NRL Power Rankings hookers: Josh Hodgson, Michael Ennis, Cameron Smith

WHO has been the standout dummy half of 2016 so far? We rank the five best hookers of the season in part two of our NRL power rankings

Michael Ennis has been strong in 2016.

THE regular season is a third of the way through so it’s time we run the rule over the players leaving their mark on the competition.

Some of the best hookers in the competition have struggled to fight off injury but there’s still been a few who have stood out.

Check out our power rankings for the best five hookers so far in 2016.

5) Nathan Peats

James Segeyaro has been injured, Issac Luke has been up and down and Jake Granville hasn’t quite had the impact of last season so the last spot on our list goes to Eels workhorse Nathan Peats just ahead of Brisbane’s Andrew McCullough.

The angriest man in rugby league has been typically robust in defence, churning out an average of 42.2 tackles per game, but he’s worked on his running game immensely and averages 4.8 runs per game for 49 metres, or double what Cowboys flyer Granville is generating.

Injuries are a constant concern and he’s yet to generate a try assist as the Eels still try to find their way in attack but there’s a good reason many judges have Peats picked as the long-term replacement for Robbie Farah.

4) Cameron Smith

There was a time when you could pencil Smith in on this list without even thinking but the Melbourne skipper had to endure his worst patch of form in a long time before returning to his usual high standards in the last two weeks.

Smith started the year slowly and struggle to find the rhythm and precision that seemed to be second nature but he’s still managed to accumulate six try assists, five line break assists and five forced drop outs.

He also averages 117.2 possessions per game, the second most of any hooker on this list, which is highly impressive given his age and the miles on his 32-year old body.

Smith has hit form with the rest of his Melbourne teammates in the last two weeks and his performance in the 38-0 smashing of the Titans was his finest at club level in several years.

Cameron Smith of the Storm converts a try during the round 8 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Monday, April 25, 2016. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

3) Jake Friend

Jake Friend started the season in a real funk but over the last month he’s led from the front in a difficult season for the Roosters and has started to edge towards his best football.

Friend’s 11 tackle busts are the most of any player on this list, as is his average of 49.7 tackles per game. He also has five try assists and has done his best to help marshal an inexperienced Roosters side.

Now that the cavalry has arrived in Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce we can soon expect to see the very best of Jake Friend again.

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2) Michael Ennis

The Ennisaince that began last year has continued unabated with the Cronulla veteran picking up where he left off in 2015.

The niggling and combative nature that have long been the veteran’s trademark are still there in spades but the strong ball-playing that he unveiled last season is still there in spades and he’s cranked out an impressive eight try assists so far this season.

He’s also got five line break assists to his credit and while his combination with James Maloney is yet to fully click it hasn’t stopped the Sharks from being among the premiership favourites. The blood feud between Ennis and Robbie Farah may have one last twist left with Ennis pushing hard for one last crack at Origin football and Farah struggling for the Tigers.

He’s also second in the Dally M tally and only his proclivity for penalties keeps him off the top spot.

Canberra's Josh Hodgson breaks clear of Bulldogs Joshua Jackson during NRL match Canterbury Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground. Picture. Phil Hillyard

1) Josh Hodgson

Who else could it be? Hodgson has back up a strong rookie campaign in the NRL with a superb second season and has established himself as one of the top hookers in the sport.

The Raiders man has a host of wonderful moments to his credit, including a clutch 40/20 in the Round 2 victory over the Roosters that set up the winning field goal, and led the 60-6 demolition of the Tigers in Round 8 with four try assists and four line break assists.

What makes Hodgson all the more impressive is that much of his footy has been without regular halves Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin and he’s putting up such strong numbers despite averaging just 78.7 possessions per game, the least of any hooker on this list.

In doing more with less, Hodgson has taken a three-point lead in the Dally M table and is one of the form players in the NRL so far in 2016.

Originally published as NRL Power Rankings hookers: Josh Hodgson, Michael Ennis, Cameron Smith