Signing of the year could spark Mitchell Moses in Dally M halfback race
With Cooper Cronk retired the race to be crowned king of the NRL halfbacks is on — and one No.7 has a handy head start. Who will be the game’s best halfback? VOTE IN OUR POLL
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Mitchell Moses is the reigning halfback of the year — and an off-season arrival has the Eels star primed to play at an even higher level in 2020.
But the race to be named the best No.7 in the NRL is wide open, with a trio of State of Origin stars headlining the contenders for the Dally M halfback of the year award.
Check out the top contenders to be named the NRL’s best centre and vote in our poll.
MITCHELL MOSES
Big things are expected from the reigning Dally M halfback who, by his own admission, has learned more about playing in the No.7 over summer than ever before. And for that, he thanks eighth Immortal Andrew Johns, who as the new Eels skills coach could be the best signing of the year. The Australian Nines star will also benefit greatly from another pre-season alongside teenage prodigy Dylan Brown.
2019 stats: 26 games, 4 tries, 35 run metres per game, 53 tackle busts, 8 linebreaks, 31 try assists.
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DALY CHERRY-EVANS
For DCE, the key will be stability. After starting the past four years with as many different five-eighths, what the Sea Eagles playmaker requires most is a No.6 who will be there alongside him week in, week out — just like his 2011 premiership partner Kieran Foran once was. Right now, Dylan Walker appears the man to help spark a side that has plenty of talent.
2019 stats: 21 games, 5 tries, 36 run metres per game, 35 tackle busts, 9 linebreaks, 25 try assists.
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NATHAN CLEARY
The Penrith halfback has undergone a physical overhaul. Now aged 22, and with an extra 4kg of muscle, Cleary is no longer the same little kid who burst into the NRL all headlines and hype. And with NSW Origin No.6 James Maloney having departed for the English Super League, Cleary will take on a more dominant role alongside new partner Jarome Luai, the close mate with whom he rose up through the junior ranks.
2019 stats: 21 games, 10 tries, 55 run metres per game, 37 tackle busts, 9 linebreaks, 10 try assists.
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LUKE BROOKS
For the Wests Tigers No.7, much will depend on his young forwards. Put simply, nothing kills off playmakers quite like an outmuscled pack. Brooks will also be hoping Benji Marshall, at 34, can squeeze one last season of magic from a body that has been at the top level for 17 years.
2019 stats: 24 games, 4 tries, 69 run metres per game, 36 tackle busts, 4 linebreaks, 24 try assists.
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MITCHELL PEARCE
As usual, Pearcey will play as the game’s most polarising figure. And as usual, he will prove to be one of its best. Last year, the Knights No.7 finished 10th in Dally M voting. A year before that, fifth. Perhaps the biggest question will be who cements that spot alongside him in the halves. Kurt Mann, Mason Lino and rising star Phoenix Crossland are all contenders.
2019 stats: 23 games, 8 tries, 36 run metres per game, 34 tackle busts, 7 linebreaks, 20 try assists.
Originally published as Signing of the year could spark Mitchell Moses in Dally M halfback race