NRL 2022: Who made Paul Crawley’s Team of the Year?
The NRL is full of quality fullbacks, including Latrell Mitchell, but there’s a key trait in James Tedesco’s game that ensures he’s still No.1. Check out Paul Crawley’s NRL team of the year.
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A major upset is brewing in the race for the NRL’s most prized individual award the Dally M Medal.
Here Paul Crawley reveals his team of the year with some shock calls, including why Nicho Hynes and not Ben Hunt deserves the halfback spot as well as the game’s top gong.
Ahead of the final round when Dally M votes officially close, our unofficial count has Hunt on 31 just ahead of the Sharks playmaker on 30 votes.
But while Hunt is considered the standout favourite, the fact is Hunt’s Dragons are not playing finals this year and Hynes’ Sharks are heading for a top two finish.
CRAWLEY’S TEAM OF THE YEAR
FULLBACK: James Tedesco
Tough call leaving out the ever-reliable Dylan Edwards who has been phenomenal for the Panthers. But in the fair dinkum stakes there is just no way you can pick the team of the year and not have Teddy in it. Special mention should go to Latrell Mitchell who would be in the conversation if he didn’t miss a huge chunk of the season, while Scott Drinkwater has really come of age in 2022.
WINGERS: Alex Johnston and Joseph Suaalii
Some outstanding nominees including Daniel Tupou, Murray Tualagi, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Selwyn Cobbo. But an outrageous 28 tries and counting cements Johnston’s spot, while we are looking at the emergence of a future legend in this young Roosters sensation. Tall, strong, athletic, skilful, and so bloody courageous.
CENTRES: Joey Manu and Valentine Holmes
Manu hasn’t solely played in the centres this year but he is still the standout by a country mile, while Holmes has really found his home and has earned his spot ahead of the likes of Justin Olam, Jesse Ramien and Stephen Crichton.
FIVE-EIGHTH: Cameron Munster
Has played fullback in recent weeks out of necessity but if the Storm are going to make any real noise in the upcoming finals they need Munster playing at No 6. A clear winner here despite a tremendous field including Tom Dearden, Dylan Brown, Cody Walker, Jarome Luai and the rejuvenated Matt Moylan and Luke Keary.
HALFBACK: Nicho Hynes
Buy of the year as well as player of the year in my books. Astonishing to think at the start of the year many questioned if the former Storm utility would even make it as an NRL halfback after previously switching mostly between fullback and five-eighth. Honourable mentions to Hunt, Mitchell Moses, Chad Townsend and Nathan Cleary (whose spear tackle suspension cost him any hope of winning the Dally M).
PROPS: James Fisher-Harris and Joey Tapine
If this was decided just on the last month you could make a legitimate argument for Roosters’ bookends Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Matt Lodge. But over course of the season Fisher-Harris and Tapine have been the competition’s standout front rowers while Reagan Campbell-Gillard has also done himself proud.
HOOKER: Harry Grant
The best dummy half in the business bar none. Tag teamed with Hunt for Queensland during Origin and was fantastic off the bench. But week in week out Grant is in a league of his own, although the crafty Api Koroisau has also had a fantastic season.
BACKROWERS: Viliame Kikau and Shaun Lane
Kikau has taken his game to another level this year while Lane has been a tower of strength in a Parramatta team that has really struggled for consistency. Just gets the nod ahead of young Cowboys sensation Jeremiah Nanai who has also been tremendous.
LOCK: Isaah Yeo
It is incredibly difficult splitting Yeo and inspirational Souths leader Cameron Murray because whichever way you go you don’t lose. But when Mal Meninga sits down to name his starting Kangaroos team for the World Cup I reckon Yeo gets the No 13 jersey. Queensland’s Origin man of the series Pat Carrigan was also going gangbusters before his suspension, while Jason Taumalolo has bounced back to form this year.
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