Team of 2015

[Big Pete]

Thus far...

According to Big League.

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Curtis Rona
3. Will Chambers
4. James Roberts
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Chad Townsend
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Aaron Woods
9. Issac Luke
10. Jesse Bromwich
11. Sia Soliola
12. Alex Glenn
13. Corey Parker

 

[Porthoz]

It's all up for debate, but Chad Townsend... hmmm

 

[Big Pete]

Chad sticks out like a sore thumb doesn't he?

Their argument is that he stacks up well in offence, but what makes him better is that he's also a very handy defensive five eighth as well.

Townsend has been flying under the radar but he reminds me a lot of Blake Green in the sense that he's just doing a job and very little else. For every good play, there is a clanger in his game.

Michael Morgan, Blake Austin, James Maloney, Corey Norman, Aidan Sezer, Anthony Milford & Gareth Widdop would all be ahead of him (not in that order for what it's worth).

 

[Porthoz]

It should be imo:

6- Johnathan Thurston with daylight behind
7- Cooper Cronk with Ben Hunt second

 

[Ari Gold]

Statistically Townsend has been very good, but I don't know how he makes that team. On form I think it's clearly Austin. I actually disagree about the Blake Green description too, I think he balances the Storm very well. But that's another discussion.

I'd argue quite strongly about Luke as well. He throw more forward passes than a quarterback this weekend and was even benched for McInnes for a few weeks. Not on form but I wouldn't say he's been outstanding this year. That applies to a lot of hookers I suppose, but I'd argue both Smith and Granville have been better.

 

[Ari Gold]

It should be imo:

6- Johnathan Thurston with daylight behind
7- Cooper Cronk with Ben Hunt second

Thurston has been playing halfback this year though. I also think Cronk's form has been below par this year.

 

[Porthoz]

Thurston has been playing halfback this year though. I also think Cronk's form has been below par this year.

Yes, but Thurston fits in both categories, and while Cronk hasn't been at his best, he hasn't been that crappy either. Regardless, he is still the second best half running around in the NRL at the moment.

Mention worthy imo are Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop, Ben Hunt, Michael Morgan and Aiden Sezer also deserves a shout out in an otherwise piss weak team. Anthony Milford will get there soon enough if he keeps improving as well.

 

[Big Pete]

The one aspect of Austin's game I dislike is that he struggles to really control the action for Canberra. He's a weapon in of himself but when it comes to game management I believe he defers to others and it's usually their hard work that makes him look good.

Of all the Raiders spine players, Hodgson has the best case for breaking into the XIII.

 

[Cult]

We should have our own Dally Ms next year where we vote, like our Broncos one, but on every game.