The NT News reveals the best players from the 2023 NRL NT season
From running threats to bulldozing forwards we reveal the best players of the 2023 NRL NT season. Read who made the list.
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From bulldozing forwards to prolific try scorers there’s been plenty of standout players across the men’s and women’s NRL NT competitions in 2023.
Northern Sharks and Litchfield Bears have been the standout sides of the men’s competition, while Darwin Brothers and Palmerston Raiders have been the frontrunners in the women’s.
There’s still plenty of action to come with two more weeks of the regular season followed by three weeks of finals where the champions will be crowned.
But from the 13 rounds played so far we’ve selected the top ten players from both comps, as well as a few honourable mentions.
SENIOR MEN’S TOP 10
10. Isaac Seden-Kurnoth (Darwin Brothers)
Ever since he burst on the stage in 2020 Seden-Kurnoth has been one of the standout players of the NRL NT.
And the full back turned five eighth has continued to be a standout ball player since being named Brothers’ captain.
He’s a captain who leads by example more than words and with the way he cuts through defences it’s an example every one of his backs wants to follow.
9. Brody Race (Litchfield Bears)
A middle forward who rolls up his sleeves each week and does the grunt work which lets the rest of his side shine.
He has plenty of presence when he carries the ball up the field and sets the platform for his backs to work off of.
Is the type of forward all coaches crave, but having had his 150th senior game with Litchfield this season it’s clear he’s there to stay.
8. Brent Crisp (Northern Sharks)
Somehow Sharks have taken their game to another level in the backend of the 2023 season, and a large part of that is down to Crisp’s contributions.
Whether it’s with the boot or a long pass to the wing he usually picks the right option to break through opposition defences.
His backs always have an eye on him for the moment he decides to pull the pin.
7. Zak Mott (Nightcliff Dragons)
Despite his side’s standing on the table the Dragons captain is undeniably among the form front rowers of the NRL NT.
He has led from the front in what has been a disappointing season for his proud club, and gets extra points for his continued loyalty.
He proves his ability every time he goes crashing through opposition’s defences, battles which on a personal level he usually ends up winning.
6. Cooper Segeyaro (Northern Sharks)
The Sharks’ fullback has to be one of the safest pairs of hands in the league and by extension one of the more reliable players in the comp.
He has earned the tag of Mr Utility with his willingness to play in any position coach PD Downes assigns him.
5. Nathan Dixon (Litchfield Bears)
The 2022 Rising Star winner has grown into a natural ball player who has taken team’s defences apart all season.
His talents have been obvious over the past few years since he was named the 2020-21 Eric Johnston best and fairest in the Darwin rugby union competition.
He has a great kicking game and an all-round attacking mind which has helped Bears to climb back to the top of the table in 2023.
4. Blake Fletcher (Palmerston Raiders)
Fletcher has long been one of the best players in the NRL NT and has been dominant yet again on the left edge for the Raiders.
His all round game has grown to a new level in 2023 and is a constant danger man whether he’s running the ball or exposing space with his boot.
He was at his best captaining the Indigenous All Stars and is playing at the level which should see him in representative colours for the Titans.
3. Mitch Burke (Northern Sharks)
Burke has been the central figure in Sharks’ resurgence over the past few seasons and is one of the big reasons they’ve been dominant for the past three years.
An unassuming player who goes about his job without fanfare finding gaps in defences which he’s always quick to put a player through.
He has formed a formidable partnership in the halves with former Canterbury Bulldog Brent Crisp and has to go close to the top of the Frank Johnson medal count.
2. Trent Wedding (Litchfield Bears)
The Litchfield captain has led from the front all year whether in defence or attack for his Bears.
Always gives his all and brings his best when it matters and despite his size is not afraid to mix it with the big boys.
A great leader of men who is always looking to put his side on the front foot from his role at 13, and is part of the young core which should be around for a long time to come.
1. Caleb Niki (Darwin Brothers)
The fullback has been in outstanding form for Brothers and represents everything great about the side when he’s at his best.
He is usually a safe pair of hands under the high ball and always dangerous in attack from the back.
Niki is known for his flair and can cut through defensive lines like nobody else, and when he does get hit his leg drive is enough to earn an extra few metres.
The best player so far this season.
Honourable mentions: Jayden Sneddon (Sharks), Clint Chettle (Sharks), Dustin Briscoe (South Darwin), Blake Blomley (Palmerston), Dillan Vanderburg (Litchfield)
SENIOR WOMEN’S TOP 10
10. Ayesha Kay (Northern Sharks)
The Sharks captain has been an ever-present performer in 2023 guiding her side into another finals campaign.
She is good with the boot but also fleet of foot giving her outfit every advantage they need to be competitive.
9. Briannon Ross (Palmerston Raiders)
Ross has had a strong start to life as Palmerston captain with her side collecting strong results from their first 13 rounds.
The captain is part of a strong group of forwards who know how to knock down the doors of opposition defences.
She was named the best player of the Indigenous All Stars when she captained them during the Deadly Cup Carnival.
8. Kiyanah Toy (Litchfield Bears)
The 2022 Gaynor Maggs medalist continues to be one of the highlights of the Litchfield Bears with her running prowess.
Runs the right lines in attack when her team needs her to and is also a workhorse on defence hitting tackles left and right.
Performed well on rep duties as well whether away with NT Titans or with the Deadly Cup winning Territory All Stars.
7. Kagui Gimini (Palmerston Raiders)
It’s been a big season for the Raiders’ full back, particularly on the scoring front where she has managed 13 tries from 13 rounds.
A great support player who always has a sense for when a scoring move is on the horizon and has come away with her haul as a result.
6. Ivana Schober (Darwin Brothers)
Schober has been one of the NRL NT’s best for a long time now bringing pace and physicality in equal measure to the Darwin Brothers.
She was a key part of both the Sistaz 2020 and 2022 premiership winning teams, captaining at times throughout the latter season.
She is a known try scorer, but also an incredibly strong tackler who shows no mercy to those she puts down.
5. Shae Muhleisen (Northern Sharks)
Sometimes a player’s impact on a team is shown best by their absence and when Mulhleisen was in the Sharks’ women side they were on fire.
While still competitive now they don’t quite have that decisive edge they did when she was around almost scoring tries for fun.
The powerful ball carrier always made metres on the run or through tackles, abilities she continued to show captaining the Territory All Stars or on rep duty.
4. Rhiannon Fecht (Litchfield Bears)
The 2021 Gaynor Maggs medal winner has brought an extra edge to the Litchfield offence since coming to the club.
Fecht is an absolute menace when making a sniping run around the ruck and picks her passing options incredibly well.
She will be absolutely essential to the side once they’re in finals and looking to mix it with the top two teams.
3. Lucy Aigea (Palmerston Raiders)
An absolute weapon for the Palmerston Raiders making ground with every carry and sending defences backwards in the process.
Her 12 tries from 13 games speaks for itself, but the amount of tries she’s assisted with her barnstorming runs is probably double that.
At her best she is a handful for any side to take down and will be heavily involved in Raiders’ finals charge.
2. Ellie Niki (Darwin Brothers)
She still a young player but already Niki has established herself as one of the leaders at Darwin Brothers.
The towering forward has so often been the catalyst of what works at Brothers this season bulldozing through many a defence.
And if she isn’t setting up one of her backs for a try then she’ll probably go on to score one of her own with 15 tries from 13 rounds.
She has added another string to her bow coaching the junior women’s rep side earlier this year.
1. Latoniya Norris (Darwin Brothers)
It’s a hard job picking the best player from the most dominant side in the competition, but the versatile back has taken her game to another level in 2023.
The 2020 Gaynor Maggs winner has scored 21 tries as of Round 13, which considering she missed two weeks because of rep duties is quite some effort.
Her blistering pace and ability to take on or avoid a tackle sets her apart from other backs, while her support play has earned her the haul of tries.
Honourable mentions: Tamara Madzika (Sharks), Jacinda Summers (Brothers), Bianca Scrymgour (Brothers), Victoria Alley (Palmerston), Shari Togo (Litchfield)
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