NRL Team of the Season so far

Photo: NRL
FULLBACK: Kayln Ponga

In career best form, Ponga has looked a key part in the Knights success so far this season. Leading his team in tackle busts and making over 165 run metres per game on average, his influence in unquestionable.

WINGERS: Brian To'o/Tom Jenkins

No surprises here with both the Panthers boys taking out the wing spots. To'o has added 9 tries to his tally this season topping 2,000 running metres. Tom Jenkins has become one of only a handful of players in rugby league history to bag 9 or more try doubles in a season, which is incredible especially considerding he hasn't scored just the lone try in a game yet.

CENTRES: Herbie Farnworth/Latrell Mitchell

Farnworth has continued to prove why he's the best centre in the game and has been for a few seasons. His playstyle of sideways movement, stiff arms, offloads, and looking for gaps has made the Dolphins a potential premiership contender so early in their NRL history. Mitchell's injury was super unfortunate for NSW as his form has been blistering this season. His highlights include a 4-try haul against the struggling Dragons and the try assist for Alex Johnston's record-breaking try.

HALVES: Braydon Trindall/Nathan Cleary

Trindall has been one of the best halves in the NRL for a few seasons now, and with Hynes out injured, Trindall has continued to step up. Only behind Cleary and Hughes on try assists this season so far, he deserves a lot more credit. Cleary goes without saying, leading the Dally M, most try assists, game 1 man of the match in Origin, he will go down as one of the best to grace the game; if not the best to ever do it.

PROPS: Jackson Ford/Jason Taumalolo

Ford has been one of the best props in the NRL since signing with the Warriors. His form deserves and Origin call up without a doubt, he ranks as one of the best on the Dally M ladder so far, scoring multiple tries already this season and making over a whopping 500 tackles. Taumalolo is one of the stories of the season, in season 17 for the Cowboys he has hit career best form. Ageing like a fine wine, Taumalolo could guide his Cowboys side to the finals come September.

HOOKER: Blayke Brailey

Harsh on Harry Grant, but the way Brailey moves is so eye-catching. His speed around the ruck and the way he reads the game is better than almost any player in the competition, let alone hookers. Real shame he get a rare injury at Origin time because his impact off the bench for NSW was superb on debut.

SECOND ROWERS: Hudson Young/Kulikefu Finefeuaki

These two epitomise the phrase: "a player who you hate to play against but love on your team." The way they storm into the defensive line with no regard for their own body screams old-school footy player and they have lit it up this season for their respective clubs.

LOCK: Alex Twal

So many good locks to pick from, but what has been so impressive about Twal is how he has adjusted his game to suit his best attributes. He now runs the ball hard and straight down the middle of the ground utilising offloads impressively. This has been a key adjustment from Benji Marshall with 3 of his forwards in the top 7 for offloads so for this season with this tactical shift being key to some of the Tigers early season victories.