Ranking NRL finals-bound halfbacks on who is best placed to lead their team to glory
Halfbacks win premierships and with the NRL finals race looming large, we look at which playmakers are on track for premiership glory and who is facing an uphill battle.
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September is for Sevens.
They are the glamorous halfbacks who can transcend – or crumble – under the suffocating pressure of finals football.
Bulldog’s Bite has explored which halfbacks will fire or fail this September. Those that have the killer edge to win compared to others who will fold.
Based on a five-category ratings system, Nathan Cleary is No.1 from Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes, although Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes and Canterbury’s Lachlan Galvin languish in positions eight and nine.
Can Hynes and Galvin lead their clubs to victory? Unlikely, according to the numbers.
The Dolphins’ Isaiya Katoa was surprisingly ranked fifth behind Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans and Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds.
Each section was ranked out of 20 for a final percentage.
The five categories were game management, kicking game, running game, defence and killer instinct.
“The bigger the game, the more important a halfback becomes,” said Greg Alexander, Penrith’s 1991 premiership-winning halfback.
“Finals footy quite often comes down to the decisions a halfback makes throughout the 80 minutes.
“Through the regular season, it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, there is always pressure on the No.7.
“But the expectations and accountability are magnified when it comes to finals.”
Here is how your halfback will fare during September.
1. NATHAN CLEARY (PANTHERS)
Game management: 18
Kicking game: 18
Running game: 18
Defence: 17
Killer instinct: 19
Total: 90
Key stat: Won 17 of his 22 finals matches starting at halfback – only George Evans (9 from 11) has a better record over 10 or more games for a starting half in the compulsory grand final era (since 1954).
Bulldog says: Best halfback in the NRL. Works relentlessly on every aspect of his game until he nails it. He’s a cool, composed winner who rarely takes the wrong option. Obsessed with detail. The ultimate professional.
2 JAHROME HUGHES (STORM)
Game management: 18
Kicking game: 18
Running game: 19
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 17
Total: 88
Key stat: Won almost 76 per cent of his matches starting at halfback.
Bulldog says: His running game is only matched by his varied kicking game. The best running halfback in the NRL and arguably Melbourne’s most important player, even ahead of Cam Munster and Harry Grant. Wonderful vision.
3 DALY CHERRY-EVANS (SEA EAGLES)
Game management: 18
Kicking game: 18
Running game: 16
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 17
Total: 85
Key stat: Has 313 career try assists – only Cooper Cronk (330) has more for a starting halfback in the NRL-era.
Bulldog says: We can only marvel at his leadership skills and longevity. Superb game manager and possesses a remarkable understanding of the game and his role. Unbelievably durable.
4 ADAM REYNOLDS (BRONCOS)
Game management: 18
Kicking game: 18
Running game: 16
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 16
Total: 84
Key stat: Since debuting in 2012, no player has assisted more tries through kicks (153).
Bulldog says: Instinctive playmaker whose diverse kicking game is among the best of the modern era. Posts strong try assist try stats each season and he is kicking goals at 82 per cent. Nails the big moments.
5 ISAIYA KATOA (DOLPHINS)
Game management: 16
Kicking game: 16
Running game: 16
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 16
Total: 80
Key stat: Directly involved in 46 tries this season – eight more than the next best players – Cherry-Evans and Scott Drinkwater.
Bulldog says: Extraordinary talent for just 21. Has what only the greats like Andrew Johns and Peter Sterling possessed – time. Matty Johns said recently “When he retires, we’ll talk about him as one of the great number sevens.”
6 JAMAL FOGARTY (RAIDERS)
Game management: 16
Kicking game: 17
Running game: 15
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 15
Total: 79
Key stat: 14 wins this season is a career high – has never played in a top-four side.
Bulldog says: A level-headed player who controls his side extremely well. Has a strong long kicking game and has helped take Canberra to top position on the NRL ladder. Is there a more improved player in the NRL?
7 SAM WALKER (ROOSTERS)
Game management: 16
Kicking game: 16
Running game: 16
Defence: 15
Killer instinct: 15
Total: 78
Key stat: Had 52 try involvements in his 20 games before injuring his knee last season.
Bulldog says: Just back from injury but plays ad-lib, eyes-up footy. Has a wonderful short kicking game. Spontaneous player who isn’t afraid to take risks. Known for his ability to move on quickly from an error.
8 LACHLAN GALVIN (BULLDOGS)
Game management: 15
Kicking game: 14
Running game: 16
Defence: 15
Killer instinct: 17
Total: 77
Key stat: At just over 20 years of age, aiming to become the youngest premiership winning halfback in the compulsory grand final era since 1954.
Bulldogs says: The kid is special. Creative and plays with a truck load of confidence. Isn’t a pure halfback but has been elevated into the starting side through his ability to manufacture points. Future ball-playing 13.
9 NICHO HYNES (SHARKS)
Game management: 15
Kicking game: 16
Running game: 16
Defence: 14
Killer instinct: 15
Total: 76
Key stat: Has won two thirds of his regular season games as a halfback – but just one from six finals matches.
Bulldog says: Always a threat when in a mood to run. Plays with control and has learned how to control the tempo of a game. Lives with the stigma of being a player who fails to own the big moments.
10 TANAH BOYD (WARRIORS)
Game management: 13
Kicking game: 14
Running game: 13
Defence: 16
Killer instinct: 13
Total: 69
Key stat: Six try involvements from his two games so far – has never played a finals match.
Bulldogs says: Essentially a fill-in halfback at the Warriors after the loss of Luke Metcalf to injury. A hard worker who has never fully secured a starting spot. Kicking game is modest but his character has been praised by the Warriors.
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