Ricky’s top 13 of NRL Round 1, 2009
1. Fullback: Karmichael Hunt – Solid performance in the Broncos game and instrumental in setting up crucial tries.
2. Winger: Nathan Merritt – Man of the week without a doubt. Scoring 3 tries in the Bunnies annihilation of the Roosters, always difficult to catch.
3. Centre: Jamaal Idris – A great player of the future without a doubt. Solid performance scoring two tries in a dominating performance for the Bulldogs.
4. Centre: Michael Jennings – The only positive in an otherwise poor performance by the Panthers. Scored a scintillating Panthers try after sidestepping four players.
5. Winger: Jowral Yow Yeh – Terrific debut for a young and exciting player scoring a very good try. Showed plenty of confidence.
6. Five-Eighth: Trent Barrett – Showed that he still has what it takes to play in the NRL with a very solid performance in the Sharks win over the Panthers.
7. Halfback: Chris Sandow – Showed no indication that second year syndrome is going to be factor this year with a spectacular performance in the Bunnies flogging of the Roosters scoring a amazing solo try.
8. Prop: Jeff Lima – Physical showing, warming to his senior role. Made some very good runs and strong tackles and was solid in defence in the Storm’s win.
9. Hooker: Nathan Friend – Yet again a solid performance from a player who is very underrated. Quick out of dummy half, strong in defence, he is an all round player and is a contender for hooker of the year.
10. Prop: Steve Price – Playing in his 300th game, made plenty of metres and was sound in defence. Mr Reliable.
11. Second Row: Ben Creagh – Consistent hard worker, always gives 100% highly involved in most plays.
12. Second Row: Gareth Ellis – The English import was dynamic from the opening minutes. Got through 80 minutes and was hard to put on the ground in attack and was bruising in defence..
13. Lock: Feleti Mateo – Uncanny ability to off-load at any time, displayed by a beautiful reverse, no look flick pass to setup Inu. Dangerous and impossible to contain.
Supersub: – Lance Hohaia – Continued where he left off in 2008. Coming off the bench and blitzing the opposition with speed and strength.
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Player of the Week: – Lance Hohaia – massive impact when he took the field. Scored a double and virtually ensured his side won the match.
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