Mid-Season All-NRL Teams
Unveiling our Mid-Season All-NRL Teams: Celebrating Rugby League's Cream of the Crop through the first half of 2023!
With 14 rounds of NRL Rugby League under our belt and just 13 remaining, the current season has been exceptional. The competition is highly contested, there is no clear premiership favourite and massive upsets occur almost weekly.
Penrith's dominance has diminished slightly, while teams like the Brisbane Broncos have improved significantly. With such a closely contested competition, there’s a new top performer in almost every game. That doesn’t make picking the best of the best easy.
Unlike the Dally-M Team of the Year, in which a full thirteen-man team is formed, the All-NRL teams recognise only the best player in each position. It was tough, but that’s why I’m paid the big bucks.
So, with no more ado, here are your mid-season All-NRL Teams
All-NRL First Team
As he was for most of 2022 and throughout the finals series last season, Dylan Edwards is the engine of the Penrith Panthers' steam engine. As consistent as anyone in the NRL, Edwards is always where he needs to be. His ball playing is good enough out the back, he's almost completely error-free, and he leads the NRL in meters and tackle breaks. With Nathan Cleary spending time on the sideline, Edwards will have his work cut out for him to keep the Panthers at the top of the table and retain his position as the season's top Fullback.
There’s never been more elite wingers in the NRL and Jamayne Isaako stands above them all in 2023. Whether it's his damaging running, finishing, or goal-kicking, everything he touches for the Dolphins turns to gold. Leading the competition in points scored by a wide margin, averaging 170m per game, and sitting only two tries behind Maika Sivo for leading try-scorer, Isaako is finally reaching the potential he showed as a rookie.
While I think he's probably been the NRL's best centre for more than just this year, his performance in 2023 has made it undeniable. With a ludicrous 13 tries from 13 games (Katoni Staggs is the next-best centre with 8 tries from 14 games), Graham's attack has been just as impressive as his best-in-position defence. Providing the Rabbitohs with a constant right-side threat, Graham could be the key to South Sydney going the extra step this season and winning it all.
He might not be my favourite player, but the season he’s having for the South Sydney Rabbitohs is undeniable. With the most try and linebreak assists in the NRL, Walker is a maestro with the ball in his hands. In 14 games this season, Walker has set up a whopping 21 linebreaks, 19 tries, and scored 8 himself. The Rabbitohs have scored the most points in the NRL, and the biggest reason for that is the work of Walker. Despite plenty of competition, from Shaun Johnson at the Warriors to Nathan Cleary and Adam Reynolds, Walker has been the standout playmaker of 2023.
There are some incredible prop forwards in the game today: Addin Fonua-Blake, Junior Paulo, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Joseph Tapine... too many to name. Not one of them has even half an argument to be named the NRL's best prop over Haas. Usually, stats don't tell the whole story, but here are a couple.
#1 in post-contact metres with 72.4m per game.
#15 in tackle breaks, #2 among forwards behind David Fifita with 57 for the season.
#4 in run metres behind Dylan Edwards, Herbie Farnworth and Brian To’o, averaging 190m per game.
28 tackles per game at 97.7% efficiency.
Jeremy Marshall-King has been so good in 2023 that I chose him over other candidates despite his name being too long for my graphic. After a promising year as hooker for the Bulldogs last season, Marshall-King was laughed at when he said his goal was to be a top-five hooker in the game. Well, getting a chance under Wayne Bennett at the newly formed Dolphins, JMK has proven himself as just that.
The biggest complaints regarding David Fifita throughout his career have been his lackadaisical nature and unwillingness to work hard. So far in 2023, David Fifita has been exactly what everyone has been hoping he would be. Not only is he taking more run-of-the-mill hit-ups and not trying to score from every run, but his playmaking for others has almost been his best asset. Sitting just outside the eight, Fifita and the Titans, off the back of regaining his Maroons jersey, are poised for a strong run home.
ALL-NRL SECOND TEAM
Fullback - Reece Walsh
Before the season, there were some doubts as to whether Walsh would even be the starting fullback for the Broncos, now he’s locked up the Queensland Maroons jersey and is the key to Brisbane’s Premiership hopes.
Winger - Brian To’o
While he's probably been quieter this year along with the Panthers, Brian To'o is still the best winger in the competition. Monster meters and consistent, trustworthy finishing, he's a freak.
Centre - Herbie Farnworth
Farnworth's performances this season should have Dolphins fans salivating. With a big, strong body, Herbie physically excels in every facet of the game, but it's his defensive work that sets him apart.
Halfback/Five-eighth - Nathan Cleary
He's Nathan Cleary. Say what you will about him in a Blues jersey, the man consistently performs for his club and, byes or not, Penrith sits atop the table yet again.
Prop - Addin Fonua-Blake
Almost not a word has been said about the big fella since he left Manly, as Warriors players just don't get the attention of Aussie clubs. Nevertheless, he continues to put up monster numbers, and is one of the biggest reasons, along with Shaun Johnson, the Warriors are sitting in 7th position.
Hooker - Damian Cook
Last season, the Rabbitohs were beaten convincingly in the prelim finals, Cook lost his starting position in the NSW Blues team, and he was left out of the Australian side. He has responded with an excellent 2023. He's involved in everything the Rabbitohs do, with 1701 receipts, averaging 45 tackles and 63m per game.
Second Row - Briton Nikora
The best, hardest hole-runner in the NRL. Combine that with Nicho Hynes on his inside and Jesse Ramien on his outside, and Briton Nikora becomes a perilous weapon. His 94% tackle efficiency while defending on the edge ain't bad either.
Lock - Isaah Yeo
If Carrigan wasn’t having such a great year, Yeo would be the clear number one. He still might be. What he does each week for the Panthers is just madness. His 42 tackles and 162m per game don’t encapsulate half the work Yeo does around the ruck and through the middle with the ball in his hand.
All-NRL Third Team
Fullback - Latrell Mitchell
At his best, Latrell Mitchell is possibly the best player in the competition. He has been at his best regularly for the Rabbitohs in 2023.
Winger - Selwyn Cobbo
Continuing to grow into his body and confidence, Cobbo is one of the most damaging ball-runners in the competition, whether he's aiming for the corner or charging through the middle.
Centre - Will Penisini
While it hasn’t been the greatest season for Parramatta, Penisini has been a bright spot. In a league full of incredible centres, Penisini has proven he belongs among the top names.
Halfback/Five-eighth - Nicho Hynes
As silky with the ball in his hands as his hair after a shower, Hynes has continued to excel at the Sharks despite their shaky start. If they want to push for a deep run through the finals, it will be off his back.
Prop - Joseph Tapine
He'd be in an Origin team if he was eligible, but he'll have to settle for my All-NRL Third team since he’s a Kiwi. Exceptional for the Raiders all season, anything good they do is off Tapine's work through the middle.
Hooker - Harry Grant
Probably a bit hard done by to find himself in the third team, Harry Grant has been awesome in 2023. With such a significant offensive role and crushing defensive workload, Grant is at the centre of everything the Storm does.
Second Row - Tyson Frizell
A shining light for a struggling Knights team, Tyson Frizell has been back to his best after a few quiet years as he struggled through a few injuries. Hard ball running and strong, tireless defence, he keeps it simple.
Lock - Cameron Murray
If he can stay healthy for the rest of the season, not only could Cam Murray prove himself as the best lock in the competition, he could find himself holding the Premiership trophy above his head. He's that good.
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