NRL’s best mullet: Papenhuyzen storms to victory in public poll
Melbourne Storm flyer Ryan Papenhuyzen has stormed to victory to be crowned the owner of the NRL’s best mullet. In a resounding victory, the fullback almost took half of all votes in the public poll. See the results.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The results are in: Melbourne Storm flyer Ryan Papenhuyzen has the best crop of hair in the NRL, and it wasn’t even close.
NewsLocal had compiled the 20 best NRL mullets from across the 16 teams for you, the public, to decide who would take the crown. Hundreds of you voted and the Storm fullback cantered into an early lead, which would prove too hard for his competitors to usurp.
Truthfully, it wasn’t even close. Papenhuyzen took a whopping 42 per cent of the vote, double that of his nearest competitor, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, in second place with 21 per cent. It was nothing short of a mullet massacre, running away with the crown akin to Penrith and the minor premiership this season.
Rounding out the top five were Cowboy Reuben Cotter, Raider Josh Papalii’i and Rabbitoh Keaon Koloamatangi.
The full top five results in full are below. Congratulations, Ryan – another piece of silverware to the cabinet.
VOTE: NRL’s 20 best mullets, vote for the mane man – July 29
The mullet is as rugby league as tattoo sleeves, complaining about the referee, and warm beer and cold pies at Leichhardt Oval. The staple short top, trimmed sides and long, free-flowing back is a mainstay of the sport. A Papenhuyzen long-range try, Papali’i bone-rattler and Fa’asuamaleaui headlock just wouldn’t be the same without the mullet.
The mullet has deep roots in the sport, first brought into the mainstream lexicon by Balmain Tigers stalwarts Kerry Hemsley and Kevin Hardwick.
Every team has an entry, but which, of the many cuts currently adorning our league stars, is best?
With stars stretching from Townsville down across the ditch to New Zealand donning the fabled mullet, the competition to crown the best is arguably more fierce than the current competition. There’s no Penrith in this year’s batch of crops, the competition too close, the mullet too strong.
We’ve compiled the 20 best from the current batch of stars – with a few recent medically retired entries – for you to pick your favourite and crown the NRL’s best mullet.
Josh Papalii’i, Canberra Raiders
The 250-plus game veteran looks and plays like a draught horse, and Raiders and Maroons fans wouldn’t have it any other way. Papali’i should feature on the next Carlton United beer ad bringing kegs of beer to thirsty drinkers. One of the NRL’s mullet flag-bearers.
Lindsay Collins, Sydney Roosters
The 26-year-old Queensland Origin rep gets an honourable mention here as a man ahead of his time. Collins was at the vanguard of the current mullet trend. He was one of a few sporting the iconic hairdos when he burst onto the scene as a raw-boned front-rower for the Roosters in 2017. He’s since shaved his head and kept it that way for some inexplicable reason.
Zac Cini, Parramatta Eels
Cini also deserves a mention for the enthusiasm (and style) he displayed for the mullet cause in his four games for the Tigers last year. ‘The flying mullet man’ became an instant cult hero after scoring a try and having another disallowed on his NRL debut. He’s since joined Parra and hasn’t been sighted in the top grade this year. We miss that mullet.
Latrell Mitchell, South Sydney Rabbitohs
One of the game’s bona-fide superstars, Mitchell’s return from injury and to form has coincided with a tight yet smart mullet – a coincidence? The South Sydney fullback is carrying the hopes of the grand old team squarely on his new trim, which looked a sight in a recent line break against the Bulldogs. Those left in his wake had the best seat in the house.
Reuben Cotter, North Queensland Cowboys
Cowboy gun Cotter has had a breakout season, helping the North Queenslanders surge up the table into second place. The strength of his tackle only matched by that of his mullet, Cotter has starred both in clubland and for Queensland, before injury ruled him out of game two and three.
Kelma Tuilagi, Wests Tigers
While Tigers look set to cop the wooden spoon, the same can’t be said for second-rower Tuilagi whose hard graft and affordable price has made him a relative favourite in NRL SuperCoach circles. With his club rooted to the bottom of the ladder, will Tuilagi’s mullet chances see a similar fate?
Josh Curran, Warriors
It’s been a disrupted two years for the Warriors and their dedication to the competition is applauded from all circles. The disruption and uncertainty, however, has not affected second-row forward Josh Curran’s Samson-like hair. Must be some good barbers up in Redcliffe.
Ryan Papenhuyzen, Melbourne Storm
Arguably the mullet that has cut through most to non-league circles, Storm flyer Ryan Papenhuyzen has long donned his 70s-inspired cut, his locks flying behind the speedster a common sight. Sadly sidelined due to a broken knee, mullet fans everywhere send Papenhuyzen their wishes, longing for the day his golden locks once again take to the footy field.
Keaon Koloamatangi, South Sydney Rabbitohs
Asked by super coach Wayne Bennett to lose the locks, Koloamatangi has gone from strength to strength since defying the veteran’s orders during his time at South Sydney. The former Mascot Jet is now a centrepiece of the Bunnies’ formidable forward pack, pushing for an Origin place in the process.
Jack Wighton, Canberra Raiders
Former Dally M player of the year and a casualty from Brad Fittler’s merry-go-round selection process in this year’s Origin series, Wighton is one of the game’s elite competitors. Competing against teammate Josh Papalii’i in this year’s mullet series, will Wighton get revenge for the Blues’ shock loss in Brisbane?
Cody Ramsey, St George Illawarra Dragons
St George’s Ramsey has been one of the stars of an inconsistent Dragons outfit this season, but his tenaciousness, graft and mullet have surely shined in a team being carried by Dally M leader Ben Hunt. Neither long nor flashy, much like his style of play, Ramsey’s mullet is the definition of hard-worker.
Jayden Campbell, Gold Coast Titans
With the build of David but the hair and talent of Goliath, Campbell is a certified gun. The young fullback has inherited the skills of his father Preston and although part of a struggling Titans outfit, Campbell’s talents are on display for all to see.
Viliame Kikau, Penrith Panthers
Fijian powerhouse and soon to be Bulldog Kikau has been an important mainstay during the last two years of Penrith dominance at the upper echelons of the ladder. Another on the list who even though may have the ability to break bones with a tackle, you can be sure his mullet will look good doing it.
Junior Paulo, Parramatta Eels
Big build, awesome player, fantastic hair – Paulo has excelled both in clubland and the Origin arena, a mainstay in both. Can the Eels, serial chokers, win some silverware through Paulo? Albeit, in this year’s mullet comp …
Haumole Olakau‘atu, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Impossible to write a league piece without addressing the drama engulfing the Sea Eagles, Olakau’atu is one of seven Manly players who have chosen to stand down from this week’s must win against the Sydney Roosters due to the club’s rainbow LGBTQ jersey. By default, his mullet will also not be gracing screens this week as the club hope to inch closer to a finals’ berth.
Aaron Schoupp, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Schoupp has had a resurgence under caretaker boss Mick Potter at the Dogs of War, clocking three tries in his past seven appearances. The only Bulldog on our longlist, can Schoupp sweeten Canterbury’s return to form with a solid placing in the mullet poll?
Tyson Gamble, Brisbane Broncos
In many eyes, maybe the worst mullet on our longlist, but Gamble flies the Broncos flag proudly. However, the mullet was medically retired last month in recognition of young Bronco Nate Wilson’s final chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia. It’s been a stellar season for the Brisbane outfit, led aptly by experienced halfback and club captain Adam Reynolds. While Bronx fans can certainly dream about matters on the field, many have already written off Gamble’s chances in clinching the mullet crown …
David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights
A penchant for the biff and a mullet to match, Klemmer’s bad boy image, however, is backed up by a stellar career at all levels. Most recently seen in a fist match-up with fellow nominee Keaon Koloamatangi, Klemmer is hoping to add to his World Cup winners medal in this year’s mullet comp.
Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui, Gold Coast Titans
One of the bookies’ favourites, big Tino has led a struggling Titans with leadership and maturity beyond his tender 22 years of age. Commentators and punters alike better get used to pronouncing his name properly if Fa’asuamaleaui can claim the mullet crown.
Siosifa Talakai, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
The only Shark on our longlist, the makeshift centre bulldozer is hoping to put a bitter Origin series loss behind him both in club- and mullet-land. Talakai’s journey to prominence with the Fitzgibbon-rejuvenated Sharks has been winding – including a release from South Sydney and a stint with the Newtown Jets – but his talent and ability has been on display this season.
Join the conversation
NRRRL: Thrillers and controversy as footy returns with a bang
There were morale-boosting wins, local derby thrillers and one game that ended in controversy as the NRRRL returned with a bang.
Read more
‘I didn’t expect that’: Statement made in CCRU opener
There were statement performances, big results and a thrilling comeback as the Central Coast Rugby Union season kicked off in style.
Read more