Everyone has their favourite players. They may not be the biggest, strongest or most skillful – your favourites don’t necessarily have to be the superstars of the game either. As you’ll see, some of mine aren’t even playing NRL at the moment.

I get to name my top 50 and we start with 50-41!

50 Rod Griffin

Finally got to see Rod Griffin live this season and must say I am nothing but impressed. In his first game of Intrust Super Premiership, in 35 degree heat, he played the entire first half with hitups, offloads and a million tackles. Give him a run, JT!

49 Ali Lauitiiti

Okay so big Ali hasn’t played NRL in his return to Australasia just yet. But he’s still one of my favourite players from the early 2000’s.

48 Clay Priest

Love commentating this bloke in the Intrust Super Premiership and got his first crack in the NRL last weekend.

47 Mitch Barnett

Priest’s partner in crime from the Mounties club. A fiery competitor who doesn’t know what it means to take a backward step.

46 James Segeyaro

Hopefully he can spend some time on the field and get back to his brilliant best.

45 Paul Vaughan

What a player this bloke is turning out to be. Plays good minutes, makes plenty of metres and goes all day.

44 Tyson Frizell

It must be the black boots!

43 David Bhana

Bit of an obscure one. Last year I called him the Kiwi version of James Graham. Shaggy hair, bad beard, socks around the ankles. Does some brilliant things on the field for a smaller middle third player.

42 Andrew Fifita

An x-factor as destructive as anyone on his day. When he’s on, the Sharks win.

41 Bryce Cartwright

Offloads at will which makes you really want to watch him. In years to come, Cartwright will win the Panthers dozens of games.

@woodward_curtis

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