NRL roster rater: Assessment of each club’s top 25 players, with ratings from 1-16

ROSTER RATER: It doesn’t always translate to premierships, but with all the off-season player movement we’ve rated every club’s talent from 1-16.

IT doesn’t always translate to premierships, but with all the player movement in the off-season it’s worth taking a look at the overall feel of every NRL squad to suit up in 2015.

How much top-end talent does your team possess? Has the squad got enough depth to cover for the inevitable injuries that always have a bearing on ladder positions?

NRL POWER RANKINGS: THE COACHES

Bearing all this in mind, we’ve rated every 2015 NRL roster, based on their top 25 players, on talent from 1-16.

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1. BULLDOGS

Brett Morris, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Lichaa, James Graham, Tony Williams, Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer, Frank Pritchard, Tim Browne, Sam Kasiano, Moses Mbye, Lloyd Perrett, Jacob Loko, Damien Cook, Reni Maitua, Curtis Rona, Chase Stanley.

James Graham and Sam Perrett will both have big roles to play in Canterbury’s pursuit of silverware. Picture: Mark Evans

Des Hasler has assembled a roster with class and depth, somehow managing to improve a squad that fell just one game short of a premiership in 2014. While the Bulldogs have lost long-time skipper Michael Ennis, he has been well replaced by Michael Lichaa — considered by many to be the best young hooker in the game.

The Dogs’ forward pack is arguably the best in the league, and with David Klemmer and Josh Jackson exposed to international football in the Four Nations, it’s likely to be even stronger in 2015. Add to that an Origin halves pairing and a young backline that will improve immeasurably with the addition of Brett Morris and you’ve got the best top 25 in the competition.

2. ROOSTERS

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nene Macdonald, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Daniel Tupou, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Aidan Guerra, Boyd Cordner, Mitch Aubusson, Martin Kennedy, Dylan Napa, Isaac Liu, Matt McIlwrick, Jackson Hastings, Kane Evans, Samisoni Langi, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Jack Siejka, Jonathon Reuben, Lagi Setu, Blake Ferguson*.

If the Roosters are to add to their 2013 premiership in the near future, 2015 probably has to be their year. A number of the Chooks’ best young players come off contract at the end of the season and it will be difficult to keep them all. The Roosters have lost Sonny Bill Williams (rugby union), Anthony Minichiello (retired) and Frank-Paul Nu’uausala but the depth in their roster has equipped them well to cover for those departures.

The pack is big and multi-skilled and if anything Mini’s exit adds more X-factor to the backline. The talents of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be fully expressed at fullback, not to mention the possible addition of Blake Ferguson, who is training with the Chooks but is still yet to be registered by the NRL. Mitchell Pearce’s last two months of 2014 also suggests that he is ready to fulfil his potential as a consistent leader and game manager.

3. RABBITOHS

Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker, Bryson Goodwin, Joel Reddy, Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, George Burgess, Issac Luke, David Tyrrell, Chris McQueen, John Sutton, Glenn Stewart, Jason Clark, Kyle Turner, Tim Grant, Tom Burgess, Luke Burgess, Cameron McInnes, Ben Lowe, Kirisome Auva’a*, Chris Grevsmuhl, Sione Masima, Aaron Gray, Ed Murphy.

Greg Inglis will be back to lead the Rabbitohs’ premiership defence in 2015. Picture: Mark Evans

The defending premiers look to have a slightly weaker side on paper for 2015, with Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o big outs for the Rabbitohs. The talented Kirisome Auva’a’s indefinite suspension also strips the Bunnies of some vital firepower out wide. Glenn Stewart and Tim Grant add experience to the pack and go some way to compensating for the losses of Burgess and Te’o. But if there’s to be any improvement in 2014’s top side, it’s going to have to come from within.

4. BRONCOS

Darius Boyd*, Dale Copley, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Daniel Vidot, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Adam Blair, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker, Alex Glenn, James Gavet, Corey Oates, Mitch Garbutt, Jarrod Wallace, Mitchell Dodds, Travis Waddell, Jo Ofahengaue, Todd Lowrie, David Stagg, Jordan Kahu, Lachlan Maranta.

In just a few short months, Wayne Bennett has turned a side that lacked balance and depth in key areas into a genuine contender for best roster in the NRL. Then, in a moment of terrible luck, a vital part of Bennett’s roster strategy was dismantled when Darius Boyd went down with a ruptured Achilles. Boyd is now unlikely to play a part in the 2015 season, which is a massive blow for Brisbane’s premiership hopes.

Still, there are positives. Adam Blair’s arrival stiffens up a pack that has lacked punch. This is likely to relegate either Matt Gillett or Alex Glenn to a bench role, such is the quality of Brisbane’s back row now that Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker won’t be required up front. Anthony Milford’s combination with Four Nations-capped Ben Hunt is an exciting prospect, although Bennett might be tempted to shift Milford to fullback. The Broncos still lack a bit of depth in the front row but in James Gavet, Mitch Garbutt and Jarrod Wallace, Bennett at least has something to work with.

5. PANTHERS

Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Brent Kite, James Segeyaro, Sam McKendry, Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey, Elijah Taylor, Adam Docker, Jeremy Latimore, Nigel Plum, Lewis Brown, David Simmons, Sika Manu, Isaac John, Isaah Yeo, Will Smith, Waqa Blake, George Jennings.

Matt Moylan is one of Penrith’s most impressive youngsters. Picture: Mark Evans

One of the most impressive factors to take out of Penrith’s run to the 2014 preliminary final was that they did it without a slew of talented players, who went down late in the season with injury. Peter Wallace, Bryce Cartwright, Tyrone Peachey, and Elijah Taylor are all walk-up starts in Ivan Cleary’s best 17 but none of them were available in September. At full strength, the Panthers look one of the best balanced sides in the competition. Talented youngsters like Isaac John, Will Smith and Waqa Blake will also offer plenty of competition for places from the lower grades.

6. COWBOYS

Lachlan Coote, Antonio Winterstein, Tautau Moga, Kane Linnett, Matthew Wright, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Jason Taumalolo, Glenn Hall, Robert Lui, Ray Thompson, Jake Granville, Scott Bolton, Ben Hannant, Ethan Lowe, Cameron King, Kyle Feldt, Zac Santo, Kelepi Tanganoa, Patrick Kaufusi, Javid Bowen.

This roster is rich with top-end talent in the form of Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and arguably the most improved player of 2014, Jason Taumalolo. The powerful forward pack is well backed up by Thurston and some damaging finishers out wide, but there are still some question marks over the spine of the Cowboys, with Robert Lui enduring another mediocre season, and Paul Green’s continued search for a hooker to replace the retired Aaron Payne and departed James Segeyaro. Throw into the mix the more agreeable headache of where to play a fit-again Lachlan Coote and there’s plenty for the Cowboys coaching staff to think about.

7. STORM

Billy Slater, Marika Koroibete, Will Chambers, Mahe Fonua, Justin O’Neill, Blake Green, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Jordan McLean, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Tim Glasby, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Dayne Weston, Kenny Bromwich, Young Tonumaipea, Kurt Mann, Cameron Munster, Ben Hampton, Hymel Hunt, Felise Kaufusi, Travis Robinson, Slade Griffin.

CAMERON SMITH NEEDS ANKLE SURGERY

The rise of Jesse Bromwich in 2014 means the Storm can once again legitimately claim to boast a ‘big four’, in a roster rich on top-end talent but still with question marks over several key positions. Will the arrival of journeyman Blake Green, fresh off a successful stint with Super League side Wigan, solve the five-eighth issues experienced since Gareth Widdop’s departure?

Can Tom Learoyd-Lahrs recapture the form that earned him four Origin caps for NSW early in his career? Again, it will be the Storm’s depth that will be put to the test during the Origin period, especially given the age of superstar trio Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.

8. WARRIORS

Sam Tomkins, Glen Fisiiahi, Ngani Laumape, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Suaia Matagi, Sam Rapira, Ben Henry, Thomas Leuluai, Bodene Thompson, Matt Allwood, Siliva Havili, Sione Lousi, Jonathan Wright, Tuimoala Lolohea, John Palavi, Dominique Peyroux.

The addition of Ryan Hoffman could be huge for the Warriors. Picture: Gregg Porteous

As they always do, the Warriors boast a roster full of power, speed and flair. The back five of Tomkins, Fisiiahi, Laumape, Hurrell, Vatuvei is one of the most feared in the competition and Shaun Johnson’s form in the Four Nations suggested he’s on the verge of a career-best season, which only makes the backline more dangerous.

The addition of Ryan Hoffman adds class and experience to a back row which looks to be one of the best in the comp. If Andrew McFadden can instil discipline and get his side playing with the right balance of structure and creativity, the Warriors could cause big problems for the heavyweights in 2015.

9. SEA EAGLES

Brett Stewart, Peta Hiku, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Jorge Taufua, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Willie Mason, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Justin Horo, Feleti Mateo, Jamie Buhrer, Tom Symonds, Josh Starling, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Dunamis Lui, Clint Gutherson, David Williams, Jake Trbojevic, Jayden Hodges, Michael Chee Kam, Jack Littlejohn, James Hasson, Ligi Sao.

Manly’s off-season has been one of transition, with two-time premiership veterans Anthony Watmough (Eels) and Glenn Stewart (Rabbitohs), and experienced prop Jason King (retired) heading out the exit door. They’ve been replaced by Willie Mason and Feleti Mateo - as well as the ill-fated addition of signed then sacked Zane Tetevano - in what must be said is a downgrade in class.

The Sea Eagles’ backline still looks potent and their halves combination is the best in the NRL. But if Manly are to make the finals this year, they’ll be relying heavily on the arrival of talented youngsters like Jake Trbojevic, Michael Chee Kam, Jayden Hodges, and Clint Gutherson.

10. SHARKS

Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Kyle Stanley, Ricky Leutele, Ben Barba, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen, Anthony Tupou, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Tinirau Arona, Matt Prior, Valentine Holmes, Nathan Gardner, Jacob Gagan, David Fifita, Fa’amanu Brown, Jack Bird, Blake Ayshford.

BARBA’S DALLY M BRILLIANCE IS BACK

Can Ben Barba get back to his best at the Sharks. Picture: Gregg Porteous

They may have suffered the embarrassment of the club’s first ever wooden spoon in 2014, but that dubious honour doesn’t reflect the talent in this roster. One of the best forward packs in the competition features Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Michael Ennis and Wade Graham.

Michael Gordon has been superb at fullback since arriving at the Sharks, and Sosaia Feki and Ricky Leutele are finishers of great promise. The biggest question mark hangs over star recruit Ben Barba. If he can play to his ability, and Cronulla have more luck with injuries, they should have enough to make finals. If not, it could be another long year.

11. WESTS TIGERS

James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Chris Lawrence, Tim Simona, Pat Richards, Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Curtis Sironen, Sitaleki Akauola, Dene Halatau, Martin Taupau, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Matthew Lodge, Kevin Naiqama, Josh Drinkwater, Brenden Santi, Keith Lulia, Tim Moltzen, Jack Buchanan, Joel Luani, Kyle Lovett.

This roster is one of the great unknowns of 2015. Boasting a crop of the most talented kids in the competition, it’s a matter of if not when the Tigers will contend. James Tedesco is a superb young fullback who needs a bit of luck to stay on the field. The halves combination of Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks is a scary proposition for opponents, and we all know about Robbie Farah’s ability. That’s the making of an excellent spine.

The outside backs are well balanced and the forward pack’s got improvement in it, with Aaron Woods still young, Martin Taupau coming on in leaps and bounds, and the raw talents of son of a gun Curtis Sironen. Jason Taylor has plenty to work with on this list.

12. EELS

Will Hopoate, Semi Radradra, Brad Takairangi, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Nathan Peats, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Anthony Watmough, Manu Ma’u, Isaac De Gois, Joseph Paulo, Darcy Lussick, Tepai Moeroa, Pauli Pauli, David Gower, Richie Fa’aoso, Beau Champion, Darcy Lussick, Ryan Morgan, Reece Robinson, Danny Wicks.

Anthony Watmough is just the player the Eels needed to stiffen up their pack. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Can a team that was so reliant on one player cope without him? That will be the question that follows the Eels around in 2015 after Jarryd Hayne’s shock exit to chase his NFL dreams in the US. Looking on the bright side though, Parramatta’s forward pack made some huge gains in 2014, and it’s only going to get better with the addition of Anthony Watmough.

A back row of Watmough, Kenny Edwards and Manu Ma’u looks a very tough proposition, not to mention the emergence of young tyro Tepai Moeroa. There’s plenty of depth in the front row too, and halves Chris Sandow and Corey Norman started to click by the end of 2014. Still, unless Will Hopoate adapts very quickly to his new role of fullback, finals look a tough ask.

13. KNIGHTS

Kurt Gidley, Akuila Uate, Joseph Leilua, Dane Gagai, Sione Mata’utia, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Jack Stockwell, Tariq Sims, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith, Chris Houston, Korbin Sims, David Fa’alogo, Robbie Rochow, James McManus, Jake Mamo, Clint Newton, Chanel Mata’utia, Carlos Tuimavave, Paterika Vaivai, James Taylor, Joseph Tapine.

With a new coach and plenty of experience departing in the off-season, this is a roster with a lot to prove. At the moment it looks unbalanced. While there’s a huge amount of talent to play with out wide, particularly with the Mata’utia brothers coming through and a dynamic young centre pairing in Gagai and Leilua, the Knights look light on up front and have a halves combination that still needs work.

Outside of Kade Snowden and old warhorse David Fa’alogo, Newcastle have very little experience in the front row, and hooker Adam Clydsdale is still yet to prove himself on a consistent basis. But on the bright side, if the Knights do manage to get front-foot ball - and a quality back row will help them achieve this - there’s plenty of points in this team.

14. RAIDERS

Jack Wighton, Sisa Waqa, Jarrod Croker, Jeremy Hawkins, Edrick Lee, Blake Austin, Mitch Cornish, Dane Tilse, Josh Hodgson, David Shillington, Josh Papalii, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Paul Vaughan, Josh McCrone, Shannon Boyd, Jarrad Kennedy, Sam Williams, Jordan Rapana, Kyle O’Donnell, Iosia Soliola, Brenko Lee, Glen Buttriss, Bill Tupou, Joel Edwards, Tevita Pangai.

Jack Wighton will be hoping there’s a big season ahead in 2015. Picture: Gregg Porteous

This will be an important year for the Raiders, with Ricky Stuart desperate for some improvement. However, he has a roster that may not have the depth or top-end talent to deliver significant gains. Blake Austin is a good signing but you’d suspect his likely halves partnership with fellow young gun Mitch Cornish is going to take some work. Out wide, there’s plenty of young talent but also plenty of question marks, like where to play Jack Wighton.

The young star can play centre and five-eighth, but his best position might yet be fullback. In the pack, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala is a good addition, adding experience and professionalism, and there’s plenty of class among the backrowers. The front row, however, could still be a problem area and if the Raiders don’t win the arm wrestle, they’re going to struggle to conjure wins.

15. DRAGONS

Josh Dugan, Charly Runciman, Dane Nielsen, Dylan Farrell, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Ben Creagh, Mitch Rein, Tyson Frizell, Leeson Ah Mau, Joel Thompson, Trent Merrin, Jack De Belin, Dan Hunt, Mike Cooper, George Rose, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, Peter Mata’utia, Jake Marketo, Kris Keating, Beau Henry, Will Matthews, Eto Nabuli, Heath L’Estrange.

He made a good impression after taking the reins midway through 2014, but Paul McGregor’s biggest challenge is yet to come after a full off-season with a roster that he’s started to reshape. The Dragons have made some big calls to get rid of a clutch of talented outside backs, especially Brett Morris, and it’s difficult to see areas where they’ve actually improved the squad.

Dugan and Nightingale provide class in the backs but there’s question marks everywhere else outside the halves. Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop showed promise as a pairing but behind a beaten forward pack they’ll continue to find things difficult. The Dragons have signed George Rose to add some size to an often-outmuscled front row - but can a two-time NRL outcast really be the silver bullet the Dragons need?

16. TITANS

Josh Hoffman, Kevin Gordon, William Zillman, James Roberts, David Mead, Aidan Sezer, Daniel Mortimer, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Ryan James, David Taylor, Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Paul Carter, Matthew White, Ben Ridge, Matt Robinson, Anthony Don, Kane Elgey, Matt Srama, Kierran Mosely, Matt White, Caleb Binge, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Mark Ioane.

Josh Hoffman will be keen to prove he’s a top class fullback at the Titans. Picture: Adam Head

It looks like another long season ahead for Titans fans. First the positives. Neil Henry is a well-regarded coach and having fresh ideas and a fresh pair of eyes overseeing things for the first time in eight years can’t possibly be a bad thing. James Roberts is a super talent, Aidan Sezer looks an elite half in the making, and the Titans are extremely well led by representative backrowers Greg Bird — although his latest indiscretion has him under pressure to retain co-captaincy — and Nate Myles. For all that though, there are still some big problem areas.

BIRDBRAIN ACT THREATENS CAPTAINCY

Can Daniel Mortimer nail down the starting halfback position? Is Josh Hoffman the answer to the Titans’ fullback issues? Is there enough depth in the front row? Can Kierran Mosely add some X-factor to a side that lacks punch out of dummy half? If enough of these questions are answered with a ‘yes’, then Henry might have something to work with. If not, the Titans might find themselves in a scrap to avoid the wooden spoon.

Originally published as NRL roster rater: Assessment of each club’s top 25 players, with ratings from 1-16