where he sat on the bench and didn't take the field don't count towards your game count. NRL doesn't officially recognise you as playing a game if you never take the field. Here is a list I put together. If I missed anyone or accidentally gave someone rookie status when they have played 3+ games, I'm sorry.
Broncos -Dane Gagai, Jack Reed
Raiders - Sam Williams
Sharks - Stuart Mills
Titans -Matt Srama, Ben Ridge
Sea Eagles - Jamie Buhrer, Daly Cherry-Evans, Daniel Harrison, Will Hopoate, Michael Oldfield, Tim Robinson
Knights - Beau Henry
Cowboys - Tariq Sims, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa
Eels - Taniela Lasalo, Jacob Loko
Panthers - Nafe Seluini
Dragons - Kyle Stanley, Ratu Tagive
Rabbitohs - Chris McQueen, Kane Morgan
Roosters - Steve Naughton
Tigers - Aaron Woods, Ben Murdoch-Masilla, Jacob Miller, Jason Shirnack, Alan Shirnack
Warriors - Elijah Taylor
I think its easy to write off most of these players as they aren't playing regularly or doing enough in games to get the win.
My personal opinion is that it comes down to probably 5 players:
Jamie Buhrer has been solid all year, he has slipped a little in the last few weeks but if he runs strong in the 2nd half of the year he could take it.
Daly Cherry-Evans started off slow but the form he is finding and teh confidence he is gaining to let him run away with it.
Will Hopoate has to be well up there as a favourite, the only rookie on the list to make rep football, has set the world on fire, commentators and experts love him. Everyone is disappointed to see him leave the game for 2 years. I'm not sure if leaving will help or hinder him in the judges eyes.
Tariq Sims was strong in his first game and has played well every game. Is already in the starting squad when surrounded by fierce veteran 2nd rowers. All the experts and commentators love this guy as he is one of those x-factor players and is probably the favourite at this point.
Aaron Woods has been the Tigers strongest front rower and is making the guys around him look bad. The kid will be one of the star front rowers in a few years, when he and Fafita mature they will be one of the most devestating bookend pairings in the comp.
The dark horses may be Beau Henry and Matt Srama depending on how they spend the back end of the year, but they are long shots at the moment in my eyes.
What does everyone else think?
For those who don't know to qualify you have to have played in no more than 3 games in previous seasons. Buhrer still qualifies if my math is correct because the 3 games where he sat on the bench and didn't take the field don't count towards your game count. NRL doesn't officially recognise you as playing a game if you never take the field. Here is a list I put together. If I missed anyone or accidentally gave someone rookie status when they have played 3+ games, I'm sorry.
Broncos -Dane Gagai, Jack Reed
Raiders - Sam Williams
Sharks - Stuart Mills
Titans -Matt Srama, Ben Ridge
Sea Eagles - Jamie Buhrer, Daly Cherry-Evans, Daniel Harrison, Will Hopoate, Michael Oldfield, Tim Robinson
Knights - Beau Henry
Cowboys - Tariq Sims, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa
Eels - Taniela Lasalo, Jacob Loko
Panthers - Nafe Seluini
Dragons - Kyle Stanley, Ratu Tagive
Rabbitohs - Chris McQueen, Kane Morgan
Roosters - Steve Naughton
Tigers - Aaron Woods, Ben Murdoch-Masilla, Jacob Miller, Jason Shirnack, Alan Shirnack
Warriors - Elijah Taylor
I think its easy to write off most of these players as they aren't playing regularly or doing enough in games to get the win.
My personal opinion is that it comes down to probably 5 players:
Jamie Buhrer has been solid all year, he has slipped a little in the last few weeks but if he runs strong in the 2nd half of the year he could take it.
Daly Cherry-Evans started off slow but the form he is finding and teh confidence he is gaining to let him run away with it.
Will Hopoate has to be well up there as a favourite, the only rookie on the list to make rep football, has set the world on fire, commentators and experts love him. Everyone is disappointed to see him leave the game for 2 years. I'm not sure if leaving will help or hinder him in the judges eyes.
Tariq Sims was strong in his first game and has played well every game. Is already in the starting squad when surrounded by fierce veteran 2nd rowers. All the experts and commentators love this guy as he is one of those x-factor players and is probably the favourite at this point.
Aaron Woods has been the Tigers strongest front rower and is making the guys around him look bad. The kid will be one of the star front rowers in a few years, when he and Fafita mature they will be one of the most devestating bookend pairings in the comp.
The dark horses may be Beau Henry and Matt Srama depending on how they spend the back end of the year, but they are long shots at the moment in my eyes.
What does everyone else think?
