Top ten middle forwards

After nudger's blog about what prop would everyone sign if they were all available, I've decided to start a discussion on who everyone thinks are the top ten middle forwards in the game today. That means that any "prop" or "lock" can be included.

Here's my list ....

Note, I'm referring to the ten best over the last few seasons so as to eliminate recency bias where possible.

1) Jason Taumalolo

2) Jesse Bromwich

3) Sam Burgess

4) Jake Trbojevic

5) David Klemmer

6) Reagan Campbell-Gillard

7) Andrew Fifita

8) Sio Siua Taukeiaho

9) Nathan Brown

10) Jordan Maclean 

Honourable mentions ... Junior Paulo, Aaron Woods, Ryan James, Martin Taupau, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Matt Scott, Trent Merrin, Paul Vaughn

Over to you guys ....

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Replies

  • I think you have to include Matt Scott in there, despite him missing last year. That said there are quite a few props that would have been a lock - pun intended - for that list the previous year, who don't deserve to be there now.

    • Like I said, I did try to look back over the last 3 years to minimise recency bias, but I felt that Matt Scott had regressed a bit over that time, the injury just cemented it really. He's still a great player, just not top 10 worthy in my mind.

  • Junior Paulo has the size and ability to be the best prop in the game but instead has chosen the wasteland of Canberra for the money.
    He has certainly regressed and is now an overweight butterball.
    Reports are that he will sign a new deal at the Raiders and continue his decline.
    It's a crying shame....what a waste.
    • That is so true Fathead. This year will also be a test of Ricky S. If history repeats itself, Raiders will go backwards again this season
    • Junior Paulo is barely a middle forward these days anywhere, fat fuck prefers to run wider and run at halves.

      Great choice to take the cash and ruin a promising career.

  • Pangai Jr and Ese’ese are the next big things. Wish we had them both. Not top10 now but perhaps by the end of the year.
    • I'd be surprised if either are this year. Both are pretty raw to my mind. The problem for both is a lack of quality other middles at their respective clubs to guide & push them. 

      The Broncos middle forwards are the worst in the league to my mind, the Knights aren't a whole lot better.

  • if we can go back to his manly days then choc watmough  for brown . rest your not to far away ba

    maybe sam thaiday in the mix

    • 'top 10 middle forwards in the game today' . Watmough is retired.

    • Thaiday at his best was an edge forward. He's played in the middle recently because he's bog average, even Bennett knows that these days.

      The Broncos best middles for mine are

      McGuire

      Pangai Jnr

      Korbin Sims

      Lodge (if he can fulfil his enormous potential, he'll probably shoot to the top)

      Ofahengaue

      Thaiday

      Payne Haas

      George Fai

      If you're a Broncos fan that's pretty depressing. They really should've done more to keep Adam Blair. He isn't great, but he's still gives them something. His experience alone is sorely needed.

      They are stuffed if they lose Josh McGuire for an extended period.

      Just looking at their roster, they have a 15/15 forward to backs split, but that includes Kodi Nikorima as a Hooker even though Wayne Bennett has already stated that Nikorima will be their halfback. They are reportedly moving Corey Oates to left edge, which was inevitable, but they will miss his finishing & returns from the wing.

      According to NRL.com they have 7 centres in a roster of 30. Bennett & Nolan seriously have NFI.

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