A group’s backbone is an important issue to achieve the NRL and unsurprisingly the competitors’s finest has led the Panthers to three-straight premierships.
But the Broncos, Storm, Roosters, Eels and Warriors are scorching on their tails and likewise boast star-studded line-ups.
However, their spectacular spines don’t at all times translate to success with Brad Arthur’s Parramatta outfit lacking out on finals.
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Meanwhile, the Knights punched properly above their weight however proved to many they’ve what it takes to compete with the NRL’s massive weapons.
Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down each group’s backbone for the 2024 season and charges the from one to 10.
PANTHERS — 10
Fullback: Dylan Edwards
Halves: Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai
Hooker: Mitch Kenny
Lock: Isaah Yeo
Not a lot must be mentioned about this backbone.
Each member has performed a vital function in Penrith’s premiership three-peat, with 4 out of 5 gamers incomes consultant honours in 2023.
Mitch Kenny’s inclusion because the membership’s beginning No.9 was additionally questioned coming in to final season, however he handed with flying colors and proved to be one of many membership’s unsung heroes.
The Panthers have three of their backbone locked down long-term, however each Kenny and Jarome Luai are off-contract.
If Penrith powerbrokers can maintain this group collectively for the lengthy haul they are going to stay laborious to beat for years to return.
BRONCOS — 9.5
Fullback: Reece Walsh
Halves: Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam
Hooker: Billy Walters
Lock: Pat Carrigan
This backbone got here desperately near toppling probably the greatest groups in NRL historical past.
The partnership of younger and outdated within the halves proved fruitful for the Broncos in 2023, coming solely minutes from lifting the premiership.
Ezra Mam was named the Dally M Five-eighth of the Year whereas Pat Carrigan was named as lock in the identical group.
Reece Walsh, in the meantime, proved to be one of many recreation’s finest attacking weapons and certain missed out on choice resulting from suspension.
Billy Walters additionally performed a task admirably and bought higher because the season went on, placing in some enormous finals performances.
WARRIORS — 9
Fullback: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Halves: Shaun Johnson and Luke Metcalf
Hooker: Wade Egan
Lock: Tohu Harris
The Warriors properly and really exceeded expectations in 2023 and this backbone was a key issue of their finals cost.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, in his first yr again in New Zealand, proved he’s a reliably fullback and delivered week in, week out underneath Andrew Webster.
Shaun Johnson was arguably the competitors’s finest and most constant participant final season and got here one vote away from profitable the Dally M Medal.
His halves accomplice, Luke Metcalf, additionally solely performed a handful of video games by means of harm however it was clear he’s a star within the making.
Wade Egan cemented himself as one of many NRL’s finest hooker and his means to sq. up and provides his halves house is second to none.
To cap off their backbone, Tohu Harris is a workhorse and a pacesetter, proving to be an extension of Webster on the sphere.
STORM — 9.5
Fullback: Nick Meaney
Halves: Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster
Hooker: Harry Grant
Lock: Josh King
This backbone is ridiculously sturdy on paper and can solely get stronger as soon as Ryan Papenhuyzen returns.
Nick Meaney performed the entire season at fullback and as such has been named on this backbone, with Papenhuyzen struggling a damaged leg to shut out his season.
He carried out admirably filling in on the again, whereas Josh King was additionally a stable contributor at lock and barely makes a mistake.
In the halves Craig Bellamy’s facet really pack and punch and the halves pairing of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes is a feared one throughout the NRL.
Meanwhile, Harry Grant is controversial the competitors’s finest hooker and persistently torments defensive strains for each Melbourne, Queensland and his nation.
KNIGHTS — 8
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga
Halves: Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings
Hooker: Jayden Brailey
Lock: Adam Elliott
Kalyn Ponga spearheads this backbone, having received the Dally M Medal in 2023 after an enormous back-end to his season.
The gun fullback is a real star and makes everybody round him a greater participant.
Tyson Gamble carried out to his potential final yr, however it stays to be seen if he can maintain new recruit Jack Cogger out of the halves.
Meanwhile, Jackson Hastings organisaitonal abilities and group administration are very important to this Knights outfit.
Jayden Brailey spent majority of the season sidelined with a knee harm however is a gun hooker at his finest, whereas Adam Elliott can also be a stable lock and loved a great season for his first 12 months within the Hunter.
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SHARKS — 8
Fullback: Will Kennedy
Halves: Nicho Hynes and Brayden Trindall
Hooker: Blayke Brailey
Lock: Dale Finucane
This Sharks backbone was lacking Will Kennedy and Dale Finucane for prolonged intervals final season resulting from harm and suspensions.
However, on paper it’s a stable group of gamers led by one of many NRL’s finest within the No.7 jersey in Nicho Hynes.
Finucane is likely one of the competitors’s finest leaders whereas Kennedy on his day can create factors from wherever on the sphere.
Braydon Trindall additionally carried out admirably after changing Matt Moylan mid-season whereas Blayke Brailey was named within the NSW Blues squad final yr.
RAIDERS — 6
Fullback: Jordan Rapana/Xavier Savage
Halves: Jamal Fogarty Kaeo Weekes
Hooker: Zac Woolford
Lock: Corey Horsburgh
The Raiders look to be heading in the direction of a rebuild after the departure of Jack Wighton and the retirement of Jordan Rapana, Elliott Whitehead and Josh Papalii on the finish of 2024.
Ricky Stuart has a giant resolution to make at fullback, relating to whether or not he ought to go together with youth and hand Xavier Savage the fullback spot or stick to Rapana.
Either means he goes, each gamers are stable attacking choices however can wrestle at occasions in defence.
Kaeo Weekes additionally seems to be prone to get the nod within the No.6 alongside the constant Jamal Fogarty.
Zac Woolford may as soon as once more be the beginning hooker, with Tom Starling or Danny Levi on the bench.
In an enormous enhance to this backbone, Corey Horsburgh had a career-best season in 2023 and shall be a key participant for the Raiders in 2024.
ROOSTERS — 9
Fullback: James Tedesco
Halves: Sam Walker and Luke Keary
Hooker: Brandon Smith
Lock: Victor Radley
The Roosters have a stacked backbone on paper.
James Tedesco, regardless of a sub-par 2023 marketing campaign by his personal requirements, is likely one of the finest fullbacks within the recreation and likewise has massive recreation expertise.
Victor Radley is a stable lock however can at occasions put his facet underneath the pump, together with his self-discipline turning into a problem at occasions.
Brandon Smith can also be a harmful No.9 and warmed in to his season in 2023 as soon as he started gelling together with his new teammates after arriving from the Storm within the low season.
Meanwhile, the halves pairing of Sam Walker and Luke Keary is extremely stable and Keary has received premierships previously.
Walker additionally was stable upon his return to first grade after he was axed by coach Trent Robinson.
RABBITOHS — 9
Fullback: Latrell Mitchell
Halves: Cody Walker and Lachlan Ilias
Hooker: Damien Cook
Lock: Cameron Murray
The Rabbitohs are one other backbone stacked with star gamers.
Latrell Mitchell is likely one of the NRL’s most dynamic and harmful gamers and on his day can tear groups aside with ease.
Cameron Murray can also be a gun lock and his motor is a serious contributor to the Rabbitohs success and their means to play finals soccer.
Damien Cook is a consultant degree dummy-half and is likely one of the most harmful gamers out of the ruck on the earth.
Meanwhile, Cody Walker is an extremely inventive and damaging inventive five-eighth and Lachlan Ilias is a stable performer.
EELS — 9
Fullback: Clint Gutherson
Halves: Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown
Hooker: Brendan Hands
Lock: J’maine Hopgood
The Eels must be real premiership contenders with a backbone of this high quality.
Their hooker shares are missing for the reason that departure of Josh Hodgson, however the duo of Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick is a stable one and will present a great one-two punch.
Clint Gutherson is a real workhorse at fullback and had one in all his finest seasons so far, culminating in one other Origin call-up.
J’maine Hopgood’s emergence was additionally an enormous constructive for Brad Arthur who put his religion within the younger gun recruited from the Panthers.
In the halves, the Eels boast two superstars in Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown and each gamers shall be determined to play finals in 2024.
COWBOYS — 8
Fullback: Scott Drinkwater
Halves: Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden
Hooker: Reece Robson
Lock: Reuben Cotter
The Cowboys have some real stars on this backbone.
Scott Drinkwater was on fireplace at totally different levels all through the season and earnt himself a call-up to be NSW alternative participant for Game III of the 2023 Origin sequence.
Although, Reuben Cotter stole the present in Origin, profitable the Wally Lewis Medal for participant of the sequence with some enormous 80-minute shows.
Reece Robson additionally earnt a NSW debut and had a stable season alongside Chad Townsend at halfback.
Meanwhile, Tom Dearden has been one of many type five-eighths over the past two seasons and the Cowboys shall be determined to retain his providers.
He is presently a free agent and will area affords value as much as $1 million-per-season.
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SEA EAGLES — 8.5
Fullback: Tom Trbojevic
Halves: Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks
Hooker: Lachlan Croker
Lock: Josh Aloiai
The Sea Eagles backbone has obtained an enormous enhance this season with the arrival of Luke Brooks.
He endured a turbulent spell on the Tigers and has now bought an opportunity to begin contemporary in Brookvale, changing the misfiring Josh Schuster.
Alongside him is Daly Cherry-Evans, who’s comfortably probably the greatest halfbacks in rugby league and has proven he solely will get higher with age.
Tom Trbojevic, albeit harm inclined, can also be nonetheless probably the greatest gamers within the NRL and is essential to Manly’s success in 2024.
Meanwhile, Lachlan Croker is a silent achiever for the Sea Eagles at hooker.
Also, Josh Aloiai or Jake Trbojevic may have been named at lock and each gamers would do a stable job.
DOLPHINS — 7
Fullback: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Halves: Sean O’Sullivan and Kodi Nikorima
Hooker: Jeremy Marshall-King
Lock: Tom Gilbert
Wayne Bennett has a stable backbone at his disposal for 2024.
Following a powerful debut marketing campaign with the Dolphins, Kodi Nikorima may power his means in to the No.6 jersey alongside Sean O’Sullivam.
That pairing ought to be capable of steer the NRL newcomers across the park alongside Tom Gilbert who has confirmed to be a real enforcer within the No.13.
Jeremy Marshall-King additionally bought off to a flyer for his new group and confirmed he’s a real beginning No.9 after being changed by Reed Mahoney.
Meanwhile, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a real livewire and might create factors from wherever on the sphere together with his dazzling velocity.
TITANS — 7
Fullback: AJ Brimson/Jayden Campbell
Halves: Tanah Boyd and Kieran Foran
Hooker: Sam Verrills
Lock: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Des Hasler has an enormous resolution to make relating to his fullback.
With Tanah Boyd and Kieran Foran within the halves, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell will battle it out for the No.1.
Both gamers are true attacking threats and would do an awesome job if referred to as upon, however rugby league followers received’t envy the place the brand new coach is in.
Sam Verrills wants to remain on the sphere however is a gun hooker when he can string a row of video games collectively.
Meanwhile, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui may shift to lock to accomodate the arrival of Keenan Palasia, making a scary center mixture.
BULLDOGS — 6
Fullback: Blake Taaffe
Halves: Toby Sexton and Matt Burton
Hooker: Reed Mahoney
Lock: Josh Curran
Cameron Ciraldo has two new faces to work with in his backbone.
Blake Taaffe will seemingly get the nod within the No.1 over Stephen Crichton and has proven he’s a really succesful fullback throughout his time with the Rabbitohs.
Toby Sexton and Matt Burton confirmed glimpses of what they may produce final season, however Bulldogs followers shall be wanting extra from this partnership.
Reed Mahoney had a stable marketing campaign in his first season in Belmore however did fall sufferer to his facet’s faltering assault.
Meanwhile, Warriors recruit Josh Curran may lastly remedy the lock headache and make the No.13 his personal in 2024.
DRAGONS — 5.5
Fullback: Tyrell Sloan
Halves: Ben Hunt and Kyle Flanagan
Hooker: Jacob Liddle
Lock: Jack Bird
The Dragons copped an enormous blow when news broke Junior Amone might be dealing with jail time.
He has since been stood down which is able to see new recruit Kyle Flanagan get the primary shot within the No.6 jersey with Jayden Sullivan additionally departing the membership.
Partnering him is likely one of the NRL’s finest halfbacks in Ben Hunt, who offers this backbone a serious enhance even thought he’s wanting an exit from the Red V membership.
Jacob Liddle is a stable hooker however doesn’t sit amongst the standard of different No.9s within the competitors whereas Tyrell Sloan can also be inclined to creating errors.
However, he does present glimpses of the expertise he possesses with ridiculous full-field efforts.
Jack Bird, in the meantime, has the potentialy to be an unbelievable lock underneath incoming coach Shane Flanagan.
TIGERS — 6.5
Fullback: Jahream Bula
Halves: Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer
Hooker: Apisai Koroisau
Lock: Fonua Pole
The Tigers have had an enormous halves overhaul from final season.
Two new recruits in Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer will half within the No.6 and No.7, with solely one in all these gamers that includes within the NRL final yr.
Sezer, 32, hasn’t performed first grade in Australia since 2019 so it stays to be seen the affect he could have on the Tigers.
Jahream Bula is a really thrilling expertise and as such earnt an enormous contract extension, whereas each is aware of simply how good Apisai Koroisau is.
Meanwhile, Justin Matamua may even have been named at lock, however Fonua Pole might be the membership’s No.13 resolution for years to return.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
