Peter Badel’s Top 50 NRL Players: 10-1

WITH the 2018 NRL season almost here, The Courier-Mail’s chief rugby league writer Peter Badel has named his top 50 players. These are the cream of the crop, but who will be named the competition’s best?

Peter Badel's top 50 players

• NRL’s best players revealed: 20-11
• NRL’s best players revealed: 30-21
• NRL’s best players revealed: 40-31
• Top 50 NRL players revealed: 50-41

WITH the 2018 NRL season almost here, The Courier-Mail’s chief rugby league writer Peter Badel has named his top 50 players.

The top 10 was revealed at today’s sold out The Courier-Mail/Fox League NRL launch at Suncorp Stadium

These are the cream of the crop, but who will be named the competition’s best?

10 — Jesse Bromwich (Storm)

There is no other front-rower in the game with Bromwich’s fusion of skill, power, footwork and toughness. In a game against the Cowboys last year, he made 40 tackles and 201 metres. Phenomenal. At 28, he can get better.

KEY STAT: Averaged 114m and 20.5 tackles in just 50 minutes per game in 2017.

Matt Gillett has cemented his place as the Broncos’ best player. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

9 — Matt Gillett (Broncos)

The most improved player in the game and now truly elite. Represents the glue in the Broncos’ back row and produced some imperious performances for Queensland and Australia last season. A magnificent one-on-one defender.

KEY STAT: Averaged 34 tackles per game for the past three seasons.

DID PETER BADEL GET IT RIGHT? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

8 — Tom Trbojevic (Manly)

It is a special player who can walk into the shoes of Brett Stewart without skipping a beat. Yes, he is only 21. Yes, he is raw. But at 194cm and 102kg, Trbojevic already rips rivals apart. He will be a Sea Eagles legend.

KEY STAT: Had 24 line-breaks in 23 games in 2017, busting 4.3 tackles per game.

Michael Morgan stepped up to lead the Cowboys to last year’s grand final. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

7 — Michael Morgan (Cowboys)

It’s been a long journey for Morgan but after 128 NRL games, he now believes he can be great. At 26, he is at the perfect age to succeed Thurston and be a franchise player. The Maroons must give him the No. 6 jumper this season.

KEY STAT: Had 25 try assists in 2017, easily his most in any season in the NRL.

LOVE YOUR NRL? JOIN NRL SUPERCOACH TODAY

GET YOUR TIPS IN FOR THE 2018 SEASON

6 — Cooper Cronk (Roosters)

The ultimate pro. Shaped the Storm’s destiny with his sheer dedication and will and he will do the same for the Roosters in his twilight years. On the score of executing a game plan, he is the go-to halfback.

KEY STAT: Involved in 47 tries in 2017, the most in the competition.

Boyd Cordner capped a huge 2017 by being named NSW captain. Picture: Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

5 — Boyd Cordner (Roosters)

The NSW Origin captaincy has proved the making of Cordner. The best edge forward in the code. His straight-line running close to the line is as courageous as it is ferocious. Combines intellect with brawn.

KEY STAT: Made a career high 144 metres per game last season.

After two injury-riddled seasons, Billy Slater has proved why he is still the game’s best fullback. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

4 — Billy Slater (Storm)

The fittest athlete in Australian sport. When other NRL players are gasping and heaving in the 65th minute, Slater is still running rings around them. Remarkable dedication for a 34-year-old and the best communicator at the back. His ability to create for his supports has seen Slater morph from very good to great.

KEY STAT: Scored double-figure tries (11) for the 12th time in his career last year.

3 — Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)

His Origin II heroics last season were the exclamation mark on a glittering career of competitive genius. In the big moment, Thurston demands the ball. He will not tolerate failure in his final season.

KEY STAT: Past five seasons he has topped try assists (136), line-break assists (118) and forced dropouts (117).

Still only 24, Jason Taumalolo is the NRL’s most damaging player. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

2 — Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

The NRL’s best statistical specimen of the 21st century. The only player in NRL history to have amassed 5000 metres in a single season. But Taumalolo is more than just a numerical giant. His effort-on-effort impact lifts his teammates and breaks the spirit of his opposition. The scary thing is he’s only 24. A 10-year contract will not erode his desire.

KEY STAT: 5050 metres, 121 tackle busts, 30 offloads in 2017. Unstoppable.

The competition’s dominant player, Cameron Smith could also be the best ever. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

1 — Cameron Smith (Storm)

The King. No-one touches the ball as often or exerts the influence over a match like Smith. While many players just try to survive in the NRL, Smith executes plays a step ahead of the opposition. His workrate, calmness and ability to stay injury free is peerless. He has surpassed Wally Lewis as Queensland’s greatest player.

KEY STAT: 15 try assists and 14 secondary assists in 2017, easily the most of any hooker.

Originally published as Peter Badel’s Top 50 NRL Players: 10-1