Advertisement

NRL players pick best coach and spine in the game

NRL players have picked the best coaches, fullback, five-eighth and halfback in the game in this year’s NRL.com players’ poll.

With 117 players across 16 clubs polled by NRL.com, footy fans can get a strong gauge on the most revered figures in the game according to the players themselves.

Unsurprisingly, the Melbourne Storm dominate voting among the key positions in the spine, and of course among the coaches.

Craig Bellamy (48% of votes), Cam Smith (66%) and Billy Slater (60%) are all the best in the NRL within their relative positions, according to the players polled by NRL.com.

JT finally has something to smile about. Pic: Getty
JT finally has something to smile about. Pic: Getty

Meanwhile, the best five-eighth in the game was voted to be Panther James Maloney (36%) and the best halfback, the retiring Johnathan Thurston (35%), still revered amongst his peers despite his obvious drop in form.

There were a few major surprises in the polling, including the omission of Roosters coach Trent Robinson from the top five in coach votes, despite him owning one of the best records in rugby league.

Canberra rake Josh Hodgson also completely missed out of the top list for best hooker in the game, despite many experts labelling him the second best behind Smith.