Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield has fiercely defended the choice to go away Dragons star Ben Hunt out of his top-50 gamers for 2023 record for The Daily Telegraph, arguing the halfback hasn’t “done anything this year”.
It might be truthful to say that the off-field drama that surrounded Hunt this season and his request to be granted an early launch from the Dragons has generated extra news than his on-field performances.
Still, many would agree that Hunt had an honest 12 months in a foul membership crew, additionally contributing in a Maroons 2-1 collection win over the Blues in State of Origin.
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However, Rothfield says his rankings had been primarily based on “form and what they’ve done for their clubs” this season including the best way that Hunt dealt with his launch request was “really poor”.
“The most flak I’ve copped has been around leaving Ben Hunt out and I make no apologies for it,” Rothfield mentioned on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“I did it on form this year, and he had a fair season.. But I thought he didn’t help the Dragons’ season by announcing when he was in Origin camp that he did not want to be there.
“How does that go down with his teammates? I thought it was really, really poor form.
“I’ve done it on form this year and what they’ve done for their clubs. I don’t think he did anything this year.”
When BSB co-host Michael Clarke requested Rothfield why the off-field drama ought to rely in opposition to Hunt in these rankings, Rothfield doubled down.
“I reckon he’d normally be between 30-40th on the list but I thought what he did was really, really ordinary,” Rothfield responded.
“If you are a captain of a club and are saying you don’t want to be here. He’s the captain of the most famous club in the game. How would that relate to his teammates, let alone the sponsors?”
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Rothfield was additionally queried on the place (18th) of Daly Cherry-Evans’ on his rankings, with ‘Buzz’ admitting on reflection that the Manly halfback might have been a bit of bit greater.
“I’ve got him at 18. He had a great year. The longevity of that player has to be admired.
“When you talk about the top 10, maybe he could have been higher, but how do you compare him to Shaun Johnson and Adam Reynolds and the seasons they had?”
BSB’s Laurie Daley praised Rothfield for having so many forwards in his high 10, stating these gamers someday escape recognition.
“You had Fonua-Blake, Payne Haas, Lindsay Collins (in the top 10). I just think to reward those blokes (is good), because often we overlook them and go for the so called superstars and blokes in the limelight,” Daley mentioned.
Buzz Rothfield’s top-10 gamers of 2023
1. Nathan Cleary
2. Kalyn Ponga
3. Reece Walsh
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Shaun Johnson
6. Payne Haas
7. Dylan Edwards
8. Liam Martin
9. Addin Fonua-Blake
10. Lindsay Collins
Click right here for the remainder of Buzz’s top-50 gamers for 2023!
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
