Which NRL playmakers can steer their team to premiership glory in 2018?
NO player carries more pressure and expectation than a team’s half. PAUL CRAWLEY takes a look at the best playmakers in the league to determine if they’re up to snuff.
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ONLY a few years back people were saying fullback had surpassed the halves as the most dominant players in the game. But looking ahead to the 2018 NRL season and it’s the playmakers who are back in charge, writes Paul Crawley.
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JOHNATHAN THURSTON — COWBOYS
Some playmakers buckle under pressure. The great ones swallow it whole, then ask for more. Everything you hear coming out of Townsville right now suggests JT has taken that focus to a whole new level after missing most of last season. As much as I loved the vision of Thurston picking up garbage off the Cowboys’ dressing rooms floor during last year’s finals series, I can’t wait to see this bloke back on the field for what might be his final year. The Cowboys are my tip to win the title and Thurston to claim his fifth Dally M Medal.
COOPER CRONK — ROOSTERS
Joey Johns told us this week he doesn’t reckon Cronk feels pressure but I’m tipping there would be a fair bit of nervous tension around him given the enormous expectation on the Roosters. You bring in Cronk over Mitchell Pearce in a team that finished in second spot and then add James Tedesco, that doesn’t leave much margin for error. Throughout his entire career Cronk has made Cam Smith and Billy Slater by his side. Now everyone is waiting to see if he can maintain that ice-cool composure without them. One thing we do know is that Cronk will leave no stone unturned as he takes up the challenge.
BRODIE CROFT — STORM
Talk about filling some big boots. Everything we’ve seen of Croft so far has been super impressive but now he has to aim up week in, week out, over an entire NRL season. Any coach will tell you that’s a hell of a challenge for a young halfback. And a couple of things we’ve read and heard from Smith and Craig Bellamy over the summer suggest the Storm are mindful of not letting Croft get ahead of himself. You might remember Smith pushed for Melbourne to sign Pearce while Bellamy publicly threw up several halfback options during the pre-season.
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ANTHONY MILFORD — BRONCOS
You go back to the 2015 grand final and Milford was unlucky not to win the Clive
Churchill Medal. But in the two years since it’s fair to say he hasn’t taken his game to where most thought he would, or should. Without Ben Hunt the pressure is right on Milford to own the Broncos. He turns 24 this year, it’s time for Milford to consistently play up to his price tag.
MITCHELL MOSES — EELS
Speaking of wanting to own a team, Brad Arthur told me recently that is exactly how Mitch Moses sees his role at Parramatta. With Corey Norman riding shotgun, the Eels are a deadset premiership contender after last year’s top four finish. But to match it in the big end of season games with the best teams, Moses still has to take his game to another level.
AIDAN SEZER — RAIDERS
With Josh Hodgson injured, Sezer has no option but to take up the slack if the Raiders are to be any hope of making the finals. You go over their squad and man for man Canberra match up against the very best sides across the park. Then your eyes drift back to their halves. Both Sezer and Blake Austin are off contract this year. They have everything to prove.
BEN HUNT — DRAGONS
When the Dragons signed Hunt to a six-year deal worth $1 million a season almost everyone shook their heads in bewilderment. By the end of last season most had changed their opinion. Hunt is a first-class halfback and going on Gareth Widdop’s form last year I think the Dragons have the halves and forwards to push into the top eight and potentially even the top four. If they do the big dollars they paid for Hunt will be money well spent.
KIERAN FORAN — BULLDOGS
Before his off-field problems and injuries, Foran was one of the most outstanding and toughest players in the game. Everything I’m hearing now is that Foran is absolutely busting his gut at training and looks ready for a big year. Though I’m still concerned about who will end up his halves partner, because of that Foran’s fitness will be crucial to the Dogs’ chances.
NATHAN CLEARY — PANTHERS
Can you believe Cleary won’t turn 21 until after this year’s grand final? If Cleary stays fit he has to be the NSW halfback this year and with James Maloney by his side at club level that could be an added blessing for the Blues. This time last year I had Cleary the second best young halfback coming through behind Ash Taylor. Not anymore.
DALY CHERRY-EVANS — SEA EAGLES
Had a terrific 2017 but has his work cut out striking up a new partnership with young Lachlan Croker after Blake Green’s shift to the Warriors. There’s no doubt Green’s presence and especially his kicking game took a lot of the pressure off Cherry-Evans and allowed him more freedom to pick his moments. Still, you wouldn’t swap him for too many others.
ASH TAYLOR — TITANS
For the life of me I can’t understand why a 22-year- old halfback with this much talent would commit to a club like the Titans for three more years after the turmoil of last year. The reports are he copped $1 million a year to do it but unless Craig Bellamy ends up coaching the Titans in the not too distant future it is a huge gamble for Taylor’s career. How many State of Origin halfbacks come out of a team struggling at the bottom of the ladder?
MITCHELL PEARCE — KNIGHTS
For a player who has spent his career fighting off his critics, what no one can argue is that Pearce has showed enormous courage to take up the challenge of trying to resurrect Newcastle. Some people seriously believe he should have stayed and learned off of Cronk. No way. The Roosters made their choice, Pearce made his. It was a brave call. Not sure the Knights can make the eight but Pearce will make them a better team.
SHAUN JOHNSON — WARRIORS
What I’m hoping is that the arrival of Blake Green will do for Johnson what Green did for Cherry-Evans at Manly. Green is one of those footballers with the rare ability to make those around him shine while he flies under the radar. Johnson played in a grand final in his debut year when he had James Maloney by his side. Here’s hoping he doesn’t disappoint us all for another season.
LUKE BROOKS — TIGERS
I reckon Brooks is going to flourish with a full pre-season under Ivan Cleary and having Mitchell Moses out of his way. That’s not knock on Moses, it is just you sensed his dominant personality wasn’t the right fit for Brooks. On the contrary, you can see the way Cleary’s temperament has rubbed off on his own son, and now Brooks. Towards the back end of last year Brooks’ consistency was getting better and better.
MATT MOYLAN — SHARKS
Has everything to prove and I’m tipping Moylan will have a big season for that very reason. It depends on who you listen to at Penrith as to what you believe. But what there is no doubt about is that Moylan, when he’s on, is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the comp. If he has his mind back in the game, look out.
ADAM REYNOLDS — RABBITOHS
Early on it looked like Reynolds was destined to be the next long-term NSW halfback when he was playing behind the best pack in the comp. It’s not his fault Souths don’t have the same muscle anymore. Has one of the best kicking games but you’d still like to see him take on the line more often.