Mal Meninga names his top six magical NRL talents for 2019
As the NRL’s finest head to Suncorp Stadium for the biggest round of the season, MAL MENINGA names his top six spellbinding talents in 2019.
Opinion
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I’ve seen plenty of incredible rugby league players in my time but the most magical talent I have ever seen has to be John “Chicka” Ferguson.
I played alongside him at the Canberra Raiders, so I had front row seats to some amazing moments, that would leave fans stunned and teammates in awe.
His speed of the mark was unbelievable. I once watched Chicka beat eight Dragons players at Kogarah Oval one day with a diagonal, zig-zagging run where he took off from our own 20m line to score under the sticks.
We just all stood back and clapped what was a moment of pure magic. In the spirit of celebrating the game’s greatest magicians, here’s my top six magical talents in 2019.
JOSH ADDO-CARR
Every time he touches the ball he is going at 100 miles an hour. He’s an exciting player to watch but I also admire the way he has worked hard on building up his physique.
You also can’t doubt his courage carting the footy or his speed and ability to break the line with pace and score tries at crucial moments. I love watching him play. Since joining the Storm he has added a strong defensive element to his game.
He’s a State of Origin player now and with Valentine Holmes leaving the code, he is in one of the box seats for an Australia representative jersey this year.
KALYN PONGA
Kalyn is an exceptional talent. He has the ability to utilise his speed to find space and he is strong with a good power base. He is tough too and doesn’t mind the collisions.
He is willing to put his body on the line, which is what rugby league is all about. You have to have that mental willingness to get into the battle.
Not only that, he has the ability to put others into space as well. With a hop, skip and a jump he attracts defenders, has a great short-ball and a great long pass. He makes an enormous difference when he is on the footy field.
LATRELL MITCHELL
His ability to beat people with sheer power is exciting but then he has also got a devastating fend and sidestep. He has got the ability to pass under pressure and the speed to go 60-70m to score tries.
Latrell is an excitement machine and every time he touches the ball he brings the crown to their feet, which is something Josh and Kayln also do.
He is a weapon and in the best form of his career. He is still young and has plenty of good years in front of him.
JAKE TRBOJEVIC
Jake is changing the art of what it takes to be a great player in the middle of the field. He is tough as teak, has great leadership qualities and you know he is going to turn up every week and do his job.
But he also has this special desire driving him every time he carts the football or makes a tackle, to get stuck into the contest.
He can make a hit up and get you a quick play the ball, but he also has great skill through the middle of the park to make line break assists or try assists.
Defensively he is outstanding, his ability to cut people in half one-on-one is a great attribute. He’s skilful, has a high workrate and to play 80 minutes to do what he is doing at No.13 he has obviously got enormous character.
JASON TAUMALOLO
The man who can make defensive lines disappear. Something happens every time he touches the footy. He gets your sets off to a good start, he breaks lines with his tackle busts, he has a great offload and he scores tries.
He can break the line and run around a fullback, which for a backrower is simply incredible. Defensively he has become a lot more robust as he has matured and grown into a great all-round player.
It showed last week against the mighty Titans that every time he is on the footy field he makes the difference. Without Jason last weekend they wouldn’t have won that game.
It takes three or four players to bring him down and that takes a lot out of opposition defenders. He is a beast and everyone wishes they had a Jason Taumalolo in their team.
ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK
When RTS is playing well his team is going well. His ability to break defensive lines with lateral footwork is the best I have seen since John Ferguson.
His ability to beat rivals one-on-one is the best in the competition. Not only his work with the ball but his defensive qualities and the passion he bring to being the last line of defence for the Warriors. He is a true leader.
Originally published as Mal Meninga names his top six magical NRL talents for 2019
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