1. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos – last week: 1st)
16 games, 3 tries, 180.5 metres per game, 1070 post contact metres, 3 line breaks, 71 tackle breaks, 92.8% tackle efficiency
Haas ran for a career high 236 metres in Brisbane’s last minute win over North Queensland and made 30 tackles with zero misses. Forget just the Rookie of the Year award, Haas is a big chance at the Prop of the Year title as well.
2. Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks – 2nd)
18 games, 5 tries, 89.2 metres per game, 9 line breaks, 46 tackle breaks, 4 try assists, 5 line break assists, 88.9% tackle efficiency
Nikora was kept quiet during Cronulla’s disappointing loss to Penrith in Round 21. In 80 minutes, he made just five runs but did make 32 tackles.
3. Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels – 3rd)
19 games, 16 tries, 143.7 metres per game, 839 post contact metres, 15 line breaks, 68tackle breaks, 84% tackle efficiency
Sivo continued his battle with Ken Maumalo for the top try scorer award after adding another try to his tally in the Eels’ win over Newcastle. He ran for 135 metres from 16 runs, breaking two tackles.
4. Bronson Xerri (Cronulla Sharks – 5th)
17 games, 10 tries, 121.7 metres per game, 11 line breaks, 68 tackle breaks, 5 try assists, 83.1% tackle efficiency
Xerri was one of Cronulla’s few standouts in their loss to Penrith. The 18-year old ran for 126 metres, set up a try, broke seven tackles and made 10 with just one miss.
5. Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne Storm – 4th)
16 games, 5 tries, 100.8 metres per game, 9 line breaks, 38 tackle breaks, 4 try assists, 76.4% tackle efficiency
Papenhuyzen was a late omission from Melbourne’s side that defeated South Sydney. He has been named to play this weekend against Canberra.
6. Reuben Garrick (Manly Sea Eagles – 8th)
20 games, 14 tries, 108.8 metres per game, 519 post contact metres, 11 line breaks, 53 tackle breaks, 61.5% tackle efficiency
Garrick crossed for two tries in Manly’s loss to the Warriors, which keeps him in the race for the top try scorer award. He ran for 148 metres and broke six tackles in wet conditions.
7. Jack Williams (Cronulla Sharks – 7th)
20 games, 1 try, 100.5 metres per game, 651 post contact metres, 3 line breaks, 28 tackle breaks, 90% tackle efficiency
Williams was a solid contributor off the bench for Cronulla in their loss to Penrith. The Cooma junior ran for 81 metres and made 22 tackles without a miss in 44 minutes of action.
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla Sharks – 6th)
16 games, 3 tries, 98.7 run metres per game, 541.4 post contact metres, 3 line breaks, 39 tackle breaks, 90.3% tackle efficiency
Hamlin-Uele was below his best against Penrith in Round 21. In 29 minutes, he made just 8 runs for 65 metres and 23 tackles with two misses.
9. Thomas Mikaele (Wests Tigers – not ranked)
19 games, 89.3 metres per game, 678.3 post contact metres, 14 tackle breaks, 92.6% tackle efficiency
Mikaele returns to the rankings after a standout performance in the Tigers’ loss to Canterbury. Starting at prop, he ran for 162 metres, broke five tackles and made 24 with just one miss in 46 minutes.
10. Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels – not ranked)
9 games, 3 tries, 77.8 metres per game, 3 line breaks, 10 tackle breaks, 3 try assists, 2 line break assists, 87.4% tackle efficiency, 7 forced drop outs
Dylan Brown made his long awaited return to the rankings after another bright performance in Parramatta’s win over Newcastle. He ran for 99 metres, set up a try, forced a drop out and was solid defensively, making 24 tackles with just a single miss.
The 18th Man’s Rookie Rankings, released after each round, take into account a player’s previous round performance and their season as a whole.
We are using the NRL’s criteria for Dally M Rookie of the Year; players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons. Once a player plays his fifth NRL Premiership match (or Super League match), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.
18TH MAN 